On the verge of getting my first Ferrari, 458

Get a 458 with the front lifter option. That critical option, combined with a careful "angle of attack" will make driveways manageable.

Servicing at an independent Ferrari dealer is usually fine for non-warranty work. If you get a 2012 or newer 458 it should have the annual service plan on it where dealers will cover the annual service for a good number of years.

 

I have mine serviced at my local dealer because I have the Power Warranty (which I purchased through my dealership). But I would not hesitate to have my services done at a reputable independent shop. Some due diligence will be a great benefit.

Sending your Ferrari to a dealer every three months for work for hitting potholes sounds a bit far fetched. I live in Michigan and we aren't the poster child for smooth roads. But I know which roads to stay away from. Although I have a 430, you would be surprised what inclines you can navigate. But as riozilla said, a lifter will make your life much easier. My .02

 

what previous sports car experience do you have?

 

1. Get your car serviced at a authorized Ferrari dealership. It's not often you have to do it, wo why not just enjoy the drive. Other option is simple. Have it shipped back and forth. On such a new car, resale can be hurt if the work was not done by an authorized tech. Also, as long as the car has free maintenance, why pay.

2. Sorry to say this in such a manner. But it sounds like your friends friend is talking out of his rear. The 458/488 has a very good ground clearance for the type of car. If anything scrapes, it's the diffuser fins in the rear. If you're really concerned, get a car with a lifter. Other than that, no the 458 don't usually run around and hit random objects with its nose. If your friends friend sends his car in for repairs every three months, it sounds like he should not be driving ANYTHING.

3. What is the angle of your driveway? It's been awhile since I measured the overhangs of my Spider (Not Spyder ), but I do recall that 13 degrees is safe for the front with lifter and about 10-11 without.

 

Early on in my search I identified who was going to service my next car. It was important to me to have a "partner" during ownership. I was fortunate to find one of the best independent shops in the NY Metro area, Classic Coach. Their services are used as I see fit, about as often as I use mechanics for my other vehicles. CC has a posted service rate of $135/hr; no different than my local BMW dealer.

I'm in NJ where the roads are brutal and the other drivers are worse. Somehow I navigate it all and don't scrape, bump or get bumped. It's a car and most of the time you should be able to control where it goes. When you want to drive fast, take it to the track! By the way, most (not all) driving clubs want hard tops on participants' cars so check locally before you commit to a Spyder.

Consider the question by poster "Meister". Having other sports car experience will help with Ferrari ownership. Like myself, most (not all) Ferrari owners whom I've met mesh well with their purchase and have come from other brands, experiences, know-how and have graduated to a Ferrari.

Good luck with your search.

 

No not laughing, just trying to get at that diving right into a 458 is the deep end of the pool and sometimes that doesn't always go well as an ownership experience if you are not used to whats going to happen once you have the car. These cars need and draw attention. High maint costs and limited places to get that done can lead to stress. The things you need to do just in your own home like battery tenders, winterizing vs our mostly maint free DD's adds time to your life. The "event" of which it is every time you take the car out can be unnerving for owners as well. Going to the gas station, grocery store, dinner or just sitting in traffic with people taking pictures and wanna be racers acting like asshats all the time can take away from the experience. Likewise if you are afraid to drive it to the grocery store then why do we own them. All I was getting at was you are about to enter a while new realm of automotive/ownership experince (both good and bad) and its wise to just keep that in mind. Congrats!

 

When I participate at BMWCCA track events the rule is NO convertibles unless you have an SCCA spec roll cage. It doesn't matter if the top is soft or hard. When I participate in FCA track events the rules allow for Spyders. It varies from track to track and club to club. Just be prepared, it is possible to be turned away from an event, ask in advance.

Good luck with your search.

 

Driveway issue; bridgit.com


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Sorry meant bridjit.com. I have a lifter but it really helps getting into and out of the driveway . A lot of my neighbors also have these curb ramps


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Sorry I created some confusion. The term "car club" refers to the group made up of individuals who are paying an annual fee to be in the association. In the case of The Ferrari Club of America its members pay a yearly fee to be a member. As a member I am welcome to attend any "club" event, fees for that event may apply.

In 2016 I attended a two day track event that was labeled an HPDE (High Performance Driver Education). There was a fee of $600 for me to drive on a road course type race track, 6 hours total time broken into 20 min sessions. It was not racing.

A typical HPDE involves a driver (me) and an instructor sitting in the right seat guiding, instructing, educating and generally keeping me and himself safe. Passing is done in a controlled manner using hand signals. Again, this is not racing. It is a great way to safely drive your car at speed and experience what you and your Ferrari are made of. It will make you a better, safer, more responsible driver.

Remember, local tracks and/or clubs may restrict their event to NO Convertibles. Just ask event organizers in advance and know this before you purchase your first Ferrari.

 

Congratulations!

Answers to questions:

1: Dealer or independent? It really depends. I wouldn't drive the car 3 hours each way just for service- the values on these cars are tied to mileage. This will be a lot of mileage for service. You can send the car but then its 3 hours away. IF there is a good independent near you, its worth considering. However, this would be your first Ferrari- and it might just be more straight forward to stick with the dealer. You don't know if or when you might sell it- maybe you love the car and never sell it, maybe you want to order a new one. Sticking within the dealer network will make it just a little bit more straightforward. You can always take your time to get to know the independents as well.

FYI, the included factory maintenance plan doesn't cover much- just the motor oil, filter and wipers I believe. I would want something more comprehensive- so wherever you do the service, I would request some things beyond this. To begin with, brake fluid flush. Even if not completely necessary, someone will be taking a look at things and that might turn up a problem spot that could go unnoticed until it becomes a problem.... As a matter of fact, if I were buying a few year old 458, I'd change all the fluids capable of being changed and probably replace the battery. The OEM batteries probably won't last more than 4-5 years and starting with new fluids and battery would be cheap insurance.

#2- Utter rubbish. This is simply not true. Have a look on F-Chat at the magnitude of threads dedicated to lowering these cars! And they can take typical road bumps etc- but- its true you are driving a sports car and not a SUV. So what I say is correct, within reason.

#3- Get a car with the front lifter option. You might find you never use it, but it will be nice to have and will help when its time for resale.

Congratulations! The 458 is a fantastic car!

 

My friend from this post you have checked all the boxes for jumping in on a modern Ferrari. It is not about the money but what you get in exchange for the money. Enjoy your search. The car for you will actually find you instead of the other way around. Insist on a PPI and get the options you would have selected had you ordered the car yourself. Get a relationship with your dealer and their service manager. Post some pics!

 

Another consideration for using an authorized Ferrari dealer for service is the 10 percent discount you get if you are a member of the Ferrari Club of America (FCA). It doesn't take much work on a Ferrari for the discount to make up the $100-$135 annual dues (depending on what local Region you live in; multiple years are less expensive per year) that also get you membership in your local FCA Region.

 

I get an anti-bullying site. Try bridjit.com. And thanks, I have a rolled curb and I hate it, but it's $1400 to redo the concrete.