Should I get the speciale

My dealer has offered me a september build speciale and I am wondering whether I should take it. I have owned three 458, two coupe and a spider, which i sold in oct 2012 when i got my ford gt.

I am of two minds with respect to the speciale: on one hand it seems to be an all around improvement on what was already an incredible, almost flawless car. on the other hand its just more of the constant improvement theme in electronics and more power and thus not likely to be a timeless car. Timelessness is something I weigh a lot at that level of $.

I am wondering whether this car will see the fate of the 430 scuderia for first buyers or whether there might be different dynamics at work. I like the car but I am not in any particular rush to get one since I have my singer 911 also in the works for deliver this fall ..

thoughts?

 

I bought two stradales in 2003, and nobody had any idea at that time if they would be well received or not. I liked them so I figured I'd let the chips fall where they may I'm not sure why, but the Scuderia just never piqued my interest. That said, there seems to be something "special" about the Speciale. If ferrari limits the production (I've heard 1,500 or so) then I'd like to own one. If they crank out tons then I'll pass and keep my stradales.

 

Then here ya go:
1 CS
1 Scud
1 Speciale
Now that'd be a strong stable!

 

Where are you located??

I'm having the run around on mine ��

 

Most likely NOT in California

 

I have heard 1,700 worldwide ... not sure if this includes or excludes the Spider variant.

 

You should buy the 458S if your dream is to have a Ferrari that is louder, faster and has fewer creature comforts.

Only you can answer that question.

IMVHO my 458 Spider is perfect. No interest in a Spider S. I like the creature comforts and the non S is better looking.

Best

 

Yes! Called me biased, but I do believe it will be timeless. Most likely, it'll be the last N/A V8 engine Ferrari will ever produce. Not that that's the reason I bought it though, but still...

However, it depends on your planned usage. If you don't plan to demolish empty and challenging roads or have track plans, don't bother...

 

To me it made no difference if it is limited or not... A car is a car and that is why I use it the way Ferrari intended it to be used - I simply drive it as often as I can, I also track it and get the maximum return of my investment - as much fun as I can get.
If you want one, buy one. If another car suits you better, buy that one. You only live once

 

I probably would not buy a 350k car that didn't really turn me on. I doubt the 458 special will prove to be timeless but who knows. We seem to have gotten on a cycle where the enthusiasm for a car dies after about 3 years.

 

Bigblock and Tom both hit the nail on the head big time! No disrespect, but if one needs to ask if he/she should buy the Speciale, u know they say...If u have already owned a few 458s previously, maybe it's time for something different.

 

+ 1000000000

 

East coast.

I took the build slot. I think it's a no regrets move at least for the first year or two.

I am thinking blue nart exterior with the white stripes. Interior dark blue alcantara with red seat fabric.

 

Interesting Combo! Blu Nart would be awesome! ... looking forward!

 

Pass.
The especiale has not been met with the type of global reception that ensures the car is a classic. Faster, sure, but unfortunately not very, well, special.

 

Like this? The white stripes, btw, flank a NART blue center stripe. It happens to blend in because this car is also painted the same NART blue. But if you got a different shade of blue, you would see the blue center stripe as different in color from the rest of the car.

I think you can't go wrong with getting one. If you don't like it, you can probably sell it for what you paid for it, or very close.
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Yes exactly like that. I like the blending of the center stripe and have always wanted blue 458. Seems like a good time.

Gold wheels ..

 

Yes, I think gold wheels would look good on that car.

 

Blu Nart Calipers and Seat belts too.

 

I'm obviously biased. I've driven one and the difference is markedly noticeable from my 12 coupe. I do believe that this will be the last NA V8 mid engine Ferrari, other than the spider version, which combined with lower production numbers should influence it's long term value. In any case, it's one heck of an Fcar to have.

It looks great in the nart blue which was the one shown in LA at the preview.

 

The fact that you are asking for opinions here vs having that instant "gotta have it" reaction is telling.

As far as the financial side, I think it will follow the trend with modern Ferraris. The Speciale is not limited production.

I think you should get it if you loved the 458 but wanted something that was rawer and more visceral.

This is Ferrari so trying to play the "this is the last of the ___ (whatever you want to fill in here)" game is dangerous. Get what you love. History will take care of itself.

 

+458. This is an emotional purchase. Personally I would not drop this much coin unless I was 100% in. Then again, I doubt OP will regret his decision once he takes delivery of the car. It should be fantastic to drive until something new catches his fancy.

Porsche has mastered that game of myriad parts bin variants at the conclusion of a model's life cycle ie 997.

 

Folks thinking the Speciale production numbers will be low are I would say grossly optimistic and I feel are getting duped by the marketeers. It is definitely not something I would consider a "limited production" car and definitely will be in greater numbers than any of its predecessors.

As for being the last na engine, we will see about that. Only thing that is certain is the base non-Speciale 458 is the last true Pininfarina design (v8) at Ferrari. It's going to be all in-house from here, not saying that's a good or bad thing, just saying it will be a departure from past Ferrari aesthetics.

The Speciale is all in-house (hence no Pininfarina badging anywhere), so I guess those who love it will not miss Pininfarina.

 

Not much wiggle room in your statement. Is this your opinion? How do you know this?

 

You only need to look back historically...there are more scuds than cs'...production numbers will inevitably keep growing, especially given the current global demand. The fact Ferrari continues to be coy w publishing actual production numbers for their "limited production" cars only underscores this. If it's so limited why not just come out w the number?

Don't forget also that there will be a new model every year until 2018, w accompanying "m" variants. Ferrari is going to churn em and flip em like there's no tomorrow so long as there is demand.