Considering a Ferrari 458 - Some 1st Time Buyer Questions

Does the search function work here so I can look up the many previous similar queries ?

Answer : yes - its easier than getting impatient

Here's a couple of freebies - you might be able to get a coupe with very little wait and there's a seven year servicing plan included

 

The turbo S will be a far better DD, though the 458 can be driven daily so long as you don't stress about where to park it and are always flattered by the extra attention the 458 attracts. The turbo S will still be about $100K cheaper.

Your questions:
1.shields, sport wheels, colored brake calipers, contrasting stitching, led steering
2. costs are low while under warranty and under 7 year service plan. It likes to drink fuel, so depends on how much you drive.
3. 2-3 years before replacement is on the roads.
4. 6 months
5. it is reliable, just attention and parking worries make you hesitate, also in heavy traffic you feel it is a waste driving it since you can't utilize it's performance. It is better for spirited drives.
6. About the same.
7. Varies drastically depending on where you live, but high.
8. None, most of the info is available if you browse the forum.

The 911 is a practical, fairly common car that will be a great DD providing a decent sports car experience and stay under the radar. If you crave attention, want to feel like a super star, like to show off, want a more emotional driving experience with much better sound and super star looks, 458 is the car. Nothing stirs the emotions of others and yourself more than a 458.

 

Are these questions real or is this a joke?

 

1. What are some of the essential options that most people get (iPod connector, upgraded stereo, etc.)? And excluding taxes what "should" that 458 Italia cost here in the United States?
2. What are the annual costs associated with ownership (both in and out of warranty) for someone who drives this car daily but doesn't track it, do donuts, etc. excluding something variable like tires, gas, etc.?
3. When will the 458 be replaced and would a Ferrari newbie like myself be able to get a new model right off the street at a dealership or are new models reserved for previous owners, etc.? I.E. what is the realistic timeline between today and when the new model could be obtained?
4. How long does it generally take from order to delivery on a custom car?
5. Is the 458 really THAT reliable to be a daily driver/your only mode of transportation?
6. How does the 458 compare in reliability to say a 991 Porsche 911?
7. What kind of insurance premiums do most of you pay?
8. What other questions should I be asking that I haven't?

1) IMO, forged wheels, shields, power seats, color stitching, CF driving zone with LED's. The rest is really up to up. I like homelink for garage opening and at least back up sensors. Most like Daytona style seats. I personally like racing seats but they are not for everyone and are expensive.

2) If it's a 2012 or up, maintenance costs are zero aside from tires and brakes. If you had to pay for the annual service (aka a model earlier than 2012), it's about $1200/yr. Carbon brakes are expensive but they last a long time if you don't track it. Brake pads are like 5 grand and a full brake job is like 20 grand. But, they last about 4 times longer than standard brake. Tires aren't cheap but it depends on how hard you drive it.

3) Newbees will wait 2 years at least for the new 458 replacement model when it comes out in about 2 years. Right now, a newbee can get a new 458 in probably 6-8 months, depending on dealer allocation. So, buy one now and have it next summer or wait 4 years. I don't know about spiders but I'm assuming its still over a year/18 months.

4) Once you get in the queue, it's about 6-7 months. But, you can sit a long time to get in the queue. Right now for the 458 coupe it's almost immediate.

5) It's reliable. However, I think most would agree it's not a great DD. It's a good DD, not a great DD. It's better used for times you aren't just trudging off to work everyday.

6) Can't answer that one. But, Porsche's are generally better DD's.

7) Insurance is all over the place. I think most pay about $1500/$2000 a year but it depends on where you live and your record. You can call your agent and get a quote.

8) Other questions: If you're planning on buying new, you have to buy from the dealer that's within 100 miles of you. You can't shop nationwide. If there is no dealer within 100 miles of you, then you can go anywhere.

If you're buying used, you can go anywhere.

The car has no clutch so it never wears out or needs to be replaced. The engine has no timing belts and never needs an "engine out" service. However, the gearbox cannot be repaired and must be replaced with a rebuilt used one if it goes bad. And, that's not cheap. So, it's good to have it under warranty or extended warranty if the gearbox goes south.

Things like special paints and carbon fibre are really cool but chances are, the value will not be recovered in resale. The cheapest way to order the car is an all black interior.

 

Part of the fun is doing the research so you can become an informed consumer…especially for a $300k ish product like a 458. As suggested, there are tons of threads with great discussions on all your questions and I bet as you read here more questions will come up. You, as a first time Fcar buyer will not be anywhere near the top of the list for the 458 replacement as many previous buyers will be ahead of you in that regard. At this point, you can get a 458 coupe in 6 months because it's towards the end of the production cycle.

Welcome and congrats on your decision to get a 458 which is an amazing car. I have a 12, driven about 7k miles but do not use it a as a DD since I find it unsuited in that regard in LA traffic. It's a beast and meant to be driven hard, not in stop and go traffic (just my 2 cents).

 

I think it is a bunch of BS. Comparing a Porsche to a Ferrari and asking about reliability. Come on, really? You think there is a reason no one replied to your question? Yep, its because its BS.

Buying a Ferrari for a DD and expecting 10 years? Go get a Toyota Corolla.

Asking about essential options and mentioning an ipod connector. Are you really a junior high school student posing an adult? (my guess is yes)

Asking what the car should cost. And then not knowing about the warranty. Not knowing about waiting periods. Have you even visited a dealer? Or for that matter ever driven one? (my guess is NO)

Having the car as your sole DD???

Insurance premiums???

