Good evening everyone!! My name is Josh and I am a new member to Ferrari Chat. I am a prospective Ferrari owner and I have some questions regarding two Ferrari models. I am on the fence between a 458 and an F430. I have driven both and they were both a wonderful driving experience. However, I also have some questions about maintenance. I have looked through countless posts on this forum and researched my brain out about these two models. I am having a hard time picking between the two. Because I have a better half at home(wife); it all comes down to maintenance costs. My question is, which is the lesser of two evils in terms of maintenance. Let me start by saying yes I will be financing the car as I am not wealthy; I'm just a plain old military man. So we can get that out of the way, yes I understand if you can't afford to pay cash don't buy it!!! Regardless of what my financial advisor says, I am very excited to join the Ferrari family!! I loved the F430 but have heard horror stories about F1 clutch costs and issues. I know the 458 has a dual clutch system and they are for the most part fairly maintenance free other than the occasional fluid change. Brakes on the 458 are CCM so they are very expensive from what I have gathered; with that being said, is it worth it to spend more on the 458 and possibly save some money on maintenance??? I will use the car as a weekend toy and maybe put 4-5k a year on it. I understand these are not like normal vehicles, I'm just looking to gain some insight as to the better way to go here as I loved both of them but it seems like they both have their little quirks. The F430 has a large clutch cost every few years, but the 458 has little transmission maintenance costs and the brakes are very expensive to replace. I also have heard that the F430 has no service indicator light that needs to be turned off, while the 458 does; and it can only be turned off by a dealer with a Leonardo. Is that accurate. I would most appreciate any insight or information you have to offer and thank you all for your time!! Again, I very much look forward to joining the Ferrari family as it has been a dream of mine for a long time!!!
Hi Josh! Welcome to the Ferrari family Don't worry about financing your car, most people do it for various reasons. Just have fun and enjoy life before you kick the bucket. Regarding the model, go for a 458! It's marks a new direction in Ferrari's quality since before that its was a Russian roulette. You wont be sorry
Josh, First of all welcome to FerrariChat! Pleasure having you here! Coming from a family with strong military roots, I'd also like to say thank you for your service. Regarding your question, as I'm sure you've experienced it yourself, the 430 and 458 are two very different V8 Ferraris. The jump in overall quality and performance from one to the other can only be comparable, in my humble opinion, with the 348-355 evolution in the 1990s (and even so, I still believe there's a greater gap between the 430 and the 458, once the revolution was both mechanical and visual). In terms of driving pleasure and stimulating drive, I believe there's no match for the 458 overall. That alone would make me go for the 458. Maintenance-wise, again in my humble opinion, the newer a Ferrari is, the more ease of maintenance it'll bring. Ferrari's R&D constantly works to bring out easier procedures to maintain the car, and we've seen it over the years: no more engine-out maintenances, no more rubber timing belts, etc. Easier maintenance also means, as a rule, quicker and cheaper maintenance bills for the owner. The achilles tendon in terms of maintenance in these cars is the transmission: much more reliable, sturdy and trouble-free than the internet and urban myths will have you believe, but if indeed a fault occurs, it won't be cheap to repair: F1 or DCT. I can see no obvious choice between one or the other if one is worried about hypothetical costs and a hefty bill. Sure, depending on the problem and all things remaining equal, one should naturally be cheaper to repair than the other, once one is bound to be less complex, but that goes to say that I see no obvious savings there between one or the other. Carbon fiber discs brakes can be expensive to replace. Market dependable, but around 4K USD per corner with labor seems acceptable. If you don't intend to track the car, brakes will last considerably longer. If you perform a PPI, you can inspect what kind of shape the brakes are in, thus reducing any potential surprises later on. Nothing lasts a lifetime, but if you have new or nearly new brakes and use your car on public streets only, carbon fiber brakes should indeed be the last thing on your mind regarding maintenance costs. Reason lies in several different points of view, this isn't the universal truth, it's just my 2 cents according to my experience and view of things. I'm sure you'll get a ton of more useful information in the next couple of hours by very knowledgeable members. Kind regards and good luck pursuing your dream! Nuno.
Welcome! Nothing wrong with financing if cash flow still makes sense. Thank you for your service! Most will attest that the 458 represents a significant step forward over the 430, and I agree. If you can swing it find a nicely cared for 458...one of Ferrari's all-time great cars.
