NON 458/488 owners......which would you prefer and why?

The biggest difference is how each delivers power. I drove a 458 once and after a couple of minutes I knew it wasn't for me and couldn't get back to the dealer fast enough to hop into a Huracan EVO. It did nothing until like 7,000 rpm, but who drives like that in a city road car. Torque is a big part of the experience for me, and I hear good things about the 488. Plus it is cheap and easy to add HP to a 488.

 

Id say 458, only because turbos can be an issue on 488, and very dear to swap

 

I like both. I think the 488 is slightly better, and looks just a tad better as well. It has a slight retro 308 quality with the side scoops, which I really like. On track I think the 488 is a tad faster, and handles just a bit better... but its a pretty even toss up. I think the interior is again slightly better in the 488. So for me 488 it would be. actually an F8 Tributo is about the best car they've made in the last 20 years.

 

On the other hand, as biased as they could be, 458 and 488 owners have answered the question for themselves - so if they are able to elaborate to explain their choice instead of claiming they have the best car, their inputs may be interesting.

 

You are going about this the right way, owners are biased no matter what. I pay more attention to qualified YouTube reviewers (like Harry Metcalfe, Chris Harris, Jethro Bovington, etc) than owners for this reason.

 

Can also query owners of both.

 

How about an opinion from someone who's owned both...?

 

Owned both, currently have 488. Thoughts are simply....
There's no right or wrong answer. There are certain facts involved between the two of course… Horsepower, 0 to 60 times, etc.…But, at the end of the day, It's strictly a personal choice on what you want and like.
For me, why I prefer the 488 ....I like the aesthetics better, all of them...front, rear, side (love the intakes). Interior basically the same, but I do like the bit more modern selector. The sound is good! Not as good as the 458, but good afaic. Def better than the F8.
Power/driving characteristics...I like both, a bit different in each one, but I like both. I don't track these cars so the power in either is plenty for weekend warrior , twisty mountain road driving.
As I said..no wrong answer IMO, just personal preference.

 

458 all day long. Just my personal preference aesthetically. I saw a 488 across the street waiting for the light to change. First impression was that the vehicle seemed enormous in size. Lots of Big scoops and curves, but left me ..underwhelmed. Same for the 488 here in town with Matt black finish.
I’ve seen a white 458 Italia a time or two in Kalispell, Montana. The car looks sleek, gives you that feeling of the first time you saw a Ferrari.. something special. Felt none of that with the 488.
Opinion, worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

488 as I think its better looking.

 

My biased opinion, the 488 is a better car, the 458 is a better experience.

 

It’s like asking someone to to tell you why you should pick between ketchup or mustard. You gotta taste it yourself and ask the only person that matters: you.

Go drive both. Which one feels better? That’s your answer. If they feel the same? Easy—grab the one that’s cheaper or in better shape.

Boom. Done.

If you don’t believe me—and you’re hung up on what the Fchat crowd thinks—just know this: no matter which one you buy, someone will always be out there saying you picked the “wrong” one. 458 or 488, doesn’t matter. If you’re concerned about other owners thoughts, you’re always going to feel like you missed.

 

It's a tough one for sure. Assuming I can keep my 360 which is pretty raw and screams like a raped banshee, I would lean to 488. I think it looks a bit better and I would be OK sacrificing the NA sound for that. I definitely find myself watching the 488 market more than the 458 market.

 

458 . The Last Pininfarina and it shows .
The NA bit too .

Not fussed about paper performance stats acknowledge the 488 and indeed the next new kid from Ferrari is always going to out blast the out going modal .So what ?

Personally my 7 th decade skill set is quite comfortable with the weedy ( by comparison) 320 Hp of my 94 , zero driver aided 348 SP .

Had a 360 F1 and basically the electrotwackery did all the driving …..and that was a mere 400 Hp .

This thread and it’s subconscious like inference Hp is best is a young man’s game .

You will all , we will all end up at the same place one day = into classic Ferraris* . Older school F cars .

Edit = Sure I had a ride in a 488 , felt like a BMW 5 series from a comfort , refinement and sound pov compared to to my older F cars , a Carb,d 208 Dino and a 348 avec Tubi engraved with “ for competition use “

* Classic being defined as the era when Enzo signed them off . Zero corporate BS marketing goals .

 

As a previous owner of both, HEAVILY in favor of the 488 -especially aesthetics, but also every single performance marker..... BUT, I gotta finally say, these two cars are COMPLETELY different. As Paulchua said, it's like comparing ketchup and mustard. Two different things. The 458 and 488 are not the same car with minor upgrades and body changes like so many people on here say and seem to think. They are as different as an NSX and a 650S. An AMG GT and a Nissan GTR. etc... they aren't similar at all other than being Ferraris. Feel different, drive very different, look very different other than basic wedge shape, sound different, turn different and everything else.

 

The 488 is one of the greatest cars of all time. Ever. The fact that the world is 4 billion years old and I intersected with that car within a 54 year envelope?????

Incredible.

 

The 488 because mid-engine Ferrari's need side air intakes... The 458 center exhaust also always made the rear of the car look to me like it was perpetually shrugging its shoulders.

 

NON owner here.
Personally I prefer the 458, and will be quite glad to have a red one sometime. As with any other Ferrari like more the style of coupe but I think the Spyder is more enjoyable.
My key reasons for a 458:

• Style. Last Pinifarina mid V8, with some odd solutions like the tail lights getting out of the body (like Enzo and F430) or the triple center exhaust (like F40), but overall a very original and elegant design - my favorite bit the air intakes of the coupe, while I totally dislike those of the 488 that remind a fighter jet but do not look stilish at all to me. I think that any Pininfarina design in general ages better than anything else, even a mere Peugeot 406!
• Sound, said to be one of the nicest of all.
• Was developed my Michael

Ciao,
Nic

 

458. Sound wins

 

This. This is why I upgraded from Cali T to a Cali.