488 GTB (458 replacement)

You can't come to a conclusion based on reviews. Those people need to say something sweet to secure their future reviews. When Cali T was launched, some reviewers also said "it sounds very good". But then......
IMO, if you don't care about sound, 488 is a must buy, because it looks beautiful and it is definitely very fast. But IMO, half of V8-mid buyers care about sound aka passion more than numbers.

 

Are you Serious? The 12c is not as fast as the 488. It also has more turbo lag and doesnt sound as good. Oh and it does not handle as well. The 488 will sell just fine. The reviews coming in already rave about how the car handles better than the 458, its faster and has a throttle response time very similar to a 458. The only downfall is that it doesnt sound as good.

 

Dont forget that the reviewers have to be biased otherwise the chris harris dilemma is going over and over. Most reviews I have seen where not that enthusiastic

 

Certainly not, but those are the only data points...other than people on the internet with even less experience ; )

I bet it will sound pretty darn good with a louder exhaust. It won't be as good as NA of course, but that is just the physics of things.

Who offers a mid-engined NA V8 with better sound and comparable performance?

 

"But then..." what?
Please tell me a few facts.

 

This thread has been quite an eye opener for me. Lots of people fretting about sound and equating that to 'passion' and not one person talking about handling. Seems insane to me that no-one is talking about handling.

 

After 212 pages of this thread I conclude some people love the 488. Some people are neutral to it. Some hate it. Those who love it try to convince others they should love it too. Those who hate it try to convince those who love it they should hate it too.

So where are we now? Probably those who loved it still do and some who originally hated it are coming around. Of course some still hate.

The haters will have to deal with this car for 5 years and turbo's forever unless Ferrari decides to go Hybrid & put heavy batteries in their cars and keep a NA engine paired. Or maybe a turbo engine coupled with electric motors as the LaFerrari is. Or maybe an electric powered turbo that has zero spool time. I am sure whatever is next will be faster and more agile. That is the Ferrari formula.

I loved the 488GTB the moment they unveiled it. I'm getting one in the first round here in the USA. If the Spider looks good, which I am sure it will, I will trade in my coupe for the Spider early on. I will also keep my '15 458 Spider either a long time or possibly forever.

I am looking forward now to the next 212 pages of this thread as the fans of the car and haters square off trying to convince each other their opinion is the right one. In the end your opinion is the right one for you. It is your opinion. To each their own, right? If you love the car and can afford it go buy one. If you hate it then pass and look for something else that excites you.

 

Is it hate?
I guess it's more defending of what one has and loves.

 

I do find it interesting that all of fchat pretty much condemned the mp4 when it was launched. Even if it could outperform the 458, numbers didn't seem to matter, the turbos just meant it lacked "soul" and very few gave it a chance...but now that ferrari is going turbo, many here won't think twice and will embrace the 488 with open arms. I guess that speaks to the power of the ferrari marketing machine.

 

you can call this double standards or double morality

 

Perhaps it speaks of Ferrari's ability to do it better than McLaren...

 

Even if that's true, my point was that people here didn't even want to give the MP4 a chance. Many formed their decision solely based on the fact it was a turbo car without ever driving one.

 

True. Not me, though.

 

Not all of us have drunk the kool-aid.

 

I drove it. Didn't like it. The turbo for me wasn't the big issue. I didn't like the ride -- seems too computer-y. It's like driving a video game to me.

 

BINGO

Sometimes change ISN'T for the best.

 

The LaFerrari has a glorious, normally aspirated, V12!!!

 

Im really surprised by the feedback on the 488... I understand sound plays a role when looking at a car as a whole and giving ones input. I have spent asinine money on titanium valvetronic exhausts in the past but I could never see myself faulting a car as much as some of you have over the sound of the 488 due to the turbocharged engine it now possesses.

I can tell you with certainty that Ferrari hit a home run with this new engine transplant and not only that but they will certainly be taking a lot of customers from Porsche, McLaren and Lamborghini when they drive the new 488. I applaud them for taking this step! The future is very bright and exciting! Turbo + electric power = unimaginable performance.

I will be the first to say it is a bit of a downer that we lose the beautiful high pitch sound of the naturally aspirated engine but I am all for it as a result of the new power it creates! I remember driving a 458 Spider back to back with a 650S Spider and thinking what a monster the 650 is... When I got back into the 458 I felt that under WOT I could be drinking an espresso and sending an email out at the same time. Turbocharged cars are such a blast to drive, to me at least.

I am very very excited for the new 488 and I will bet that many doubters that drive it, will instantly fall in love with it.

Amo Ferrari!

 

Well said!

 

It's not just the sound. It's also the lower redline, bit slower revving motor (according to some reviews), visually smaller engine, combined with just minimal styling updates makes it not so exciting for me. When you consider that trading up from a 458 coupe will be at least 100k, essentially just for some extra performance most of us will never use on the street, it just doesn't seem like a great value proposition IMO.

 

What is your opinion of the Cali T engine?

 

If I wanted a Porsche or Macca, I would just buy one. I don't need a Ferrari Turbo S.

 

7500 RPM limit in first

Progress?

Without question one of the best experiences of the 458 is hearing that car hit 9 grand in first. It makes your hair stand on end.

The 488 may get you to 60 faster than the 458 but its not numbers that impress me anymore.

 

Not sure this one will be successful like 458. This is the first time they launch a V8-mid with turbo, also the first time that after the launching, the past models' prices stay or go up. Also the first time that Ferrari's new car doesn't have the best sound compared to other competitors' models.
And for those who think that 488's selling point is the handling, you need to know that handling doesn't come better with turbocharged. It's more about lighter weight and suspension. Turbocharged only gives the car more hp, which is better straight race. So the real outcome of turbo is only faster in straight race, but worse sound and pedal feel. Nothing to do with handling or track time.

 

I can see why some will like the 458 more, I can also see why others still prefer the 430. The new car cannot be all things to all people.

For those that dislike the direction that Ferrari have gone with the 488 I would be interested to hear what direction they think that Ferrari should have gone with the new car.