Drove the 488 today.. thoughts, photos and videos

You're completely missing the point - Ferrari care. That's all that counts.

 

Words of wisdom..

In an ideal world numbers would mean nothing, unfortunately, and understandably,
they do.

Tell you guys one thing though: I never was as much in love with my Italia as I am
now! And terribly miss it for a I am overseas

As for the 488, I think in all fairness people should look at it for what it is and try not
to always compare it to it's predecessor.

In many ways Ferrari are competing with themselves and are now feeling the heat
of having created a car that is just too good: one of the best, beautiful and most exhilarating
cars that will ever exist: the 458 series cars.
I mean I am not Rockerfeller so there must be a reason why I dropped $280K on a car...
After driving it I was just utterly smitten, could not think of anything else: hardly ever had these
feelings for a human being, let alone a car!!!!

The 488 has such big shoes to fill I think a little clemency is needed.

In the musical world, this would be akin to bearing the abysmal burden of being the successor of
Ludwig van Beethoven LOL

 

I was very disappointed in the Aventador...clunky, big, no noise inside, no drama. Looks aside, it was such a disappointment.

458 Spider solves the issue of wanting more noise out of the 458 Italia. But there is cowl shake and less violent Race mode shifts.

I really think the Speciale A is the car for me, but I passed on the way, way over msrp offers.

 

Theres a lot of validity to what TheMayor says.

Turbos don't do much for me. I'll stick with NA for as long as possible. And if that means older cars....so be it. In addition to turbos the new cars are bigger, heavier, sound worse and are jam packed with nannies. Thats not what I want for fun weekend drives.


Great review however. I enjoyed the comments and videos.

 

I was thinking about this thread as I was driving my SA through the twisting canyon roads this morning. Top down, beautiful sunny day and that fabulous NA engine sound at 6-7k RPM's in race mode as she glided around the turns. It's an overall experience and it is one that will be a tough act to follow. It isn't fair to compare the convertible, track version of the 458 to the 488 coupe but consumers "will" compare them to one another. The price difference, the availability then kicks in and people will decide, all things considered, which one is best for them (Italia, 458 Spider, Speciale, Speciale A or 488GTB). Not a bad position to be in really. Both fabulous Fcar model lines (458 and 488). One couldn't really go wrong with any of them. FWIW, I only feel cowl shake at slow cruising speeds in sport mode. In race mode and hard driving it's just not something that I notice.

 

^^^^^
What he said ! Thanks for the review on the new rig bro.

 

I agree. A wonderful time to be alive for Fcar lovers.

 

This post reminds me a lot of what was happening on reenlist when porsche announced the 991 gt3 was no longer going to come in manuel. Everyone over there is now raving about the PDK. Point is that things may work with the 488 but NO on will really know until they start delivering the FINAL version of the car.

 

Very well said. I drove my 458 today and thoroughly enjoyed it. It keeps on giving each and every time. What an amazing car.

 

Re-Elect the Mayor !

 

Manual stick to manual paddle shift is like V8-NA to V8-NA-Hybrid.
NA to turbo is like manual stick to CVT.

When stick was being replaced with paddle shift, the only stuff being taken away was a move that won't change anything (heel and toe). But when turbo is added, the sound and throttle response are now worse, redline is lower, and engine is smaller. Don't tell me it's faster, because NA can be faster too.

 

^^^^heel, toe is highly overrated and obviously slower...

 

Thread seemed to turn a little strange. Folks can say what they like and feel. Didn't realize there were so many psychiatrist members! Do you charge by the hour or by the post? Also, so much comparison of V8 versus V12. It is my experience that you are one or the other.

Also, for reference the NA F140FC V12 in the F12 redlines at 8700 and the F140FE in the LaF redlines at 9250 (they share the same crankshaft, pistons and cylinder liners). For folks on the fence between an F12 and 488 (can't believe there are any really) remember you can easily have your dealer or suspension shop tighten the F12 as it takes to this very well.

I hope and expect folks on the list for the 488 will love their new Ferrari. For many current owners of the 458 it is understandable that there is quite a choice ahead. You fell in love with that award winning NA screaming motor but the 488 is much faster. However, the motor is uninspiring by comparison thus far. A simple test drive when they come out should solve this. Its a little confusing what the OP posted - seemed to post one way then the other. Go with your heart and you'll do fine.

 

Mayor ! Mayor ! Mayor!!! Some of us do care! I want looks, sound, brakes , performance and acceleration!!! I'm tired of my 300k car getting outgunned by a Nissan, Porsche , Lamborghini and Mclaren !!! This is the pinnacle of automotive excellence ! Ferrari!!!!

