Advise on purchasing my first Ferrari (488 GTB) | FerrariChat
Buy

Advise on purchasing my first Ferrari (488 GTB)

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by DustyRhodes, Aug 30, 2025.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. DustyRhodes

    DustyRhodes Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 29, 2025
    4
    Full Name:
    Alan Rhodes
    #1 DustyRhodes, Aug 30, 2025
    Hello, I have been a Porsche guy all my life, mostly 911 GT models, along with some Lotus Exige track cars and some Corvettes. I use to be big only focused on tracking my cars, but now in my retirement, my sports cars are more a cars and coffee and a few spirited Arizona mountain drives and no track days. I actually really enjoy washing and detailing my own cars, along with doing my own minor wrenching. My current car is a mint 991.2 GT3 PDK.

    So I am thinking about trading in my GT3 for a 488 GTB, which is my budget, including a 2 year Ferrari warranty

    Looking for advice on any things to look out for and what factory options to look for on a 2018-2019 488 GTB

    I have watched and googled several sites that seem to confirm the 488 GTB model has a pretty good, reliable history, with only some concerns about the Tubos on modded 488's? I plan to keep my future car all OEM .

    Thank you for any guidance.
     
  2. Lwignall

    Lwignall Rookie

    Sep 3, 2022
    19
    Denver
    Full Name:
    Luke Wignall
    #2 Lwignall, Aug 30, 2025
    My 2018 488 GTB just happily cruised past 17k miles, I put 1k on this summer (so far) including the local Ferrari dealer’s annual track day (not quite the same seriousness as a PCA HPDE). CPO from the dealer, originated and always serviced there, and even had the original owner walk up at a charity cars and coffee and fondly express regret for having let it go. Love this car and the experience owning it.
     
    AD211 and DustyRhodes like this.
  3. jdlegg

    jdlegg Formula Junior

    Dec 22, 2009
    256
    San Rafael, CA
    Full Name:
    James D
    #3 jdlegg, Aug 30, 2025
    I bought new '19 488 GTB and owned for ~4 years. It was gorgeous, had a great climate control system, was comfortable to drive, etc. It went from "Honda Accord" idling down neighborhood streets to screaming banshee with a simple flick of the throttle. BUT, it lacked "soul".

    I had previously owned '92 348tb, '95 355 and '00 360 over the course of ~20 years. Tracked all of them extensively. Loved the fact that they were "raw" with minimal electronics. All had 3-pedals.

    The 488 was acquired as it was on my bucket list to own a new F-car as my fourth purchase. Now with that box checked, the car has been sold and I haven't looked back.

    My two cents...
     
    DustyRhodes likes this.
  4. todd cloud

    todd cloud Formula 3

    Jun 21, 2019
    1,161
    Full Name:
    Todd
    #4 todd cloud, Aug 30, 2025
    458
     
    plastique999 likes this.
  5. DustyRhodes

    DustyRhodes Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 29, 2025
    4
    Full Name:
    Alan Rhodes
    #5 DustyRhodes, Aug 30, 2025
    I have decided to stay with my GT3. Admin feel free to delete this post. Thank you
     
    mdrums likes this.
  6. AD211

    AD211 Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Aug 19, 2017
    1,270
    South Carolina
    Full Name:
    Andy
    #6 AD211, Aug 30, 2025
    That was fast!
     
    mdrums and DustyRhodes like this.
  7. RockChalk58

    RockChalk58 Rookie

    Sep 18, 2024
    11
    Full Name:
    Cody Paul
    #7 RockChalk58, Sep 12, 2025
    I went the opposite direction. I much preferred my 488 to any of my 911's. They are more comfortable and still feel exotic and wild. If I was tracking a car or had canyons to throw a GT3 around in I might change my opinion but when it comes to a weekend driver the 488 was the single best car I've owned, that was until last week when it got rear ended by a texting teenager at a red light.
     
    Mk23 and mdrums like this.

Share This Page