Trading up to 488 - Is it worth it?

The 458 is just another Ferrari, whereas the design of the 488 will stop people in the street, its a classic and has far more drama, lets hope it sounds good

 

There will be fans of both approaches. I like the smoothness and quickness of the McLaren transmission over the rougher Ferrari version. I like the way the McLaren carbon fiber chassis eats up bumps that unsettle the Ferrari. But the Ferrari is sexy and appealing in other ways too. I really like them both I just find myself gravitating to the McLaren more because the extra power is addicting. That's the point I'm trying t make about the 488.

One of my friends summed it up pretty well. He said the McLaren appeals to the 40 year old in him but the Ferrari appeals to the 10 year old boy in him.

But I don't want to start another McLaren vs. Ferrari debate. I want to point out why I think, using the McLaren as an example, the 488 will be so amazing...

Actually my point wasn't that it would feel exactly like the 650S but rather that the 488 is going to have all the raw power and thrust of the McLaren combined with the driving feel people love in the 458. It will be, for 458 lovers, a truly intoxicating and addicting vehicle (which is how I feel about the 650S) that's worth the upgrade. Everyone says they think their car is fast enough but once you drive a faster version of a car you love the old isn't fast enough any more

Once you have high definition TV you don't want to go back and watch standard definition any more. High definition becomes the new standard. The 488 will be the new standard for Ferrari.

 

Of course it's worth trading... without question. The 458 is old news now.....

 

Unfortunately I won't be able to attend this one but I would have loved to…knowing Ferrari security procedures with camera in their premises, they will probably Xray all invitees…

BBR
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Absence of huge drama was secret weapon of 458 Italia.

A lot of people picked Italia over other rivals because it was very beautiful and not aggressive. You could drive that car on some meetings and people wouldn't look at you as some silly dork driving "drama queen" car. With 488, that image is changing a lot. For some (business oriented) people that will be huge turn off to take 488.

 

I love my 650S. I suspect 488 will compete very well against 650S. I'd certainly be surprised if it didn't. It's heavier (one of the guys on the McLaren forum weighed his 650S and it was just under 3000 pounds) but has more HP and torque. I suspect Ferrari will move to a carbon fiber chassis for the 488 replacement. People say Porsche is planning a baby 918 at some point to compete with 488 and 650S (or more likely it's replacement in a few years).

The car I'm really excited about is the 675LT. It will be a rougher, more raw, track-oriented version of the 650S along the lines of a 911 GT3 RS or 458 Speciale. McLaren really unbuttoned their collar and let down their hair on the P1 (I own one of those too and it's the most fun car I've ever driven) and I suspect the 675LT will bring that attitude to the 650S as well.

It's just such a great time to be a sports car enthusiast! Every brand is bringing something delicious for drivers. There's something fun and exciting at nearly every price level these days not just Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini and McLaren (who are all hitting it out of the park) with super cars but so many others: New AMG GT, check! New Corvette Stingray & Z06, check! New Ford Focus RS, check! New Cayman GT4, check! Soon they'll be a new Audi R8 and new McLaren Sports Series as well!

 

Great points Mark.

Milanno, you know I felt the same way in their change from 430->458. I thought the 458 was way too aggressive and in your face. And now I love it.

Basically, I think these cars are all varying degrees of bold. I can't really take my 458 to business meetings as it sends the wrong message. So would any of these wonderful cars.

I do agree the 488 is more aggressive than the 458; but I don't think it will hurt sales.

 

I think it's way too early for anyone to answer that question, however, if Ferrari history repeats itself the answer will be yes....

 

Mark, please tell us more about your P1. And post up picture of P1. Love that car. And I like you love my 650S!! So fun and oh my gosh fast! Also love my 458.... Blessed to have both.

 

Thank you!

 

No couch in mine. I prefer to sit in my car...and drive it!

 

So true. I just did a 6 and for no reason. lol.

 

In my own opinion, each of these cars are great... Up to this point, I still love the 16M Scuderia... the 458 certainly did create and left a lot of great impressions to which I believe the 488 will be as well...

Inevitably, whatever are the reasons of Ferrari shifting to turbos be it of emission or so e other explanations, my personal opinion is that, the 488 will surely be something great...

Most people did ask on how can Ferrari even make the 458 better but Ferrari did with the Speciale so then this 488 that is coming is pretty exciting

Well last time I checked with Ferrari, turbo equipped cars like the 288 GTO and F40 are magnificent

 

I think the 16M is a keeper. Its fast enough, emotional enough, and rare enough to make it something special for some time to come.

 

Know you aren't asking me, but I have lounge chairs and a sofa. Love to drink some Vino, or some Scotch and look at the works of automotive art. Cheers.
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American garages are MASSIVE. Here in Europe garages are damn tiny.

 

John - I think this really only comes down to one question:

Do you want to go through the trouble of changing your username on Ferrari Chat??

All kidding aside (almost), I think it's worth waiting to see how the 488 pans out. I'm sure it'll be an incredible performer, but as we all know, the overall experience is about more than just specs on paper - it's the sound, the feel, power delivery, etc. I'd reserve the answer to your question until the "bigger picture" can be explored.

 

This discussion happens with every new model. I was one of the hold outs on the 458 and swore I liked my 430 better. Until I got a 458 and realized how silly it was to think the 430 had anything on the 458. I'll be keeping my Speciale for a life time, no doubt about that but it will probably get a lot more garage time then my new 488 whenever I finally get one.

 

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. I remember when owning a 360 and seeing the 430, I thought the 360 the more aesthetically pleasing. I eventually purchased a 430 and a few years later visited the Ferrari Factory when 458 production began. I looked at the 458 as too complex and angular to be beautiful, but a few months later could not wait to buy one. Now I look at the 488, and again I see too many angles and openings to suit me. However, if history repeats itself, the day will come when I may run out and buy a 488 (lol). Best

 

My thoughts on trading my 458 for a 488 are similar to some of the others on this thread. I think the 458 has better lines and I'd wait to see how the twin turbo sounds. The sound of the screaming 458 V8 is a big part of the romance. Also, the interior of the 488 isn't different. I can see myself driving around, $100k less in the bank, looking at the same interior, hearing a sound that wasn't as sweet and not being able to use the extra HP. I think I'll wait to see what's next after the 488. I think the technology from the La Ferrari has to find it's way down to the real 458 replacement.
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Seems that only REAL advantage of new turbo engine will be usable for buyers in Germany, since they have limit-free Autobahn. There you can cruise above 300 km/h for extended period of time and on that field turbo engines are kings (ask Porsche GT2/RS and Nissan GT-R owners in Germany).

I predict that Porsche will take some radical actions in recent time since a lot of 991 TTS & 997 GT2 drivers could be very interested in 488 GTB because of turbo engine. Additionally, Ferrari prices in Germany are very attractive, so transferring from Porsche to Ferrari wont be economically hurtful. Should I mention 3yr warranty and 7yr free maintenance...

P.S. I can see a lot of 458 owners trading in for 488 in Europe, since they already have a high millage on their clocks (you are watching a lot of cars with more than 100k km)

 

Thanks John. I kick myself for not buying a Gulf FGT years back. I could've bought one for 220k. I was like I will wait till they come down a bit. Now you can't touch one for less than 350k 450 k for one with less than 15k miles. At least my Dad bought a red/white one for 200k plus years ago with 200 miles on the clock. And I was able to get one. The new FGT looks great, but wish it was a V8 twin turbo instead of a 6.