Having owned both cars (still have my 458), I would gravitate toward the 458. Although I really liked my 430, there are some quirks that may need to be addressed depending how the car has been serviced. Regarding the clutch on the 430; When I bought my car the the clutch had only 5% wear (approximately 5k miles). 1 1/2 years later (when I sold it) the clutch wear was 6%. These were both read by a Ferrari dealer. There may be debate on the accuracy of the readings, but if I look at the delta, the clutch wear was minimal. What kills the clutches in the 430's are stop and go traffic and backing up on an incline. So if you are doing weekend drives in the country, away from a lot of city traffic, I would not expect to have to replace a clutch anytime soon (this obviously depends on the initial condition when purchasing a car). Regardless, the 458 is a wonderful car and I do not regret making the change. Depending on your budget, I would look at a 2013 or newer 458. This will provide you with the 7 year maintenance program which is beneficial and "ease" some of the pain associated with having to pay for yearly maintenance (provided you are having it serviced at a dealer). Lastly, keep in mind that nothing is cheap on a Ferrari. You may have read that ad nauseam on these forums but it is true. This is not to scare you, but rather help you be prepared. When I bought my 430, I had about $4K worth of work done to it just to fix some minor issues (alignment, tire balancing, replaced windshield wipers, tighten the outside mirrors and full fluid/filter change). I hope this helps and I'm sure others will provide even better advice such as the other members who posted prior to me.
I think I’d gravitate toward the 458 myself, sure they are still depreshiating but so are the f430’s. And the difference in price isn’t that significant really compared to what it will cost to bring an F430 up to snuff compared to a 458. Maintainance will probably be a bit cheaper on the 458 but as mentioned if the DCT breaks it ain’t cheap but it’s not as common as some would like to to believe and repair costs have improved. I wouldn’t worry about financing the car, just make sure you have the funds to properly maintain the car. In reality it makes financial sense to finance a portion of the vehicle since interest rates are so low.
If you are financing, I would think payment would have more to do with your choice. A 458 payment is going to be double that of a 430 payment. If money isn't an object then a quick view of the old Top Gear episode should easily answer your question...
Hello everyone! Thank you to all who replied. Your information and insight is most appreciated. I'm still kicking this around a little bit but I'm sure whichever one I choose I will enjoy it. As far as the 458 DCT, can any of you provide some insight as to transmission fluid changes? Are they recommended or not, how often? I know the dealers in my area recommend the F1 system in the F430 be bled about every 3 years if I'm not mistaken. Is it a similar scenario with the 458?? Thanks again to all of you for your help and cannot wait to join the Ferrari family!!!
Hi Sir, I chose the 458 because I've read they are pretty reliable machines (knocks on wood), I did a lot of research on both models and the 458 made the most sense to me. I had to pick one with a little higher mileage to help it fit my budget but from the good things I've read and very solid PPI I was happy and pulled the trigger. I'm in your boat not wealthy by any means, retired military and just wanted to live life to the fullest because tomorrow is not guaranteed... Enjoy the hunt! Good luck.
I own both a 6MT 2006 F430 Spider and a 2013 458 Spider. I've had the F430 since Oct., 2011 and the 458 since May, 2013. I bought the F430 primarily for the stick-shift, both because I like a manual transmission, and due to the inherent maintenance problems of the F1 transmission. Both cars have been quite reliable, and the performance of both is very good. The F430 is a bit more visceral/analog, and the 458 is less raw, more digital. The body designs and interiors are quite different, so it's probably a matter of personal taste as to which model would "push your buttons." As one poster said, the economic factor might be crucial. You could always go with an F430, then "upgrade" to a 458 down the line. As for me, if I could transplant the manual transmission with clutch into the 458 Spider, I would have my dream car. Good luck with your search/selection! Fred
If money is a consideration and you're going to use it as a weekend toy, you're probably going to get a 430. It is plenty fast and wonderful to drive. My local service techs say that the "bang for the buck" value with [relatively] minimal headaches is an '07 or later 430. There's still a $60k gap between similar miles 430 to 458 so that is a LOT of maintenance. 458 is definitely a generation newer in driving feel and the DCT transmission is smooth like a Porsche PDK. For either, it is good to have $5-10k set aside to handle costs. If you're in a state without sales tax on private party purchases, then buying a private seller 430 is a safe entry that minimizes your holding cost in the long run, and makes it easier to sell and move up to a 458 later.
