I'm sure it's been beaten to death---lift or no lift? | FerrariChat

I'm sure it's been beaten to death---lift or no lift?

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by RWC58, Feb 19, 2019.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. RWC58

    RWC58 Karting

    Oct 14, 2018
    154
    Columbus Ohio
    Full Name:
    Robert W Crooks
    As I approach buying a 458 I'm rather tortured by the lift decision. It appears true driving enthusiasts would never consider a lift . That's the consensus I'm getting . Other folks would not even consider not having one for an everyday driver for rather apparent reasons being roads, driveways , potholes etc. It has been mentioned that the resale is better for cars with the lift . I've also heard the opinion that it's one more thing to go wrong on the car . This will be a normal recreationally driven vehicle for me.

    Help me make an enlightened decision as I'm confused enough that I've passed on 2 cars that didn't have them.
     
  2. SoCal to az

    SoCal to az F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 25, 2012
    14,209
    Arizona
    never once have I used the lift on my 488 (458 is similar) and that is taking it up and down off a lift in my garage weekly.
     
    Jamie traina likes this.
  3. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 6, 2004
    16,445
    ON
    Full Name:
    CH
    I would be in the 'one more thing to go wrong with the car' camp.
    Are you concentrating on 2012 or later models? How many miles are on these cars you are seeing? In the USA mileage is 'King' and the lower the better!
     
  4. MarkGT-Rari

    MarkGT-Rari Rookie

    Mar 30, 2018
    26
    Metro Detroit, Michigan USA
    Full Name:
    Mark Elassal
    It all depends on you, I live in Michigan and any exotic without a lift is considered a junky build, no lift, no sale here. But I’m sure if I lived in say Utah, then it may be a different story. To us midwesters, if it doesn’t have a lift, then it is an undesirable build.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  5. RWC58

    RWC58 Karting

    Oct 14, 2018
    154
    Columbus Ohio
    Full Name:
    Robert W Crooks
    Thanks for the replies . I've been mainly looking at 2010 -2012 models . I went to the Local Ferrari dealer and they said it's one more thing to go wrong but then added that they would not buy a car without one!! Go figure !
     
  6. Baptist

    Baptist Karting

    Mar 2, 2008
    78
    Standard car no need, if you are going to lower it a decent amount, lift is very handy.
     
  7. jac

    jac Karting

    Nov 4, 2005
    95
    Full Name:
    jack cohen
    I prefer the lift. I live in upstate NY. Mycar is getting delivered this week. My 2c
     
  8. Viperjoe

    Viperjoe F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    No way would I consider a car without a lift. My 458 didn’t have and I lived in constant fear of scraping going over speed bumps, etc. I ordered my 488 with the lift and there’s no question it saved me from scraping on a few occasions.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
    Napoli likes this.
  9. Clay512TR

    Clay512TR Formula Junior

    Aug 13, 2015
    298
    Sammamish, WA
    Full Name:
    Clayton Lee Stephens
    I have a Speciale which is also lowered with factory parts by the dealer. The lift is essential with my spec and I use it all the time. To be honest, even without lowering the 458 I would not buy one without the lift even if it is only for that “one” driveway or entrance a month that requires it or damage to your front end. I consider the lift a protection tool which helps me avoid front end damage when needed.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Viperjoe likes this.
  10. Napoli

    Napoli Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2017
    958
    Full Name:
    NOYB, Ray!
    Lift!
     
    Viperjoe likes this.
  11. 458-Italia

    458-Italia Formula 3

    Jan 10, 2014
    1,726
    France
    No lift with my Italia, no lift with my Speciale and no lift with my Pista
    But I haven’t lowered my cars

    the lift is essential on Porsche 911 or Lamborghini Huracan not on FERRARI
     
    LVP488 and SoCal to az like this.
  12. PA Wolfpacker

    PA Wolfpacker Formula Junior

    Aug 19, 2007
    653
    Naples, FL
    Full Name:
    Neil
    I had the lift on my 458 and have it on my 488. Even with the lift I have scrapped the front end assuming I didn't need to activate it. I live in FL which is very flat, but I was leaving a hotel parking lot and there was what looked to be minor dip as you exit. Well, it wasn't so minor.

