Tips on Potential Speciale Purchase | FerrariChat

Tips on Potential Speciale Purchase

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by PunjabiM3, Apr 22, 2019.

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  1. PunjabiM3

    PunjabiM3 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2019
    8
    DFW
    Full Name:
    Jay Sidhu
    Hi folks, long time car enthusiast and new member here on fchat! I have always wanted a Ferrari since childhood and have decided to purchase one in the next year or so depending on what I am able to find build wise. My first choice by far is to purchase a Speciale since it is the last of its kind. My distant second choice would be a 488GTB but I believe the Speciale to be worth the extra cost. Obviously I have some questions pertaining to the Speciale. I have been searching auto trader on and off and the pricing has quite the range amongst different dealers. Is there THAT much of a variance in the different options and builds in the Speciale, or are some dealers just feeling lucky with asking prices over 400k? What are the must have options? I plan to keep the car long term and will likely replace my 2019 GT3 RS with it (I love the RS and had it ordered to spec, but the Ferrari bug is really getting to me). Any pointers and advice is MUCH appreciated, and if you have any leads on a Speciale please let me know. I prefer red or white for exterior color. TIA.
     
  2. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Veteran

    Jan 21, 2017
    5,885
    France
    Not sure of the situation in the US but in Europe Speciale prices have been dropping over the past few months, so that you find cars at market prices and others not reflecting the changes.
    In any case, looking at actual cars and comparing offerings is the way to go.
    The Speciale will retain its status of a special edition, which will always command a premium compared to a 488 GTB - so the Speciale is also most probably the safest "investment" (not necessarily meaning prices will increase, but they will decrease less than 488's ones).
    This being said, if you want the car to drive it, you should probably drive both to decide. Personnally I appreciate the added power of the 488.
     
    458-Italia likes this.
  3. FFan5

    FFan5 Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2018
    550
    Do you track your GT3 RS? If so, I'd stick with it. If you only drive on the street, come on over to the dark side! :-D
     
  4. Eilig

    Eilig F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 31, 2001
    4,128
    Full Name:
    Tänzelndes Pferd
    Good choice on a Speciale. I love the car and actually bought two of them.

    In my opinion, there is no "must have" option unless perhaps you need a front end lift for entering your driveway. In fact, some of the best Speciale specs are light on options.

    Most pricing is mileage-driven. If you actually DRIVE the car, don't worry about buying a car with miles and saving some money. If you are buying as a COLLECTOR piece and want a pristine, low-mile specimen, then you'll pay more.

    Most importantly, find a car that you LIKE, at a dealer you TRUST, move forward, and don't look back. In a Speciale, there is never any need to look back, as it is a truly fantastic car never to be duplicated again in the future.
     
  5. 458-Italia

    458-Italia Formula 3

    Jan 10, 2014
    1,726
    France
    one of my best friends has just swapped his 488 GTB for a 458 Speciale after trying mine!
     
  6. obbob

    obbob Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 14, 2017
    774
    The options on Speciale (or any Ferrari really) can range widely. My general rule of thumb is most Speciale are around $330K MSRP. Under $320K is low spec. Above $350K is when you get highly specced cars.

    Occasionally you’ll find cars with over $380K or under $310K, but those are very rare.

    Velocity motor cars just listed a red one which is a great spec and price. It’s missing all the cosmetic carbon fiber, but it has all the utility options except autodimming mirrors and track cameras.
     
  7. Gh21631

    Gh21631 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2011
    9,166
    East
    The only downside to the Speciale is that it is so special that you may not be comfortable driving it as much as your RS. Otherwise you can't go wrong, the 458 is one of the most beautiful models of any car ever made and the Speciale is the best one.
     
  8. plastique999

    plastique999 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 9, 2008
    8,841
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Edward
    Welcome to the hunt!
    There is a nice thread here “Speciale Market” that may be helpful. I also posted a review “Speciale vs 16M” here.
    I picked up mine a few months ago and couldn’t be happier. Truly an iconic car. The market I found in my research was very mileage dependent and this is what I personally found 6 months ago:
    <2k miles, ask between $390-$420k
    2-5k miles, ask around $350-$370k
    10k-ish miles, ask around $300-320k.
    Myself (bought white) and a friend (bought red) found cars in the middle tier mileage with transactions around $340k.
    I still eye the market and I found some cars listed for a long time in the $400k range have dropped asking about $10k.
    If you want specific info on cars, feel free to DM me, e.g. there is a white car at Naples Motorsport asking $359k. I made them an offer long ago at $340k, they did not bite. Since it’s been a while, they may be more receptive. Definitely get PPI.

    As far as options, I like my race editions light on options. I do wish I had rear view camera. Don’t need lifter IMO, just angle it (don’t have it in my 16M either). CF is easy to buy off very good companies like MACarbon or Ricambi - I did my whole engine bay and extended shift paddles.

    Must mod IMO: exhaust. Ferrari history is F1 sound! I highly recommend an exhaust on the Speciale (and Scud) to reverberate F1 symphony.
    Best of luck!




    Sent from my 16M
     

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