I have owned both and I would say when I owned the f430 it was the best car ever, until I got my 458. the 458 is by far a better car in performance and maintenance. The 430 I owned for 2 years and had issues the entire time (do not by without confirmation the exhaust manifolds have been changed. it's not a matter of will, but when). I had the ferrari dealer replace mine (for free) before I purchased. then minor problems during my 2 years. I own a 458 now for 1.5 years and have not had one issue. when I purchased it my machanic said drive it, it's a solid car and it has been. if you have the money go with the 458 but if you don't do your due diligence on the 430 and you will have a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel. good luck Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Hey Josh, welcome to the Forum! Hands down, no contest, the 458 is a fair superior machine (especially when it comes to the gear box, clutch life, and overall maintenance requirements). The F1 system is night and day difference - research how the DCT works (youtube videos, etc.) and you'll see what a great system it is and how it really takes a lot of the strain and wear/tear off the clutch. The 430 can't touch it on looks either. Frankly, I'd consider a 360 (w/ a manual gear box) far before a 430, but that's just me. I've owned both the 360 and 458 and those are easily the two best mid-engine V8's Ferrari has ever produced. Until the 458 came along, the 360 was really the pentacle of enjoyment and beauty for me. The 458 is really just an amazing machine. I have a 488 GTB now and frankly the 458 is a better car. My advice would be to get a metallic color on the 458 also. The flat colors are "ok" but anything metallic is just a step above in my opinion and so much easier to keep looking good. Definitely visit a few dealers and see these cars in person (in different trims and colors). Watching youtube videos and looking at photos can lead you one direction, but then you can see a car in person and everything can change. Example: when I was first shopping, I was head over heels in love with the two tone black/white cars. But in person, they left me feeling a bit flat. Sitting next to a black or Silverstone 458, it's hard to want anything else - even some of the shades of red (and I'm not a red ferrari lover) look super good on the 458. So spend some time and visit some dealers to see things side by side if possible. The 458 is such a solid car than you can probably get away with practically just oil and filter changes on it - although general Ferrari prescribed maintenance does involve an alternator belt change every other year (I don't think it's all that involved to do yourself however). And yes, there is a maintenance required light, but it's just a little green wrench that pops up on the dash and goes into the corner. It's not like it's some horrible huge orange light (like a check engine light) or anything like that. I'm not sure if you can turn it off without Ferrari's computer, but what you can do is back the date up a year via the car's menu / setup screens and that will shut things up (although technically speaking the year of the date on the car will be off a little - not sure if that matters much). The 458 does adhere to standard OBDII stuff, so maybe it's possible you might be able to turn that light off via a code reader, although I have never tried (and knowing Ferrari I kinda doubt that). Anyway, good luck on your search! Ray
As advised above, it's safe to keep some spare money, whichever car you choose. I always prefer the most recent car, so in my view the 458 is far better than the F430, with a better engine, a better balance and, most of all, the brilliant DCT gearbox. This being said, the F430 is already an awesome car - the engine is a big step forward compared to the 360, and it introduces the chain driven camshaft, a real improvement regarding maintenance.
Great advice. One thing to keep in mind about the 360 belt stuff. Ferrari scares the hell out of everyone, saying the belt needs to be changed every 3 years or 15,000 miles (or whatever they say). But if you actually research the company who makes the belt, I believe they suggest more like 52,000 miles between changes. And, interestingly, Ferrari used to suggest that as well for the 355 as I recall (way back when). I don't know if they are just hedging their bets at owners' expenses (as far as suggesting such frequent belt changes) or what. Maybe it really is a point of failure. However, what I do know is that I have seen the motor on a 360 dropped and I have seen how massive and durable the timing belt is. I have a hard time believing it needs to be changed every 15,000 miles. I mean, that belt is an absolute beast. With that said, the Ferrari is a super high performance car and it's probably best to listen to the factory to some degree. But if you ever actually see what a "15,000 mile" timing belt looks like when it comes off, it sure looks just as strong and in just as good of a condition as the one going back on to replace it. With that said, I'm much more in favor of the timing chain on the 458 Ray
Josh, Regarding the 458 in general, I recommend you take the time to read some of this: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/most-458s-discussions.564954/ May answer some of your (maintenance related) questions. Kind regards, Nuno.
Thanks very much to everyone who has posted on this discussion! Everyone on here thus far has been wonderful and very helpful!! I still need to look into the forums for each model I'm considering because I'm a bit of a DIY guy. I like to do my own fluids so I need to check on recommended fluids for each car as I hear the recommended Shell products can be hard to come by. I have done some searches on here and everyone seems to have their own preference as to brands for fluids. Thanks again to everyone on here for taking time to provide info!!!
I’ve owned a 2007 F430abdo spider and a 2013 458 coupe. Both cars were an amazing experience in each their own right. But hands down the 458 would be a more reliable and better choice. There are just too many pros to list going with the 458 over the F430 and truthfully the value of 458 buy right now is great. I had multiple issues with my F430 and I put 7000 miles on it. But it still was amazing as my first Ferrari love. The 458 however was a total upgrade in every way and you can still snag one with some maintenance free warranty on it. Good luck
will this be the first and last ferrari you will ever own? if the answer is yes, then go with the 458. better car in most ways (but not as robustly built). if the answer is no, then try the 430....eases you into ferrari world, costs less, and when you want to move on in 2-5 years, the car will still be worth more/less what you paid for it. whereas if you buy the 458, it will decline in value over that period. as for the maintenance details, the answers above mine are quite complete.
Ross hit the nail on the head. For what it’s worth, the only problems my F430 has had in the 2+ years I’ve owned it are the angel lights (strip going up either side of the headlights) going out and replacing ball joints. As long as you buy one that the previous owners cared for, maintenance should light. I really like a single clutch over a DCT in this and other cars as it’s more playful, so I opted to take the Ross route and ease into this world with an F430 and haven’t regretted it one bit. I also like tinkering and some DIY and this has allowed me to get to know the car and brand a little better. I’ll surely branch out from here at some point in the future but am very happy I went the 430 route first.
