430 or 458? Anyone gone back? Your thoughts please...

Owned both a 430 and 458 at the same time. Kept the 458 and still have it. Traded the 430 for an LP580-2 Spyder. Have both now and thinking of trading out Lambo for an F12. 458 is my keeper.

 

I got the 458 and F12 combo - works well!

 

There was a guy who just posted this in both the 430 and 458 sections and got quite a bit of good feedback. seems like most leaned towards 458 but it was close. I've owned both and they are both fantastic.

 

I've owned a 2008 430 coupe and now own a 2012 458. The biggest differences to me are the updated interior and the DCT transmission. The Dual clutch transmission is much faster and less clunky when shifting between gears. While I almost always used the paddles to shift on the 430, I hardly touch the paddles on the 458, just because i forget to use them. In the end, both cars are great fun. Drive an example of each and make up your own mind.

 

I loved the 430. More raw. The 458 is just better. Still N/A and can get fun when you push it. Smooth on a trip and easy to drive.

 

I have both and those threads cover pretty much everything. The main two differences are the F1 vs DCT transmission and the steering rack feel.

The transmission in the 430 is somewhat criticised here vs the DCT. To be fair I have the scud which has an upgraded version, but I find it way more fun to run through the gears than the 458.

The 458 has extremely light steering and the car will wander around in your lane if you look at your phone or whatever. And even loaded up in a 100kph turn there is basically no weight on the wheel. Compared to the 430 which feels glued to the ground and a bit heavier steering with more feedback, like a more traditional porsche or JDM car etc.

I find the 430 a more enjoyable driving experience and a proper beast, but the 458 more beautiful and refined of a package.

 

I also have both (and an F12...totally different experience). My F430 is a converted manual. I replaced the headers with the OEM race headers (no pre-cats to break loose) and it has a trev tune as part of the conversion. It absolutely rips, and it puts a huge smile on my face every time I drive it. It's like a rabid go kart. I'm not sure why it feels so fast...I have/had cars with significantly more power (992 TTS, 600 hp 928 GT, F12, 458) that just don't give the sensation of speed on a twisty road that the F430 does. Maybe it's the big windshield and the feeling of sitting on the front axle, but it's a hoot. Sounds great too.

The 458 is drop dead gorgeous, and a much more refined car than the 430. It also has the more modern interior, but I actually like the simpler F430 interior at least as much. The 458 is objectively faster and more comfortable in every way...you could easily daily one. I've not driven an F430 with the F1, but I have driven a 599 with the F1. It was a short drive, but it seemed to work well enough once you got the hang of it (drive it like a manual without a clutch).

F1 vs DCT, I'd take the DCT every time. F430 manual vs 458 DCT, for a fun, fast, weekend car? It's a much harder call.

 

I believe you can blip the throttle a bit when shifting the F1 on the F430 but not on the DCT on the 458. Adds to the fun.

 

I know people who went back to the 458 from 488 but haven't heard of 458 to 430 personally

all of them are lovely cars to drive though

 

Several have gone from the 458 to the Scuderia.....that is the only 430 generation car to buy anyway