There are a number of reasons the 458 market stays strong (last NA, 9k redline, design, etc) but it also is a matter of supply. There are about half as many 458’s on the market vs 488’s and most of those 458’s aren’t very desirable spec/condition. I don’t have exact numbers but it seems there were far more 488’s produced in desirable specs compared to 458’s. 488 owners are also more likely to “upgrade” to other models (eg F8) where as 458 owners seem to be more long term owners keeping available inventory fairly low. The 458 also seems to find its way into garages with a lot of other cars where as the 488 is a much better two or three car solution candidate. All of this plays into the secondary market values and isn’t necessarily an indicator of “better”. As I stated in my previous post, the 488 is the better car for 80-90% of buyers. But for those looking for something a little more special in the drama department, the 458 is hard to beat.
People always want what they can't have. Now that 458's are less available than the 488's, people want them. I feel that the 458 is up high on the collectability scale (because the good ones are getting harder to get), but the 488 is low on collectability, and really high (Probably at the top) on the performance / value scale. I always like to use the gated 6 spd 360's and 430's as examples. Why are they through the roof? because people want what they can't have. How do I know? Because when they came out, people were paying a $6,000 option price for the F1 transmission. If the 6 speed was so great, why didn't everyone order with a manual transmission, and save the money? Human nature is so strange, lol
I’m biased bc I have owned NA and turbo supercars. Knowing what I know now. I would never ever again waste good Ferrari $$$$$$$ on another turbo super car (turbo lag), front engine car (not pretty enough) or 4 wheel drive (heavy slow trans). Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
The 458 is the last Ferrari designed by Pininfarina and wearing the badge... also Michael Schumacher did the set up
The 458 (not going to get into the debate about the 458 Speciale) was the last mid engine V8 Ferrari designed by Pininfarina. The F12 was the last Ferrari designed by Pininfarina.
When the 488 was introduced there was actually a very small price increase compared to the 458 (I know because I got one of the earlier 488) - there is a lot of alternative reality from 458 owners to try and push up the value of their cars, for whatever reason, while typically 488s are still more expensive than 458s. A 458 is far less efficient, but noisier, just as its typical owner - so there is some adequacy
+1 Also would like to add that I would take a 488 over a 458 based on the looks alone as there is something in the 458 that has not aged very well, looks odd and dated somehow. Too soft....
Hello everyone! Back then I sold my first 458 Spider in order to switch to a 488 "blindly". A massive mistake... After just a few months I sold the 488 and bought another 458 Spider. For me there's just no comparison. There is no substitute for a naturally aspirated engine. Sure, the 488 offers more performance and also the modern interior, but it somehow looks to me now as if it had been given a “spoiler kit” from Temu. In contrast, the 458 is and remains timeless. So for me (now) it would be a no-brainer.
this is what sealed the 488 for me. to me, it’s just dramatically better looking. plus torque is a hell of a drug!!
And this was my reason to move to the 488 I like the 458 NA engine and the sound but there´s something with the look that i just cant stand. And also the catfish front looks so strange. I'm having hard time taking it seriously. I can understand why Ferrari took their own designteam on the 488 (for me to correct the 458 design) but of course just my guessing. I don't know the reason. 488 isn't perfect either but for me remarkable better in design. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
the 9k redline is admittedly a killer feature. anyone who simply feels that the sound and the 9k fury is worth the trade offs, i respect their position. i will say, the 458 speciale is breathtaking aesthetically. in my opinion, the best looking of the 360/430/458/488/f8 lineage.
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login What really bothers me about the 488 is the front with its strange shapes. And the air inlet on the side just doesn't look harmless to me and is quite jagged. I think in the end the look is simply a matter of taste. The engine, however - at least for me - is not. A naturally aspirated engine simply gives me a lot more emotions.