Kirk - I have not driven a 488 unfortunately. Sorry. I agree, it would be a good comparison but considering that we just got 5"-8" snow, I don't think the dealer will let me test drive one!
I keep the top down 99% of the time. Only time l put it up is when in a public parking space. My Audi S5 convertible has this feature up to 31 mph. Only use it when rain pops up. This very rarely happens with the 458 as if there is more than a 20% chance of rain l take the Audi. Reason is l try to keep washing the 458 to a minimum. I like to keep it looking perfect. It is a daily driver...a clean daily driver. It doesn’t rain much in Colorado. 14” of rain a year. Sun shines 300+ days a year. Most precip is in winter when 458 is stored from April to November.
Lexan is a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. In a nutshell, what that means is that it’s a solid substance that can deform in extreme heat (typically 147 degrees Celsius, or 297 degrees Fahrenheit) and whose molecules are comprised of repeating subunits. Lexan is but one of a family of thermoplastics whose main claim to fame is in its ability to undergo significant deformation without cracking of breaking. What’s more, when fully formed, the polycarbonate sheet boasts an impact strength 250 times greater than that of glass and 30 times greater than that of acrylic (a similar thermoplastic). This strength and flexibility has made Lexan sheet an indispensable material for a wide variety of manufacturers, as very few materials can claim Lexan’s transformative ability along with its outstanding heat and impact resistance.
google search: Pros of Lexan: Higher level of impact resistance (250 times the impact resistance of glass) Less rigidity than acrylic and can be bought in flexible grades Can handle temperatures up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit Highly resistant to acids and other chemicals such as gasoline Can be drilled without worry of cracking Can be cold formed or bent without heating Low level of flammability Cons of Lexan: Easier to scratch More expensive in comparison to acrylic Poorer clarity, cannot be polished to restore clarity Can be yellowed over time by UV rays Low level of resistance to abrasive cleaners and surfaces Can be dented easily
Additional "Pro" of Lexan : WEIGHT savings over glass, somewhere between 30% to 50% the weight of an equivalent piece of glass depending how thick the glass would of been for the same result... ref: https://www.plastics4performance.com/faq
So I got my pricing back and nearly fell out of my chair. Need to make some big chops to get the price down!
Options Color Option Name Code Price Scuderia Shields LOGO 1,856 Matte Black Around Windsheild COLL 1,266 Nero Two Tone Paint BIC2 11,812 Standard Wheels Yellow Caliper CALY 1,519 Titanium Wheel Bolts TIWN 1,687 Carbon Boot Trim CERB 2,531 Titanium Exhaust Pipes EXAT 2,531 Engine Cover in Carbon CEL2 7,931 Carbon Fiber Front Spoiler FCWS 7,593 Front Bumper Insert Carbon CEAI 3,375 Front Airvent Carbon CEXG 4,219 Underdoor in Carbon CEXS 8,606 Side Air Splitter in Carbon CEIS 3,712 Rear Diffuser in Carbon CEXD 11,812 Full Electric Seats RSFE 8,268 Style Seats STYL 3,037 Yellow Tach RPMY 0 Red Rings on Air Vents RVEN 0 Nero Colored Mats with Logo FLMA 1,350 Italian Flag on Rear FLAG Nero Stitching STC2 844 Nero Horse Stitched Headrest EMPH 1,266 Red Belts CSB1 928 Carbon Drivers Zone CIDL 7,593 Racing Paddles in Carbon CFPA 1,687 Carbon Central Bridge CILR 2,869 Carbon Inner Door Handle CIDH 4,219 Exterior Sill Kick in Carbon CISK 2,025 Dashboard Inserts in Carbon DATR 6,750 Carbon Upper Tunnel CITZ 4,050 Carbon Door Panels CIPZ 6,918 PAC1 0 Advanced Front Driving Camera FCAM 0 Front Camera and Sensors PAR2 1,519 Suspension Lifter ELEV 5,062 Adaptive Headlight System AFS1 2,531 Premium JBL Sound System SNDH 6,243 Garage Doors HOLK 1,350 Italian Buttons 1,687 Rosso Ferrari Steering Grips STWE 844 Italian Flag 4,219 Total Options: 145,709 Base MSRP + Gas Guzzler + Transportation 275,280 TOTAL MSRP 420,989
What about the exhaust tips and wheel bolts? I believe the Hill Engineering ti bolts are like a third of the price. The exhaust tips? It's not a titanium exhaust. I'm sure Fabspeed and others will have titanium tips shortly. They are usually less than half. Just something to think about.
I'd pay the 12 and drop some of the exterior carbon. A wrapped roof cheapens the whole car and looks crap on a car of this value. You could always wrap the sills but even then I'd have them painted as well and clear film over that. Just get a paint shop to match the sills in nero for a fraction of the cost Ferrari charge. I will never understand why anyone would pay so much for a car only to then put cheap looking vinyl on the roof...crazy..
No comment. I understand the concept though. But on a spider body the black roof kinda doesn't work for me at all. Thankfully the look is subjective. The two tone looks much better on a coupe IMO....so long as it's paint though. Vinyl is a big no no for me on a car of this value as it conflicts with the core values of car. Maybe if it were a Nissan or something you could get away with it but a Ferrari? Hmm not so sure about that.