The things people do when they see a 458

I took the 458 out for a short drive this weekend and here are some of the things that happen to me:

Was almost forced off the road because the guy next to me was looking over his shoulder at the 458 and started to drift into my lane. It could have gotten ugly but I think my track experience and not over reacting to the situation kept things from getting out of control.

Was stopped at a red light on the east side of an overpass. A red Miata pulls up next to me. The light on the west side of the overpass, about 100 feet away, turns green and the Miata takes off running the red light directly in front of him. Lucky no one was entering the intersection at the time. I'm not sure if he was hell bent on beating me off the start or whether he was so taken by my car that he could not think straight, or maybe just on drugs. In any case he is the kind of person I would rather have in front of me.

Then there was the picture taking at the gas station. I have only had my car a short time and only filled up twice, but both times someone has asked to take pictures of the car. I appreciate that other people appreciate my car.

Last but not least, the pick-up truck full of kids which came to a complete stop in the left lane, with about 6 cars behind them, so that I would pass and they could get a look at the car and take a picture.

It has been interesting and fun owning this car, and without a doubt this is greatest car I have ever owned.

Cheers!

 

Very typical. Get used to it. Be alert as you have been and drive VERY defensively.

 

I get a lot of kids waving. That's what I like best. I was one of those a long time ago and I hope they all get to own one some day.

 

Waves, thumbs ups, standing/passenger side pics, the yelling "ooohhhh" are all fine!

The moving pic i see bein taken in the rear view mirror from driver behind me, the "can i take it for a spin" (sounding dead serious), the "can u take me for a ride" (random stranger), and "can i put my dominoes sign on top n take a pic", and the "can i sit in it" (depends who) are not so fun!

 

I got a pick up truck "racing" me on a large straight on every red light, I really stayed behind since he seem quite crazy but every single time he was burning rubber, then a honda accord joined him on the other lane.
Just annoying sometimes.

You also get the nice people liking the car and taking pics.

 

I don't notice much attention. Is this the Silverstone effect?

 

Driving a 458 Italia in the south of France also gets a lot of attention - this is Provence at the base of the Alps, not the riviera where there are many more flashy people and exotic cars. The attention is almost entirely positive - smiles, thumbs up, waves, finger pointing with mouth open - and several people have come up just to took at the car and ask questions or chat. That is nice too. Unfortunately no attractive girls in bikinis have expressed an interest.
One negative experience was an old guy who spat on the road in front of the car. I took offense and did a u- turn and ran over his dog (just kidding - I shrugged my shoulders and continued on).
The spider would get as much if not more attention and the driver is more exposed. Not sure I would like that - solution is probably to drive with a cap and dark glasses...

 

with my 430, i would invite parking lot "admirers" to sit in my car.
i then offered to take photos of them with their cellphone camera.

 

I find personally that the 458 gets very little attention.

It's so strange.

My 911 or Bentley get thumbs up all the time...the cobra...people trip over one another to talk to me about it.

The Ferrari...it's invisible.

I can't figure it out. I always hear stories about people being unable to drive their cars anywhere due to all the attention....mine gets none.

It's a total conundrum!

 

It must be a NY Tri-state thing because my experience is the same. People will say something nice about my S63...usually about how stealth it is, which is kind of an ironic comment. My 458...rarely any attention.

 

Funny you mention that. I owned a Silverstone/Cuio 430 which seems to draw attention of older and less competitive types. I now own a black/white 458, and as was the case when owning a Narc Blue 360, "everyone" is back, from stop light racer, to picture taker. There may be something to be said for Silverstone if you seek quiet and discretion. I often viewed the Silverstone as more "dignified", maybe other do too? On the other hand you might miss the attnetion. Best

 

All of them? won't that affect resale values?

 

I hope so...one of the reasons I went with Silverstone....the Red Scud was an attention whore....

 

The 458 looks like a mini Enzo to me, the hottest looking "normal" series Ferrari for sure. Getting huge attention is not surprising.

Color and location is a big factor of course.

 

Location and color of the car may have something to do with it, perhaps?

 

IMVHO, black seems to get far less atention than red, yellow or white 458's.

 

The 458 probably won't get much attention at this location
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For sure.

 

That is a high concentration of red F40s for sure!

 

There is nothing like owning a red Ferrari. Nothing.

 

While I agree I think depending on your locale it can be quite annoying....When I bought my Scud last year it was Red or nothing....Ferrari's are red, plain and simple....while it garnered an unbelievable amount of positive attention it was just too much in my location (Springfield, MA)....When I went in to order my 458 I was going to do Rosso Corsa again...not even a second thought....until I saw the Silverstone in the flesh (and I know the lights make all the colors pop in the showroom)....it didn't take me long to change my mind....for me the Silver was a little less in your face and still shows the classic lines of the car....

 

Location, location and area.

In LA you get as much attention driving a 458 as a Prius.

In Vegas I get as much attention as if Kate Upton rode on the hood topless.

 

+1

Every Fcar owner should have a red one at least once IMVHO.

 

62 of them at the same time.

 

I would say 1 out of 100 drivers recognize the Silverstone 458.

On Saturday, I was in the number three lane. A car filled with kids was in the number two lane. A red 360 was in the number one lane.

You guessed it....the car of kids hung their heads of the window with their cell phones and snapped pictures of the red 360.

Silverstone is really great if you want to drive a Ferrari and not be noticed.