458 impressions

My car has the Yellow tach and correct, the back lighting is only available when the main lights are on or basically at night. Would I order the Yellow tach again....No, I would order the white, but the same issue would exist

Truth is I like Robert's tach better than yellow. But I also considered a red and a black face. I had red face on my 430 and sometimes I liked it and sometimes I didn't. I went back and forth on Black and White and then chose yellow, go figure

 

The tach color doesn't really matter due to this design flaw: the dial is at the inner end of a long tube but the dial is not backlit like in the CS, so of course it is very dark during the day. I'm glad I got the steering wheel with LED lights so I just ignore the dial which I can't see anyway because the steering wheel covers the top 1/3 of it.

 

Thanks

 

wiper control.

you can't regulate the time between wipes when it's on auto control.

i prefer the old school system where you can determine how often the wiper works due to how much rain is falling. now it will go too fast if it thinks there is water on the screen.

very annoying.

 

I have done nearly 6000km in mine. Some things I don't like:

- It makes a nice sound, but sometimes I'd like to have a 'quiet' button. Especially when cruising on autobahn at 200. Even in 'low grip' mode exhaust is open.
- The switch between quiet and noisy mode is too evident. It's 0/1
- It doesn't show range when it's below 50km. Just "---". Stupid.
- I ran out of fuel once and had to erase ECU errors afterwards. Low fuel pressure, etc.
- I can't see the rev counter with steering wheel set up comfortably (low and near)
- I took it to a race track and compared to my Caterham it felt like a bus. Probably would be better on slicks.
- Ripping CDs to the HDD takes ages

Overall.. Fantastic road car.

 

To one degree or another everything feels like a bus on a racetrack compared to a Caterham.

 

As an outsider, with no ownership experience, my thoughts:

I'm 29 and currently deciding on a purchase, having driven only a few times cars like 911 turbos and a 430 (both owned by friends), with a little bit of track time in evo/sti type cars. I have no real brand theories or brand loyalty but I do prioritise handling.

I started testing GT cars and almost put down a deposit on an RS5, then I drove an r8 v10. Since then: 458, gallardo, (2010) GTR. Two test-drives for each, and have a third booked for the 458. The 458 is the best car to drive.

When I say I have no brand theories, it's not entirely true because I saw 5 or 6 fathers of school friends go through Ferraris, and in the 80s and 90s they did seem very unreliable. It's very hard for me to believe that what I've driven will last, in that form through many KM of daily-driving + good late-night and weekend thrashings.

I'm still in a bit of shock at how good the 458 feels at speed with all its braking/handling/traction systems on (very secure - as good as GTR). The other shock value is the price, here in Australia: getting up towards $700k with options. Originally I'd planned on spending about 1/3 that, and my family frowns on stuff like this.

The added problem is that by the time my car arrives, it could be about a 3 month difference between 458 delivery and a McLaren, which could be a better car still.

Sorry for the long post - this is the first place I've set it out and started to regroup after deciding against the RS5. Anyway, it's pretty obvious, without any brand loyalty: the 458 is probably the best all-round sports car out there right now.

 

Dear CPIGUY,

I own a 430 Spider which has the bypass valves disconnected and it sounds loud with that nice coughing and burbling as you back off off under strong accerleration. only this weekend I had the good fortune of driving a 458 for the weekend, let me tell you your a very luck man indeed. In RACE mode there is nothing like it when you accelerate and back off, the sound in intoxicating backed up by the fact that it attracts attention like a magnet. Please enjoy it!!

 

Thanks Jacinto! Can't wait!!!

 

Agree but the sound is not as nice as the 430 and the engine is missing the exciting vibration at idle.
I also dislike the steering wheel turn signals, high beam and wipers. They confuse me since I have to switch between the 458 and other cars with traditional controls. The high beam and wipers buttons are not illuminated at night.
Besides being blocked, the rev counter is too dark during the day.
The soft suspension button makes practically no difference in ride quality.
The info screen on the left is useless except for tire pressure. I prefer a large speedometer on the left and a map on the right at the same time.
The navi is maddening, address entry is clumsy, the map cannot pan while the car is moving, and when it does pan the movement is abrupt and imprecise.
The lap timer is just a stop watch, not a GPS device. It requires being pressed while crossing the start/finish line at high speed. Useless.
The bluetooth interface only works half the time.

 

So Jack, when are you selling your 458 your seem very disappointed in the car which of course your are entitled to your opinion and appreciate your honesty.

 

I guess that is why there are many cars to choose from. There is no car, no matter the cost, where the parts are made, who builds it etc., that will be 100% what everyone wants. One persons dislikes are another mans likes. I don't get in my 458 to hear it idle. I do not care if others can hear it or not. I do know that when I get on it, it is all I want it to be. I find the steering wheel very easy and comfortable to navigate. Nice short movements of my fingers and the task is handled. My bluetooth is wonderful. It has not ever failed. Of course I'm not really driving this car wanting to talk to anyone on the phone. I feel the suspension adjust is extremely noticeable. In fact my wife when we go for a quick 200 mile ride knows exactly when I change it back, while I think she is nodding off. I do agree that a GPS timing device would be a nice addition but it doesn't limit my excitement in the car. I see no limitation in the navigation. As far as the tach, well maybe I am old fashioned, but I feel the motor, I hear the sound, I participate with the car, and never really feel the need to look at the tach or shift lights. I simply, get in, buckle up, prepare for all my senses to be stimulated, then I use them and drive. My only expectation is that my soul will be stirred and I feel alive. I do not expect that everything will be perfect for me, but rather expect myself to participate with the car and make it perfect. I have had my 458 for 5 weeks, I have 3000 miles on it and it still is a car I want to get in and drive everywhere and everyday. It is my daily driver. Except when I am out of town on business. I have several cars to choose from, but I choose to drive the 458 everywhere.

 

some very good points.

though for me the suspension feels different when the button is pushed.

also the rear window is narrower than the 430 so you can't see as far behind you as the roof is lower. i have to lower my head when looking at the rear view mirror to see further behind. that's annoying.

 

You and every other owner I suspect.

Many of the comments in this thread are valid, but they would fit better in the "What's wrong with the 458 thread"....

 

The suspension feels different to me, however, the difference is so slight, that the only bumps it alleviates are the ones that are mostly communicative and wouldn't hurt in the hardest setting anyway, and the ones it misses are the ones that do hurt. And the ones it misses seem to hurt just as much as they do when the suspension is in its hardest setting.

 

I love my 458. I've had it for 7 months now.

I miss having a stick shift. The dual clutch trans is amazing technology but, IMO, it would be so great to have a 6-speed shifter in it with a clutch pedal.

Also, if you look in the first picture below, you'll notice the "Speed Limit is Exceeded" message on the left console (at 3300 RPM) is distracting me from my soft rock music (see right console).
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