Ten years with a 488

Time flies - today, I've had my 488 for ten years (registration on Sep. 30th, 2015).
I was not thinking I would keep it for so long, since previously I regularly "upgraded" my Ferrari's to get the best I could afford.
But all in all, the 488 has been very good with me, and so far, each time I considered replacing it, I was not eventually convinced. First came the Pista, for which I placed a deposit, but (I always consider my cars as driving experiences, not as show-off objects nor investments) for me the price difference was not justified; next came the F8, with a more sensible pricing, but again the (real) improvements over the 488 were not worth the price for me. Then the 296 was the first to propose a tremendous jump in performance - but the complexity of the hybrid system (considering I may also keep the next car for a long time, after all) and the questions about reliability had me backing off again.
Each time, not buying the newer Ferrari gave me the opportunity to spend money differently, but these are other stories.
Anyway, my 488 has now 24,878 km (15,458 miles), and the experience has been rather good so far.
All began in 2014, when I considered replacing my 599 - the obvious choice was an F12, because when trying the 458, I was really disappointed by its lack of torque (compared to a mighty V12) but was amazed by the DCT - so that the F12, the V12 with a DCT, was the natural evolution.
But prices on used F12 were not really compelling at that time, and it appeared that the successor of the 458 would be turbocharged - which would certainly address the torque issue (I'm no real purist, so the result is what counts to me), and this opportunity to buy a Ferrari brand new for the first (and maybe the last ) time was hard to resist.
The process was very nice from the start, since I was invited to attend the customer preview in Maranello on Feb. 18th, 2015, where I met a (still) enthusiastic and hopeful Sebastian Vettel (who had just joined the Scuderia).
Then there was the Geneva show, and the configuration process with the dealer - and finally an early delivery.
Since then the car has made some travels (one highlight being the 70th anniversary rally, from Reims to Maranello) and several track days (Magny-Cours, Le Castellet, Dijon, Spa, ...).
It has been globally reliable; a few issues have been addressed during the warranty, but the main cost so far has been to replace the brakes after only 15,000 km (I elected to go with Surface Transforms rotors with Pagid pads, and that's a big improvement over the OEM Brembo set up).
The most disturbing experience has been during an early track day (after the break in period), when the car stubbornly refused to stop the engine for a few hours, no matter what (allegedly it was an issue with the steering wheel ECU)... I also had the headliner drop after having left the car parked under a hot sun; it was corrected under warranty and I got a new windscreen for free, since the original one was damaged in the headliner replacement process.
As far as driving is concerned, the performance on the road is largely sufficient, and on the track (with the new brakes) it is still far from ridiculous - although on the straight lines, it cannot compete with significantly more powerful recent cars.

 

Wonderful post.

 

You/we are minority, as vast majority these days don't keep cars 10(+) yrs! Congrats and great post!

 

Great post. Thanks for taking the time to compile it.

 

Fabulous to read, and you've really used the car properly, bravo!
I think I might be the same with my F8 Spider, although I didn't have the pleasure of speccing it from new.
But I really can't see what would replace it as an ownership proposition. I am fortunate enough to be a member of Auto Vivendi supercar club here in the UK where we get to drive all the latest supercars.

 

I bought my factory new 488 coupe January 2018 and drove about 48.000km so far. Only issues were two dead batteries (although always on tender) and a broken seal between engine and transmission (it was changed under warranty). Came from a F430 - I honestly regret selling it. Both cars would have been the best of all worlds - visceral light / good sounding car and modern car with lots of torque (medium sounding). The 488 will be my last new F car - I am totally pissed by all this hybrid nonsense.

 

LVP488, great post... just needed pictures for the kids in us!

I agree with what you wrote about the 488. I had my 2019 488 for 10,000 miles 4.5 yrs. Bought it used with 453 miles. The 1st owner had it a year and never drove it much and traded for a newly ordered 812SF. I only replaced the battery and headliner. I did Novitec springs but left everything else alone and never had a mechanical issue at all. Car always started and ran great. The reason is I took care of the car, left the drive train stock and didn't;t do some stupid tune on it that sounded like a pack of Chinese fire crackers going off...I hate that crap!

When I was car shopping back in early 2019 I was looking at the F12 and 458. Drove them and then the dealer said let me get our 488 demo car and you can take it out for a while. The 488 drive, looks, power and torque instantly won me over!

I wrestled with getting my F8 Tributo. Was it worth the extra expense?... not really sure as I had the funds to make it happen and my wife pushed me over the edge to do it. You only live once. F8 is great, feels different that the 488 and has that Ferrari magical feel still.

 

So just a few professional pictures (credit Spyk photo)
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Great post and experience.

I’m at 50,000 miles on my 458 spider after 7 years of ownership, and the F8 spider is at 3,500. I agree the 488 is much closer in performance to the F8, the 458 feels a bit sluggish in comparison, and keeping an eye out as 296 prices continue to drop. I also have the STO, and just can’t part with any of them at the moment.

As I’ve gotten older and fully enjoyed the super car experience, perhaps a 430 convertible conversion to a six speed somewhere down the road.

 

Great post! I'm new to the Ferrari world. Always wanted one since I was a kid. Have a 911 turbo but wanted to experience Ferrari as well. Picked up a low mileage 488 recently. I too feel that this may be my first and likely last Ferrari. I don't like the hybrid nor the design paths they are taking. When I think Ferrari, the 488, 458, 360 etc come to mind. I would maybe consider getting a manual older Ferrari down the road. But happy to read these kind of posts that not only show the car is reliable over the long haul, but people love them that newer doesn't equate to better. Enjoy...

 

Great post mate. Im on my 8th year with the 488 GTB. I share like wise sentiments on keeping the 488 GTB.

With the money saved it will be a Porsche. Just waiting for the real official announcement that the new Cayman will also have a non electric version.

IMO 2 of the great cars . Its just the Ferrari had to be first

However , not likely BUT if Ferrari ever went back to a mid engine non hybrid and looked good I would consider it.

Fortunately Porsche will still offer a only petrol engine and even a MANUAL !!!!

Correctly as stated there are faster straight line cars and on the road does it really make any sense ?

The 488 GTB is an awesome car.

 

My brother in law was lucky to purchase one of the early but last Porsche Cayman non turbo 2025 GT4's. Have always loved Porsche & had many since 1965. It was the last Porsche I sold--a 356 C museum piece. My keeper presently is a 15 Italia Ferrari.