992 GT3 to 458 Italia?

Hello Fchat, here for some opinions.

In short, I own a 6MT 992 GT3 with paint to sample and is debating on trading in for a 458 (plus maybe some cash). I have seen plenty of posts on 991.1 and 991.2 GT3’s but is specifically wondering the comparison between the 992 and the 458 Italia.

To put it in some context, I will be only keeping one sports car in my garage. LOVE LOVE LOVE the 992 GT3, one of a kind of color, caught people taking photos about 20 times (this is California), and ofc the manual driving is sublime. However, now that I’ve owned the car for a year, I am really searching to scratch my Ferrari itch, as I am a long time brand enthusiast (mostly watching F1). The 458 naturally came to mind, and have also thought of the 488, but price and sound slightly puts me off. I’ve briefly test driven both but cannot get a good sense for longer term feel.

What do you guys think of the ownership experience difference between these two vehicles? To drive? To own? Which one would you pick?

 

I cannot comment on owning a GT3. However, I can comment on owning a 458. Every time you take the vehicle out it is an event. No Porsche 911 can compare as they all look alike whereas a Ferrari is a rare sight for most people. I would imagine the GT3 is a much better track car than the 458. The 458 is more on the luxury side compared to a GT3. Ferrari's, nearly all of them, hit all 5 car senses, no Porsche in my mind does all. Speed, Sound, Touch, Site, Smell and Performance. I was thinking of buying a GT3 before I bought my first Ferrari, an F430 Spider. However, the wife forbade a 911. She is not even a car person, she drives a Prius . However, her non-car enthusiast opinion was that the 911 is just too "common" and if I were going to spend that kind of money, buy a Ferrari. I'm glad I did after test driving a 911 Turbo. It would be nice to have both a GT3 and 458 because they are completely different cars in my opinion. But, be prepared for A LOT more attention in a 458 than you'll ever get from a GT3. Only an enthusiast can tell a difference between a Carrera, Turbo, Targa and a GT3. Completely different ownership experience.

 

Thanks for the input. What model year do you have? How is the wear and feel holding up?

 

I am lucky enough to own both a GT3 Touring and 458 Spider- The post by @Kent Adams nicely covered things- Nothing more to add.

Cheers

 

I have a 2010. The 2010-2011 have the pops and burbles on down shifts. However, I understand the later models you can get a tune that will give you the pops and burbles on the down shift. I can't yet tell you about reliability. I haven't owned it long enough. However, my impression between the F430 and the 458 is that the F430 has a better interior fit and finish than the 458. The Daytona's in the F430 were much better in terms of quality foam than the 458. Both cars have the same mileage so it's not a mileage issue. I have the upgraded sound system in the 458 and the 430, but the 458 is superior. If you are in the $220 range on your budget, I would suggest you look also at the 430 Scuderia. It has a similar "mission" as the GT3. Out of the 3, GT3, 458 and Scud, the Scud is going to be the one that will likely hold its value or increase. The Scud is basically a Ferrari GT3 and is always popular with Ferrari enthusiasts.

 

No.

Between the 992 GT3 and the 458, keep the Porsche.

 

Can I know what are the main reasons? Thanks!

 

This. I cannot comment as to the driving aspect of a GT3 but I have noticed that pretty much anytime I go to Dallas I see a GT3 of some color, and almost always a Lambo as well. Ferraris are much rarer to spot.

 

Me too

 

His profile says "behind the wheel of a Pista", so I expect he likes a more track focused car like the GT3. If that is your thing, its understandable. The 458 is competent, but its not track focused. The Scud would be a more logical transition if you want a Ferrari experience and something more track focused in this price range.

 

I didn't see that- Excellent point- if it's track day Ferrari then CS> Scud> Speciale> Pista - Just depends on $$ - Cheers

 

I owned a 991.2 GT3 MT alongside a 2013 458S. During 2 years (2020-2022) I drove 16k miles in the 458 and 14k miles in the GT3. Don't ask me how, I still can't believe it... I also did 10 TDs with the GT3 and 4 with the 458. So I have a perspective...

Track:
The GT3 (with Cup2s) is a way better track weapon than the 458 (with MPS4s) and so I got better lap times (usually 2-4 seconds faster per lap). The 458 is capable and sounds like heaven at the track, just not as competent as the GT3.

Mountain pass:
For that use case, both are amazing, but I have to lean a bit towards the 458, given the engine sound.

Basic driving:
Going out to dinner with the wife, 1-hour commutes, etc, I'll also take the 458 over the GT3.

But now let me focus on the question at hand: 458 over the 992 GT3?
To me that's a really hard question, because they're such different cars (see all my points above). You need to do whatever possible to have both! Seriously now, the 992 GT3 is way more modern and certainly more of a 'commodity', but it's also not that practical. I'd argue the 458, while so much more special, is actually more practical and usable. But it's also a now 13-year old platform, with all that this entails.

So my answer would be, it depends on the use case. If you're not tracking the car, then my heart tells me a good <10k miles 458 would be great. But if you do want to track it maybe 2-3 times a year, the GT3 will be great for pretty much all use cases.

