Admittedly, when we first entered, the sight of a one-of-799 Ferrari F12tdf listed for £900,000 nearly had us make a U-turn straight for the gleaming glass doors we’d stepped through just moments prior; the cynic inside us can’t help but wonder whether its placement is designed to act as a deterrent for any chancers looking for a free joyride in a sleek supercar.
Advertisement – Article continues below
We stand and head to peruse the sensational stock displayed around us, but not before Glenn passes us our Ferrari-branded cup of freshly brewed coffee. We gingerly clutch it like a surgeon would a vital organ, acutely aware it’s almost certainly the most expensive piece of crockery we’ve ever laid hands on.
Given that this was our first plunge into the world of supercar ownership, Glenn tells us that “the California or Portofino are often used as stepping stones for Ferrari ownership”.
It’s easy to see why; despite being a bright-red convertible Ferrari – that is, the ultimate dream for many of us – the California T we peer inside costs roughly the same as a new BMW M3 (around £90,000), despite packing a thoroughbred 3.8-litre turbocharged V8 under its bonnet.
Furthermore, given that this example is still relatively modern, it qualifies for Ferrari’s fantastic ‘Power16’ used warranty programme. All Ferrari Approved used models get 24 months of cover, which protects almost all major mechanical components. This can be extended annually for around £4,500-£5,500 which, while expensive, is certainly less bankrupting than having to fork out for a new engine or gearbox.
Power16, as its name suggests, even covers cars up to 16 years old; examples aged between nine and 16 only have their engine, gearbox, suspension and electrical components protected, though. Nevertheless, it’s still a generous package and takes some of the trepidation out of ownership.
Advertisement – Article continues below