Advice on buying a 488 spider | FerrariChat

Advice on buying a 488 spider

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by nugget, Sep 23, 2025 at 10:05 AM.

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  1. nugget

    nugget Karting

    Jan 4, 2004
    95
    Hi folks. I’m looking at buying a 2019 488 spider, single owner and only 1400 miles. I love all the options, but it does not have carbon seats, which is as close to a showstopper as it gets. I called my local dealer and it’s $43,000 plus tax and would take a year to get.

    I might be able to live with it, but here’s the problem… It looks like no maintenance has ever been done on it. Doing research online, and as a current Ferrari owner, that does not seem good. I’m calling my local dealer to run it buy their maintenance shop. To me it seems like all back maintenance would need to be done. That combined with the fact it is such low miles seems like a risk. I will not buy the car unless all back maintenance is done and I’m guessing that’s at least $12,000. Not to mention the risk that when I try and resell it there’s a 7 year gap and maintenance, which will be taken into account if I do make an offer.

    I’m leaning towards no on the car, but what are your thoughts? Maybe I’m just making excuses because I don’t want to buy it since it doesn’t have carbon seats. I absolutely love everything else about the car though. Thanks, Glen
     
  2. nugget

    nugget Karting

    Jan 4, 2004
    95
    Also it’s on its original tires. Although low miles, they are seven years old. I see Michelin says you can go up to 10 years but to me the tires need to be replaced as well. on the California T we used to own it was close to $3000 when you included the alignment. Heck my 328 was the same price last year. Those tires only had 3000 miles, but were replaced due to age.
     
    mdrums likes this.
  3. vjd3

    vjd3 F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2005
    2,826
    Massachusetts
    Full Name:
    Vic
    It's odd that no annual maintenance would have been done when it came with the car for free ... that would also invalidate it for any extended warranty from Ferrari, not necessarily a deal breaker for you, but selling it down the road a lot of people like to pony up for the first year at least to make sure the car is solid. I think being driven so infrequently you are apt to have some teething issues with the car, I would definitely change the tires, inspect the engine and gearbox closely for any signs of leaks or seepage, take a hard look at the turbos, and plan on putting a new battery in it.

    I think I would keep looking, especially if you plan to drive it, no point ponying up for a very low mileage example, dealing with deferred maintenance, and then starting to rack up miles on it. YMMV.
     
  4. Trev450

    Trev450 Formula Junior

    Mar 11, 2024
    698
    UK
    Full Name:
    Trevor H
    Sounds very much like the car has just been owned and driven but without any thought or care regarding it's maintenance. If crucial requirements such as servicing and tyres have been neglected, how else has the car been treated? Driven hard from cold, etc.

    I would be running a mile away from that one.
     
    mdrums and LVP488 like this.
  5. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 8, 2005
    79,700
    Las Vegas Nevada
    Full Name:
    Jerry
    It depends on if sales price has the tires backed into it.
     
  6. nugget

    nugget Karting

    Jan 4, 2004
    95
    I just had my local dealer look it up and it has been maintained every year thank goodness. It’s just odd that Carfax showed no maintenance history when it usually does for cars. I guess they rely on Ferrari to report it. That removes a huge red flag. I think it still would need tires and most likely a battery given it is seven years old. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.
     
    Trev450 and LVP488 like this.
  7. mdrums

    mdrums F1 Rookie

    Jun 11, 2006
    3,649
    Tampa FL
    Most all if not ll Ferrari dealers DO NOT report to CarFax. I know for a fact my local Florida dealers do not report
     

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