Goodbye 458, hello 650s

The standard tire for the 12C is Pirelli PZero, not Corsa- 650s yes and to add to the debate the 12C Top Gear lap time is based on the early cars without the benefit of the extra HP and better ECU/TCU software. My guess, the 12C on Corsa or Trofeo R would beat the Huracan around the Top Gear track.

My 2 cents,

MB

 

I traded in my 458 Italia for a 650S coupe about a month ago, but family and work commitments got in the way of going for a proper long drive... until yesterday.

I took the 650S on the same backroads where I used to take the 458 (and the GT-R before, and the 350Z before that... good times). For NorCal folks, I'm talking about the classic 9 --> 35 --> 84 --> Pescadero --> 1 --> 92 --> 280 loop, a great mix of highly technical switchbacks and smoothly-paved straights.

Wow.

I am sorry, I love the 458, and I still miss the noise, but the 650S is in a different league altogether. The chassis, the turn-in, the acceleration, the braking... just everything about this car is a huge step forward from the Ferrari. Soulless? Hardly. This car is electrifying!

Sure, I may eventually trade it in for a 488, but I am just as likely to trade up to whatever the 650S's successor is.

 

Had a 458. Waiting 2 years to build a Speciale. Nothing. Sold 458 for 12C spyder which is overall a better car. Now sold 12C and have a Huracan. Wow. WAY better than a 458.
The ONLY thing I miss about the 458 is the sound. That's it.

 

Would you say it's similar in emotion to the GTR?

 

No.

It's more as if the GT-R and the 458 had a love child. It has that turbo whooosh of the GT-R (but turned up to 11), plus the exotic looks, the handling, and the road feel of the 458 (but better). Build quality and ride quality are better than both. Feels lighter than both (not surprising as the GT-R feels like a boat after driving the 458, but the 650S is even nimbler).

I don't want to bad-mouth the 458; it was my first Ferrari and it won't be my last. I loved it the whole time I had it. I didn't have to trade it in. I wouldn't have, had I not been convinced that the 650S was a better car for me. I won't go as far as saying it's a better car for everyone, but it is for me and a lot of other people, for what it's worth.

 

Isn't it wonderful to have so many great exotic car choices!
I've driven the 650S, the Aventador, f12, Italia, GT, etc., etc., and they are all exceptional cars. Every single one of them feels like an occasion. Some of them from the power, some of them for the sound, some of them for the workout required just to stay on the road.
Having said all this; above all of them, I absolutely love my speciale the most. If everyone loved the same car, what a boring world this would be.

 

Appreciate the insight. I had the first GTR in country and didn't like it, so clinical. I find the 458 to be very special, albeit too quiet for my tastes
I have no doubt the 650s is significantly faster but the sound just isn't there.

 

There is a dealer in Dallas and they are opening a Houston location. Not exactly next door to you, but definitely in Texas.

All the current stuff is highly reliant on electronics. And the last open diff car I drove in the rain on track was quite good. And its electronics were very limited to say the least.

 

I thought I remembered seeing your handle on NAGTROC.

Yes, my biggest worry going into the 650S was that I would end up buying a more expensive GT-R. That worry turned out to be completely unfounded. The 650S has none of the robotic feel of the GT-R; it is a true driver's car with excellent steering feel and super-quick responses.

Like I said, the noise is the only thing I truly miss about my 458... But in the end I'll take acceleration, braking, handling, and road feel over noise...

 

Not me...I want to KNOW I am in a supercar.
I tested the Aventador recently. Inside while driving, not a lot of drama or noise relative to the 458. I passed.

 

You should have it looked at. My Jeep scared me when I drove it but I found out it was just some loose suspension bolts. Might be the same thing on your GTR.

 

Yeah, with all that aftermarket stuff, they might have installed it wrong and that could be causing it to be scary to drive. I only had a lift kit with a loose control arm bolt. I can't imagine what they might have missed. Have you thought about going back to stock?

 

A little surprised to hear that you thought the build and ride quality exceeded the 458. What was it with the build quality that you didn't like? Not looking to doubt you but I am just curious as I haven't had the opportunity to see a 650S.
In terms of looks, I feel the 458 is nicer and it's hard to argue over the sound of a high strung N/A motors.

 

650S ride quality totally exceeds that of the 458. 458 suspension is pretty old school compared to the 650S. 650S is more adjustable (you can adjust power and suspension separately ), it's hydraulic vs electromagnetic. The 458 spider wobbles like a top.

I never had much of a build quality with my 2 458s. One minor complaint was I ordered the "458 spyder" emblem in matte finish because the sun reflection was irritating. The quality was very bad, the "e" was filled in and looked very cheap for a $600 option. The paint was also not anywhere you'd expect for a 300k car. Ferrari have lots of paint issues.

I also went through a transmission and an ediff within 10k miles. All covered under warranty.

 

Thanks for your input. I didn't realize the 458 didn't come with electromagnetic shocks as many conventional vehicles do possess them. Having your mechanical issues covered under warranty is always nice.

 

The 458 does have electromagnetic shocks. The McLaren suspension is way beyond that technically.

 

That's a surprising comment. Anytime someone discusses driving the Aventador they always say driving the car is like is like an event.

 

So 2000kms (1500miles) in the 650S over the weekend. Absolutely amazing car and with the roof down even better. I tend to agree with build quality over 458 (I had one). The 650S feels very much Porsche quality build. All final touches just seem a higher quality and are solid. The car just feels better built.

Now the big question - If I had to choose and have only one car - it would still be the Ferrari. I now we can argue Speciale vs 650S vs 488 but again if I had to choose it would still be a Ferrari.

I am very fortunate I don't have to choose and hence why having both (Speciale and 650S) is just brilliant.

Would I buy the p14 when it is released - for sure.

 

This thread has more legs than I'd anticipated on this forum; very interesting read

 

The interior of the McLaren 650S is horrific, something out of the 90's. Especially the dashboard configuration. Blaaaahh. My 458 interior is superior in every way.

 

Congrats on purchase, we love us some 650S!!

 

you got any CF extra bits for it that are interesting?