New to Ferrari. 430 vs 458. Need guidance please

I have a 2009 430, and would like a 458 Italia one day. The only problem is the 458 is at least $100,000 more. That puts the 458 out of my budget when I have my other toys. I’m not willing to let the other toys go, so I enjoy my 430.

 

In f1 458 all day.
Gated, 430.

 

You can't get a gated 458, but I think you know that, and I think the F1 in the F430 is the better car. Faster, brutal, accurate and still very engaging. They will value well soon when most are converted.

To the OP the 458 is dynamically a better car in every way compared to an F430, but its more a GT car, refined and cosseted compared to the rawer F430. You need to take the both for a spin.

 

The 458 dct shifts much faster than the 430 f1

 

I don’t know if money is a consideration for you but Exteame1 is right about a 458 costing $100k more. You could get a 430 and maintain it for 20 years for the cost of a 458. But, that being said, drive both, go look at the car you’d like to purchase and get what you really want. If you settle on something that is “almost” what you want, you’ll know you settled and will end up spending more money when you find that one you really want. I’ve had a couple of Scuds and a 458. The 458 basic shape last through the 488 and F8 so it still looks contemporary. The DCT is stupid fast. I currently have a 430 and am very happy with it due to the spec and having a couple of cool mods done (Scud gauges, headers replaced).
Good luck in your research and purchase journey. Shopping for your first Ferrari is very exciting!!

 

If you are the type of person that works on your car, know that "nothing on the 458 chassis is designed to be easy to work on."
You can still do a bunch of stuff on the 430.

 

When I purchased my 2009 430, before the 458 prices started shooting through the roof it wasn't much more for a 2010/2011 458, maybe 10k for one with some miles and 20 to 30k for one with low miles. So I can maybe make a better comparison since price wasn't really the deciding factor for me. From an investment pespective, do I regret not buying the 458, sure it would have been nice to buy a car and have it go up by 100k+ in only a few years, but the reality is I don't think I would have been happy with the 458. I don't really like the lack of side intakes (which keeps temping me whenever I see a 488), and the DCT does shift faster than the F1, but I actually like the kick in the butt from the F1 over the more automatic transmission feel of the 458. Taking the 430 out on the weekend is an event, I don't think the 458 would be that way. It's a fast car, but loses a lot of the "italian car" feel. When I drove one, I felt there was more in common with my son's mercedes coupe than what an italian exotic should be. The 458 seems Ferrari's attempt to sell cars to people who drive a Porsche 911 Turbo but want something more exotic. Before anyone says anything, the California looks like it targets the regular 911 Cab crowd.

In the end you can't go wrong with either the 430 or 458, they just have differnt personalities. If you want something more like your 911 turbo, get the 458. If you are looking for something more analog, get a 430.

 

If you’re a DIY,er the 430 is simple to work on. I’ve done all the maintenance on mine the last four years.

 

When I was searching, I went to a random Chrysler dealership that had an F430 I was looking at (coupe). I test drove it, and liked it a lot and almost pulled the trigger but it had manual seats. The sales guy there was super cool, he had a 458 spider there too and said why don't you just drive that too. So I did, and even though objectively it was probably "better" in every way over the 430, I didn't like it as much. Also this is subjective but I think the 430 looks way better.

Don't kill me, but I don't get the 458 love.

 

The 458 isn’t worth the premium and is massively over hyped. It’s not worth 100k more than the 430 and the looks are bland compared to the 430 in my eyes. The desire of the 458 is just silly. Oh wow… The last mid engine NA Ferrari… Everyone should just drop their pants and pay the premium just because of that?? No, thanks. Unless it’s a V12 F12 then forget it, get the 430. Also, people acting like the California is inferior probably never drove or sat in one. A well optioned California T is an incredible car for the money with very modern interior and feel.

 

I would recommend splitting the difference and buying a special Ferrari, a Scuderia.

Drove all 3, and the Scuderia was what I thought a Ferrari should feel like.

 

Best of both worlds….buy a scuderia

I’ve owned all 3 and the scud any day over the F430 and the 458.

