Looking to buy 458 - can anyone advise what spec to go for?
Discussion
On the slightly more serious side - if it is an Italia you are looking for, make sure the air-con works OK. Mine didn't, but I didn't notice until a few weeks after purchase and then it was considered not to be covered by the warranty.
However, the radio will not get a signal. And don't be surprised if the phone link up is temperamental - this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
Other than that, if you like a particular car, the chances are that someone else will when you come to sell it on, regardless of the spec.
However, the radio will not get a signal. And don't be surprised if the phone link up is temperamental - this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
Other than that, if you like a particular car, the chances are that someone else will when you come to sell it on, regardless of the spec.
The first reply was pretty much spot on in terms of spec. It would be a shame to miss out on the shields and carbon fibre steering wheel - those lights are fun for rev changes!
I had the lifting gear and find it really useful personally. Living in London, it came in handy when getting parked and going over some of the nastier speed humps.
I had the lifting gear and find it really useful personally. Living in London, it came in handy when getting parked and going over some of the nastier speed humps.
I went for:
-20" Forged Painted Rims
-Carbon Fibre Racing Seats
-Carbon Fibre Steering Wheel & LEDs
-Suspension Lifter
-Satellite Navigation System & Bluetooth
-Front & Rear Parking Sensors
-Alcantara Centre Sections to Leather Racing Seats in Nero
-Scuderia Ferrari Shields
-Yellow Brake Calipers
-Yellow Rev Counter
-Alcantara Upholstery for Headliner in Nero
-Extracampionaro Stitching
-iPod Connection
-Electrochromatic Inner Mirror
To me the MUST HAVES were the racing seats, shields, yellow calipers, LED steering wheel and the lifter. The lifter makes the car very usable IMHO.
-20" Forged Painted Rims
-Carbon Fibre Racing Seats
-Carbon Fibre Steering Wheel & LEDs
-Suspension Lifter
-Satellite Navigation System & Bluetooth
-Front & Rear Parking Sensors
-Alcantara Centre Sections to Leather Racing Seats in Nero
-Scuderia Ferrari Shields
-Yellow Brake Calipers
-Yellow Rev Counter
-Alcantara Upholstery for Headliner in Nero
-Extracampionaro Stitching
-iPod Connection
-Electrochromatic Inner Mirror
To me the MUST HAVES were the racing seats, shields, yellow calipers, LED steering wheel and the lifter. The lifter makes the car very usable IMHO.
[quote=Skittles001
To me the MUST HAVES were the racing seats, shields, yellow calipers, LED steering wheel and the lifter. The lifter makes the car very usable IMHO.
[/quote]
Funny you should say that. I was going to suggest not bothering with the lifter having not used it even once in 3 years!
To me the MUST HAVES were the racing seats, shields, yellow calipers, LED steering wheel and the lifter. The lifter makes the car very usable IMHO.
[/quote]
Funny you should say that. I was going to suggest not bothering with the lifter having not used it even once in 3 years!
JW82 said:
The first reply was pretty much spot on in terms of spec. It would be a shame to miss out on the shields and carbon fibre steering wheel - those lights are fun for rev changes!
I'm vaguely aware of those LEDs twinkling on the steering wheel but just as they light up - my attention is invariably drawn elsewhere. 
Seems the 458 was, and I guess still is, spec sensitive. Remember not so long ago if your car did not have the carbon chairs it was considered
almost unsellable! reckon as time passes mileage, low owners and originality/condition will be key - spec and options not so... Mind the higher the spec
the higher up the desirability ladder the car will sit..
Talking of sitting for me the 458 sits just too high with 4 x 4 looking 'wading' capabilities. For me the lift would be an essential optional extra as the car can be lowered very simply which obviously improves the aesthetics no end. However with the lift function your still going to be able to go about your business without risking damage..
almost unsellable! reckon as time passes mileage, low owners and originality/condition will be key - spec and options not so... Mind the higher the spec
the higher up the desirability ladder the car will sit..
