Back in the Game After 35 Years!

I vowed to myself that I would own another Ferrari after I sold my beloved Dino in 1984. Took a few years but I'm finally at the point in my life where I have the ability to enjoy another thoroughbred from Maranello.

I've been actively looking for the past 9+ months and did lose out on a couple of opportunities because I wasn't fast enough to pull the trigger. But at last I put down a deposit on a low mileage 2016 488 GTB. I took a test drive and was impressed by it's power, torque, lightning fast shifting, and firm braking capability. Upon return to the dealership, I noticed a pretty attractive younger sister, a 2014 458 Spider with tons of carbon and only 1400 miles. I asked if I could take that out for a drive for comparison purposes. We took the top down and ripped down the road. While the 488 was so refined, polished, and powerful, the 458 just begged to be tossed around like a go-kart, and the engine sound was purely a mechanical symphony. The 458 put such a smile on my face that I couldn't ignore it. So with some mild trepidation, I cancelled the 488 purchase and went with the 458.

She goes through CPO inspection tomorrow and hopefully will be ready for its delivery at the end of this coming week. Reminds me of the anticipation when I was a kid a week before Christmas and that's something you can't put a price tag on.

I want to give a shout out to Mike "Yellow Compass" and Tom F at McCauley that took time out to chat about various things Ferrari. Even though they weren't going to get the sale, they were willing to help and were eager to answer my questions. True professionals and overall good guys.

I'll proudly post pictures when she gets delivered...

 

Welcome back!!!
Great description of 458 vs 488. - definitely identify with it being very playful and nimble. Enjoy !


Sent from my 16M

 

Very good choice, you will not regret getting that 458 !

 

Smart choice. The 458 is a far more enjoyable Ferrari to own than the 488. If you read the forums closely, I think you'll see the jury is no longer out on that one.

Ray

 

Good choice.

Turbo is God’s way of telling you that you need more cylinders. (The Grand Tour, season one, episode four.)

 

Good to be back!

 

I think you are correct!

 

I've been reading the banter back and forth for months. And personally I struggled with the decision, both are fantastic, but definetly different. The fun factor seemed higher in the 458, at least to me.

 

Congrats!

Be sure to post some pictures later

 

Congratulations, Marcello! You are going to love the 458 Spider.

 

Only a week late but here are some shots of the 458 being delivered...
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On Sunday I took her to the PA Concorso Ferrari where she won Platinum in her class. A great couple of days and a wonderful weekend to celebrate the new arrival!

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congrats!

Can you post the company who did the delivery? That's a really nice setup they have with their enclosed truck there.

Ray

 

Looks a lot like my former and beloved spider. Enjoy, great story.

 

64 Motor Cars out of Middlesex, NJ. That's who Wide World Ferrari uses when they're not able to use their own trucks. The driver was very polite and very thorough, I would trust them for my next pickup/delivery.

 

Congrats!


—
Fly fast and take chances

 

Beautiful!! Enjoy in good health!!

 

That's been my motto for years!

 

Not in my court, give me torque anytime.

If I want sound I’ll take a CS.

 

Beautiful car!