Interesting two-tone 458 for sale in NJ . . .

Hi folks,

I'm in the market for a 458 and came across this interesting beauty(?) in NJ.

Does anyone know the nature of the two-tone option on these cars? I'm assuming it is a factory option. Look at those carbon doors as well.

Interesting, rare. Brand-new. Maybe a good car to have?

What say you all?

 

Unfortunately, I did not see any photos attached.

 

Oops. This is why I should never skip breakfast.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/293291e8-df9b-4976-b1e1-a3ff9ae42205/

 

I think its too early for factory roof so probably a wrap - challenging combination - also mileage is too low to drive

 

LOL, don't ever forget to eat your Wheaties! It's not for me, but I don't hate it either. If it's as stout as it appears and you are one the fence 2 tone wise, you can always wrap the silver part in Red.

 

I've got a couple granola bars in me now . . . Should be good to go!

I'd be surprised if this is a wrap as it looks so good in the pics. But who knows. I guess I should just call the dealer. It would be good news if so, because like Sargepug I'm not sure it's for me - although I don't hate it.

I'm curious about your comment about being too low-mileage to drive. I take your point, but I would also wonder if a low-mileage car doesn't provide the benefit of higher resale relative to miles driven. Say I put 20k on the odo, a 21k car will still hold quite a bit of value in a few years, whereas a 20k driven to 40k now is a bit long in the tooth for the market?

However, what I predict you will say is that the high premium on a super low-mile car is such that it becomes disproportionately valuable outside of the normal depreciation curve. In that case, what is the sweet spot for miles on a car one actually wants to drive?

 

Probably a wrap, but think the colors look great. I am obviously biased:

 

It's a wrap. That is not a factory option.

 

So I just called the dealer and believe it or not this is in fact a factory option. I'm tempted to buy this car but I really want something I can drive.

 

IMHO $285K is a bit steep for a 458S even in this crazy market - I didn't dig into the options but it does not have Daytona's etc. (not a big deal but usually $280-ish 458S's are highly optioned). Personally I would consider the low miles a detriment - these cars like to be driven and frankly are a lot more dependable when driven - so to me that means (if you are actually going to drive it versus look at it) that some gremlins could pop up or be exacerbated by the car essentially sitting unused since 2012. As far as the "two tone" it is obviously somebody trying to make a 458S look like a 599 SA Aperta - nothing wrong with that and if its a wrap then no issue and if its paint then can be corrected with a wrap. So if you like the Rosso/Beige combination I would not let the silver quell the deal.

From my lens FWIW if you are indeed planning on driving and enjoying the car then there are a lot of 458S options out there for less than $280K and you don't have to deal with the stupidly low miles and associated gotchas and don't have to do anything with the two-tone. If you are going to buy it to worry about future value and as such worry about it having 21K miles or 41K miles and what the value difference will be then you are buying the wrong model for the wrong reasons. Despite the current mania and despite the facts that the 458 is the last NA mid-engine Ferrari and the last Pininfarina-designed mid-engine Ferrari the reality is they built a lot of them so while they will always hold value and arguably be more desirable than 488s/F8s etc. they are a mass-produced Ferrari and as such not an amazing investment. I paid $214K for my heavily-optioned 458S in 2019 and it is now worth $280K+ - While that it nice it is not the reason I bought it and I never even give a second thought to how many miles I am putting on it and drive it every chance I get. There is no way I could have predicted the current market craziness and figured (like I do with all my cars) IF the car stayed flat or appreciated enough to cover the maintenance costs then I am golden. I would advise anyone asking to do the same with any mass-produced Ferrari FWIW.

Whether you buy this one with 1K miles and put 20K miles on it at $280K or buy another one at $250K with 20K miles on it and put 20K miles on it you are pretty much going to end up with a $220K car in a few years IMHO. So for me I would buy one at $250K and drive the hell out of it and enjoy it and not have an aneurism if it has 40K miles on it and pocket the $30K difference.

As I have said in other posts and not just my opinion, the days of "OMG the Ferrari has 40K miles on it - it is worthless" are OVER starting pretty much with the 360s. Many/most 458 owners have 30/40K miles on the car and many have upwards of 80K and more than one might think have crossed the 100K mark. You buy a 458/458S to drive and enjoy. If you want an investment then go art shopping and you can hang it on a wall and stare at it

Cheers

 

Thanks for the well-thought reply!

I essentially agree with everything you said. It's always reassuring to hear your own thoughts echoed by someone with more experience.

I want a 458 to drive, not as an investment. Although, as you said, it would be nice to cover the maintenance costs over a few years with a little bump in value. If not, consider it money well spent.

My investment car, I think, will be a gated 355 - still to be driven regularly. I just hope I'm not too late!

 

I meant that if you don't like the silver paint, you could always wrap over it in red to match the body. I didn't mention the mileage, but if you intend to daily drive her, then to pay a premium for low mileage will be a bad choice. I bought mine in March '20 w/ 4,400 on the clock for $194k, which is highly optioned w/ carbon fiber wheel inserts w/ tach lights, Daytona seats, front end lift, JBL system, etc. I put 3k on the clock over 2 years and it has greatly appreciated since. However, it's a "toy" not a daily....

 

Ha! Interestingly my other Ferrari is a 1995 F355 GTS- same thing with that car- was my dream car from the time i saw a picture of it- finally was able to obtain the perfect one in 2011- I never dreamed it would get to today's values- bought it because I loved it and drive it a lot- maintenance is pricey but worth every penny- definitely cool to see what they are going for today and lucky to have bought it when i did but would still not consider it an investment. The only way I can realize it's investment value is to sell it- Which I would not do unless forced to.

