488

250 miles in my Scuderia Red/Black interior 488. Those guys did it again. This is my 18th modern ferrari---I say this only for context. Hands down my favorite(did love my Speciale). This car not surprisingly is paradigm shifting. The turbos completely change the driving experience and dynamics. The car must be driven by the tach or the driving experience is repeatedly interrupted by the rev limiter. Once that rhythm is established however the ferocity of the car is fully unleashed---At 5500 RPM's in 5th gear under full load you can feel the stability control system fighting for grip. I have simply never experienced acceleration at that level. I took 2 Porsche salesman for rides and each agreed that the car out-paces the Turbo S in sheer brut thrust. With regard to handling and turn-in the car is as crisp as the GT4 I own and the GT3. It perhaps lacks the steering feedback of the Speciale but not by much. In terms of ride compliance(I only drive in Race Mode) the car is Mercedes like. There is a silkiness on almost any road surface. Finally, the sound. Especially with the Titanium pipes the sound is an intoxicating bass rumble that builds in intensity as the R's elevate. The shriek of the 458 is absent but the exhaust note is extremely satisfying and sonically entrancing. While the car lacks the viscerality of the Stradale, Scuderia and Speciale it delivers absolutely thrilling performance and a similar sense of occasion when driven.

 

+1, amazing experience and engineering!

 

+1. Couldn't agree more, I have done just over 1,000km in mine and this car is a masterpiece! My only real concern has been for my licence

 

Thanks for the great review! I get to drive mine for the first time in about 10 hours... I hope to have a similar experience to yours!

 

Great summary to the OP; I have some questions if you could find time to answer them.

Could you give any feedback on turbo lag and/or turbo whine? Also, is the car quieter compared to the standard 458? These are the main areas I'm worried about.

Also - regarding the exhaust - in Australia there are two options offer: sport and titanium. Do you happen to know the difference? is it just cosmetic or are there sound differences too.


Lastly, is there a $340,000 difference between a new optioned 488 or a nice used 458?

 

Great post thanks for the review!

 

I agree completely with the OP's comments. After a month of ownership the 488 has exceeded all of my expectations. It's actually louder then my 458 throughout the rev range and I would say a more visceral driving experience. It simply does everything better then my 458 except rev to 9000. Overall I'm thrilled with it and I still can't tell it's a turbo, there is no turbo whine, power delivery is completely linear, and I can't feel any turbo lag at all. Grip is amazing as is acceleration the car wants to rip its tires off under full throttle, right through forth gear.

 

I can't wait until June....

 

As I suspected last year, the 488 will eclipse the 458 in no time. It's clear from real owners who have owned both. All the naysayers of this car will be in line soon enough. So happy mine will be here in a couple weeks.

 

That was like predicting the sunrise

 

Nicely done! Love to finally hear some real owner reviews. As other have already said, waiting until June will be a killer.

 

Broadly speaking it seems that those who dislike the car haven't driven it, and those that have driven it love it. Who'd have guessed...

 

+488

Just be open for new experiences, and everything will be fine.

 

Great to hear the noise isn't too compromised; I watched reviews to compare...all good!

 

As of Monday, I own the car pictured. I owned an F430 Spider, which I loved, for 3 years.
I am sneaking up its performance, but I am stunned by how quick it is, going and stopping.
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Congratulations ...488 spider is definitely beautiful nice color options tooo enjoy in good health

best wishes

 

great write up thanks