Considering a 458, time for a few questions?

I just bought a 458, best Ferrari Ive ever driven hands down. DCT is unreal.

 

Might be worth your while spending some time looking up all the other threads about year variations and/or reliability - try a 'search this forum' on 2010 & also warranty

 

The 458 is incredible just bought one and it is mind blowing!

 

Test drive the 458 at your local Fcar dealer. Be sure to drive it in both sport and race mode. The DCT is amazing and in my opinion essential when driving a car as fast as the 458. The 2012 and newer have software updates but loose some of the pops and burps the 2010 had. There also was an airbag, trunk latch and drivetrain recall (drive shaft) so be certain both of these have been completed. The 458 is regarded as one of the most reliable Fcars. The maintenance is minimal and all 2012 and later models include 7 year free "routine" maintenance that transfers to new owners. There are tons of threads on preferences of seats and desirable options. Happy Hunting!

 

I owned a 458 Italia and currently own a 458 Spider. I will be trading in the 458 Spider for a 488 Spider, which should arrive in September.

The 458 is an amazing car. It is rare that you hear of an owner not loving it. If there is any legitimate complaint, it is that the car is not as "raw" as some earlier models. It is more "digital" compared to the "analog" approach of its predecessors.

A lot of that revolves around the DCT. Before driving a 458, I felt that a manual transmission was an integral part of the sports car experience. I didn't think I wanted a sports car with paddle shifting. Then an opportunity to test drive a 458 fell into my lap, and I was amazed at how the DCT can improve the experience. The speed of the shifts, the RPM matching on downshifts, and the added control once you learn the system are all part of the experience. Get a test drive in a DCT-equipped car if you can. (If you are a skier, you may think of the analogy of going from straight skis to shaped skis.)

The top on the Spider has been reliable, and is a big improvement over a soft top. The car is truly gorgeous with the top down, though the Italia is better looking than a Spider with the top up. The key downside to the Spider is that the chassis is not as rigid with the top down as an Italia. There is noticeable cowl shake on rough roads. The Spider is also slightly softened compared to the Italia (the engine is not quite as loud -- though you hear it better in the Spider -- and the shifts in Race setting do not have the "kick" that is present in the Italia), which you may feel is an advantage or disadvantage.

I hope this is helpful.

 

Domenic,

I came from a 355 when I bought my Italia. Feels like they were launched 50 years apart from one another.

Whatever you do, go buy a 458.

Buying a 458 was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my entire life.

Regarding technical questions, what Ski Bum posted is spot on, in my humble opinion.

I'd just add that the DCT seems to come from a sci-fi movie: it's mind boggling, unreal, unbelievable, not of this world.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

I'm looking for a 458 Italia. Completely subjective but I like the look better and I love seeing the engine.

 

If you test drive it you will buy it. My mistake after being very happy with my F430, and then I test drove 2014 458 spider. I don't track my car, so the spider is great!

 

I have had the italia for a couple of months and this car amazes me. When in race mode, if I am on it, when I am coming down the gears to a stop, the car has made me laugh a few times, like, "was that my car making that craze, exotic noise?"

 

Just get it and take the jump! Good Luck.

 

Imo absolutely unrealistic: the 360 will continue to drop and the 458 will hold a long time steady ..

Do read the threads about that well ...

 

A manual gearbox 360 may retain value in the long term because of its rarity, while an F1-gearbox one is unlikely to be sought after for some time from now.
The 458 currently benefits from the recent inflation of used Ferrari prices; IMHO this is more cyclical than due to its quality of being (for now) the last NA V8 Ferrari - so there is no guarantee for the future.
So as an investment for the long term there could be a case for a manual 360 vs a 458.
But as a car there is no contest, the 458 is on another planet compared to a 360, no matter manual or with F1 gearbox. The 458 is an engineering masterpiece, not only by its on-paper characteristics but also for the driving experience.
(for me it's just lacking some torque and power, which is solved by turbocharging on the 488

 

Honestly, I don't get all the drama about a stick shift automobile. I've owned (and many of you as well I'm sure) three performance sport cars with a manual transmission, the last of which was a Modena. Now admittedly, blasting through the tachometer with a Stradale muffler is audio ecstasy, but the act of shifting the gears is a bit ho-hum. In fact, compared to the DCT of the Italia it is mundane. (Flame suit on, I feel qualified to make this comment, having owned a 360 and currently own a 458.) In my not so humble opinion, get an Italia and don't look back! The technological advances are incredible. When I transitioned from the 360 to the 458, I "looked back" for only a week or so. Ski Bum in post # 8 nails the transmission comparison spot on!

