Pista-STO- 765LT- AMG Black series

I agree. That is why I am considering getting a 488 Challenge EVO while keeping the Pista. At the end of the day, even amazing track cars like 765LT are still road cars. No match for actual racers. Kudos to McLaren that they make the car with carbon tub instead of the aluminum frame which Ferrari is still using today.

 

Ferraris may not offer the best of modern technology like carbon fibre tubs, but
the Pista and 488 spiders are more importantly, fun.

 

Where in Charlotte?

 

McClaren

 

For sale?

 

I believe they both sold, neither were advertised. If you have time run by and check them out. They look awesome.

 

new vid with Jethro Bovingdon
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Conclusion: won't be the fastest car on track (100+hp down on some) but, fun and engaging.

.

 

I hadn’t driven my LT for a month basically due to road work right outside of my neighborhood. Today I took it out and it’s definitely a recalibration exercise. After 40 minutes I felt like I needed a cigarette. Unbelievable machine.

 

Below represents my subjective assessment out of a score of 10 of the super cars I have driven extensively or owned over the last decade. Let the criticism begin:

Ferrari-

F430 - 6.5
Scud- 7.5
456- 7
488- 7
F8- 8.25
Pista- 9

Lamborghini

Gallardo Balboni- 6.5
Huracan 640- 7
580-2- 7
Performante- 8.5
EVO AWD- 8
EVO - RWD- 8

Porsche- 997

Turbo - 6.5
Turbo S - 7
GT3- 7.5

Mclaren

570S- 7
720S- 8
765 LT- 9.9

 

Change 456 to 458.

 

Of late the market seems to like the 458 better than the 488 but both are a "seven" ?
SO is the market driven by knowledge or nostalgia when writing that cheque?

 

These are my impressions which has nothing to do with market conditions or nostalgia. The 458 due to it being the last Ferrari NA mid engine V8, is gaining greater respect and affection as time marches on.

 

I drove mine yesterday after having it sit in the garage for a while as well, it is overwhelming.

 

458 moved the game on more than any of the others listed. I’ve never owned one but have driven many. Today it maybe feels its age but taken in context it’s the star IMO. Objectively the Speciale is the better car but it’s only that way because the 458 was such a game changer.

 

Lukey- would be keenly interested in your driving impressions between the Pista and SF90. Any chance we can see this in the near future?

 

Very different cars. Both feel as you would imagine from what they are. Pista feels more like I would have imagined the Speciale to feel, very solid-feeling on the road, heavier steering, planted and very very good on track. My benchmark would be 2RS for the track and the Pista is as rewarding as the 2RS and almost as focused. Speciale doesn’t so much feel like a track-focused 458 but its own thing, aggressive certainly but more playful and really intense. SF90 mixes that Speciale feeling with a very modern drive and ballistic pace. It’s playful, natural feeling on the limit and can break traction anywhere. It’s the first car I find it difficult to put my foot flat to the floor for any amount of time on the road. We’re heading out for a road trip to Spain and Portugal this week so I’ll really know what it’s about after that. One strange point, we are taking an overnight ferry to Spain so I tried to check if the anti-lift deactivator actually works. I tried moving the car after locking it, impossible! I would have to break or dent a panel to get it to move (which I’m still not sure it would), it’s absolutely rock-solid on its suspension. The multimatic suspension give the car a very different personality to other Ferraris I have. More like the Porsche GT products but still different. The control and response of the GT products with more of the finesse normally associated with the Ferraris. Not like the McLaren Tenneco system either, the SF feels a bit more organic.

The SF90 is a car from a higher echelon than the Pista but that might also be its problem. It feels simpler and more straight-forward to jump in a Pista and go. There is lots more to think about in the SF90. I would guess that’s where the LT is different too, has more of the Pista’s ‘normality’ in the sense you just get in and go quick.

 

Very interesting - I hope the road trip goes well!

 

Definitely nostalgia. Most people preferring the 458 are older and don't care as much about power and speed vs. noise. I doubt you find too many younger (under 40) people who prefer a 458 to a 488 or F8.

 

Whats happening with the Pista?

 

Luckey- If you could only keep one- the Pista or the SF90. Which would it be?

 

I was hoping that you did something fun like an exhaust.

 

A bit too early to tell. Our Pista is a TM spider and our SF90 is a coupe spec’d at the dealer. For roadtrips I usually prefer a spider and I think the SF90 is a bit too expensive to use regularly on track. Adding all that up it’s a bit harder to sell the Pista but at the moment I wouldn’t want to be without the SF90 either. Maybe a TM SF90 spider is the answer!

If it was a non-TM Pista coupe v SF90, that’s easy. SF90.

 

I'm not under 40 anymore, but was when I bought my 458 Spider a couple of years ago. I actually had a 488 on order at the time, but picked up the 2014 458 instead due to schedule issues.

Not too long after, I drove a 488 Spider for a few days in Italy and immediately noticed (then promptly got used to) the power bump. Upon returning to the 458, I felt strongly that it provided a more engaging experience than I had with the 488, mainly due to the sound it makes.

I recently (@ 42 yo) drove my 458 to the dealer to test drive an F8 Spider. I had a blast - the improvement in power, shifting, and controllability was pretty obvious. For a hot second, I contemplated placing an order. Upon getting back into he 458, that notion evaporated. The sound and slightly less refined vibe of the 458 intoxicated me once again, and I couldn't justify an extra $150-200k for the upgrade.

Just a few months ago, I was offered a straight trade with my 458 for a similar 488, and turned it down without even a hint of regret.

I'm just a single data point, and admit that I may very well be suffering from confirmation bias, but there ya' have a 40-ish example of someone who prefers the 458.