488 Goodbye 458 - Hello 488

Awesome, congrats!

 

Not a popular opinion but I too am very glad I moved on from the 458 to a 488 platform car. Nothing wrong with a 458 but these cars have improved in many ways

 

You’re going to love the 488…especially the much improved power!

 

Awesome congratulations great move. Once you drive a 488/pista/f8 you forget the 458

 

I recently made the same change from a 458 to a 488. I love both cars, but I've only done about 100 miles in the 488 (about 9,000 miles in the 458), so it's hard to be 100% fair.
However, so far, in my opinion, the 488 seems to be better in every way, except for the sound when over 6 or 7,000 RPM (I actually like the 488 sound better when driving gently around town).
The 488 has way more power, stiffer chassis, better ride, better steering, better brakes, better stereo, better buttons, better interior fit and finish, and just feels newer and more solid.
The one thing that may upset me in the future is that the 458 may go higher in value than the 488 due to the N/A engine, and last Pininfarina design. But I don't buy Ferraris to retain value or make money, I buy them to enjoy losing my money. Of course, if they hold or increase in value, it's a nice bonus though!
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Did you ever own the F430? When I went from F430 to the 458, I felt all the same as the way you describe going between 458 to 488 and I wonder if it's a comparable change. As far as fit and finish, I felt going from the F430 to the 458 was a step down in fit and finish but everything else was a step up.

 

I never had a 430, but I had a 360 and a 458, and my brother had a 430 and a 458, so I have experience with all 4 cars.
I think it's pretty fair to say that it's a similar type of situation. The main difference is that I liked the 458 sound better than the 360 and 430, even though the sound of all 3 cars were great but different from each other. So there was no step down in sound like going from 458 to 488.
As I mentioned, I like everything about the 488 better except for the sound at higher RPM. I think I can ignore it for all the other benefits, but not sure yet because it's so new to me. I just drove my 488 today back to back with my brothers 458, and it confirms everything I said.

 

Thank you for your perspective. When I look at the raw acceleration numbers, I don't see the massive difference that exists between the 430 and 458 and the 458 and 488. The 488 is faster than the 458, but I don't see quite the difference as it was between the 430 and the 458. I can say this, the 430 I owned had leaps and bounds better fit and finish than my 458. I'll probably skip the 488 but it's nice to read real world reviews like yours. I have a couple of friends that own the 296 and the SF90, but I won't drive them, despite their insistence to convert me. I make it a point not to drive a car faster than mine until I'm ready to buy, otherwise, I'd be disappointed in what I have rather than love what I have. I hope that makes sense. I will probably skip the 488 and go to the F8 Tributo when I make the leap. I think you did a similar leap and it will probably be the same for me.

 

I'd be very curious to know your opinion.

I loved my 458 Italia like it was part of the family. Best Ferrari I ever owned. I really regret selling it. I drove it a lot and loved every second of it. Traded it in on a 488 GTB - worse mistake ever.

The 488 is a joke as far as I'm concerned. I got rid of that god awful thing as fast as humanly possible; didn't enjoy driving it whatsoever. The second I drove it away from the dealership I started to realize what a terrible mistake I had made. I tried to warm up to it for a few months; didn't enjoy it at all and finally sold it in a few months. I should have turned around and gone back to the dealer and demanded by 458 back.

Sure the 488 is slightly faster than the 458 - so what. It sounds like a riding mower. The overall experience of owning a 458 vs. a 488 really serves to drive home how great the 458 Italia was and still is today. Frankly I don't think anything outside of a V12 Ferrari will ever be able to top the Italia as far as road going Ferraris are concerned.

Just my 2 cents of course.

