488 GTB v 458 - my impressions after a test drive
Discussion
OK, only a (very good) half an hour over an epic road, and somewhat constrained, and apologies if this has been totally covered elsewhere but....
I loved the 488 GTB, it is an order of magnitude faster than the 458. It doesn't feel like a turbo at all, and it pulls like a train in any gear. 30-50 in 6th? No problem, it goes like a rocket. You virtually never have to pull a gear. And the sound is nearly as nice as the 458's.
However, as Clarkson would have said, there is a problem. The sound is only nearly as nice as a 458's. And you do find yourself running into the rev limiter a bit more than you would in a 458 and only in my opinion, that last 1000 rpm is the good stuff and I would miss it too much. I tried very hard not to pay any attention to the predisposition towards this issue that the magazines and journos have choreographed but I was forced to agree, excellent and wonderful though the 488GTB is. And, this isn't a problem, more an observation - while one would say you can never have too much power, the 458 has enough. You don't feel short changed in a 458 because it doesn't have enough grunt. The 488GTB probably really has more than you can sanely use on a public road (Nurburgring excepted). You can find yourself in three figures in an instant without even having considered the possibility.
I'd say the 488 would be even more fun on a track, but to be frank I'm afraid to get out too much on track in my 458 as I couldn't afford to replace it if I binned it (so I have bought something more replaceable this week so I can get out more on track ) so I can't imagine being out on track more in a 488.
So I don't think I'll be chopping in my 458 for a 488 GTB. Perhaps a Spider though. I'd still miss the extra 1000 rpm but with the roof off there would be sufficient audio compensation. I wouldn't go so far as to try and seek out a newish 458 in preference to a 488GTB but there isn't enough reason for me to seek to change to a 488. Just a personal view. I am sure those who have changed will have their own.
I loved the 488 GTB, it is an order of magnitude faster than the 458. It doesn't feel like a turbo at all, and it pulls like a train in any gear. 30-50 in 6th? No problem, it goes like a rocket. You virtually never have to pull a gear. And the sound is nearly as nice as the 458's.
However, as Clarkson would have said, there is a problem. The sound is only nearly as nice as a 458's. And you do find yourself running into the rev limiter a bit more than you would in a 458 and only in my opinion, that last 1000 rpm is the good stuff and I would miss it too much. I tried very hard not to pay any attention to the predisposition towards this issue that the magazines and journos have choreographed but I was forced to agree, excellent and wonderful though the 488GTB is. And, this isn't a problem, more an observation - while one would say you can never have too much power, the 458 has enough. You don't feel short changed in a 458 because it doesn't have enough grunt. The 488GTB probably really has more than you can sanely use on a public road (Nurburgring excepted). You can find yourself in three figures in an instant without even having considered the possibility.
I'd say the 488 would be even more fun on a track, but to be frank I'm afraid to get out too much on track in my 458 as I couldn't afford to replace it if I binned it (so I have bought something more replaceable this week so I can get out more on track ) so I can't imagine being out on track more in a 488.
So I don't think I'll be chopping in my 458 for a 488 GTB. Perhaps a Spider though. I'd still miss the extra 1000 rpm but with the roof off there would be sufficient audio compensation. I wouldn't go so far as to try and seek out a newish 458 in preference to a 488GTB but there isn't enough reason for me to seek to change to a 488. Just a personal view. I am sure those who have changed will have their own.
How much more does one need, turbo against N/A, sophisticated electronics and driver aids , and generally going away from the pure driving pleasure.
Dilution of an already superb car, take the Boxster and Cayman ,no more flat sixes , but turbo charged flat fours ,a 911 that is now no more than a luxury fast saloon.
I realise the 488 is above those but it's pretty much the same scenario .
Dilution of an already superb car, take the Boxster and Cayman ,no more flat sixes , but turbo charged flat fours ,a 911 that is now no more than a luxury fast saloon.
I realise the 488 is above those but it's pretty much the same scenario .
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