This 2015 Ferrari California T has 25k miles and is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transaxle. Finished in Nero over red-and-black leather upholstery, the car has Novitec exhaust and suspension components, 20-inch split-spoke alloy wheels, a limited-slip differential, carbon-ceramic brakes with yellow-finished calipers, Scuderia Ferrari fender shields, front and rear parking sensors, a retractable hard top, xenon headlights, power-adjustable Daytona-style front seats, drilled-aluminum pedals and a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation.
This California T was acquired by the selling dealer in 2024 and is now offered with the owner’s manual, service records, a car cover, a battery tender, an accident-free CARFAX report and a clean California title.
(Introductory description courtesy of Bring a Trailer.)
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 2015 Ferrari California T |
| Years Produced: | 2015–18 |
| Number Produced: | 7,900 (estimated) |
| Chassis Number Location: | Left front of dash |
| Engine Number Location: | On the bottom of the engine, visible through an inspection port |
| Club Info: | Ferrari Club of America |
| Website: | http://www.ferrariclubofamerica.org |
| Alternatives: | 2015–19 Porsche 911 Cabriolet 2013–20 Mercedes-Benz SL550 2013–16 Aston Martin DB9 Volante |
This car, Lot 166095, sold for $144,375, including buyer’s premium, on Bring a Trailer’s online auction on October 10, 2024.
New plant construction at Maranello during the early 2000s allowed Ferrari to increase production volume. Following its mantra of producing one less car than demand, Ferrari chose to widen its offerings rather than building more of what it was already making. The resulting California was aimed at a different segment of buyers — those who were otherwise buying a Bentley Continental, Porsche 911 or Mercedes SL. These people weren’t saving their cars for special occasions; they were leasing cars, driving them every day and swapping to a new one at the end of the lease.
The California was tailored for this customer. Ferrari’s award-winning engines were as tractable and reliable as the competition while sounding better and being more fun. Ferrari’s F1 paddle-shift gearbox had evolved to an acceptable solution for the non-shifting driver, while remaining exciting to the enthusiast when in Sport mode. A retractable hard top, power steering, great air conditioning and contemporary technology made the California a viable rival to the competition.
A seven-year free-maintenance program, three-year unlimited-mile warranty, and optional extended warranties blunted the maintenance horror stories buyers often heard. Mandatory dealership facility and personnel upgrades helped the client’s dealer experience match the competition. Then there was the Ferrari factor. Owning a Ferrari is a bucket-list experience, and a California provided that experience at a reasonable price with minimal risk.
To a “T”
The original California was great out of the box. It could be ordered as a 2+2 or with a package shelf instead of the seats. The top went down in seconds, and even with the top down there was room in the trunk for luggage. A panel between the trunk and cabin folded down so long items such as skis, golf clubs or even a couple of 2x4s would fit in the car. The California’s 460-horsepower, 4.3-liter V8 moved the car to 62 miles per hour in just four seconds, while top speed was an impressive 192 mph. Ferrari had paid special attention to the car’s acoustics, and the sound was truly magnificent.
In 2012, Ferrari introduced the California 30, with 30 more horsepower and a 30-kilogram weight reduction. The California 30 also introduced Ferrari’s dual-clutch version of the F1 transmission to the model. Now sporting 490 horsepower, the California 30 hit 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and topped out at 194 mph.
The next upgrade was in 2015, when the California got a smaller engine. Ferrari does not go backwards when it comes to performance, so Ferrari added turbochargers to offset the displacement reduction. This model is called the California T (for turbocharged). The turbos added nearly 70 hp, bumping the total to 555. Sprints to 62 mph fell to 3.5 seconds, and top speed increased to 198 mph.
The California T’s updates did not come without controversy. Turbochargers are part of the exhaust system, and they muffle the exhaust note. The acoustic change is noticeable, and some people prefer the California 30 over the California T. The California T also featured cosmetic updates to the exterior and interior. In particular, the fender vent’s distinctive slats that replicated the 250 GT California Spider were discarded.
Pronto Portofino
Nine years is a long lifespan for a Ferrari model, so the factory tweaked the California significantly in 2017. Recognizing the California’s age and the market’s disappointment in the T’s exhaust note, Ferrari gave the car a facelift, a mechanical update and a new name: Portofino. It shared little exterior or interior trim with the California, yet there was no mistaking the lineage. The profile was the same but the details were sharper, giving the car a more aggressive look. Mechanically, new internal components and electronics bumped output to just under 600 hp. Performance numbers were similar to the T, but the difference in driving was notable. Importantly, attention was given to the car’s sound. Electronically controlled valves make the exhaust louder on acceleration, while a new wind deflector cuts top-down wind noise so the exhaust can be heard better.
The final update came in 2020 with the introduction of the Portofino M. The legendary M suffix signals the model is a Modificata, or update of the previous model. The Portofino M got an obligatory boost in power, this time to nearly 620 hp. It also got some cosmetic updates plus a new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and a steering-wheel-mounted five-position Manettino dial. The model had evolved dramatically from the original Ferrari California but stayed true to the original concept. The new Roma replaced the short-lived Portofino M in 2021, continuing the California concept but with a completely new car.
Just a used car
A little internet snooping found our subject California T had been with four owners by the time of the auction. It had 25,000 miles, around average for the model and year, and no damage was seen or reported. Factory options include Scuderia fender shields, front and rear parking sensors, 20-inch wheels, Daytona-style seats, various interior trim options including a carbon-fiber steering wheel with shift lights, and more. The black exterior with red interior is desirable.
Base MSRP for a California T in 2015 with destination fee was about $200k, and while a window sticker wasn’t provided for this car, it appears to have perhaps $50k in options. The sale price of $144,375 is at least a 42% drop from an estimated $250k MSRP not quite a decade ago. That looks fairly significant when compared to the same-year Ferrari 488, which has depreciated around 30%, but it is not a fair comparison. New Californias were in ample supply, with a short wait to get a new car. Conversely, 488s were wait-listed, with some clients waiting years for delivery. Used 488s sold for well above list price, so picking a number to start depreciation from is tricky.
A better comparison is picking a car that would have been an alternative purchase. Depreciation on a 2015 Mercedes SL 550, for example, would be around 65%. With the exception of a Porsche 911, I suspect most competitors would have similar depreciation.
There were 7,900 California Ts built, making them a commodity rather than a collector piece. There are enough market samples to mathematically compute reasonably accurate values. Mileage can have a statistical influence on value, but expensive options less so. The average 2015 California T has similar mileage to this car and comes in at $120,000. That gives the advantage to the seller, but we doubt the buyer will care what they paid after a few hours behind the wheel. ♦