PS: I also get your Ferrari itch very well. In the 2nd half of 2022 I ended up selling the GT3 (sub'd by a ML 600LT), and kept the 458. As much as I love Porsche and that GT3, the ML is more exciting and powerful at the track.

 

Great info! Thanks

 

Actually another question: how would you compare the sound between the 458 and 991.2 GT3?

 

Most importantly

Sell me your GT3….


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

You be the judge. Good luck with that...

458:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5DGaMTm7RbRNHikd9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dEe3x7ScBsnvnJyc9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/AX2WDzrgy85yxN56A

GT3:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BLMHKi35MNTwqxAC9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SPjN6eiCF3guRPSg9

Both 9k RPM...
458 stock
GT3 stock + Sharkwerks muffler

 

Kent summed it up best. The 458 would be my choice, porsche is just too boring appearance wise

 

You simply need a test drive. I think the comments here are all something to appreciate, but…


You have to get in the seat of that 458 and see how it makes you feel. Take account of the emotions and then you will know.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

I stopped at 2 places tonight on my way to the restaurant. Two different sets, at two different places, pulled next to me wanting to get out and take pictures of the car and talk to me about the car, neither group had ever seen a Ferrari before and one guy kept saying "You have a Ferrari!" over and over again. Set me back total about 20 minutes. But, sharing the car is part of the thrill of owning a Ferrari so I was happy to take the time. I imagine Lamborghini owners experience the same. Depending on where you live, a Ferrari is a rare sight and an event for all, just not for yourself alone. Tons o' Fun!

 

That giggle in the video is exactly why we own Ferrari's. That laugh encapsulates the emotion perfectly!

 

True story from 2 weeks ago:

I went out for a drive with my group of about 8 petrolheads and at one of the vista points we all tried to park next to each other and take pictures (lots of Porsches, BMWs, Lotus and my F8). A Tesla 3 was parked in a way that we couldn't fit my Ferrari, so I lowered the window and politely asked the driver (a college student looking at her phone) if she could be kind enough to move her car so we could take the shot. Most people would probably send me to hell, but she not only accepted to move it, she even apologized for it... To which I said NO I APOLOGIZE!!! You're being super kind.

Once we all parked, she came over to take pictures of our cars (you can guess which one she took most of the pictures of...). So since she'd been so kind to us, I invited her to sit in the passenger seat. She was freaking out about it, all smiles, she couldn't believe it, OMG OMG OMG... etc. She was so extremely thankful about something so simple, because again, we're talking about... a Ferrari.

Finally, we had some time left so I invited her to go for a short drive in the mountain pass. I know for a fact that, when I was her age, I would have PAID for something like that. So anytime I can please a young kid with a short drive or just sitting in the passenger seat, I go for it. Again... it's a Ferrari. For us it may not be such a big deal anymore (although I still enjoy it every single time!), but for the vast majority out there, it's an experience of a lifetime. When I asked, she ended up saying: "Are you kidding me? I've never dreamed I'd be sitting in a Ferrari in my entire life, much less to go for a ride! I'll never forget this..."

Owners, let's not take this for granted. We own... a Ferrari. And while the GT3 is awesome... nothing gets much cooler than a Ferrari experience.

 

Went 991.2 gt3 PTS to 488. Had a 458 spider before the gt3.

458s are older cars and I feel one can tell. Engine is fantastic of course (but the gt3 to me was quite similar). Sticky buttons no good (something to look out for and can be taken care of as needed). Tech is dated/less intuitive (if that matters to you.)

I did not have the same confidence in the brakes as I do with Porsche (pccbs). The Ferrari is and feels a good bit wider in my opinion. Not something I felt as comfortable running errands in personally (911s are truly the every day sports car).

The 458 gets endless attention (all my experiences positive). Depends if you mind that sort of thing. Just my 2 cents. I loved my gt3 and the 458. Happy with the ever so slightly more modern 488 (with warranty and service plan). Enjoy the 458 if you get one! Will definitely take care of any Ferrari itch.

 

Drive the 458 and it just feels old. It's a 10+ year old chassis. While the NA V8 is great in its own right, the car feels underpowered. The 4.0L in the GT3 just feels sharper and tighter in all respects.

The 992 GT3 furthermore is on a more modern chassis, with a revised front suspension, better and bigger brakes, and the DCT (the PDK) is years better than the one in the 458 (as it should be since it is 10 years newer). Plus, if you are a MT devotee, then you already have your car.

If it wasn't the whole mantra of "last NA V8 mid engine Ferrari" the 458 would arguably be considered very pedestrian.

Just remember, you're on FChat. Go to Rennlist (for example) and I'd imagine the responses you'll get will be rather different.

Good luck on your decision.

 

. Maybe to .001% of the population that are fortunate enough to own a Pista, but not the other 99.999 percent. The 458 spawned an entirely new mid-engine Corvette. The 458, for many people, is the pinnacle of an ICE Ferrari. It certainly sounds better than a Pista. Don't get me wrong, I'll take a Pista over a 458 any day of the week.

 

I just made a similar move to scratch the itch. Dumped .991.2 3rs for pista. Night and day experience. Will never sell my 992gt3 6sp. Glad I have both. Pista on another level but gt3 is such a drivers car! Now I get it.