Test Drove the 488 Today. Cancelled my Order, Sticking to my 458

I find 458 speciale exhaust note far more superior and enjoyable when compared to the F12 and i had the chance of driving both before making the decision to buy the speciale.

Its a matter of taste,

 

I'm a Speciale owner and absolutely love the car, in fact so much that it has re-calibrated my idea of what a good car is. But I can't agree with your post. I think at least 9 out of 10 people would prefer the V12 sound (and maybe 99 out of 100).

I went on two pilota courses this year. You spend quite a bit of time listening to 458s, Speciales and F12s zing past your ear at full chat, engines literally screaming. Out of about 30 people on each two-day course, not once did I hear "those Speciales sound better than the F12" although I did regularly hear "I would much rather be driving the Speciale and 458 on track". Everyone could hear clearly what a great sound the V12s made in comparison and a regular comment was "what a noise that V12 makes". No-one said that about the 458s.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that even the 458 has a sweeter sound than the Speciale although that is within the realms of reasonable preference. You obviously know your own mind but I fear you are very much in the minority (no issue with that either - each to their own as they say).

 

I think F12 sounds better than 458 or Speciale, because the engine is larger and V12. But at least F car has to sound like 458, which is screaming like a race car. If you don't care about sound, 488 should be ok. But if sound is important, there is no way to make 488 scream.

 

While I understand that sound is important, I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would forgo all the advantages the 488 has over the 458 just for that one thing.

 

Take John Williams out of Jaws and Star Wars and heck, it's still a movie, sound doesn't matter.

 

The sounds are different. 458. Speciale. V12. The sounds associated with Rock, Classical, and Hip Hop are different. Same 7 notes. People have lots of passion for each of these collection of sounds. Silly to debate which is "better." Better to recognize that people all have preferences.

 

I like my Speciale's sound. That's cause my name is on the title. I believe i'm bias.

 

Everyone definitely has different taste. I prefer the 355 sound over the f12 stock. I think the 458 sounds similar to the 488 at cold start and low revs but the 458 sounds more aggressive at the end of the rev range

 

Everyone has different taste for things at the same level. It's like some people like BMW, some like Mercedes or Audi. But when the comparison is between Mercedes S class against Toyota Camry, that has nothing to do with taste anymore.
488's sound is not a matter of taste, but it's more on whether you need sound or not.

 

Great post. Very objective. I would say its personal but V12 = passion.

 

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Such drama.

 

Perfect!!!

 

Oh yes it does. It may be a movie but it won't be the same movie.

 

F12 with Capristo exhaust and Fabspeed downpipes sounds amazing in person...here's from Festival of Speed Miami:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvKWd3NnMuI[/ame]

 

I must be tone deaf I traded in my 458 and never looked back I am driving the crap out of my 488 and am absolutely thrilled with every aspect of the car and when the replacement comes in a few years good bye 488 and in with whatever insane car Ferrari creates next.
I am 58 and to old to worry about trade in value or what the next car costs etc.,etc.,etc. if you like the car buy it if not keep what you have it's all good,personally I have never seen,heard or driven a Ferrari that I did not like. If anyone on this forum has a Ferrari they really hate give me a call I will be happy to take it off your hands and end your misery.

 

I just have to say that alot of your comments are just laughable, thanks for making me laugh.lol

 

Did you give a review, would love to read what you have to say. I love this post because it really shows how dumb it is that people strongly crap on the 488 because it does not sound as a good as a 458. It may not scream the same but it certainly does sound good for what it is, a turbo v8. I think Ferrari did an amazing job with the car and its tiring reading all these sound posts. They act like the car is a POS because it does not sound as good. We all know the 488 will run circles arond any 458 and have great throttle response. Great job to Ferrari for making a better version of the 458 minus the sound but it is still good for what it is.

 

just sounds evil! love it!

 

imho it is too expensive for what it offers; if you are after performance
you can get a car 10 times cheaper with the same stats...
as for the magic, that is priceless

in 20 years from now I feel the 488 will be considered an experiment to forget and be one
of the least desirable and cheapest Ferraris to be had

btw have you seen the market value in the US for all models from 308's to 458's: steady and appreciating,
wonder why...

for example a 2010 458 with 5-6K miles used to be in the 190-200K range now it is in the 200-210K range

just my .02

 

70's era F1 car!

 

As a current owner of a 2010 458 Italia, I've been on the local dealer's list of a 488 for sometime now. After reading all the expert and owner reviews of the 488, I begin to have second thoughts. I had a chance to test drive a 488 last week with its owner. I now have personal experience to justify the 'second thoughts.' The 458, IMHO, is probably the best daily car Ferrari has ever made. Performance, sound, aesthetics, emotional appeal, etc., collectively as a package is so good that it is hard to imagine any other car comes close second. I've had my shares of Porsches, etc., and I think the Italians definitely has the 'package' right. With that perspective, the 488 improves on the electronics, quicker response and sharper feel. (I still wonder if the 488 has a better stock battery than the one in the 458!) Of course the increase in power and torque! It certainly does not sound as 'dramatic' as the 458. The 488 engine seems too small for the engine bay - a bit odd looking when viewed up close. I also have a personal bias against the side air vents on the 488. One thing that makes the 458 so beautiful is the fact that the air ducts and vents are integrated into the design and are 'hidden' when viewed from the side. The body therefore is not all cut up with vents and ducts like other supercars - a function over form. Much credit goes to Pinninfarina for designing the 458 bodywork. I am a big fan of naturally aspirated engines. Wouldn't it be heaven if Ferrari puts their famed v12 on the 488 and gives it 730 HP like the F12? I'd be glad to pay whatever it takes. I also agree with some of the posts here that the 458 will likely maintain its value better than its 488 replacement in the future solely because of the engine, and sound difference at least among repeating Ferrari buyers. If one just want more power and torque, the 911 Turbo is a better choice. When it comes to Ferrari, the package as a whole is what makes the Ferrari experience what it is. I welcome other opinions from current owners of 488's and they will help me sought out all the above conflicting feelings.

 

You have turned personal to me, its not about car anymore. I'm just being straight forward here. You don't need to pretend by making a poem about the car if you think its bad. Doing so won't make Ferrari gives you a chance in special edition model.

 

These are retail prices on the 458.
some fchatters have bought in 180's are sold or traded