My attitude with cars and watches is buy what you love and what is within your means with some "buffer" (more so with cars than watches) to allow you to enjoy it without worrying about unexpected things and ensure you properly and proactively maintain it- Then enjoy it and don't stress about fluctuations in the market since you cannot control it.

Just my .02 FWIW- Cheers

 

What is the factory option code? I have an account on monroneylabels.com where I created my window sticker for my 458 before my dealer was able to get me the factory one - this site has pretty much any/all available options with associated factory codes listed - I am looking now (albeit 2014 vs 2012) and do not see anything related to a "two tone" or "silver offset" or "silver upper" paint option - now that is not to say it was not a possible factory option (or perhaps the original owner custom-spec'd the car using Tailor Made) but I would ask the Dealer to look at the window sticker (if they have it) and see if it is listed - Even if it is not the factory window stickers are limited to (13 I think) listed options - the others are bundled into "Other Options" with one price (easy to unpack though when using the monroney site and figure out what options make up the "Other Options") - anyway - if it is indeed a verifiable factory option that may explain the low miles and price.

Cheers

 

Looks like it is indeed a factory option - well-discussed with examples in the following thread - it is called "Bicolore" but I cannot seem to find the option code - Regardless, it appears to have been a $12K+ option when new -

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/458-bicolore.306623/

 

I was skeptical that was not a wrap as well, but just read through https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/what-is-the-option-to-get-a-black-roof-called.390999/. I was under the impression that two tone paint was only black roof/pillars, but apparently you can pay more and get a different color. No idea on the pricing for a 458, but black on the Portofino M I have ordered is: BIC2 - Nero Ds 1250 (Two Tone Body Painting) for $7,593. I'm guessing different colors are available . . . at a price.

 

Yep - You are spot-on - the MODIS code is BiC2 and then followed by whatever colors you want - the usual is nero as you noted but a bit of research I found a BIC2 Nero/Pastello (which is matte black) - I am pretty sure with some searching one could find a "BIC2 d'argento" or something like that that would reflect the car the OP is looking at.

Anyway - Pretty badass that it is a factory option and this car has it - kind of starts to explain the asking price - that together with the miles.

To the OP - Regardless of this being a factory option and the miles, if you like the car then but it and drive it - the two-tone thing apparently from what I can find seeing it spec'd on other cars was done through the Atelier service/process when the car was ordered so yes it is rare and special but not to the point of it being a museum piece IMHO.

Cheers

 

Oh man, I'm repeatedly impressed by the quality of responses I get from you guys here. Really excited to be part of this group.

 

Welcome to the community - You will find an endless depth of knowledge, passion, comradery and humor on here - Whatever you end up getting - Or even if you just remain an enthusiast but not owner - you are welcome here - Enjoy - Cheers

 

I essentially agree except I do think it's enjoyable to play the speculation game a little and see if you can't offset the costs of maintaining a collection by buying the right cars at the right time. Of course, I would never buy a car I didn't absolutely love for any reason - that's the price of admission as far as I'm concerned. But as you pointed out, I'd actually have to sell the thing to see a profit, which will never happen! So who am I kidding?

The "investment" gated 355 will be driven, just not thrashed and taken on long trips like the 458. Speaking of which, I did find the right car today and put down a deposit. It's a 2011 with 10k and a full tan interior, which I find pretty special. Couldn't be more excited! Just waiting on the PPI and also received some encouragement to negotiate the price before I sign (although it is already pretty fair).

 

Actually, I inherited my father's collection. 308, TR and 360. No plans to sell. 458 and 355 will round out the collection. Although, that F12 is pretty sexy. And a 550 would be a nice classic addition. Eventually the 812 will be a good buy. Portofino would make a great daily! And so on and on and on

 

Awesome!! Glad you found a car you like and things are moving forward for you I saw your post in the other thread about car with the full tan interior and responded - Sounds like if/when you get that one your mom will be riding with you - very cool! Post some pics when it all works out - Cheers

 

Wow - That is awesome and indeed a great collection - and growing! There is a member on here who often posts a graphic having to do with being afflicted with the "disease" of Car Collecting - I will see if I can find it and post in here - It is appropriate for most of the folks on here and quite funny.

Well congrats on the 458 and being in the 355 community I will keep my eyes and ears open for any good gated 355s. This site is a great place to find great cars - especially the older ones that require a solid history and proper care - So I am pretty sure once you make it known you are looking for a gated 355 some will come out of the woodwork. There are also a lot of nuances associated with 355s so use this site and the 355 forum to do some good research - lots of myth and lots of fact out there. FWIW I have had mine since 2011 and had minimal issues - I maintain the hell out of it as did its single previous owner so that helps but as long as you are aware of and ok with the cost or the majors and other little "personality quirks" they are IMHO the prettiest and best sounding v8 Ferrari's ever created.

Cheers

 

I will definitely post some pics. It's been a blast indulging this obsession again. It was a huge part of my childhood, we all really bonded over cars. Fun to relive it and this seems like as good a way as any to try to honor their memories. I sure miss them both a ton. Mom's first was a Triumph TR3 that she bought with her own money from working at an ice cream parlor while still in high school! She eventually wound up with an 89 Porsche Speedster which I still have and is now the crown of the whole collection (smart lady). My dad was in the middle of restoring his (owned from new!) E-type when he died. It's still in 1,000 pieces in his workshop. One of these days I'm going to have it put back together to concourse quality. Anyway, great memories, and in the end didn't cost a dime. In fact we probably wound up ahead!

 

I am definitely a victim!

I agree with you on the 355. Growing up it was always the one. It has only gotten better with age!