First Ferrari

If you think you'd like a 458 take a look in the 458 section where there are numerous threads which should answer most any query - same applies to the other models too funnily enough !

 

This.

And, for the OP, a 458 as a first Ferrari is quite the choice! Good luck with your search.

 

It's a matter of what you like, what you are looking for and how much you want to spend.

If you don't know much about the models, quirks or the way they perform, start looking at cars and see what you like. It's not about us. It's about YOU.

 

Can you offer a further elaboration of this statement?

Although the current production Ferraris are indeed a quantum leap in initial quality over the models produced only 10 years ago, most would agree that a manufacturer producing so few cars simply doesn't achieve production-line consistency like a mass market company.

 

I own a black 2011 458 that I bought new. Currently have 12,800 miles on it.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you've got on the model.

A 458 would be a good choice for a first Ferrari but it would depend what you are looking for out of the experience.

After a few more posts, you'll be able to send and receive Private Messages (PMs) on this site.
You can post questions in threads like this or by PM to a specific user.

Also, I would recommend updating your user profile with your general location, such as the state you live in or region or major city within a state.

BTW, does RTSYDUP stand for "right side up"?
.

 

If you don't mind an older car, the 308* and 328 Mondials are excellent drivers.
Find a well-maintained one and you'll find that they are not only very enjoyable to driver but also relatively simple and easy to maintain.

Bob Z.

*quattrovalvole version

 

You know what's funny. In the home building business, customers want job-built custom cabinets. My response was really? You prefer to have something built by somebody who is half hungover most of the time versus being made in a factory?

 

One (possible) point against the 458: It's too good. It doesn't start getting exciting until you're going suicidal speeds. Don't forget the old saying: It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

A friend who has plenty of high speed track experience bought one recently, and within a few months it went back. God only know how much that cost. A couple of months later he bought a 430 and a Cal Spyder.

 

nothing a little flap regulation controller and some high flow cats couldn't resolve.

 

I have a 458 Italia and a F355 Spider (gated). Let me know if I can answer any questions. What cars have you owned so far? Based on that perhaps we can steer you in the right direction. A 458 might feel very fast or might not to you depending on your previous experience. I actually prefer driving my F355 most of the time since it sounds so good, its small and low and more of a mechanical and "special" experience. That being said the 458 is really fast, really capable, really comfortable, etc. In my opinion the 458 will go down as one of the all time great Ferrari's especially being the last normally aspirated non-hybrid mid-engine Ferrari. All that said, an F430 is a great bargain now and a great option too. Then there are the V12 models too. A 599 is also a great value. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

Most M-car owners I know can drive their cars worth a lick, so I'd definitely go with the 458. More nannies to keep you on the road and the car will test you.

It will test you in a way that if you're THAT guy, the one that over estimates his abilities and the car, you'll be one of the owners that blows BEYOND the nannies and crashes it in the first few months of ownership.

(Above said with a healthy dose of kidding around.. 458 is an amazing car. It's the next one I add to the stable.. )

 

What are you looking to get out of this?

More sporting car? More exotic shape?

How much will depreciation bother you? In both % terms and real dollar terms.

The 458 is a great choice for a first Ferrari. Its well made, drives great, is beautiful, sounds amazing, the DCT in the 458 is by Getrag, same supplier as BMW, but with different software- the Ferrari is much more fun to drive. Ferrari is MUCH better at integrating various driving systems than BMW.

As nice as the M cars are, the Ferrari experience can be much wider and more vidid. Just wondering what brings you to Ferrari- I think knowing that will help go from there.

 

I've had BMW cars and motorcycles most of my adult life and am a loyal follower of the brand. My current DD is a 535d and a R1200RT sits next to it. Never had an M though. I also have a 360 spider. The Ferrari experience is hard to describe but totally different from a BMW. The fit and finish is just not there. I heard a saying once that when you buy a Ferrari you pay for the engine and suspension and they throw in the rest of the car for free. I may or not have a Ferrari in the future but I'll always have a BMW. Not trying to be a downer just saying manage your expectations in light of what your used to. Also, I don't know your budget and BMW can mean "bring my wallet" but an airplane is cheaper to own than an F car.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Well I had 4 BMWs and two Porsches before I got the Ferrari and I had the 2013 F10 M5 which was a nice car but not a good ownership experience. It was in the shop a lot but I did put 18k miles on it before I traded it. You won't be able to drive the Ferrari anywhere near that much. That was about 1000 miles per month and included some long road trips which the Ferrari isn't really any good for. So you need to make sure you have a DD as your primary car. I have 1800 miles on my Cali T and I bought it at the end of March, that is a lot of mileage for a Ferrari.

 

OP has been back trying to buy 458 wheels so maybe he already got a car

 

I read all the responses. I was curious as to who you thought was less than kind or constructive?

 

I was wondering the same thing myself.

 

Dear OP,
I think there are a lot of factors that could affect your decision. Just a few would be -

- Budget (both for purchase and maintenance)
- What generation Ferrari you're most interested in
- How you intend to use the car

If I were buying a modern/contemporary Ferrari I'd likely choose a 458. Reliable, good looking and great performance. Everyone loves those cars.

But for the same money (or less) you can also have a very nice vintage/analog experience F car. It's hard for any of us to give much advice without knowing what draws you to a Ferrari specifically, or what you want from the car.

I think everyone is trying to be of help to you based on the little info we have about what experience you want from the car. Some of us speak/write more abruptly than others, but I honestly didn't see anything here that seemed rude. You'll have to check out the P&R or F1 forums for that! Haha.

 

Sorry for the tangent, but what does the flap regulation controller do?

Sincerely,

Guy who definitely isn't a mechanic.

Lol.

 

I agree Dave. I think to the OP you will find a little bit more direct, knowledgable, and wider array of viewpoints + writing styles here than on a BMW forum- or at least that is what I found. I don't think anyone here was trying to be rude.

I think what SECRET was trying to say is an adjustment to the exhaust can mean more excitement at lower speeds.

 

Thanks Caeruleus.

I assumed that was the point of the exhaust conversion, but I've just literally never heard of a flap regulation controller before!

 

I took it to mean software that can control the flap(s). This is one of the benefits of the Novitec Rosso software- it smooths out the 458 race mode so the flap is always open. Stock it opens and closes with the slightest provocation, thus, you sometimes can get an on/off/on/off with the sound when you are driving in race mode. You might say then you shouldn't be in race mode, but sometimes you are not going quite full tilt and are in the flow of traffic and need to just trim the speed a little bit and it can get annoying. (Sorry for going a little OT). To the OP- Novitec makes some interesting aftermarket modifications. Kind of like the Ferrari world version of Dinan.

 

Went on a drive last Saturday with two guys in my club that were driving a 430 Scud and a GT3. The 430 Scud owner just sold their 458 last month for it. At the post drive lunch, both owners told me they preferred their 360s/430s more than the 458.

The GT3 also owner owned all of them (360cs/430scud/458/f12/ among others), so he definitely comes from a place credibility.

He felt the 360 Challenge 430 scud were both more enjoyable than the 458..

I would kindly recommend the OP should try to test drive as many Ferrari as possible. It also will help if the OP tell the community what specifically they are looking for, it can help the us steer him/her in the right direction.

To the OP = I wish you the best in your search!