New member - Shopping for a 458: What to look for?

There are tons of posts just like this. And since the car is way out of production, there isn't much that has happened since this was last asked a month or two ago. You might try searching or browsing for faster access to the answers. [emoji16]

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Generally speaking, I'd look for cars that are not too worn, but at the same time, well kept cars that has seen regular use, is usually the indication of a well working car. No car likes to sit unused, so an old low milage car may not be better than a newer car with a bit more milage.
Personally I'd never purchase any car like this from anything but a proper certified Ferrari dealer. I'd also stick to car with a full service history.
Lastly, purchase warranty. Cheap insurance.

Quick question. Why no track use? They are hugely fun track cars meant to be driven.

 

2012 is when 7yr maintenance started to be included, so chances are 2012+ have been taken care of, generally speaking. Miles more important than year imo, key is to find the balance. Not neglected but not ragged, like anything else. Warranty can be extended in our out of warranty, just needs to pass an exam, which you’d likely do for Ppi anyway. Be warned if the car is modded, specifically ecu, it won’t pass. They hook up the ecu to a system that goes right to Ferrari and it will pick up the tune.

Here’s more from another thread I replied to. There us a ton out there answering these q’s:
In my opinion - lift mandatory. Rear sensors mandatory. Rear camera mandatory. CF wheel mandatory. CF seats mandatory. Any wheels but the base jagged (diamond cut ok) 5 stars mandatory or replace after buying. Everything else, i could flex.

 

You’ll envy every 458 w the CF seats you see if you don’t get them. Front sensors helpful but if the car was otherwise spec’d Perfectly I’d give in. Take it from someone who owns the car. It took me 1.5yrs to find my perfect spec - full CF interior - wheel, dash, full tunnel, door panels, sills, cf seats; lift; Rosso scuderia (I would have bit on corsa too) exterior/Nero interior; nav (which is not mandatory looking back, it’s not useful); cam; all sensors; etc. Took forever but the cars spec and mods....just perfect, I don’t regret the hunt.

 

I was initially looking broadly for a blue one, although I like lighter and medium blues. Super rare on the 458... if you can find a blue one it's usually TdF. I saw a grigio alloy in Denver last year asking around 170k, but the timing wasn't right.

Ultimately I ended up going for a CPO '12 for the peace of mind and convenience. It's a low option black on black car - other than Daytonas, shields and yellow tach and calipers, red stitching, not much else. Part of long term relationship building with my local dealer. At first I was worried about no sensors, camera and lift, but honestly I've never really damaged a car while parking, even in Boston parallel parking multiple times per day. I got it to a very competitive price, esp considering the cost of 2 yrs warranty. Then I wrapped it the exact color I wanted.

 

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I forgot to mention what ended up being the most important about the warranty was the risk of transmission issues. I heard figures of $36-40k for a new DCT if it goes. Major updates to software and transmissions for 12, but 13-15 are supposed to be the best for reliability.

 

Hi there. I JUST went through this and ended up buying a 2012 few months ago. There was a change in 2012 i believe with electronics, some will tell you they are quieter exhaust; it’s loud as F^%#!, like so loud it sets of car alarms, so i can’t imagine it could be any louder.

Besides this very little difference between newer and older models. Biggest issue was very early on with fires but they recalled all of them and fixed it, it was an easy fix, and this was 2010 cars i believe.

As for the rest, I set my budget and bought the absolute newest and best car I could find in the color combo I wanted. And with no real difference between a 2012 and NEWER, i was fine going a little older. I looked nation wide and found a 1 owner with 5,800 miles 2012, red on tan (only color you should consider!), Daytona seats, carbon fiber wheel with LED is a must, red stitching on dash and seats, looks like a fantasy come true.

Way less then $200k and CPO car with 2 year warranty from Ferrari dealer, this is the way to go, I got a free warranty basically for 2 years AND I can extend another 2 in the future. It was almost perfect. There is very little price difference between a 6,000 mile car and a 15,000 mile car, sometimes none. So i paid a little more for the low miles. These kinds of cars 20,000 miles may as well be 60,000, stay away from those. Try and find a CPO. Shipping is very cheap relative to the car so doesn’t really matter what state it’s in.

Buy low miles and someone who treated it like a newborn, then drive the hell out of it rain or shine! Most importantly, you won’t regret buying this, it’s the best decision you will ever make.

 

I just picked up my ‘13 Rosso Corsa/Nero 458 last week at Ferrari Rancho Mirage. CPO and the car is immaculate inside and out. $195k with the 2yr cpo fwiw.

Rylex, Rich and Tavis showed me your car. stunning color!