 

Mayor,
I own both and as much as I love Ferrari, Mclaren is building a fine car too and getting better at an exponential rate. It's not enough to just sound good or provide an "experience". The 458 although great is becoming dated. Ferrari needs to step up their game on ALL levels including acceleration ! Some of us track these cars, drag these cars and do care about the WHOLE package ..I'm tired of telling myself my car feels better and sounds better and oh yeah, it's a Ferrari !! I want performance too!!

 

Guys watch the beginning of some of the journalist reviews. They go over the technical specs in detail and discuss the rev limits which are limited in the first three gears. Also you don't ever get full torque until WOT in 7th gear. The torque is relatively very low throughout the first few gears and each gear adds a bit more. There are graphs on this online.

The reality is that if they didn't do this 80% of these cars would end up wrapped around a tree and the car would get the reputation of being too difficult to drive. I have a GT-R with 700hp and 600tq and it is silly and difficult to drive relatively and that's being all wheel drive. Rear wheel drive only with that much power would be a disaster with the average joe who will buy the 488

 

Having read all the threads on the 458 vs 488 debate I'm seriously thinking about developing a Supercharger system for the 458. A SCer will leave the exhaust note pristine while adding the required torque to surpass the new 488 at lower RPMs AND exceed the 488 HP numbers at 9000 RPM. In fact, the high pitch whine of a SCer developing boost can be intoxicating in itself. The best of both worlds! The trick is in the packaging, which is more complicated compared with a turbo system to create an efficient system that is cosmetically pleasing as well. We at Bisimoto Engineering (in SoCal) have recently acquired a 458 for development and need input from the 458 community as to interest in this or other potential projects. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

What are your thoughts on the 12c/650s? As much as I love ferrari heritage, it seems anyone that owns a Mclaren loves it.

 

488 would be easily outgunned too. If you have a Nissan GTR, bring it to Switzer. For just $70,000, it would outgun Bugatti Veyron, LaFerrari, P1, or 918. You can outgun 488 even by starting from standstill with 3 rd gear to 300kmh. This competition never ends, because it's so easy and so cheap to add boost in turbocharged engine.

 

I don't get all the 488 hate from a whole heap of folk who have never driven the thing. Let's be clear - the 488 is a step ahead of the 458 - fact. Face it and deal with it. No point trying to trash the 488 in the vain hope that 458 values might miraculously climb.

As for the 458 sounding amazing - I call that c**p. It doesn't. An F12 sounds great. A LaF sounds great. A 355 sounds great. A 458 can't hold a candle to that lot. So the 488 sound difference is not the end of the world and Ferrari will sell every single one they can make.

 

How do you guys think? People in Ferrari know that not everything is "fine" with new 488? THey build FF with 4WD because customers want this, so how about this case? They will also listen opinions of customer? Ofcourse for some people 488 is great and they don't need anything. I respect every opinion.

 

The 458 isn't enough performance for you? 0-60 in 3.2 seconds isn't enough? 210 MPH top speed isn't enough?

I fail to see how any of you could even approach all the 458 delivers in a street or track.

To get 0.3 seconds faster to 60 but lose the NA engine and take off 1500 RPMs seems like a huge set back.

I mean... what's next? Actual rockets in the back of these cars to get in the 1 second range? When is this lunacy going to stop?


I am not against increased performance. But I don't want to lose what's important do the driving experience either, particularly when 99.9999% of us will never even come close to using the car's potential.

And I sure as hell don't want to do it because someone tells me their McLaren is "faster". Its not a Ferrari and never will be one.

 

Where has all the love gone! HAHAHA! What a great problem to have in life…458 or 488 or F12…its amazing.

I respect everyones opinion from engine type to gearbox, color, drive, etc….if we all shared the same opinion life would be dull. The fact is that ferrari continuously deliver a passionate driving experience that gives the pro and novice an exhilarating feeling. They deliver a range of cars that are same yet different to try and achieve a variety in class of cars they make. At the end…if it puts a smile on your face…its done its job and justified the purchase. because technically we don't really need it…but oh boy do we want it!!!

I am a purist, I prefer NA, I prefer manual, I prefer working hard for performance…but times change and we enjoy the technology. I think the 488 will be a great car ( but not my taste at all!!), the same way that any future model will be…but we all have our own opinions.

If you love it, get it…if you don't……then get something else. but no need for the hate…its all about love!

thats my opinion anyway…ahhaha..enjoy your monday to all!

MJ

 

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