Chris Harris drives the Ferrari 488 Pista

Key sub-takeaway for me was that he thinks that the new engine is so incredibly well done that normally aspirated might not end up being a thing.

 

This is the same reviewer who waxed enthusiastic over the NSX. Replete with giggles and o wows.
So much concern about his reactions to the Pista. Analyzing his motives and facial expressions . Who cares?

 

I didn't view scary as a positive! I think he was really scared!

And I think his finger nails were too long. Clearly he has lost all objectivity!

I think CH simply presented his impressions. Why do they have to be all only one way?

But if you think he was confused, he even began the video saying he was conflicted: who needs to drive an expensive car on the track? Why risk it?

And if you want to mix and match, how about "grumpy pants" Chris Harris wondering about tracking an expensive car, mixed with Happy Chris Harris saying another car is scary! I guess the bottom line is don't be grumpy and scared at the same time!

And then he says he loves it.

You can read his print report here:

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/chris-harris-drives-ferrari-488-pista

Maybe Chris Harris is struggling with a common high performance car issue: too much for the road, not quite enough for the track? I remember when I was 17 or so and I read a review of a Ferrari in Autoweek. The reviewer thought this Ferrari is very fast, very capable, but it's not a race car, its a street car. And on the street, it is too much, it is too hard to get in and out, too hard riding, too hard to see out of, just too hard. And on the track, its not quite focused enough. The stlying isn't as ground breaking as the other car Maranello was making, and the sound isn't very inspiring. Surely the other Ferrari of the time will go on to be one of the all time greats as it is clearly better than this car........ the car the reviewer said would go on to forever greatness was the Testarossa, I won't really argue that that car isn't great. It is. The subject car of the review? The F40.

That has to be one of the biggest OOPS of all time in my book.

I took Chris Harris impressions as overwhelmingly positive on the Pista. If you didn't then reasonable minds can differ. History will provide its own judgement.

 

Im def of opinion the cars are too much today. Given everything i own my 2017 abarth and e36 m3 are the most fun cars i own if im adhering to speed limits.

 

I think cars are getting better and better!

 

He loved the 488 and said it sounded as good or better than 458 (which is utterly moronic). Now he doesn’t like the 488 as someone posted above? I didn’t get that from the video.

 

Yep, I had the same takeaway after the first drive of the 488 GTB. Turbo soon to cease existence as a 4-letter word.

 

Honest question: was that a genuine statement and what probability is there someone gave him a nice economic incentive to make it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

All thoughts of the cars aside, I think CH reviews of the past were done by an enthusiast, and I think all CH reviews of the present are done by a guy earning a paycheck. Thus the passion is gone. Obviously. And the ramifications in terms of how this impacts what he says (and the manner in which he says it) are at this point obvious. Especially in this vid.

 

My statement is genuine. I believe turbos are rapidly heading in the “right” direction. Can’t speak for CH or what his incentives are.

 

No - was chris’s statement genuine?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I have no way of knowing, but I take him at his word.

 

Making these videos is his career, puts food on the table. I think it is calculated. Whereas he used to speak in the moment, now feel that he's reciting info that at least to some degree was assembled in pre-production.

 

Except for the sound.
When they go NA + elec assist then we will enjoy the best.

 

Well one thing he said about a previous car and not this one is that its the best car to ever come out of Maranello and he would not even think at looking at its competition because its that good.

CH tends to give excited reviews and then philosophical reviews. When he did the F12tdf he seemed frustrated and I believe he even spun the car. I think Ferrari plays hard on the minds of the drivers in the press review before they go onto the track. This might cause some confusion for a while in the mind of the reviewer looking to validate the info. Who knows. A lot of thinks effect the video presentation. Bad flight or hotel, no sleep, tired. He did say he was flogging a GT3 the day before. I would ignore the rambling about the NA comparison because it is philosophical and contradictive. Maybe just look at his lengthy comparison of the GTB to the Pista which comes away as excellent with the exception of the interior.

 

So a review of the new wunderkind, breathlessly waited for sort of new model Ferrari comes out and it is not over the top, gushing glowing without a hint of a reservation with no last paragraph proclaiming it the reinvention of the super car, and panties are twisted in a knot. Ulterior motives on behalf of the previously revered reviewer are insinuated, claims that
he has lost his mojo and that he has become sullied by economic preoccupations are proferred as to the explanation. Talk about performance anxiety.

The review does not alter what the Pista will offer nor does it diminish its overal beauty.

 

Do you recall Clarksons review of the 720? Way more critical than CH. It really meant squat just like this review. I would not let any journo impact my decision. I view their commentary as entertainment. It seems most have an agenda.

 

Just listen to how he opens the video, he says, "I am in a cynical mood..." that says it all about this review.

 

Anyone disuaded from acquiring a Pista because of the Harris review does not deserve to have one.

 

Look at it from this perspective, the 488 is pretty incredible, the Pista turns it up to 11. Perhaps he is saying - what's the point? It is too much for the street and most (99%) won't be all out tracking as it is 2x the cost of a barely used 2018 488.

 

Strange you state that the 488 is pretty incredible, when in the past you claimed it did nothing for you.

 

It is a heck of a car just not the best out there in its class IMO. Lets not rehash this one.

 

Reviewing the reviews....
Not good at all.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Going to be super interesting to see where the secondary market is for these in 12 months.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Totally agree. I am forced to play in the secondary market as I chose not to participate in the Lusso/Portofino tit for tat. Time will tell whether I rewarded for my gambit. Early instinct suggests that it might well have been cheaper, at least in the near term, to lose the $60-$80,000 on the Port, and have the Pista much sooner (not to mention my exact spec). We’ll see...