"What other questions should I be asking that I haven't?" -- Here's a suggestion: "Am I wasting everyone's time asking BS questions?" Answer: Yes

 

Nine posts and a joining date of 2 months ago and you're an expert on what kind of questions people ask other owners on Fchat?

People come here all the time asking boring, and even stupid questions. The forum is for people who want an answer different than what their salesman says directly from people who have owned them and have experience with them.

Chill grasshopper. It's just a forum. It's not the Magna Carta.

 

I agree, but it becomes irritating when reading past posts will answer most questions (which is why I post so little...read a lot, post a little). This question just hit a nerve because it seems so naive and obviously the poster could have done a little more digging. And anyone who is concerned with money and then wants to have a 458 as a dailey driver for the next 10 years (figuring 15000 miles a year average) sends up red flags in terms of the post being someone who is not serious IMOP.

 

I was naive once too -- 7 Ferrari's ago.

Everyone has to start somewhere. Fchat is a great place to make the first step in what could be a long journey.

Better to know what you're getting into than not.

 

So what do you think about planning to own a 458 for 10 years using it as a DD averaging about 15000 miles/year? (not meant sarcastically, but looking for honest opinion on the pros/cons) Maybe the OP would benefit from that discussion.

 

voda - chill and read some more. There are users who *do* DD their Ferraris, 458 included.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/458-italia-sponsored-vivid-racing/416919-458-italia-daily-driver.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/612-599/383188-612-daily-driver-low-speed.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/california/214606-california-daily-driver.html

If the OP is talking 10 years and 10-15,000 miles a year, then he can basically expect to write the car off at the end of the usage period as any resale value is just bonus. Not a problem if that's the plan.

Ferrari reliability is much better in the last 2-3 generations, but there's still only a little anecdotal experience about operating life of major components. To get max life you want to warm the car up to operating temp, which can take 10-15 minutes from cold, which is not convenient in a daily driver. An engine rebuild in the late years might exceed the value of the car. Do not expect EPA cycle gas mileage in planning operating costs, I've never seen one of mine come close, except maybe coasting down a hill in 6th gear. If you have safe parking spots at your regular destinations, that will help, otherwise you will probably spend a bit more in dent repair and resprays to keep the car looking nice if it's used as a daily driver. A 458 will attract attention and that can get old, a dark color might help mitigate that some.

 

I never understood how people considered a mid-engined V8 Ferrari, let alone a LaFerrari class hypercar, as a daily car. These supercars are impossibly low and wide, have poor visibility, make a lot of noise and drink like a sailor!!! Most of the time one will encounter ground clearance problems and manouverability issues; at least in Europe. There have been times that we couldn't make it to a place we wanted to go and had to turn back. Not to mention that they heat up in traffic. Also reliability is not a strong point; these are delicate machines after all, not work horses. Finally, having scrapes because the lad on his bicycle couldn't stop in time or the lass with her learners' permit misjudged the parking space is unacceptable for me. Then again, this is just my opinion. Do as you please.

 

Chill man. Read more. Post less.

 

Maintenance is 7 years - oil and filters, etc.

Warranty is 3 years - engine rebuild....

 

I've had a 911 Turbo S as DD and then I switched to a Scud 7000 miles later. The Turbo S is a great daily car, it's real comfortable driving around town and gets around 25-26mpg on the highway. Most people don't know what it is so yes you might not get the respect it deserves but it can outrun pretty much any car on the street stock. I miss that car.

The modern Ferrari appear to be pretty reliable compared to the previous generations. I had no problems with my Scud, drove it to 12000 miles, and now the 458 at 5000 miles. You can definitely daily it, but in comparison with Turbo S, it is not as practical. It gets attention everywhere you go, people will follow you, take picture, ask questions, so be prepare for it.

And Honestly, you're probably not going to DD the 458 for 10 years...

 

Just picked up my 2014 Spider after trading in my 2010 California and plan on DD the 458. I DD a 997 C2S for 4 years. The 911 flies under the radar, are a dime a dozen around here, and most yahoos can't tell a Cayman from a TurboS. Avoid Guards Red and Speed Yellow, and you have a stealth sportscar.

I drove my Spider to the office today and it's wide and low and ingress/egress is a bit more of an effort than the Cali (and I'm a relatively young guy). However, in Race mode with Bumpy road suspension setting, it is a very compliant drive and was quite enjoyable even on city streets. My roundtrip commute is only 12 miles so I can drive the Spider 4 times a week and keep the mileage <3K a year. It was much more invigorating taking the Spider out for an ocean front run last night and listening to the exhaust reverberate off the lava rock cliffs but to say the 458 can't be used as a DD isn't correct as long as one isn't in LA traffic or putting an exorbitant amount of miles on the odometer. My rule of thumb is trade-in the F-car with <10K miles. It seems that after this magic number, the resale value depreciates quite a bit.

 

Someone still lives in 1967. ****.

Ferrari's are perfectly reliable as daily drivers, especially any built in this millennium. Do the regular servicing and don't be an idiot and it'll be as fine as any other car, as has been demonstrated plenty of times. FYI, there's an owner who has daily driven his F40, doing around 280km a day over the autobahn. It has over 280K kms on it.

 

There's also a plan you can buy into that extends this several years. The dealers can fill him in. There are some restrictions but you can extend the warranty for a yearly fee.

 

If you really plan to keep it ten years, then go the dealer and order exactly what you want. 10 years from now no one will care what equipment and colors you choose but YOU will care every time you drive it in those 10 years.

Email your dealer to make an appointment to see them. That's the best way other than just walking in.