Hi all, I am considering changing my California which I have loved for the past 2.5 years with a used 458 spider. My main concern (apart from losing 2 seats that I have been using rarely with my kids) is how usable is it as a daily drive especially as I live in central London. I obviously can't compare it to the Cali but how good or bad is it? Do any of you live in London (or a big congested city like that) and use it every day? thanks
I use my 458 to go into nyc 3 days a week and have yet to encounter any problems. The one major sticking point is the fact that the company I work for has a private garage so I know nothing will happen while I'm away from it. Having been to London countless times and driven in the city I think you should be fine! Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
I live in London and it is better than perfect. You will have no trouble at all. Have you driven it yet ? As soon as you do you will understand
Thanks guys. I have driven the coupe and spider both on track and on the road but never really in traffic, parking, etc. Good to know that you feel it's great! I am going to see a beautiful example tomorrow and might make the switch Thanks This is the car I am looking at http://www.hrowen.co.uk/ferrari/approved-used/1406/ferrari-458-spider/
i use my 458 coupe in a big city (vienna) as a DD and have no issues. that said, i just would not park it anywhere on the streets out of my sight. other than that, no issues, rain or shine. the spyder you are looking at looks just wonderful. i have driven a cali for a weekend (1K km) and felt that it was nowhere near the 458. you will be impressed by the DD qualities of the 458 (if you find the buck seats comfortable enough). enjoy, peter
At current exchange rates, the car would be under $300k. Could not find a silver of any shade when I was in the market. If the seats fit, I would snap it up.
Hats off to those of you who are using their 45 as a DD. I have over 6k miles on my 12 coupe and I hate using it as a DD. It's just a pent up beast that wants to be driven hard. Cruising and being in traffic in it is a pain in my opinion.
My daily drives consist of finding a restaurant for lunch located several miles away on a twisty 2 lane road with little or no traffic. the joys of being a retired geezer. Best
Thanks a lot chaps! Really appreciate all the comments. I will go and see it in person today so let's see how it goes. I will ask them for full history as apparently it had 2 owners and I would like to understand what's up. I imagine through the VIN number I should be able to check everything on the Ferrari website as well. Obviously it will also depend on how much they will give me for my Cali...
Been to London many times and frankly it's a supercar-friendly place IMO. Civilised traffic even if congested... high profile area so you could even park your car in the street (wide spots!) for a while in case you needed, low chances that it gets vandalized or attracts too much attention. I've seen many Ferraris left overnight parked in the street, wow... PS: that Grigio Ferro spider is beautiful!!!
Moving to NYC next year. For that one reason I'm delaying my 458 purchase. Garage aside, I didnt feel safe driving my Porsche in manhattan a month ago with all the crazy NYC drivers jumping lanes, etc.
I couldn't have a spider as a DD though, I am sure its capable of the job, but I would really miss that 'special' feeling you get when you haven't driven it for a bit, used on a daily basis would just kill the sense of occasion thing for me, far better to have another DD & a spider for those special days...but maybe that's just me That spider looks great, love the colour scheme, get it bought!..good dealer as well previously bought a couple myself from HRO
I dealt with Garry O'Dea...last time was back in 2009 I think it was, nice chap, very good to deal with
Well.....long story Car looks gorgeous in person and the charcoal / burgundy interior is beautiful and pretty understated. The burgundy is a lot darker than it seems in the pictures and IMO very elegant but sporty as well. 2 owners with supposedly the last one having the car for 1 month barely drove it as he had to leave the country (I think he must be a Gulf summer visitor...) They didn't take care of the car so well though in terms of little scratches inside and out and that surprised me a lot and worried me a little bit as well (it has less than 2,000 miles). Both mirrors are scratched, carbon outer sills are scratched and one seemed cracked (to be checked), driver side door handle all scratched up to be replaced and the driver side speaker cover behind the seat is completely scratched (as you might see in the pic). Nothing really major that needs serious fixing apart maybe for 1 of the outer sills if it is really cracked. Lastly the dealer insists that the wheels (they did not install them) are far too big and touch inside the wheel arches a lot if you go over speed bumps, potholes, etc. They still have the diamond wheels that they would give me as well and fit to the car but those wheels have winter tyres on only. Anyway the most important points are the price difference they are willing to accept between my Cali and this 458 and also if I can really get comfortable and happy with spending so much money on a used car. All the rest is easily fixed by the dealer. Is there a way on the Ferrari website to find the history behind a car using the VIN? Thanks Image Unavailable, Please Login
I have found that if you have hesitation on a purchase best thing to do is wait. Another car will pop up. Unless the car is discounted to reflect the condition perhaps it is not the right example. I wish you the best of luck and only you can make the final decision and it is your money, but when I was shopping 458's I promised myself I would wait until the perfect car appeared before me, and it did. I was going to buy a 458 out of California with less options and some minor paintwork to a mirror and the bottom of the front nose section. I passed on the car and found a fully optioned well kept 1 owner 458 just a few weeks later. I am happy I waited and found a better car for me. Buying a used car can be nerve racking. You dont know the exact history or how the car was driven and cared for. My advice is continue to research the car you are considering but if the price is high and the Cali trade figure is low you may want to just hang on for now, just my 2 cents. Good luck either way, let us know what happens....
The two major factors are is the car right for you and is the deal right. My feeling on the spider is it is due any time so for a drop, to be more in line with the coupes. If I was buying today I'd be looking at around 190kfor a 12 plate with around 2k miles. I think that's where the value is on a spider today. You should find there is a fair old movement on price even where you are buying if from - maybe 7-10k off ticket depending on the car and of course what the car owes them. With the wheels, are they refusing to supply you them ? Use it as a negotiating tool. Personally would not fit larger wheels on the 458. It will reduce the acceleration increase road noise and bumps and I'm sure will be no good for handling. I actually really like the diamond cut wheels. Lastly as others have said don't rush to the fist car. Have a few on the table at different dealers which will help you get the best price then find the car deal that best suits you. They are bound to get cheaper as we get closer in to winter. 59 for sale ! http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=used-cars&M=1744&ShowSoldCars=True&SortOptions=PriceLowToHigh
Have more than 100 consecutive days as DD in Lisbon and have already putted it more than 4k miles. No issues. On the contrary, its been really wonderful. However, its a red spider!
