458 Worth The Upcharge Over The F430?

I think so, last NA V8 plus a more timeless/elegant design in addition to upgrades in power/equipment. But if you want a manual... you already have your answer

 

Yes, everything is just a bit better


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Short answer: yes! I owned (and drove!) a F430 for two years and traded it in for a 458 six months ago. As much as I loved the F430 (which is an outstanding car) the 458 is much sharper and the transmission is much, much quicker. In hindsight, the F430 felt like a prototype to the 458. I do miss the rawness and character of the F430. It really "feels like a Ferrari" where the 458 is so refined it loses some of the uniqueness. I also miss the sound of the F430 it had a great deep growl that really howled when you got on it.

I may add that I have always bought less car than I could afford. Meaning I never went for a stretch. That way I was more likely to drive it more, not worried about costs/depreciation/maintenance because I was not stretched. Just unsolicited thoughts/advice.

 

Short answer: yes.
Long answer: depends.

 

I owned a 430 for 2 years before upgrading to a 458. night and day to me. 458 is a much better car and less maintenance than the 430. I am on my second 458 (current one is a spider) and havent had any issues with either for over 4 years. Just oil changes. My 430 I had multiple issues with. if you can stretch it my vote is go 458. Good luck

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without a doubt

 

The 458 is the best modern V8 Ferrari. Better than a 488. Probably better than the F8 too.

F430? Eh...

Personally, I'd buy a 360 before an F430

Ray

 

Had a 430 Spider for 4 years and traded it for a 458 Spider. 430 with capristo muffler sounded better than 458 OEM exhaust even with new Capristo valve controller open. Deeper and throatier. 458 better in just about every other way. I was beginning to worry about future 430 costs related to F1 pump failure, clutch and roof hydraulics. 458 DCT is a big improvement over the 430 trany and the 458 spider hardtop is fabulous. I like the option of driving with the top up and the rear glass open. Would definitely look for a 458 with racing seats, I find them much more comfortable than the base seats which seem to bite the thighs a bit. I actually changed them in my car. Race seat has more padding along the seat pad bolsters. Daytonas in 430 were comfortable for me.

 

+1

If you research how a DCT functions, we'll see how great it is. That alone is worth the price of admission.

The 458 is truly a great car.

Ray

 

I asked myself the same question , was it worth another (at the time ) 120k plus my 430 spider to buy the 458 spider ? And the answer is YES. The power difference is amazing and the new interior was gorgeous. Don’t drive a 458 because if you do there will be no turning back. Best ,Kirk.

 

Agree. I wanted a 430 and was so let down with the performance and sound. 458 was a massive upgrade. I too would get a 360 over a 430.

 

The magic of the 458 is the gearbox - moving from the robotised box to the DCT is a huge step forward. It still lacks power to some extent, but it's already far better than a F430.
If you want a modern car, you never get enough - so go as far as you can. And if you want an old fashioned vehicle, you better go for an older one; as far as Ferrari are concerned, IMHO that should be at least as old as a manual 355.

 

458 is a much better car than the 430. More composed, more comfortable, quicker, better looking, much better interior.

Would I swap my gated 430 for a 458? No, partly because of the gated box, partly because the 458 is more generic to drive unless you are really pushing it. 430 is more fun, and has a much punchier engine, plus e-diff, than the previous V8 gens.

F1 430 vs 458, for me 458 wins as I'm not a F1 fan.

 

I swore I'd never drive an F1 transmission car. However, after owning both a gated 355 and a gated 6 speed manual 360, I have to admit that I have fallen in love with the F1 in the 458. It's still a manual gear box and has to be driven as such. However, the paddles really are fantastic once you warm up to them. The transmission in the 458 is a joy to drive. Even if you are a die-hard manual transmission fan, like I am, I still suggest owning a 458 with the paddle shifters.

Speaking of manual transmissions, I'm disassembling and cleaning a manual 5 speed from my Toyota pickup right now. Just took a break to come in an check my email and, well, of course Ferrari chat messages.

Ray

 

I have both - 458 Spider and 430 gated manual.

458 is one of the most stunning cars I’ve owned and driven. However as has been said above, I’d NEVER sell my gated 430 for a 458.

The F1 430 compared to the 458 can’t compete in most fronts, but having owned the 458 for a while it doesn’t have the basic ‘feel’ and ‘thrill’ of a manual 430.

So in brief 458 v 430 F1 = 458 wins (although the 430 has a better factory sounding exhaust).

458 v gated 430 = 430 wins all around.

One other point I’ve discovered but was told by many experienced drivers: It’s more fun to drive a slower car fast than a faster car slow.

And in a nutshell that’s how I’d sum up the 458 v 430 overall.

Having both is a pig out in a food trough situation to me!


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Variation on the initial question: 458 vs 430 Scuderia? They’re both at similar price point, and although very different cars, I’d love to hear first hand comparison experiences.

Thanks!

Ruben

 

I have a 458 Spider and a Scuderia 16M.
They are very different cars, and both are superb.
458 is “easy” to grab the keys and drive, no muss no fuss. Warms up quickly and I’ll use it for 3500 mike road trips as well as quick run down to Publix to grab an item. It is undeniably beautiful (especially in triple yellow), fast, sounds great, and comfortable interior. If you could only have one exotic midengined sports car for the rest of your life this would be it.
The 16M is much more special.
It goes out less often for pleasure drives only...point A to point A.
It is slower to warm up, more quirky—but so much more raw and raucous an experience.
The Superfast2 F1 is amazing, and shifts just as fast as a DCT as far as I can tell...and does it with a lot more drama.
The sound of the 16M, mine is stock, is straight out of an F1 racecar. My friends when driving in their Ferrari’s say they hear my 16M over the sound of their 458 or 488s. Almost as good sounding as my F12.
So, both 458 and 16M are amazing cars for different moods and uses.

 

Man... this is a great thread and lots of great information. After years of desire,I finally joined the club last month and purchased an ‘07 f430 spider, Nero. CCBs and CF rear grill. Otherwise, pretty much all else stick. So classy, and I am in love with the car, both visually as well as the thrill of driving it around town ( top down of course). I always have wanted a Ferrari, so this was of course a dream for me.

That said, having very modern cars for my DD ( currently a ‘19 E63s AMG, i can completely see myself wanting and getting a 458 in the next few years once prices settle down. For me, first Ferrari ownership, I felt privileged to even have the f430, and will drive and enjoy it until I get restless. Thanks for sharing all of the great info.


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Agreed- never stretch yourself for a car.


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458 better...unless you really like the 430 looks better. I don’t.

 

I couldn't disagree, and, just to be clear on a technical point, when I said F1, I specifically meant the F1 gearbox in the stock 430. The DCT in your 458, and also the superfast in the scud, are different animals. The DCT is particularly good to use, and if you do a lot of urban driving, far preferable to a gated manual, or the stock F1 in the 430.Which is all part of my opinion that the 458 (which all came with DCT) are brilliant cars, but when you're out just to have fun, the 430 manual is more fun

 

Short answer Scud....to me more fun and raw.
I have 16M Scuderia and Speciale. They both have their fortes. Scud has the raw elements that give more of a visceral gut driving experience. Speciale is sharper and more refined vs Scud.


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