    So my recommendation is get the lift - and use it.
     
    brianweekes and Viperjoe like this.
  13. kiryu

    kiryu Formula Junior

    Mar 28, 2016
    407
    Los Angeles
    the front clearance of a 458 is really not bad. It's better than my r8 and way better than gt3. That is if you do not intend to drop the car. Oh if you did not notice yet, 458s have insane wheel gaps from factory. So if you leave the car stock and is accustomed to driving low supercars, chances are you dont need one because you will learn to check out the approaches and enter/exit in an angle etc. If you drive careless than you will scratch even a bmw or regular porsche and no lift will save you. My car has no lift, and not once did i wish i have it. The GT3 is the car that you cannot live without a lift, the front clearance is under 3". In short, I dont think a lift is a deal breaker. If you get a car without, just drive with a bit more care and put a skidplate as a backup in case you misjudge the angle. The 458 has decent front clearance due to the front bumper design that slowly flairs up towards the front
     
    daflk, LVP488 and 458-Italia like this.
  14. MANDALAY

    MANDALAY F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    May 23, 2013
    11,048
    AUSTRALIA
    Full Name:
    ANGELO
    Here is a question, the cars that you have looked at with no lift , did you look under the car to see if there were any scratches ?

    Ive seen demo cars, second hand cars with lifts and still have heaps of scratches underneath.
     
    brianweekes likes this.
  15. Brambleworth

    Brambleworth Formula Junior

    Apr 4, 2011
    387
    NY
    Full Name:
    Ted
    I really wanted a lift when I was looking for a 458 Spider, I found that the initial cost of the option really shrunk the pool of cars available. It is an expensive option that includes the AFS headlight system. I ended up without a lift and had plastic skid plates installed to help with the occasional scrape. My latest problem is that speed humps are being installed near my business and I can't get over them without scraping, so it has limited my route options to work.
     
  16. Austex458

    Austex458 Karting

    May 30, 2018
    74
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    Romeo Manzanilla
    I would say a lift is a must. No bigger fear pulling into a parking garage that has large speedbumps. The lift will allow you to not stress as much when traveling on unknown roads. If your car is going to be a garage queen only driven to local car shows, then probably not needed.
     
    brianweekes likes this.
  17. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Nov 23, 2012
    16,047
    Orchard Park, NY
    Full Name:
    Dave Lelonek
    My buddies 458 doesn't have it and he never had an issue. My 355 is lower so I need to be much more careful. Come to think, my Maserati GT has a super low front. It would be nice on those but the 458 seems high enough for most situations.
     
  18. IPO1

    IPO1 F1 Rookie

    Dec 23, 2015
    3,575
    Wouldn't and haven't bought any sports or super car without.
     
  19. cavsct94

    cavsct94 Karting

    Aug 26, 2013
    179
    Indianapolis, IN
    Full Name:
    Mike
    If you can get one, why not? If not, then I wouldn't let a good car pass because of it. I've never needed it with mine. I just approach speed bumps, driveways, etc., with care and at an angle.
     
  20. FerrariFR33458

    FerrariFR33458 Formula 3

    Aug 4, 2017
    1,258
    Wash DC Area
    Full Name:
    FR33
    I live in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA. There is no way to go without it. Speed bumps, driveways, underground parking exits make it a necessity. If it breaks I will fix it. If I was scared of a car having mechanical issues, I would have bought a Honda.
     
    Jamie traina and Elsi like this.
  21. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    May 21, 2006
    7,398
    West Coast
    Full Name:
    Ray
    I'd never buy a car with a lift. Be smart, install a skid plate and call it a day. It's the ultimate, never fails, light weight protection under all circumstances.

    The 458 has pretty good clearance. I lowered my 458 by 15mm in front and rarely had any issues. Also had a front skid plate that was about 8 to 10mm thick. Worked like a charm

    Ray
     
    Wazmo, jm2 and Dave rocks like this.
  22. rttj777

    rttj777 Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 3, 2014
    72
    Georgia
    Mine was the first of all the 458's I looked at with absolutely zero under nose damage. Whether that is the result of the Lift or the previous owner I can't say. (but, I really appreciate him!) Side note: I have several cars in climate controlled storage a couple of miles away. I surveyed the driveway with an assistant and can not make it up (or down) the driveway without using the lift. Also, my neighborhood surprised us with some very attractive but irritating speed "humps" (their word) the other day, so thank goodness for the lift.
     
    of2worlds likes this.
  23. Zinger

    Zinger Formula 3

    Apr 11, 2009
    1,894
    Leesburg, Va
    Full Name:
    Ryan M
  24. Doctor Mark

    Doctor Mark Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2005
    870
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Mark Gronsbell
    Lift. Makes driveways less stressful.
     
    F485 and Clay512TR like this.
  25. flifer

    flifer Karting

    Mar 3, 2016
    160
    Miami
    Full Name:
    Mike
    If you don't need a lift (have great roads and never enter steep driveways) I still view it as a plus

    To me it's like PPF film... Not cheap, but when you're driving around in such an expensive car it's the little things like knowing you have a lift, or knowing you won't get that rock chip due to PPF film that makes the drive so much less stressful.

    I use the lift anytime I "think" I may scrape my front so I can drive up no worries without having to creep up the incline at a ridiculous angle causing all the people behind me to honk and give them another reason to hate on the guy in the Ferrari.
     
    Viperjoe likes this.

Share This Page