"One of".. you've got to do better to earn top spot. It's not about that, my point was that liking modded Ferrari's or not says nothing whatsoever about your enthusiasm for the brand. We're not living in some video game where the number of aftermarket parts on your car affects your OEM brand loyalty score, it's just personal preference in regards to how a car looks and drives. For exampel Magnus Walker isn't less of a Porsche enthusiast compared to Jerry Seinfeld just because he likes to mod his cars and Jerry AFAIK doesn't. Take an OEM Ferrari exhaust and put it next to a high end aftermarket one and then tell me the former is of higher quality. Ferrari is by far my favorite car manufacturer but let's not pretend that every single part on their cars is the best there is.
I dont care. Its OEM equipment. What do you think they look for when cars get the ultimate judgement I.e. "Pebble Beach"?
The question of swapping Pista for Speciale: To my ear the Speciale does not sound as good at the 458 and is only marginally faster? I owned a 458 for 7 years and now have a Pista. So if I compare the 458 (essentially from a driving standpoint very similar to the Speciale) for me the Pista wins. It’s much faster, much more poised, has aggressive styling, better road presence all of which makes up for what it “lacks” in sound. I actually enjoy the sound of the Pista in a different way, the wastegate and turbo sounds as well as the high rpm gear change pops are a nice change from the 458. No way I would Trade the Pista for any version of the 458. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
These two cars are night and day-- there is ZERO comparison between them, other than price suddenly.... totally bizarre to me as the Pista is better in every single category you can mention.... by A LOT.... I won't understand how the Speciale is nearing or the same price as a Pista... but if someone wants to pay it for some reason, it's their weird decision to make
I have driven the 458 italia (own one) and a soeciale back to back just this month. from a driving standpoint to say they are similar…not even a close for me when i drove them back to back. Speciale is a LOT better. Front end is much direct/sharp/dialed in, the gear shifts again no comparison and brakes way better. For me personally, it is a much better car in all departments except sound. 458 is better. I also drove the speciale and pista back to back. It will be a privilege to own either. Pista has brut force that speciale just cant match but after driving both it was a very clear decision for me based on what appealed to me about the driving experience. OP drive a speciale and you will have that clarity based on what appeals to you. PM me and I’m happy to share more details.
IMO anyone asking whether a Pista or Speciale I will say THEY ARE ignoreg the power thing because if it was about the power Pista hands down. So again is it turbo vs non turbo AGAIN ? I hope its about looks as they are both absolutely beautiful ! The Speciale fixed all that was IMO crap about the Italia however it didnt add those beautiful side ducts that all V8 rear engine Ferraris have. IMO you have the means keep the Pista , buy a SA. Ditch the SF90 . Hybrid Ferraris WHY ????????
oh yeah? did Leonardo have to only use certain paints and canvases because the government restricted everything he was doing in order to keep the environment as clean as possible all while polluting it 100X more themselves??? Because I'd bet if that was the case Leo himself would have modded it a little bit after the fact to exactly what he wanted to do in the first place. Again...........Ferrari does not make the most perfect sounding Ferraris out of the factory, They make the best sounding cars they possibly can whilst being controlled and neutered by the government. Are you people ok? Not being able to distinguish the difference is concerning. And you can have an opinion that a stock Ferrari with nothing more than an exhaust is "riced out" but my opinion on that is its just a Ferrari that sounds exactly the way Ferrari wants it to sound, but legally can no longer produce it that way.
Originality will always win out. Sorry, the market (and the large concours contests) have already borne that out. But go ahead! While you are at it maybe you can jack it up in back and put some Cragar SS mags on it as well. How about a cool hood scoop?
Oh Michael, when someone replies like you we just call them a silly goose! Do you actually think i give a F about some concourse contest and the stuffy snobs judging it? I will give your opinion of my Pista with sport cats and rear section absolutely zero thought as i am ripping through the gears next Sunday morning. I prefer it 100X more over the sound in my stock F8 Spider which puts me to sleep. Enjoy your pure machines! I only hope you are as pleased as i am.
Maybe around the jabronies you hang out with. Ya'll can sit around in your driving loafers and driving gloves jerking each other off while the real car guys laugh behind your back.
I never understood the concept of buying a relative new Ferrari from a Ferrari dealership entering it into Concours and waiting for a panel of judges to tell you how original or nice your car is. “Sir, your 2021 Ferrari you bought 6 months ago is 100% original. Amazingly, it looks brand new too! How’d you do it?? Oh, and here’s a cookie. Thank you for competing.” I can understand for cars that are decades old, but for cars less than 15 years old, who gives a ****?
Same scenario here, 458 Spyder w/full Fabspeed for 4 years and simultaneously owned the Pista. After not driving the 458 for a month, and when I did I immediately sold it. The “sound”, which I don’t miss, couldn’t make up for all the points made by NSD!
It's not about power in my case. It's about overall engagement and affect driving around town or the occasional canyon run.
I’ve always loved our Speciale. 14k miles and have done some great trips in it, including Mille Miglia with my daughter, Le Mans with another daughter and many more. Our Pista is a spider. Lacks rigidity but is still a brilliant drive. I’ve reluctantly reached the conclusion that the Pista is just a better car, despite the n/a brilliance of the Speciale. If you’re making the decision based on sound, I’m not sure I would bother. The Speciale sound is fairly loud but it’s a bit of a blare. Fine on a track with a helmet but not really a sweet sound. Standard 458 is actually better (but Speciale is a much better car overall). Horses for courses and there’s no wrong decision. Sometimes you want what you want.
I was hoping you'd chime in. I may just need both....hmmm. I know the avenue to improving the Pista's sound, and I'm halfway there. I also know that the Speciale will need an X pipe exhaust, and even after that, neither will match the V12.
What about an F12 TDF instead of the SF90? I realize the driving characteristics are completely different, but if you like the sound of the V12 and have SF90 money, then the F12 TDF should be on your comparison list.
The 348 is better looking than a 458. Light match. Toss in barn full of hay. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
As you being an owner of both i really appreciate and value your perspective. I don’t have as extensive experience as you but the two times I’ve driven the pista and back to back in a speciale i am interested in your thoughts about why pista is better aside from the power and yes overall being a faster car. In my limited experience i found the speciale more engaging and it provided a more visceral and raw driving experience when taking the whole car as a package…the direct and sharper front end, the weight of the steering, engine manic revving to redline, the higher note towards the last 500 redline (agree that 458 is better sound wise) the rawness of the shifts, the feel/engagement of the paddle shifters, the top end of the NA engine pull etc. The pista is a beast with the torque and power no doubt and also more compliant. This is not meant to disparage one over the other but trying to better understand and appreciate your pov. I think it may come down to what experience one is looking for and each may have a different perspective and rationalization based on their own value proposition. Thats why so essential to drive both and see what one is drawn towards. I agree that at the end you want what you want. TBH Its will be a privilege to own either.
