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488 or Speciale

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by yidefuren, Feb 11, 2018.

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488 or 458 Speciale

  1. 488 GTB

    34 vote(s)
    28.8%

  2. 458 Speciale

    84 vote(s)
    71.2%
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  1. yidefuren

    yidefuren Rookie

    Sep 4, 2009
    14
    #1 yidefuren, Feb 11, 2018
    Hi, I've been lurking in the forum since joining and am finally looking at getting into my first Ferrari, but I am having trouble deciding between 2 options, priced similarly.

    '15 Speciale with 3 previous owners, less than 20k km
    vs
    '17 488GTB 3k km.

    It will be a semi-daily driver, meaning 2/3 of my usual 10-15k km annual mileage. Traffic is bad in one direction on my commute depending on the time.

    I have test driven the 488 and it is refined, ridiculously fast but was not as mind-blowingly special as I was anticipating. Unfortunately, the Speciale will not be available for test drive until it is almost a confirmed purchase, as such I have not had the opportunity to experience it beyond starting and revving the engine at standstill.

    I have some questions which I hope some of you can help me with:
    For owners of Speciales, is it doable to almost DD this car or is the road noise and wind noise very intrusive? Engine noise is a plus, or at least I think it is..... not sure if I am underestimating the volume.
    For owners who have switched from Speciale to 488 or vice versa, what have your experiences been like and any regrets either way?
    Based on my usage pattern what would you take personally?

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. dustman

    dustman F1 World Champ
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    Jun 12, 2007
    11,150
    #2 dustman, Feb 12, 2018
    Speciale wasn’t too noisy or harsh. But for your pattern the 488
     
    Bhh likes this.
  3. obbob

    obbob Formula Junior
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    Aug 14, 2017
    774
    #3 obbob, Feb 12, 2018
    For your usage, I would go 488.

    In terms of driving enjoyment, I find the Speciale to be far superior. Price wise it’s also a better choice (will hold value better).

    With that said, I don’t think it’s a good daily by any means. Most luxury features are removed from the Speciale. Not noticeable on a spirited drive or on the freeway but very noticeable if you’re stuck in a traffic jam.
     
    Bhh and Dave rocks like this.
  4. yidefuren

    yidefuren Rookie

    Sep 4, 2009
    14
    #4 yidefuren, Feb 12, 2018
    Thanks for your reply obbob. Which are the luxury features you miss in the Speciale vs the 488 while stuck in traffic? Driving enjoyment is to me a high priority, so I would like to know what I will be trading that for. I've read in other threads that the Speciale was also enjoyable while driven slowly.
    Price wise I'm not sure whether the difference will be huge in the near to medium term though, as they each cost around $650k USD in my neck of the woods and the demand for the Speciale is not like elsewhere. The Speciale will probably be cheaper to own long term though if global demand is maintained.
     
  5. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Veteran

    Jan 21, 2017
    5,720
    France
    #5 LVP488, Feb 12, 2018
    The Speciale provides more drama and has a rawer definition (both of which defining its attaching character); however, unlike most (apparently) I still believe the 488 is a better car.
    It's a better all-rounder (I do not think many would argue with that) and with more power it's still faster during occasional track days.
     
  6. uhn2000

    uhn2000 Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2011
    2,124
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Joe
    #6 uhn2000, Feb 12, 2018
    I would go Speciale because I find our phones can pretty much do everything that might be lacking in the cars besides maybe a good sound system. My FF was daily driven up to 42000km and it was just a blast. These cars can comfortably put a lot of miles on without issue. 488 is amazing but the Speciale is really hard to beat if driving experience at SLOW and fast speeds matter.

    488 is pretty dull going slow...my Lusso is even a tad boring going slow. The newer Ferraris have forgotten how to make slow speed limit driving just as enjoyable IMHO.
     
  7. dmark1

    dmark1 F1 World Champ
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    Feb 26, 2008
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    Mark
    #7 dmark1, Feb 12, 2018
    You would be an absolute fool not to go with the Speciale. The 488 in 5 years will be...just another used Ferrari. The Speciale? Just like its name implies.

    Want more proof? Ref: 430 vs Challenge Stradale values. (mic drop)
     
    Avia11, Clay512TR, Dave rocks and 1 other person like this.
  8. exoticcardreamer

    exoticcardreamer Formula 3

    Dec 9, 2014
    1,051
    usa
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    doesitmatter
    #8 exoticcardreamer, Feb 12, 2018
    I couldn't see daily driving speciale. I took mine out for it's bi-monthly drive. I kept thinking what a car but I wasn't thinking that when stuck in traffic. It's enjoyment is in open roads for short bursts imo. If you want to use a car more frequently then 488 is the way to go. (note: i don't have a 488 but my limited experience driving one made me conclude that it is a more useable car).
     
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  9. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Veteran

    Jan 21, 2017
    5,720
    France
    #9 LVP488, Feb 12, 2018
    Probably true if buying as an investment, not so sure if buying as a car. And even as an investment, the Speciale with 50k more km five years for now will be a hard sale (even though the average price for a Speciale will obviously be higher than for a 488) whereas it will be less of a penalty for a "regular" 488.
    Talking about examples, today (after the recent drop) a 458 can be about the same money as a Scuderia - and I think the same would apply; a Scuderia will retain more value than a 458 but as a daily driver the 458 is better and adding many kms will have less impact on resale value for the 458.
     
    scuderia-seat likes this.
  10. yidefuren

    yidefuren Rookie

    Sep 4, 2009
    14
    #10 yidefuren, Feb 12, 2018
    Buying any car where I live as an investment simply doesn't work due to punitive taxes, but one of my considerations is to limit depreciation. As you rightly pointed out, the mileage may pose a resale problem. Most cars are exported before 10 years of age for partial tax rebates, which for this Speciale will be almost $200kUSD. Not sure what the residuals will be like in RHD markets in 2025.

