430 F430 vs 458 for first Ferrari?

If you like how the F430 drives vs the 458 then should be easy decision. Guy at my local car meet up has done 200k miles in his F430 mostly on track at full redline. He has gone through four engines and two transmissions (no e-diff issues) Still drives the car to meet ups from time to fime.

I personally wouldn't consider the 360 due to the electronics and belt maintenance. I've done all my F430 work and it is an easy engine to work on and chain driven.

 

The F430 is about as reliable as it gets as far as I've been able to gather. Yes, you have a clutch to replace, but there are years and years between those intervals assuming you're not commuting with it daily. It's also more friendly to the DIY mechanic. I've heard more about expensive and common issues that happen with the 458 on this board but that's just anecdotally as either section of the forum is going to favor their choice. There are a few here that went from a 458 to an F430 and said they'd never look back and also those doing the opposite.

There's quite a price difference so it's usually not a choice most of us have the advantage of making. I mentally shopped both though and for me, the F430 has the looks. The lack of vents on the side and the Sid the Sloth look of the rear lights kind of turned me off of the 458 overall even though I prefer the interior and front end over the F430.

Performance wise, the 458 is clearly the better vehicle, but I think they're both old enough where this is no longer an issue and you really should buy something that speaks to you on a mechanical level. The F430 certainly is talked about having more of a mechanical feel versus the 458.

Not sure what your budget is or what your intent is with the car, but keep in mind that you'll find a very well sorted and optioned F430 for less than the cost of the cheapest 458. If your budget lies towards the lower end of 458 ownership, the F430 might be the best option. Whatever you get, make sure it has a solid history of maintenance and understand that rolling back the odometer on these cars is not unheard of. Paperwork is king.

 

Personally (this is just my opinion!) I'm always surprised when I see a post like this.

If you can afford either, drive them both, shouldn't be a tough decision.

I saw your pros and cons list, with cars like these, to me, lists mean nothing, either you have to have it, or not. If every practical thing added up on the 458 pros list, I still would have got the car I got (the F430).

I would think since the 458 is so much more expensive, you would have to be blown away driving it (or by the looks but you already said you like the F430 looks better).

Why would you spend that much more unless it was absolutely clear that you had to have the 458.

For me, I had a must have criteria which was a 6spd, so I didn't even consider a 458. That is what I have (converted), I don't think I'll ever have anything else, unless by some magic, I can get an additional Ferrari.

 

I Agree with everything mentioned above, my seven year ownership of a F430 has been flawless and it never disappoints putting a smile on my face sitting idle or driving. I believe as time goes on it could be considered the last old school Ferrari ever made..just my opinion.

 

so a little anecdote, not sure if will be helpful

I originally (years before I got one) thought the 458 was the car to get, sexier, more modern, just a more spectacular car. In fact a friend got an F430 and I was like 'why not just get a 458', I had an NSX at the time.

So I asked if I could meet him and see what the F430 was all about.

I was in the lot waiting for him, the second I saw the car turn in, I was FLOORed. You've seen it so I don't have to tell you how amazing the design is. The engine hatch is pure perfection. The interior blew me away, I LOVE the F430 interior, it's perfect. Stylish, comfortable, exotic, italian, it's just what you want it to be. 458 interior to me has less personality.

Anyway, then he let me drive it. After a short drive (where he made me keep the revs below 4k), I was obsessed.

So I am now thinking F430, convert it to a stick. I find mine, It's an 8 hour drive away. I go there, I walk in, I can't even believe my eyes. It had lots of little issues, I looked right past them. I drove it to get an oil change on the highway in Ohio. Pulling out of the driveway I said to my wife, 'if there is any way I can take this car home, I am'. Got it up to 140 on the highway (everyone else was averaging 90), that F1 transmission, that engine, I simply could not believe how awesome this car is.

So now, it's converted, I've worked on it quite a bit (which I've come to truly enjoy), and I think it is one of the most special Ferrari's ever, like @Flyingbrick242 said, they got it just right, it's a beautiful beast with the looks, performance and specialness that may never be matched again, and in many ways, was never matched before (in the price point) in the way it is in this car.

So, yeah, a 458 is probably still the more stylish Ferrari, it does redline higher (how often do you redline?), it's more powerful, it's more modern, it handles better I presume, but none of that matters to me. The heart wants what the heart wants.

If you're buying one based on your reasons list, I don't know how to help, I use that methodology to pick a snowblower or the like, not a supercar, again, just my humble opinion.

So, I'm back to my original point, drive them, if you're still undecided, I'd be happy to chat and discuss it with you if you'd like.

 

I've been saying this too. The 458 took just enough away from the connection to the driver that even though it's in the limelight as being the last NA V8, the F430 is an underappreciated model right now that could be had for a great deal. I say that with knowing that almost every model has the same stuff said about it

I will say that I never drove a single clutch auto before the F430 and I was super impressed with it. I felt it lacked nothing and was way more engaging than a DCT as you got more of the manual feel with it. These cars are no longer about speed so having it shift a tick faster means nothing to me.

 

The 458 is probably more reliable, but on the other hand the F430 is also probably simpler to fix if there is a problem.
The F430 introduced the timing chains, which is a big step to simplify maintenance compared to the cam belts of the previous cars.
Anyway, as mentioned above, the best way to decide is to drive both, since it's a personal decision.

 

Judging by the pros vs cons that I skimmed on your other post, I would say go 458. You seem to like the newer technology vs the more raw and analog side of the 430 unless I'm misunderstanding.

 

I had my S2000 for over 200k miles. The F430 is a great substitute for the feel although lacking some of the nimbleness that comes from size.

 

Now that you mention it, be sure to sit inside BOTH of these cars. Lots of people over 6ft complain about head room. They're low and the power seats sit high (comparatively). Race seats sit much lower, but get some seat time before you commit to either

If you're in Northern California, there's no shortage of local owners that would let you check theirs out (myself included).

 

Until the gearbox fails.... read up on it. It is one of the reasons I am sticking with my F430...

 

You talking about the blue "ipod430" one? I saw him last year up at Thunderhill. Made me re-think driving my f430 all the way up there since he did.

 

I know you said you dont care for the manual but how can you not love the most satisfying metal clicks as you row that screaming F1 engine behind you through the gears?! Peak living right there

 

I just did a few weekends ago. Best track car is one you can drive there and back.

 

It's apples and oranges to me. F430.... more raw, analog, single clutch. 458.... dual clutch, smoother shifts, digital. the F430 is more visceral. How about a Scud?

 

6ft and my helmet annoyingly hits the roof in my 458 with electric seats. I have to lounge in the seat a bit to stop it from happening. No such issue in the scud buckets. They are surprisingly more comfy as well. No matter what I adjust, the 458 seat feels a bit lumpy / asymmetric to me. So def should organise to sit in both.

If you decide on 430 you could always spend 458 money and get a scud.

Edit - forgot to caption, but I put a fold out pioneer deck in the car for android auto nav, streaming etc.

 

.. but your steering wheel is on the wrong side so your opinions don't matter

 

I checked the car again and I can confirm it is on the right side!

 

Here is a thought on the decision...
If you want a manual transmission now or in the future, get a 430. You can always convert it.
If the car is more than a Sunday driver and you might get caught in traffic, then get the 458. The wet clutch packs DCT is way better in traffic or as a "daily" than the F1.

Personally, I don't like the 458 because it lacks the side intakes, to me, that is something that all mid-engine cars need in their styling department, which is why I like the 430 and 488.