English is not my language so I wish I could write better. For me, sports car bench mark is GT3. Even RS feels less sporty than GT3 mainly because the aero and grip level overwhelm the engine. GT3 has more engine than needed and thus makes things interesting sideways all over the place. Once you get what it takes to control, then GT3 is just the best toy not some tricky unbalanced danger machine. Now comes Pista and finally I can say it is better than GT3 or better than any V8 Fcar in the past. 360 430 458 and 488. Here is why I think. Main thing is the torque build up to the max rev. 458 lacks the top end torque. Sound builds up but car not pushing over 8000 to 9000. It is just mismatch between what you hear and what you feel. 488 was better in terms of torque build up but it shut you cold and hard when hitting around 7500. 488 lacks the rpm. We begged for software update or some that it could make it rev to 7900. 488 feels unfinished because of this. But Pista lets you go all the way up to 7900 or 8000. Niddle touches and stay there. Torque is enormous and very intuitive. It feels like NA but better all the way. Handling is improved. Just Ferrari magic. They found the sweet spot of balance between front and rear. Front firm rear soft. It lets you play or cruise any surface. Marvelous! Sound is lacking compared to 458 or GT3 but it is top when it comes to turbo V8. I am not complaining at all. Side ways better than any because of torque. Top end torque is important when doing sideways. Pedal to metal and sudden loss of top end torque means sudden recover of grip and results in snap oversteer. Not for Pista. Not for GT3 either. But I had some moments in 458 and Portofino. Design is subjective but I am happy with the look. These sums up. Chris Harris was right and nailed it. When everyone including myself complaining the end of NA and disappointed somewhat with 488, Ferrari gave us this masterpiece. Before GPF and other electronic safety devices, Pista will be a uniq machine for the time comes. It is simply the best V8 F ever. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Best Turbo V8 maybe...F8 and Pista. Best NA V8 is the Speciale. Which will be more valuable in 5 years? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I don't know and I don't care. Speciale wins I guess but it doesn't matter. How it drives matters to me and 458 and Speciale wasn't satisfying to me but Pista is.
First time I have heard that driving a Speciale is not satisfying enough...this is at odds with many professional drivers and credible magazine articles. Maybe you are referring to the required uptick in performance between the models then I would assume you are a very advanced driver with mass track experience. Good for you as I know the F8/Pista are faster and have more downforce which they should as they are current models. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ok...different views I guess. Pros know better than me and I am not implying I know better than pros. I am just expressing what Pista feels to me and how it serves my need. Maybe I made too bold title lol Good day
You assume I mean value in regards to dollars, I actually mean value in regards to enjoyment, pride of ownership etc. I don’t buy Ferraris to make money and to be honest I don’t worry if it goes down in value... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What will be valuable in 5 years? 400k invested in the S&P. Now back to OPs post- great review! Super excited to hear your thoughts and comments after driving the car. I too think the GT3 is a great machine but the Pista is just next level. Congrats on a beauty!
I completely agree with the review. I had somewhat lower expectations from the Pista based on endless negative reviews comparing it to the Speciale. 250kms into ownership, I could not have been more wrong on my initial concerns. I cannot stop driving it and it is definitely a long term keeper in the stable. Besides, you know you are driving something special when you can keep appearances driving around with a Chiron Image Unavailable, Please Login
Great review. Some really insightful observations - appreciate you taking the time. I haven't driven a speciale for a while - but I suspect you're right. Like so many other NA cars, turbos (which sound worse) have made them feel like their lacking power and torque. It's amazing how this has readjusted my sense of speed. I note you've got the spider. From speaking to others, none of us got the initial build photo - i.e. we got the final 2, but did not get the fairly generic chassis one with undercoat. Did you get one?
Me neither. My dealer sends pics to me. Only got final one. Myferrari is not working with my account..strange.
I love driving my Pista and 458. I don’t have a Speciale. But, wow, we live in a great Ferrari time right now for this kind of performance and quality coming from them. Given that I was driving a 1963 Thunderbird right after college that would have a semi-frequent coolant fire, a glovebox that would open up and spill everything when making a left turn, and only 3 working door locks and 2 engine rebuilds in 3 years, I count myself fortunate to drive the F cars. And have the enjoyment of talking with all of you about them! Ok, I am in a good mood
The coupe seem to be coming through ok, not sure why the spider isn't. It's frustrating as I have a wall with all my build pics on it and it looks odd if one is missing. Fingers crossed I can get one. jo9333 try this link for my ferrari https://login.ferrari.com/account/login?returnUrl=%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3Dmcs_client%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmy-new.ferrari.com%252Fen_EN%252Fidpauth%26response_type%3Dcode%26scope%3Dopenid%26state%3D3BE8A27E-B7DE-D4DB-C5D9-476AEF922B3C%26nonce%3D9E33FE2C-70EC-0ABB-2024-1E0AD397080A
bizzare post, professional drivers opinions and critics should be irrelevant to your own satisfaction or enjoyment of a car
j09333, Great post! I realise that English is not your first language, but you did a remarkably good job of describing your experience, and I found it very informative and thought provoking. Like you, I also love the feeling of swelling power that comes with a turbo car. I loved my Speciale, but actually preferred my 488. I thus anticipate that the Pista will blow my socks off. Thanks for making me even more impatient. Regarding production pics, I have so far received two photos; the generic white and the body colour on the cradle. I was told my car was 70 last week, so I am waiting for the money shot now
They are just data points, why is that bizarre? I think data is important but of course your opinion about your experience is most important. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
For English not being your language, you did d*** good. Bravo. Very well said and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Excellent write up, thank you! I have about 460 miles on my Pista now and I cannot stop driving it either. It is a fabulous car! Just a small point about reviews: I remember the first Speciale reviews, they almost all said the Speciale wasn't that much better than an Italia. These reviews are out there so you can go watch the videos or read the articles. Looking back now, what does everyone think? Most think the Speciale is better than an Italia. Some of the early Pista reviews were similar to state its really not much over a 488 GTB. I predict we will look back and find an even bigger difference from the standard car. The Pista is really that amazing. Bravo for the great writeup and bravo to Ferrari!
already it's pretty close here £330k - 458 specs: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/458-speciale/ferrari-458-speciale-4-5-coupe-speciale-4-5-coupe-balance-of-7-year-service-pack-ppf-ferrari-factory-painted-nart-stripe/9135578 https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/458-speciale/ferrari-458-speciale--2015-65/10071353 https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/458-speciale/ferrari-458-speciale--2015-15/10058244 https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/458-speciale/ferrari-458-speciale-1-ab-2015/9747206 488 pista: £328k https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/488-pista/2019-ferrari-488-pista-rhd-delivery-mileage/9677991 £350k https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/488-pista/ferrari-488-pista/10060927 £350k https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/488-pista/ferrari-488-pista-physical-delivery-mileage/9961528
but also worth mentioning that here a standard 458 and a standard 488 as the same price pretty much on the used market, people just aren't that keen on the 488 in the uk for whatever reason