1st post and 1st Ferrari

After much stalking I though it is time to make my first post. A few weeks ago I decided to order my first Ferrari (488) - ridiculously excited is an understatement, however the long wait is going to be tough.

Ordered it in Rosso Corsa with Beige, cliché I know but this is the combo that has been in my mind since I saw my first 355 and I think I would regret not getting this combo.

I know this is a controversial car for Ferrari, but to me it's the most beautiful mid-engined v8 Ferrari to date. Personally the 430 and the 458 although both stunning cars were not quite as jaw dropping as the 355 and the 360. When I saw the 488 unveiled in Geneva I was in love, but knowing the technical changes I was reserving my judgement... would this be a faster car, but without the soul of a 458?

I am an F1 fan and very much miss the NA sound of these cars. The fact that they are slower as well is very disappointing - isn't this supposed to be the pinnacle of motorsport?

IMO the 488 does not sound as good as its NA predecessors, a 458 at 9,000 is just glorious. However I think Ferrari had little choice but to go turbo charging for various reasons - with the main one being the performance gap that the likes of McLaren had opened up on it. And whilst I agree acceleration isn't everything, the notion that in say 2020 a 488 was not able to keep up with a 2011 12c is unpalatable to me and almost certainly Ferrari.

Obviously the trade off for all this power and torque is sound (and response) and I was ready to be disappointed. But I have to say I am very impressed with what I have heard to date - compared to any other turbo charged car I think they have done an unbelievable job. Is it good as the 458? No, but I think it is pretty close and given the performance gains I personally am very happy with the trade off.

From what I have read and watched from those that have driven it, I think they have done an absolutely magnificent job - well done Ferrari! I can't wait for my car to arrive.

 

Thank-you. I haven't got a production date yet but I am told around the middle of next year. I am from Brisbane in Australia and it's from my local dealer

 

Thanks for the comments everyone - really cannot wait to see it in the flesh, I believe we are getting a car in September to drive.

Big A the on road price in QLD is $503,800 - tried to keep on options to a minimum so costs didn't get out of control. Although things like lift kit/shields etc are a must have. PM me if you want more details.

 

Big A, just to clarify $503,800 is with no options. How are you enjoying the 458?

 

hg, as stated I think the 458 and 430 are stunning cars - so please understand my position is not that the 488 is beautiful and the 458 is ugly. As clearly the overall look of the 488 is very similar to the 458 - so why do I like it more? I am not a designer but like most, I know what I like, articulating why is harder, but as a laymn I will do my best.

The overall silhouette of both cars is stunning. But for me the weakest point in the 458 was always the front end, I found it a bit too feminine - the silver horse and the gaps near the headlights were negatives for me. In contrast the front end of the 488 is far more aggressive with larger air dams and the cut aways on each side of the bonnet. To me although the front end changes are relatively minor they really lift the whole car to the next level.

I also think the rear end is better sorted than the 458 - specifically the exhaust placement and diffuser area and the way the aero is integrated into the design.

The side inlets on the 488? I don't hate them, but I don't think you would say it's a design improvement. They look quite aggressive but this ties into the more aggressive nature of the cars look. For me it's a form follows function sort of beauty, knowing why they are there and the prodigious power levels that have resulted makes them more appealing. Would you remove them if they were unnecessary... for me yes, but they do not negate the appeal for me, however I can see why they would for others.

To re-iterate I am no holding myself out to be the last word in design, I just like it more.

 

That's great to hear, I have never heard any negatives on the 458 - such an amazing car!

I did an exotic drive day in the US a few months ago - drove a 458, 991 GT3, Huracan - loved them all in different ways but there was no doubt the 458 was the most special. Really liked the GT3 as well from a driving perspective but just not "special enough" for a weekend car. Considered the range of cars in that price range such as McLaren, Lambo and Porsche before ordering but it was pretty easy in the end, I have owned a Lambo and Porsche before and never a Ferrari and this one really grabbed me. When the first reviews came out it was a pretty simple decision.