I love my 458. I really do. I've been out of town for the past month and had a chance to drive it last weekend for the past 5 weeks. This car is simply incredible. The acceleration and speed are intoxicating. If I'm not careful, I'm going to be posting Fchat from the County Jail. When I open the door and sit down, I think that few things on earth smell as good as the leather inside. I press the big red button and a roar screams from behind. How many have imitated the start button and none have done it better. When it barks to life, I wonder if I woke up the neighbors. Surely, someone in Maranello made it do that intentionally. I drive it around and find a good place to hit 8 grand on the needle. My hair stands on end. When you downshift into first, the car blairs like some kind of angry animal. People stop by to look at it like it's a celebrity. A lady pulls next to me and asks "Sir, can I take a picture of your CAR?" A car nut came up to me after looking all over it for half an hour and said to me "I think this is the best car Ferrari has ever made". It's difficult to argue. My goodness. What a car.
Quite a testimonial..........Hell, I sat in one today that was NOT mine, and realized that it is my new porn.
Yes... if it is possible to love an inanimate object, this is it. If you could somehow taste its fury, it would treat all the senses. It is a unique combination of art, technology, performance, elegance, and luxury. And other people sense it. Instead of arousing passions of class or jealous envy, people just like being around it. It seems to say that humanity can still do great things that we can all aspire to. Its flaws are rationalized away as trivial, and they are trivial indeed when projected against the brilliance of the whole. No country save Italy could make something like this. And even they don't always succeed with such a harmonious creation. They did with this.
Your county jail has internet? Amen. If I had not taken the 458 to work, I'd go right back out after dinner for a drive ... JUST to drive it!
sounds awesome...I have to say I'm surprised that you haven't experienced some of these things with your prior ferrari's. Perhaps a CS or Scud would have provided some of those experiences...(especially the "bark' when starting...my CS is sooo loud I honestly worry the nieghbors are going to be pissed). 458 is my "someday" car...sounds like I've got something to look foward to!
Hey its cool, I love your 458 too . Its an excellent design, a wonderfully well crafted reliable, piece of automotive bliss.
My Dino was good looking but slow. I dripped in sweat after getting out from heat coming in from the front radiator and no AC. The gearbox was useless from 1st to 2nd until fully warmed up. But, it was fun with a great sound and look. The two 308's I had were fun, tossable cars. Not quick though. Drive one and you'll lose a drag race to a modern Camry (I'm not joking). Good sound, fun to drive but lacking Atlas boosters. The F430 was the best car I've even owned. Fast and comfortable. It's flaw was the gearbox that hiccuped at times a low speed and chewed up the clutch in hard acceleration or cruising though a traffic jam. Some would say that the looks seem a bit tortured. The 458 has none of these flaws plus unbelievable power, speed, and looks. So far, it's been absolutely bullet proof. Best car yet I've ever owned by far.
bdelp, would You (or indeed ANYONE else) PLEASE stop talking about how WONDERFUL the car is ? Well, at least until mine is delivered, too... Cheers, Ulli
Yup, just what I needed as an early xmas-present, Kieran - Ta ! Why not invite me to e.g. Harry's Bar once I'm in Mayfair again, just for compensation ? Ulli
I have to agree with everything bdelp says. In fact, the 458 is so amazing that I actually wish my drive to work every day was a bit longer.... How weird is that?
It would be my pleasure!! BUT CALM DOWN ALL OF YOU!! I am the master of self control and am not taking delivery until march, it will snow here jan ,feb and we get a new licence plate here 1st March and i have bought a plate for then. can anyone tell me how comfortable the 458 is to sleep in for 8 weeks. Seeing it thursday and will Post pictures if I can. IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG LONG Jan and Feb.
Even though I don't own one I would have to agree. I was in the Park Ave. showroom this weekend and sat in the 458 they have there and my fiancee had to practically pry me out of those racing seats. It seems that even sitting still it tickles all of the senses. I cannot wait until I have the opportunity to drive one. Congrats and enjoy in good health to all that do have one.
Done then. Alternatively the nice restaurant near the Ritz (can't remember the name atm; a former british car manufacturer's showroom from wayyyy back - really lovely art-deco interior) Gotta have the race seats for that ! Sadly no seat-heating with them, so invest in a good and cosy blanket. Mine'll be sleeping in my garage, too, until the snow's gone for good. Cheers, Ulli
Trivial perhaps but how would my 2010 compare with the new 2012 other than minor facelifts? Can we have the software upgrade as well? What are the benefits? Other than this niggling in the back of my mind, I love my 458
Posts like Bob's bring a smile to my face as I count down the days until mine arrives. Should be driving it mid January. Can't wait. LOL, I've had the custom mats and Capristo remote valve opener sitting here waiting for the rest of the car.
Forgot to mention my dealer suggests driving in town/traffic in wet/winter mode as the throttle respose is not as sharp and you get smoother uptake , is this true? Also does anyone ever drive theirs in Auto? Have hade a 430 and Lambo LP560 and never used Auto
I use auto, at least until warmed up and able to devote attention to the paddles. It's the default mode starting out and would likely be quieter with better economy. The throttle is overly sensitive even in wet mode but the shifts are smoother. It's sure not as fun though. Amen to bdelp's sentiments. Imagine what the 458 scud will be like. Too much car for me....yet can't resist it