 

Hopefully you did some research on both. The years with certain problems and what the cost for repair is. The F430 is more raw since it doesn’t have the DCT like the 458. If you’re fortunate to get a manual, it’s a special beast(which I have). For the F1, the pump has issues, depending on how you drive, clutch wear. Interior/parts coming apart(rattle/ sag)
The only problem from 458 is the DCT from certain years. It’s very refined, more power/ quick smooth shifting. Good luck to whatever you decide

 

^^^^ This, absolutely.
Although I drive a 360 I did test drive a 458. I felt like I was still driving a Ferrari, but the connection was lost on me.

 

That's not really splittign the difference. You can get a decent f430 for $125k, a 458 for 180-200k. A Scud will run you 250-300k.

 

Re: maintenance the 458 also needs carbon cleaning of the intake ports.

 

I've had my F430 since 2018. It was my first Ferrari. When I got it at the time I was thinking that maybe someday in the future I'd replace with a 458, but over time it really grew on me.

The 430 feels like the last of the partially analog era, the car is quite engaging and speaks to you in a way that modern cars don't. It has just enough tech to enhance the driving experience, without taking away the feedback that is oh-so intoxicating. The F1 gearbox, while not as fast as a DCT, is fun and more rewarding to drive. It is a car that is fun to drive slow in an era where most new cars have to be driven 7-9/10 to get anything out of them.

When the time came that my business grew and I could afford the 458, it was not longer on the radar. The looks and feel of the F430 really cemented it's place in the stable, and I have no plans to ever get rid of it.

The Scud offers even higher levels of analog feedback and engagement, however getting an F430 with CCB and race seats is probably 90% of the way there. You can improve the drive with fresh F1 fluid every 3 years, fresh PS4S tyres, new accumulator, Scuderia alignment and Scud Inc F1 Relay.

The 458 is by no means a bad car, but for me it's when technological advances were in the foreground and analog connection in the background, whereas the opposite was true in the F430. Just enough tech to help keep you out of a hedge, but without robbing you of any feedback. The F430 probably more tiring for long road trips, and my example doesn't even have parking sensors, but switch to race mode with the windows cranked down on a nice bit of road, there's no other V8 I'd want to be in.

 

I purchased my F430 F1 back in late 2017 when prices were much closer to the 458. I drove multiple examples of both cars, and although the 458 was newer and faster, it didn't have the raw mechanical feeling the F430 did. I also have a Nissan GT-R (a pretty calm DCT car in ways), and coming from that, I preferred the mechanical feel of the single clutch F1 over the smooth dual in the 458. So much, that it is one of my favorite traits of the car. You can't go wrong in your decision, and good luck on finding the right one!

 

I think it all depends on what you look for in a car and that will vary from person to person. F1 single clutch is a lot more engaging than dct imo. If you want even more engagement, a gated 360 with a tune is a blast. In factory form they leave a little to be desired in the low RPMs. If you want a really raw experience and can swing it, a Challenge Stradale or a Scud would be a good choice. If you want something easier to drive that is more modern, a 458 is the better choice. As others have stated, getting a car specced with race seats and ccbs will also add to the engagement and performance. In the end, only you can decide as it is your preference.

 

That sounds so much like my story. I bought my F430 in 2018 as well with the plans to switch to a 458 after a year or two. The 458 is a more reliable car for the most part. It's faster, more tech, etc. However, something about it just doesn't do it enough for me to replace my F430 with one. Funny thing is I test drove a 458 months before I ever drove an F430. The salesman told me if I drive an F430, I won't want it. Fast forward 4 months and I bought my F430.

After owning the F430 all this time & making a few mods/personalization (carbon bits, IPE exhaust, wheels, etc), it has grown so much on me. Being a Non standard color exterior and interior (still haven't found out what color the interior is), makes it even more special. I've always thought the rear of the F430 looked better than the 458, but the 458 is a beautiful car.

Something about my car just spoke to me the day I saw it. Like you mentioned, windows down, exhaust valves open it is such an experience. Once I did a track day in Dec with the car, I get it. I truly connected with it. I don't think I'll let it go. My 997.1 C2S was my forever car. Now I have two.


To the Original poster,

I think you'll be happy with either. One thing is if you ever decide you want a manual transmission car, the F430 can be converted. That is nice to have in your back pocket if you get that itch.