EVO: 458 Italia v Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Great series of 2 videos with chris harris

http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/supercarvideos/251455/ferrari_458_italia_v_porsche_911_gt3_rs.html

This is real interesting - personally I have a '11 GT3 RS that I had ordered back in February for June delivery, but then an opportunity to get a build slot for a 458 in July came up, and I took it. I am pretty sure that I will pass on the GT3RS and have to cede it to another rennlister but there is definitely a large part of me that wants to do the crazy thing and take delivery of the RS and really see what its all about before the 458 arrives (probably in september). My wife and my bank account will have my head on a stick though so probably not realistic. But I do think that it is a bit of a dilemma ..

 

Well, that sorted one thing out: Those are the seats for me.

Oh, and there's a surprise, Chris likes the Porker best. Who'd have thought...

Nice vid, thanks for the link.

 

458 looks awesome in black. Chris does have a point about the sound of the two: the 458 doesn't have the organic visceral roar that the GT3 RS has (it's even more muted than the Scud.)

 

Having heard quite a few 458s running around the factory and out on the surrounding roads on test I'd say it's hardly quiet

 

Having owned both a GT3 RS and an F430 F1 (If you are bored, you can see my reviews of these cars in the Media section at the Fordgtforum), I have mixed feelings about this review; it is spot on with my prior experience. My gripe against the F430 was that it was nervous at speed and that the steering was light and noncommunicative compared with the RS. I was a bit disappointed, then, to hear the same gripes being repeated in this test. I'm hoping that the 458 will be a new experience, not a tweaked version of the F430.

Having seen the 458 in person in Maranello, I will say that visually, it is home run. I'm going to presume that it is dynamically as impressive...

I can't wait to find out for myself

 

The 458 is just awesome. And, it doesn't have any silly "Hot Wheels" graphics on it.

 

I like the red stripe in the seats of the 458 - first time I have seen them that way.

 

Agreed 100%. I've also had a 997 GT3 and F430. And used both very hard, esp on complex road terrain. Harris' review was exceptionally well done--and I would say quite similar to what I'd have said (could I have said it so well) about the two I've owned.

The 430 (and apparently 458--saw many running around the factory and Maranello) is a singularly special, world class performance sports car. Its a simply fantastic machine--true, hard core, loud, beautiful, and able to be driven very, very fast in many more conditions than the GT3.

But the GT3 has a special sound, feel and connection with its master which is honestly more satisfying, less predicable and absolutely unique at the limit.

I have to say, I love the Ferrari--and its a better overall package than the GT3. But, after the 430 comes the 458. And one day soon, it'll be another, even more digitally enhanced, stunningly beautiful and super quick 8 cyl. And I'll likely buy it in order to enjoy the "best" technological motor car of the moment.

But I'd keep the GT3, expecting to continuing using it forever, knowing it'll always feel like that old, very special pair of jeans or shoes. A "patek phillipe" versus any other. Something intuitively you know simply isn't likely to be built any better ever again.

To paraphrase Chris Harris: "if you're an enthusist, sell the house and buy the 458." I say sell the house and buy both.

 

I've owned both too. I agree about the 430 being nervous at speed and light steering. I enjoyed driving the RS much more than the 430. However, now that I own a Scuderia, I feel Ferrari has gotten this car right. I would pick it over the RS.

 

Chris Harris is becoming the benchmark in accurate descriptions of the feel and character of the drive, not just the statistics that every source regurgitates.

In my opinion, it appears that nothing has changed at Ferrari or Porsche since Clarkson did his comparison of the CS and the prior GT3RS. And my gripes with the P-car remain the same: I have never been a big fan of the look of the 911, and since they refuse to change it, I guess I never will. It's hard to argue with the rest of the package.

Here again, the Ferrari is more expensive and does more for you, but it IS the car you would choose if money were not a factor. It has the look, it has the emotion, it is the experience.

 

Honestly, money is not a critical factor in my decision and I cannot say with 100% certainty that the 458 IS the car I would choose. I think there certainly are a number of factors to consider not the least of which is the 'analog' nature of the GT3 RS and its absolute purety of purpose.

 

Precisely why I am really looking forward to owner comparisons between the Scuderia and the 458. Originally I was actually thinking about finding a nice Scuderia instead of the RS, as those two seem very comparable in terms of purpose. But then the appeal of the 'latest and greatest' got me and dealer wisely pointed out that buying the 458 is a no cost hedge - he feels if I don't like it I could trade it back in a year and get a 430 Scud, which in the meantime may have further come down in price ..

 

Really enjoyed the vid and Chris Harris' commentary. I was expecting a review by some vapid blonde....

 

Chris Harris truly is the king of auto journalists right now. I actually hang from his every word.

 

I don't have a crystal ball but I don't think the 458 is going to hold its value. I'm expecting a 15%-20% decline in the first year.

 

Well there is always Miss Vicky playing with paddles if you get nostalgic...she did have her way with that yellow Stradale at Fiorano a while back!
CH

 

I am really not suprised. This is EVO after all. If you go back through each "car of the year", about 75% are Porkers.

And I dont blame them. I am die hard over Ferrari. I would take the 458 every time over the Porsche, but I am a loyalist. Thing is, I have to hand it to them- the GT3 and GT3RS are really a pure drivers car, about as pure as you can get, and that is what EVO is about.

 

Jeff, I'm told the Gen II RS is worlds apart from the car you owned. Mine will be here next week. So I shall find out.

The comparison is interesting, if nothing else. One is an "old school", purpose built, track car. The 458 is sensuous, broader in purpose, and utterly on the edge from a technical standpoint.

 

"Digital vs Analog". I get it.

 

I dont think so but I hope youre right.

 

Pure Genius and great find, thank you for posting the link. Chris Harris is awesome.

 

Perfectly said

 

Difficult to predict, but certainly the 458 is being released into a market far different than that of the F430 several years ago. As witnessed by the stacks of Scuderias that were in inventory for many months, (my smallish dealer had four in inventory up until a few weeks ago) the pure status buyers may be on the wane. This does not break my heart. It will be very interesting to see what happens to the 458 once the initial and predictable feeding frenzy is over. I know that some of the F car dealers have a slightly adjusted attitude toward customers following the melt down...

 

So the 458 doesn't produce as much down force as factory claims?