Speciale vs 458 Worth the upgrade?

Yes definitely just a tuned Italia, nothing Special about the car at all, if I were you I would consider a McLaren instead.

 

I love McLarens but wuuuuuuut?

 

I'd go for that as an upgrade if I could afford a Ferrari.

I think getting one or not getting one is just down to personal preference, nothing more then that.

Considering a McLaren from a Ferrari seems like a random choice, unless its an F1 or even the P1.

 

The more you track, the more 458S makes sense.

 

Didn't you just get your 458? That's quick to be thinking about upgrading.

Anyway, seeing that your car is a 2010 model, if it has not had the 2012+ upgrades installed, I'd tend to think the leap from an Italia to a Speciale would be greater, than if you had a late model Italia. I sure think the leap from a non-upgraded '11 Italia to a '13 Italia is noticeable. I remember reading a thead where you worded concers about thinking that your car wasn't as fast as your previous R8. Is this the cause of why you want to upgrade? The cars feel different, but your 458 is faster, it just drives differently. It is more nimble and looser on the edge. It is after all a lighter and more powerful rwd car. Also, the steering feel is much quicker on the 458 imvho, and that makes a big difference when coming from something else. I had a brief stint owning an '06 Gallardo(520PS), and the 458 can run circles around it. The Gallardo Coupé was easier to slide and more forgiving, but it was nowhere near as fast or nimble as our 458 Spider.

But drive a Speciale and find out.They are close enough to where it would be a personal matter. But from the few times I've driven a Speciale I think it is an upgrade and more than "just a tuned Italia", that's for sure. It does feel different altogether.

Did you end up ordering the MPSS tyres instead of the PZero's btw?

 

The Speciale is not an upgrade on the 458 but a completely new car. From the engine to the electronics to the suspension set up and tyres.mthe 2 cars are simply not comparable - nor were they designed to be.

 

Go for it Speciale, is so much better than Italia.

 

How can it be a completely new car, when it is based on the 458 platform? The electronics are revised, the engine is a modified F136 F engine, and it runs next gen brakes. The suspension parts are specced more aggressively, aero is upgraded, but most panels, if not all, would bolt on to an Italia. I'm not knocking the Speciale, but to call it an all new car, is just silly. What is different is the philosophy and focus of the cars, but they are still in the same family, and both share a similar basic driving feel. Heck, even the 488 is based on the 458 and in the same family. An all new car is 612 to FF or 430 to 458.

 

^^^^ THIS couldn't have said it better myself!

S

 

You're both right. Having had a 12 458 Coupe and now a Speciale, I do tend to agree with Peter's point of view.

Sometimes, "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts", and while there are some basic components shared, the Speciale has evolved DNA. As I've said (too?) often here, people underestimate the value of the software on these cars, aside from the different componentry (eg. LaF brakes on Speciale, SSC, engine/gearbox mapping). The sum of the Speciale has enough differences, and the differences are significant enough, that it's more than just an "Evo".

A crude metaphor - 2 women have the same platform, same "chassis", etc - but one can be a supermodel and one can be Rosie O'Donnell. Rosie can be "tuned and modified" but....

 

Have you actually driven both? I put 9,300 miles on a 12 Italia and then went to a Speciale which is a completely different driving experience. I couldn't disagree more but the reality is, the OP should drive them both preferably back to back to see if the Speciale is right for him. I can tell you that the Speciale is much more than an upgraded 458!

 

To me its not that much of an upgrade... I have driven both and it does seam like a tuned italia. I would consider adding another car to the stable considering what the premium is going to be plus your car for a speciale... or wait to see what the new 488 is going to be like.

 

I just traded my 2014 Ferrari 458 in for a 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale. The steering is much more precise (hard to believe) than the regular 458. The upshifts and downshifts happen in a blink of an eye. I can't wait to track it!

 

I went from F430 to Scud
and yes the Scud was a great driving experience but i missed the F430
because i drive a lot of street, and very less on the track.

So i bought the Italia and not the Speciale.

Speciale is a great car, which is better in all terms of driving,
if you want to be fast!

But the better allrounder is the Italia.

For me, only with a lot of track time and solo driving the Speciale would be my choice.

Greetings Christian

 

CLUELESS POST.

 

Not off the top of my head. But there was this thread about it not long ago.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/458-italia-488/486695-458-italia-differences-model-years.html

Yes, it's definitely a different animal than the R8.

 

+1 Agree 100%

I went from a 14 458 to a 15 Speciale. It was a phenomenal upgrade for me- so happy with the decision.

 

I have quite a bit of wheel time in an Italia... And bought a Speciale a few months back.

While the Speciale does share some "commonality" with the Italia, the difference in driving dynamics is, quite honestly, night and day.

Here's my bottom line: If you want it for street use only, get the Italia. If you want it for track use, and/or track use plus street use, I really don't think you would have ANY regrets whatsoever with the Speciale.... It REALLY IS as good as anyone/everyone says it is... Just phenomenal.

 

Is the speciale worth the extra $100k in cache....that is the question...if money no issue, hard not to go speciale even if you don't track.

 

Forza mag just had this comparison in previous issue. Feeling was going from 458 to spec was not as drastic as 430 to scud. In other words, base 458 is good enough as is that speciale upgrades/compromises are not worth it. Speciale gives up more comfort than 458 gains in performance

Afaic, keep 458 if you actually use it as transportation. Get speciale if expert track driver whos used base car to it potential already or someone who rarely uses it and just want 'top of line' model

 

He owns a speciale, you should check his profile before jumping down his throat.

Then you would comprehend his sarcasm.

 

yes the sarcasm was obvious. That said, I'm headed down to pick up my first Ferrari this morning...2014 458 Italia. Driving my '15 GT3 for the last time....