Talking of sitting for me the 458 sits just too high with 4 x 4 looking 'wading' capabilities. For me the lift would be an essential optional extra as the car can be lowered very simply which obviously improves the aesthetics no end. However with the lift function your still going to be able to go about your business without risking damage..
I use the lifting function frequently but it depends where you use the car. It is a life saver in Italian underground car parks with steep ramps. I may be in a minority of one, but I prefer (and have) the electric Daytona seats which let me make subtle seat adjustments as I drive. This also gives you folding wing mirrors etc. Yes, it adds weight but the car is still plenty fast. It always amuses me at track days where the hard core weight saving trackies then drive every session with a passenger.
willy wombat said:
I use the lifting function frequently but it depends where you use the car. It is a life saver in Italian underground car parks with steep ramps. I may be in a minority of one, but I prefer (and have) the electric Daytona seats which let me make subtle seat adjustments as I drive. This also gives you folding wing mirrors etc. Yes, it adds weight but the car is still plenty fast. It always amuses me at track days where the hard core weight saving trackies then drive every session with a passenger.
Some more good points aboveI admit to loving the look of the carbon racing seats but readily admit that the electric Daytona's are far more comfy. A consideration if you suffer from a dickie lumber or or going to do a fair few miles..
Have read many a word re the undesired weight penalty inflicted if the lift option is fitted and tend to hold a similar opinion to above - How much difference is a few KG going to make ?? Get out on your bike, watch your waistline and its all square! The 458 is so animalistic fast with sometimes an alarming light front end a little extra up front might be no bad thing..
Folding mirrors (possibly standard on later cars) is a must. The body is fairly wide but the mirrors really do protrude out - even when folded in she will still stretch the tape at 7 ft wide, leaving garage entry and departure a squeeze..
I also note that in the USA there seems to be a growing acceptance for cars fitted without
the shields. Cleaner lines..
All good fun.
I spent about 8 months trying to buy an Italia, starting off with LHD and in the process came across a cross section of so called humanity complete with Serbian Mafia, the seller of the only clocked 458 in Europe - which I managed to find, a fraudster called "Calvin" trying to sell a Speciale in Belgium whose IP address traced to Mumbai and a Polish Spider advertised as having what Google translate identified as a "broken spine" and ending with a deposit on a RHD model in a certain retailer in the UK which I won't name and with whom I am litigating to get it back after deciding that repairs having been made according to Ferrari who wouldn't tell me which parts were used (i.e. engine? shell? rear lightbulb?) which couldn't be explained were a sufficient reason to withdraw. Anyway, I started out with a minimum spec of carbon seats, wing shields and carbon steering wheel with LEDS. I ultimately bought a rosso corsa car with the following:
1. Carbon seats 9/10 in desirability
2. wing shields 9/10
3. carbon steering wheel/leds 10/10 in desirability*
4. carbon centre bridge 5/10
5. carbon strip in fascia 5/10
6. yellow rev counter 8/10
7. red stripe in seats 5/10
8. red calipers 8/10
9. JBL upgrade stereo 8/10 (controversial, but I like it)
10. ipod connection 8/10
11. nav 8/10
12. 20' gunmetal forged alloys 8/10
13. other stuff I can't remember 0/10
1. Carbon seats 9/10 in desirability
2. wing shields 9/10
3. carbon steering wheel/leds 10/10 in desirability*
4. carbon centre bridge 5/10
5. carbon strip in fascia 5/10
6. yellow rev counter 8/10
7. red stripe in seats 5/10
8. red calipers 8/10
9. JBL upgrade stereo 8/10 (controversial, but I like it)
10. ipod connection 8/10
11. nav 8/10
12. 20' gunmetal forged alloys 8/10
13. other stuff I can't remember 0/10
- well you see this most often, and it allows a new speed system so 3/3 or 3 leds in 3rd is nice and you won't die and 7/5 is ending up in a fireball.
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