 

I'm on my fourth Fcar (Mondial T Cab, 360 spider, 430 spider and 458 spider) and number six (488 spider) on order. Here are my thoughts on your questions:

1) manual stick vs F1/DCT - I was always a stick guy and my Mondial and 360 were both sticks. 430's in six speed form are very rare and so I switch to the F1 in my 430. While the F1 was a better performance transmission, I still missed the stick. I missed controlling the car as I wanted rather than as the computer decided. The move to the DCT in the 458 is a whole different story. Upshift, downshift, lug it, scream it...the DCT is amazing and so seemless that you get the control with far more speed and precision than an human could produce. In short, I don't miss the manual at all with the DCT!

2) please don't compare the 458 to a Tesla. I own both. Yes, in a straight line for a few runs of limited the tesla is quicker. As soon as you have a long stretch of road, or have to brake, or turn, or god forbid brake and turn multiple times the tesla is toast. Still the tesla is a great car and I love it...but it's not even in the same league for twisty back road romps. It's an awesome commute car with great straight line performance

3) stylistically I think the 360 is the most timeless form. Smoother curves and more supple lines. I liked the side air intake visual of the 430, but the other elements were better on the 360. The 458 looks are more much aggressive. It's very nice, but I'd like a modern 360 (which doesn't exit). Engine under glass was a very cool feature on the 360 and 430 which was lost on the 458 until Capristo came out with the aftermarket carbon fiber option for the 458. It looks great and can be had for $10-15K painted and installed. Finally, the 488 spider gets back some of the more voluptuousness of the 360. I can't wat ��

4) hard top versus convertible: I'm a convertible guy, but I do very much like the hard top convertible of the 458 over the canvas of the 360 and 430. Interior noise with the top up and rigidity are "almost" as good as a true hard top car.

5) finally, I've never been disappointed when moving up. Each step gained performance, speed, modern conveniences and lower operating costs. Mondial had crap loads of reliability issues, the 360 was light years better, the 430 better still, and my 458 has been bullet proof. Get one still under warranty and buy the power cube extension if you're concerned, but overall the 458 is statistically rock solid based on feedback and personal experience. Performance and handling improvements with each steep are profound. The 458 is easy to drive way too fast and the computer nanny is more subtle and controlled than the 430. With each step up you add 80-100 hp it it makes a big difference.

Get the 458 or a 488, you won't be disappointed

Just my $0.02, your mileage will vary. Good luck

 

Dominic, I posted #14 ... did you really look at that link ?

And still stick to your conclusion (that no-one here backs) ?

 

Unless you are sold on the convertible, make sure that you drive both. I previously had open top cars and the body flex was irritating when the top was off. Previous hard top convertible creaked occasionally dependent upon temperatures. (Both were other brands). This decided the coupe for the 458 to maintain rigidity.

 

Trade in the wife. Problem solved.

On a more serious note, I think you should continue to enjoy your 360. Your decision might be easier to make next year since the 458 should still come down a bit more.

If you decide on the 458, I can't possibly seeing you regret going with the 458 though. It's an awesome car. I've driven a 360CS and I've owned my F430 for a little over 10 years now. I've driven a 458 also. Each new gen is better than the past.

If you miss a 3 pedal car then just get a used 991 or 997 Carrera S. I personally feel those shifters are much better than a modern gated F car.

I have my E46 M3 for my 3 pedal fun.

 

I could not bear to part with my 360 spider stick. So it now has a 458 coupe sibling in the garage with it. If the 458 was as much to maintain as the 360, one would have had to go. But fortunately so far at least, the 458 doesn't take nearly the same amount.