My very personal comparison of the 458 and F8 spider

Thanks for sharing that. I only had about 20-25 mins of F8 seat time but that’s exactly what I felt too. Except I liked the F8’s smaller steering wheel. I liked the 458 one too, but it is a little chunky.

I wish they could make the twin turbo sound like an F40. It is a bizarre thing to say but if they could make the steering and braking input have more feedback, and make the sound more sharp and raw, I would do what I needed to to get one. I have posted here several times: I love the look and spec and want to want it. But after two tries it didn’t push the button.

 

Are you keeping the 458?

 

Thanks for the write up. One of the really nice things about this forum is threads like these, where we can share personal experiences about cars without getting overly emotional.

My overall experience with the 458 spider has been phenomenal. As I’ve gotten over the Ferrari mystique and run the car hard, I’ve learned of its strengths and more important, its weaknesses. I agree with your synopsis of the 458 - sticky buttons aside, my biggest complaints are a lack of true low end punch, inconsistent and non linear brake modulation, excessive body roll in very aggressive twisty conditions, and a few more minor ones. Contrast these with its strong points - driver position and engagement, overall feel and sound, raw excitement, driving enjoyment. For a first Ferrari, I picked pretty well (maybe too well). Let’s face it, the 458 was always going to be a tough act to follow.

I’ve got an order in for an F8 Spider, and my observations after seat time are quite on par with yours. I really want to like an alternate car - like the 812. But it’s awful large (to me) and seems a little too GT like. Perhaps I’m just not ready.

I agree about the F8 sound, its improvements and its strong points. Incredible turbo, improved braking, crisp. Sound will always be an issue for many. And yes, it comes across more refined (I like the smaller wheel), but perhaps at a cost. But I’m in a different place now and appreciate that a mid engine car can still retain many of the Ferrari attributes, yet not have to do so with that raw, in your face drama. The F8 for me represents what’ll probably be the last mid engine Ferrari. I’ll have the opportunity to demo it more over the next months, hopefully won’t change my present way of thinking.

Finally, I’m in the queue for (if they can ever get their act together) the STO. I figured between that and the 458, it should be more than sufficient to keep my desire for the raw feel and sound of the NA nostalgia at bay. We shall see.........

 

I drove it for an hour through winding Yorkshire dales. Slightly damp with a F test driver.

I found the build quality noticability better than the 458.

It also felt more planted , less skittish. Whether that’s a bonus I’m not entirely sure.
Lost some of the magic almost too good.
But undoubtedly a step forward.

The brakes were better. Stopped from the get go.

I didn’t mind the sound not as F1 circa 2001 but more blowing.

The performance was much stronger. But on the road this was a mute point.


Overall maybe consider it if / when the 458 looses its charm. That may of course never happen.

 

I think this is very smart if you have space!
I appreciate these kind of comparisons no matter which way they lean.

 

I was just watching this video - I think it tells it pretty much like it is:



I have a test drive scheduled for the F8, but I sincerely doubt it will be more enjoyable than a dial in used 458.

Ray

 

Excellent review. I had the same impression of the F8. This lead me to the 812....as far as how much bigger it is than say an F8, the 812 is only about 3 inches longer. It’s the long hood of the 812 that gives off an impression of grandiose.


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Yeah, the 812 is amazing. I test drove one and it's maybe the only car, along with perhaps an F40, that I would select over the 458 Italia.

Ray

 

Thanks for insight. I’m glad I’m driving a 580-2 instead of a 488 and will go to a EVO RWD instead of an F8

 

Don't knock it... You may be surprised.

The sound; that can be addressed.

 

As a new owner I’m shocked so many F car owners are fixated on nontangible things like “ passion” and “sound”.
To me F cars are about tangibles like performance and visual appeal.
I drive my buddies 458 and yes it sounds great but does it outperform an F8 or 488?

 

Okay. I have an F8 and had a 488. I skipped the 458. Also have a 360 Spider. And 430 manual. And a couple others.
Was offered a 458 for a very good deal. I thought I would buy it and keep it and drive it daily ( high miles car).

Drove it for an hour or so.
I am sure if I had a 458 and bought it from newish and aged with it, I would feel differently. But for me, from the F8 and 488, it left me lacking. It sounded great- no argument. It looked great- again the more pure form. But the speed and age are starting to show. The roof liner was hanging, the tech was older and the form factor dies not make me love it. I really thought I would. I hear what y’all say and how you feel the road differently and long for that first raw digital ride, But it did not resonate with me. I feel dejected.

I am not disagreeing with any of y’all’s assessment at all. Just how I felt. Keep in mind I drive the heck out of my 360 and love it so much. And yes, I like my F8 and do not disagree with any of the criticism y’all have described. But for a fraction of a price and a good deal that would not depreciate, I passed.

So I bought an 812.


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3rd thread you have going complaining about the car, your 4th thread should be here:

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/forums/ferraris.242/

Dump it and move on....

 

Outstanding insights. Thank you.

Why is the F8 going to be the last mid engine Ferrari? What rumors are out there?


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Nostalgic beauty that video sums it all!

 

It comes down to the personal connection between the car and the individual. This is a very subjective issue. I can understand what some are saying about the 458 vs any modern car. I have a 997 GT2. I feel that it is as connected I can be to the road compared to any other modern car, probably including the 458. It is a fully mechanical machine. A grown up's go-cart. It has nothing to do with power. It has everything to do with how you feel when you drive it. It could be a Ford Fiesta for all I know. If it makes you smile and gives you a little bit of fear when you push it to the limits, but you still do because you trust it and you trust you can manage it; that is the car you want.

 

Hell yea.. 812!

 

LOL!

 

Not trumors. The next in line to replace the V8 rear mid-engine is the LB, which is a V6 Turbo (Toaster) Electric. No more V8 after this... The days of of V12 are for sure done. Unless the V12 is replaced with a V8. Then, instead of the V12 they move down to the V8 and the V8 moves down to the V6???

 

Stats I have from Ferrari say 812 is 4.6cm longer and 8mm narrower in the body, I don't have a mirror-to-mirror for the 812, but F8 is 2261mm.