Ray

 

My opinion is that each person has different parameters on what is important to them.
Other than the engine sound, I challenge you to prove that the 458 is better than the 488 in any way at all (other than looks, because that's purely personal taste. I love both).
The sound is obviously VERY important in a Ferrari, there's no denying that, since it's part of the whole experience. However, where is the line drawn?
I only have about 115 miles behind the wheel of a 488 at this point and about 9,000 miles behind the wheel of the 458. I can tell you without reservation that I'm really enjoying the stiffer chassis on the 488, the better power, the more refined suspension, the better brakes, the tighter handling, the better stereo, buttons and electronics etc. But I will also admit that I really miss that awesome scream at 8,000 rpm of the 458 engine! Time will tell if that one thing is more valuable to me than all the other benefits. However, as of now, I'm thinking it's not. I will admit one thing though....The first time I drove the 488 about 6 years ago, I hated it! I guess that I got certain things out of my system (Ferrari scream), and now decided to appreciate other aspects of these fine machines.
Bottom line, there is no perfect car for everybody, and people should pick the car that suits their needs/wants.

 

It is so weird to me that people focus on sound. It’s a car. Each to their own I guess.

 

Well, these cars are meant to stir the soul and senses like no other. They are Ferrari after all and it's all about the emotions that are tickled. Sensory and audible are right up there.

 

never gelled with the 488 and always prefered the 458 for some reason

 

Congratulations great upgrade, 488 is a great car will give you more thrills & performance; and timely move on your end 458 still is beautiful yet older, and it’s DNA is still in the 488 ..

Nice color on 488S please share pics when it gets delivered too! Hope the incoming 488 has some nice options too..
Good luck

 

I agree with that statement, but after doing a lot of reading on it and learning more about the 488, I have gained a lot more respect for it.
The final push came from me asking other local club members that went from 458 to 488 (minimum of 5), if they had any regrets. Not a single one had a regret moving to the 488, so that spoke volumes to me because these are people that are drivers, and enthusiasts. They all said that losing the sound was a minor tradeoff for all the other benefits. Time will tell, to see if I feel the same way, but so far I think I will.

 

All I know is driving the 458 put a smile on my face every time. Driving the 488 gave me a headache every time.

Sound is very important, just like with women.

Ray

 

Only Ferrari out of the 6 I've owned that i never changed the stock exhaust! Love it truly for what it is! I did the Capristo exhaust valve which i enjoy!

 

It sounds like the 458 is the right car for you. I wouldn't want to own a car that gives me a headache either.
Just make sure that you didn't buy/drive a car with an aftermarket exhaust because that would be an unfair comparison, and that changes things. The ones I've driven were all stock exhausts. I never like the aftermarket exhausts, especially on Ferraris. As a matter of fact, I don't like any aftermarket parts on Ferraris, not even wheels!

 

I'm with ya. Only Ferrari where I didn't feel the need to install a Tubi, etc.

Also, having the ability to silence or open up the exhaust via the Manettino in the 458 was sorely missed in the 488.

Ray

 

Yes, in my case both the 458 and 488 has stock exhausts. I have a video on my YouTube channel talking about putting an exhaust on the 488, but sold the car before I got around to it.

I did once drive behind a 488 with a Tag Motorsport exhaust and it sounded really nice. I mean, who knows, perhaps if I had swapped out the exhaust that might have changed things. I definitely will be interested to hear your final thoughts, after owning and driving both cars for a while.

For me, the 458 is just a hard act to follow.

Ray

 

I drove my friend's 360 spider the other day. I've always been a coupe man myself, but I have to say hearing the exhaust is fun.

If I ever get another Ferrari, I think it's gonna be a blacked out 360 manual. Flat black BBQ paint and some #600 grit sand paper should do the trick.

Ray

 

That's the reason I don't buy Spiders. I am very sensitive to chassis stiffness, and creaks and rattles. I guess that's one reason that I'm really impressed with the 488 so far. The chassis stiffness is far superior to the 458. I don't even leave my driveway apron before noticing!
The only exotic/expensive convertible I would even consider (if I felt the need for another convertible) would be a Mclaren, because they have an amazing carbon fiber tub chassis. The convertible essentially feels just as solid as the hard top. It is truly amazing. Too bad I don't really like the Mclaren enough at this point.