The Ferrari California looks a lot like the Hyundai Tiburon. There. I said it. The California, a $250,000+ supercar, shares some striking styling aspects with the Tiburon (an entry level coupe)...


1) Similar rear ends when viewed from the side
2) Forward Side Vents
3) Standard 5 Spoke Wheels

I’ve actually seen both the Ferrari California and the Hyundai Tiburon in traffic and my first though in each case was, “Hmm, is that a Tiburon”. The difference when viewing the Ferrari California was that after my initial “Tiburon fake out”, I realized that this was, in fact, a prancing horse passing by me at a high rate of speed.

For what it’s worth, a highly technical performance comparison can be summed up as follows:

Ferrari California > Hyundai Tiburon 

However, a detailed financial analysis reveals that…

Ferrari California = $7,500 trade in value of Hyundai Tiburon + $242,500 Cash

The California basically looks like a sleek and sporty redesign of the Tiburon. With the following mods a Tiburon would start to look a lot like a California.

1) More aggressively sloped nose
2) Change the angle of the side view mirrors and side vents
3) Add a swooping indentation to the side panels to mimic that of the California
4) Install Ferrari logos 

Hmm, all these changes sound like a body kit don’t they? Yes, they do.

Ferrari California owners, start praying that no one comes out with a “Ferrari California Edition" body kit for the Tiburon. Tiburon owners, go ahead and pray for the opposite.    =)
Alvaro Montoya
3/7/2010 04:59:58 am

Good points about the Ferrari California looking a lot like a Tiburon. They do kind of look similar on the road...

LOL @ the "detailed financial anaylysis".

T.B. Masi
3/8/2010 12:28:57 pm

I'm just learning about luxury cars. Your analysis is insightful, sharp, and humorous. It's always easier to retain what's learned in an upbeat, and fun environment. I'll certainly be coming back to your blog. Thanks for your observations that give an education. Thanks too for the laughs. They're great medication before a car trip no matter what I'm driving, cause some of these folks on the road are crazy!

3/8/2010 01:05:05 pm

@T.B. Masi: Thank you for the kind words. One of my goals is to have this be a fun site that demystifies exotic and luxury cars by showing them in real life situations.

3/8/2010 01:06:38 pm

@ Alvaro Montoya: Yep, the Ferrari California and the Hyundai Tiburon really do look like twins. One could be the "pretty" twin and the other is the, well, you know, the "other" twin. LOL. You decide which is which ;-)


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