Hello everyone, I apologize in advance if the post is a bit long. I am currently looking to get my first supercar and have narrowed it down to either a pre-owned 720s or 488. I recently drove a 720s at a local McLaren dealership, but did not get a chance to drive a 488 at the local Ferrari dealership as most of the 488’s they had were on consignment and because they had just gotten a F8 Tributo demo for a few days. So with only a limited time I couldn’t refuse their offer to drive the F8. It is a fantastic car and I was told by the sales person at Ferrari that it is an improvement over the 488 but overall they are very similar by driving a 488 I should have a very close ballpark idea of how the 488 should be. With that said, I also got a chance to drive the 720s and it too was great. I could speak to the differences in character and feel of each of the cars for days but for the sake of time, I will try and keep it brief. Where I am, both the 720s and the 488 are in the similar price range and with each having their own pros and cons I am torn between which to go for. The 720s is no doubt quicker and has better performance, but in my opinion the sound wasn’t as good and I felt a bit of turbo lag at lower rpm’s, especially in higher gears. The F8, felt more naturally aspirated in terms of throttle response in my short drive (I presume the 488 is similar). I also liked the brake feel on the Ferrari compared to the McLaren, which felt very heavy and dead/lacked any feel. To me both the 720s and 488 look great, but I have to admit the 720s in the right colour combo simply looks astounding. The dihedral doors are also special. Overall interior on both to me seems fine each with their own style, an edge to the McLaren in my view as I like the full digital dash compared to the Ferrari’s centre rev counter flanked by two displays. So in short, do you think it is worth getting a used 488 even though a used 720s is ahead in performance and for the same price if not cheaper? Also for the 488, are their specific “must-have” options? I know the lift is pretty much mandatory and the interior carbon is nice but what about the sport exhaust and hi-fi sound system? For those of you that have had a 720s, if you have any insights that would also be appreciated. I know I am on a Ferrari forum and I do feel a bit daft even asking these questions along with making any comparisons with another brand but I figure you all could shed some light in regards to what for me is a tough decision. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Pm me, have experience with both cars! Mclaren is a bad ass car but company is very weak with support and the depreciation is killer. F cars are better built and more support. Mike
There are a ton of threads on this exact subject. Do a simple search and you will find a ton of comments and opinions on it.
Here is 38 pages to read:: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/ferrari-488-compared-to-the-mclaren-720s.547156/ Here is 116 pages to read: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/mclaren-720s-or-488.553800/
Don't worry it's coming. Just a matter of time and it will come in swinging like a baseball bat over the back of the head. PS. OP I found the driving experience much as you found them. The 488 being the better sounding and more linear in power delivery and the Mac being the more dramatic visually and stronger performing overall. The mac is also more comfortable as well having the better seating and ergonomic. I guess if not having one and being faced with the decision today I would take the 720 as it represents more of a super-car than the 488 and is also a better buy for the money. Both have seen significant depreciation over a short period of time and represent very cheap buying given their original retail prices. That said I have noted the 720 has definitely held up better than the 488 which appears to be more price driven due to the larger numbers available for sale, and the fact it is also widely recognized now as being the lesser performing of the two. 720 is also still current where 488 is now clearly superseded by F8 which has aged it and definitely not helping it hold value least of all attraction given the performance difference. I would also agree with your dealer that the differences between the later F8 and 488 are not very noticeable at regular driving speeds and trafficable conditions and, they are indeed very much the same car, in fact dare I say too much to warrant the significantly extra money. So again with 720 having better performance than both F8 and 488 and, having a far stronger visual impact as a supercar, the 720 would be the one I would go for on today's scale. Good luck.
Thanks for the insights. and to those asking me to search, thanks for the tip but I have read all the threads on this entire forum with anything to do with the 720s and 488 along with all the diatribe and drivel that has come with it. I should have mentioned that I had done my research but wanted some fresh and current perspective.
Almost bought this gorgeous burton blue 720S last year. Test drove one and I could feel that its speed was in a different league than my 488 or Huracan. Upon returning to the dealer after the test drive, I was ready to throw an offer. However, as the sales person regressed out of the passenger seat and closed the door, the roof glass on his side cracked. The offer was never made and I just left the dealer. Never looked back since. Just my personal experience.
Yes I have heard of that issue. I drove one with the glass upper. Luckily no cracking while closing the doors.
I used to own a 488. Have traded it in for a Pista. Put 5k miles on the 488. I still own my 720. Have no plans of selling it anytime soon. I owned the 720 and the 488 at the same time for about a year I think. First of all, you need to drive the 488. It’s not an f8. F8 has more power. 488 is no slouch but it’s 60hp less. 720 by far is the faster, lighter more nimble car compared to the 488. It’s also visually more of a head turner but that is certainly subjective. 488 is louder. Turbo lag is similar on both. if it’s me- I get the 720 over the 488. 720 and f8 different story. More evenly matched. At the end of the day, you need to drive them both on the same day and compare apples to apples. Don’t buy a 488 having driven an f8. You will be sorely disappointed. Good luck. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I used to own a 488. Have traded it in for a Pista. Put 5k miles on the 488. I still own my 720. Have no plans of selling it anytime soon. I owned the 720 and the 488 at the same time for about a year I think. First of all, you need to drive the 488. It’s not an f8. F8 has more power. 488 is no slouch but it’s 60hp less. 720 by far is the faster, lighter more nimble car compared to the 488. It’s also visually more of a head turner but that is certainly subjective. 488 is louder. Turbo lag is similar on both. if it’s me- I get the 720 over the 488. 720 and f8 different story. More evenly matched. At the end of the day, you need to drive them both on the same day and compare apples to apples. Don’t buy a 488 having driven an f8. You will be sorely disappointed. Good luck.
thank you for sharing your experience. You make some great points. I drove the 720s right after driving The F8 and the 720s was bonkers when fully on it, where as the F8 felt great but I didn’t get to really open it up on a good stretch of road like the 720s.
F8 is not a 488. F8 is similar to 720. 720 blows 488 away. It’s not even close with regards to speed. Not saying 488 isn’t a great car. It’s amazing. But if you make make choose between 720 and 488, I’ll take a 720 hands down. If you make me choose an F8 or a 720- that is a much better comparison. Toss up for me at that point.
Why not get a 458? I kid I kid! LOL I agree with Socal between the 720 and 488 I would go 720. Between the 720 and F8 well I have an order on an F8 so that tells you my decision.
Get a 720S. It’s just a better car. If you get a bad one and it gives you issues Sell it and get an F8. The market will be flooded with F8s in 9 months.
Thank you everyone for your honest and candid responses. I am pleased to say that I put a deposit down on a very very heavily optioned 720s . Maybe some day I will be able to be a part of the Ferrari brand, which I have passionate about since I was a child. Thanks again everyone.
Great choice! I’m hopping not to love a spider (to test in better sunny days since now it’s just rain) otherwise there we go again....