Chris Harris - 488 Spyder

the engine cover on the 488 Spider sadly looks like the access cover to a washing machine

 

Luckily, washing machines in Switzerland are beautiful.

 

OMG its sounds like a washing machine too though ... & that's a disaster !

 

Washing machines in Switzerland must be way too noisy. You should buy American. Maytag's don't sound like Ferrari's.

 

There are many people on Fchat who can do a better review than CH.

 

They just need a video crew and CH has one of those already so he's s leg up.

 

Sutcliffe is my favorite, tells it like it is. I think the hardest part is that many of these test drives are limited and, honestly, I'm always more interested in what the cars are like to live with. So, really, I'm sure it becomes somewhat routine for these guys. Harris is knowledgable, and you can easily tell when he's going through the motions, and that speaks volumes. They all have their favorites, of course ... Hard to hide.


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I , seemingly in the minority, found the review helpful regard body stiffnes, having the opportunity to listen to the sound under load , etc. The commentary was understated but informative and only emphasize for me why I am in no hurry to buy a 488.

IMO, the 488 is not a visual improvement over the 458, and if it goes faster, I have no idea where to drive it faster anywhere but a a race track, and in that case, their are several other cars including the Speciale', GT3RS, etc. I can choose from. As for the sound, better than I thought but not good enough.Best

 

Already covered in earlier video reviews. Harris phoned this one in.

 

Too many cars and too many forums (difficult to keep up), Thanks. Best

 

Chris Harris...they made me mad.
Chris Harris: 'Being underdog at home made us mad' - NFL.com

 

Seems like ch thinks the 488 "sounds better" than the 458, that's hard for me to believe until I actually hear for myself in person. Nonetheless, everyone has their own opinion

 

Well, he always said that he didn't like the sound of the 458. I'm one of those who also find it a bit artificial and monotone. It's a personal preference. I prefer the sound of the GT3RS over the Speciale as well, but that's just me.

 

I agree. I also think some people confuse db level with actual quality. The 488 is actually a pretty sweet sounding car in my opinion.

 

Yes the sound of the 458 is monotone compared to my f430 spider with headers, but from what I hear in videos the 488 is also monotone, low bass and doesn't increase in amplitude and frequency as much as the 458 through the rev range.

 

Chris Harris' opinion that the sound is better than a 458 is just that, a subjective opinion. Each of us will have our own when the car "hits the street" if you will. Either way the car does look great particularly in that color. I also like the fact that they stiffened the body to reduce shake when the top is down. They will sell them all IMHO as per usual.

 

I do not know what washing machines you are used to, but the 488 does not sound bad at all. It actually ha a good sound, does it scream ike a 458, no, but it does have a nice Ferrari sound to it.

 

The shrill is gone !

 

I must admit, this particular review did not excite me in a way that would make me love to buy the car. He just isn't very excited about it.

 

He doesn't like open tops so he was never going to be excited by the Spider.

 

I didnt see him complaining or show any form of dislike when driving open tops from Woking

 

Perhaps it's better.

Surely not...

 

Open tops from Woking are a different thing really - no less sporting than the coupe because of the carbon tub, so the stiffness is identical without adding extra weight. Therefore, since he got himself into a car for a few months it was always likely he would give it a decent review. Macs are really good cars too, don't forget.

I suspect that we have had such an abundance of great product over the last few years he has probably reached the unfortunate stage of finding yet another 'cooking' supercar a bit 'ho hum'. He never struck me as the type to hide is feelings and for better or worse there they are. On another day, it might be different and that, of course, is one of the pitfalls for the punter. It is never smart to say "I will buy x car because y journalist says it's good" for this and some other reasons.

I think McLaren are getting into their stride now and the 675 seems to have been received well. Finished ahead of 488 in EVO's COTY 2015, which is something new. Not surprising because the 'track specials' mostly do win or at the very least reach the final three - RS's, GT3/4's, Speciale, Scuderia etc. It would be something of a surprise if the 675 didn't go well there. The tables will likely be turned when 488 Speciale arrives, probably at the same time as 650 replacement, which will be a more road biased car I guess. It's all meaningless though - the 675 failed to win because of one tester (fair enough) but had he been ill that day....

So one coming above another is not really material. As always, make your own mind up. I have a Speciale and a 12C spider. I'll probably change the 12C for a 488 Spider. Probably.

 

Correct I think all his videos are the same. Don't get me wrong I enjoy them but a he does for 15 minutes is thrash the car and u get sounds of tires getting shredded.

Jethro actually talks about the car and other dynamics and has plenty of action scenes too (see the Evo 458 spider video in Italy along the Stelvio Pass). That was awesome video with overhead shots that required tons of work!

 

I would not make a car purchase decision on one reviewer Chris Harris included. Rather l look at all reviews and get an overall impression of the car. The reviews by Fchat members are some of the most important to me. And then driving one yourself is the best thing to do before you make your final decision.

My memory is that reviews were much more enthusiastic for the 458 than the 488 reviews have been so far.