I love my 458, exhaust note intoxicating. The entire driving experience is filled with emotion and keeps a constant smile on my face. Can anyone share their experience of upgrading from 458 to F8? Happy you did it? Miss the 458? Wish you did not do it? Or never looked back? Garage space and a 296 order keep me from keeping the 458 if I chose to upgrade.
FWIW I own a 2014 458 Spider and was offered a VERY lucrative trade-in for a beautiful Blu Corsa F8 Spider and declined. I drove the F8 for an extended period of time - took my SO to lunch in it etc. to make sure and while the F8 is insanely beautiful - arguably more beautiful than my 458 - it did not give me the same emotions as my 458 - not just the sound (which is a MAJOR difference on a 458/F8 - much moreso than a 458/488) - but just the overall feel of the car. The F8 is an absolutely amazing car don't get me wrong - But is is not NA and is not Pininfarina-designed - and to me that means a lot. First world problems Either is an absolutely magical thing to be able to own IMHO - Cheers
@Shorn355 - nice, i appreciate this. I think I would tend to feel the same way as you describe. 458 emotion level is off the charts. Thanks for the response.
I have both spider versions of the 458 and F8. No question the F8 is a much refined version, and I beg to differ with those who state the car lacks soul. I honestly don’t know what I’d do if I had to choose one.
While waiting for my F8 Spider allocation, I purchased a 458 Italia. Loved the car. Thought the experience was very visceral and engaging. It was the best-sounding car I had ever owned up until that time. I almost canceled my F8 order. I ended up selling my 458 and took delivery of my F8 Spider. I have no regrets. While I think about my 458 from time to time, I enjoy the overall F8 experience more. The F8 is a better car in every way except for sound. In addition to the performance and the styling, I'm also someone that cares about more modern tech. When I see the Bovee threads, I always smile a bit because I no longer have to worry about basic things like streaming music. I don't miss that at all. And this will be a very unpopular opinion in this forum, but while the 458 sounds very good, I don't consider it the end-all-be-all of sound. I much prefer the more high-pitched sounds of the V12 Ferraris and other V12 cars like the LP640. We also can't forget about some great-sounding V10s like the Lexus LFA and Carrera GT. Again, the 458 is a very good car. I thoroughly enjoyed my ownership experience. In my opinion, the F8 is better. I'm happy I made the switch and have not considered going back.
if you go into an f8 you did a major upgrade last of its kind.only thing better on a 458 is exhaust noise otherwise f8 is an amazing machine
I wish there was a way to separate the "tech" As far as I'm concerned the digital crap can go. If I want tech I'll buy something German. Italian is the soul. I loved my 430, nothing but soul. The 458 is more refined but still full of emotion. If I had FU cash I would buy a SCUD and a F8. If I want to race in a straight line.... well I have other stuff for that.
If you have a 296 on order, then way give up the 458 if you can have both? I have driven an F8 and it was fast, refined, etc. But I wasn't willing to give up my 458 for it. Since you are getting a 296, what will the F8 provide that you won't have in the 296 and 458? Now if you said you were parting with the 458 to procure a v12 (F12, 812), then I could see the reasoning. Just something to consider but you have to decide what your end goal is. Just my .02
For the performance I would take the F8. I love my 458 but I’m tired of C7 Z06’s walking by me on the track!
How is a zo6 walking past you on the track? That could be more driver related. I was smoking a C8 last week. I've also been smoked by mini coopers.
What aspects of a car are most important to you? That is key. F8 is light years faster than 458. And I personally think it is the best looking Ferrari available. But, I got rid of my F8 coupe for a 488 spider (which I love). But I also have 458 coupe and have been driving that for the last 2 months - it is slower (than 488 and much more than F8) but I find myself smiling more as I drive it. It sounds so good and just love the downshifts. But sound is at top of list for me.
People have personal attachments to their cars for a variety of reasons. It’s a mixture of driving experience, looks, sound, etc. Personally I have not warmed up to the 296. I sold my 2015 458 when my F8 Spider arrived. I love the lines on the F8 Spider. Originally I had the coupe on order but when I saw the pictures of the Spider I switched. To me the F8 is far superior to the 458 in every aspect except maybe the sound. So far I don’t regret my decision. My brother owns a 812 SF with full Novitec exhaust, so I am spoiled when it comes to sound. My 458 had a Capristo exhaust setup and it doesn’t hold a candle to the sound of 812 on full wail up to 9k rpm. Now if I had a Speciale that I would not sell…
Yes, I smoke every C8 that shows up just as you do. The C8 is easy prey. I am talking about the C7 Z06 specifically, which is a real challenge on the track.
Choosing a car based on sound is sort of like choosing a steak based on thickness. Sure, it's nice, but it's not the end all be all. There's no way I am taking a 3 inch thick top round over a 1 inch thick NY strip. That's sort of what people are doing saying the 458 over F8 because of the NA 9k scream to redline.
Also, I race in SCCA and run the advanced group with every HPDE organization, the C7 Z06 driven by intermediate drivers is consistently quicker both straightline and in the corners than the 458. If I ran Comp2 tires and had a track focused setup to reduce under steer I may get a slight advantage, but I don’t see it being enough to be quicker than a C7 Z06. Chevy knocked it out of the park. The C8 is just a fat pig in the track and I’m consistently much faster than every C8 that runs the advanced groups. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I don’t get hung up on sound like everyone else with the 458. On track with a helmet on, it all sounds the same and all you hear is wind anyways. I own an 458 and would take an F8 any day if it was possible!
Thanks for the replies. The 458 for me is all about the smile factor. I think my post is more about me being antsy waiting for the 296 and I tell myself I need something new to experience. I just want my 296, guess I will be patient and enjoy what I have. I love my 458, what I would get out of the F8 is a faster car, which I have incoming with the 296. Just need to be patient. But I have a sickness that I sure some / most of you share with me. I don't like waiting when I get a new car in my mind it consumes me. We'll see.
i was excited to drive the car and when i did i love the f8 more,296 was a great car made some good exhaust noise ,cabin was very tight f8 is the winner for me .