    As uhn2000 said, i thought the 488 was pretty dull going slow but the shove in the back was really intoxicating when accelerating. I can't see how I can maintain my licence in the 488 if the thrill comes at illegal speeds. I guess I really need to drive both back to back.
     
  11. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2013
    11,462
    #11 Caeruleus11, Feb 12, 2018
    How about finding a nice 458 Italia then? It will be far more depreciated than the 488 but won't be quite as raucous as the Speciale.
     
  12. yidefuren

    yidefuren Rookie

    Sep 4, 2009
    14
    #12 yidefuren, Feb 12, 2018
    That was my initial plan, but have not come across one that I like so far.
     
  13. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2013
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    #13 Caeruleus11, Feb 12, 2018
    What are you looking for? If I see one in my travels I will post it here. There should be plenty around.
     
  14. yidefuren

    yidefuren Rookie

    Sep 4, 2009
    14
    #14 yidefuren, Feb 13, 2018
    Thanks for your offer! We can only import cars up to 3 years old so it may not be easy.
    My preferred spec is Rosso Corsa or Scuderia, black roof (preferred but not a must), black interior with red contrast stitching, CF driver zone or racing package, Goldrake seats in black either in full alcantara or just the insert, with red central stripe.
     
  15. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2013
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    #15 Caeruleus11, Feb 16, 2018
    @yidefuren

    How about this?

    https://algarferrari.com/showroom/pre-owned-details/458%20Italia-vin-ZFF67NFA0E0197893

    2014, 6500 miles. Rosso Corsa/ Nero/ Race seats/ not red stitch... the only thing I dont love is the yellow calipers (I prefer red or black on a red car). But that is easily changed. Looks nice!

    https://www.ferrarili.com/certified/FERRARI/2015-FERRARI-458+ITALIA-Plainview+NY-9b1182c10a0e0adf001605deec0ec817.htm

    This one doesn't have the seats...

    https://www.ferrarili.com/used/FERRARI/2012-FERRARI-458+ITALIA-Plainview+NY-d9c194e80a0e0ae73626230332280da3.htm

    Interesting seat pattern, not really a fan in the 458, but thats just my opinion


    https://www.wideworldferrari.com/inventory-details/2015/Ferrari/458%20Italia/ZFF67NFA4F0206676

    http://www.cncexotics.com/detail-2012-ferrari-458_italia-coupe_-used-16875847.html
    Just came across this one!
     
  16. yidefuren

    yidefuren Rookie

    Sep 4, 2009
    14
    #16 yidefuren, Feb 16, 2018
    Hi Caeruleus 11, thanks for your leads, but I don't live in the US. I am currently considering the following cars:

    http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=715372&DL=2511
    http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=695138&DL=2511
    http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=637520&DL=1000
    http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=715505&DL=2511

    What do you guys think of them? None of them ideal, but the market is small here. I know... prices make the eye water, even if they are in SGD, about 0.76USD. Price of entry here unfortunately. Tax rebate of about 200k at the end of 10 years if car is exported, which will be forfeited if it is kept, with a further top up of perhaps 50k for each subsequent 10 years of ownership.
     
  17. Ferrari 308 GTB

    Ferrari 308 GTB F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2015
    8,015
    Tropical
    #17 Ferrari 308 GTB, Feb 16, 2018
    Living in SG i would just pick up a 10+ year old car.308/328/355/430?... will be fully depreciated .

    Ok not as fast as 458/488 ..but how fast can you actually go in SG?

    You should have bought Jon's Diablo ;)
     
  18. yidefuren

    yidefuren Rookie

    Sep 4, 2009
    14
    #18 yidefuren, Feb 17, 2018
    Which one is his? The orange VT? There’s a black SV for sale now but I worry about usability in general and the price is a little high.

    I like the 458/488 look better and will really only prefer a 430 if it’s manual


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  19. Ferrari 308 GTB

    Ferrari 308 GTB F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2015
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    #19 Ferrari 308 GTB, Feb 17, 2018
    He had a 2000 black SV, not sure if he sold it already though.

    430 Manual would be great ,but pretty hard to locate in SE Asia!
     
  20. yidefuren

    yidefuren Rookie

    Sep 4, 2009
    14
    #20 yidefuren, Feb 17, 2018
  21. Ferrari 308 GTB

    Ferrari 308 GTB F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2015
    8,015
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    #21 Ferrari 308 GTB, Feb 17, 2018
  22. Eilig

    Eilig F1 Rookie
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    #22 Eilig, Feb 18, 2018
     
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  23. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Veteran

    Jan 21, 2017
    5,720
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    #23 LVP488, Feb 19, 2018
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  24. Napoli

    Napoli Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2017
    958
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    NOYB, Ray!
    #24 Napoli, Feb 19, 2018
  25. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
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    Jacques
    #25 Ferrari 360 CS, Feb 19, 2018
    The daily driving duties alone would suggest 488, I far prefer the special as a drivers car but would not want to sit in traffic in one, for me that would be a waste. As a car that excites and thrills for me the Speciale has few equals and yes a 488 might be faster in a straight line but it has less drama and depending on your likes that is important.

    Best compromise would be a 458 Spider I think best of all world, less refined than a 488, more luxurious than the Speciale.
     
    Rcktrod likes this.
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