Discussion
Had mine for c18 months, far and away best car I’ve ever had and plan on keeping as can’t really see me needing anything more. The 488 really sounds great with the top/rear window down. If you’re really that bothered about maximising resale then buy Rosso. The dealers will tell you the other colours sell well or are unique, etc but when it comes down to resale, red always sells easier and at a better price (at least as a trade in). If tall, then make sure you get the carbon seats to maximise space and shop around and find one with as much spec as possible. There are some fairly basic spec cars out there and you’ll pick up one with c£50k of extras for only an additional £10k or so (carbon race pack, upgraded wheels, carbon side intakes, sports sills, carbon rear vents, the list goes on!). Skip the front lift as not needed unless a seriously steep drive.
Yes Darren, definitely. I’m 6 foot 3 and can get comfortable in the race seats when at their maximum and still have sufficient room. I tried the standard seats in a demo before buying and no way could I get away with it. Plenty headroom with race seats, but make sure also have seat height adjustment option as will improve fine tuning. The rear bulkhead is a bit closer on the spiders compared to the GTB which limits recline more than seat travel, hence the much thicker standard seats are an issue and force you to be too upright.
Looks like 488 prices are approaching 458 prices, well certainly GTB. I suspect that due to Covid-19, most car values will continue to fall, then rise much later in the year. But with a second virus peak forecast for this winter, maybe values will not rise until next year. Who knows? Maybe a good time to buy now as values will rise (albeit for a short while) in the summer.
dereksharpuk said:
Looks like 488 prices are approaching 458 prices, well certainly GTB. I suspect that due to Covid-19, most car values will continue to fall, then rise much later in the year. But with a second virus peak forecast for this winter, maybe values will not rise until next year. Who knows? Maybe a good time to buy now as values will rise (albeit for a short while) in the summer.
I fail to understand why? I appreciate 458 is last V8 NA from Ferrari, which in my mind only a small subset of the market actually cares about (I know; 95% of the subset is on the forum!). In every (almost) other way the 488 is a superior car?oml130 said:
I fail to understand why? I appreciate 458 is last V8 NA from Ferrari, which in my mind only a small subset of the market actually cares about (I know; 95% of the subset is on the forum!). In every (almost) other way the 488 is a superior car?
Dealerships are crying out for used 458's they can't get enough of them, whereas as 488's they struggle to move.It is not about whether a car is better, if that was true would we all not be buying Tesla's and electric cars, yet the truth is far from that.
A 458 is bonkers fast and more than enough for the road but it is still playful it will slide around and it will have you grinning and laughing even at sub 30mph speeds. It is a car full of soul and truly special, the 4.5 NA motor is only in the 458 series of cars and no other, that alone makes it more special than the 488 which shares its motor across multiple platforms.
I've driven both, is the 488 technically better yes! Did I buy a 488? NO! I got the 458 and demand for 458 seems higher than 488's and hence why 458 values though dropping are dropping less than 488 values, some 488's are now under 458 prices.
You buy what you like, but drive both the 488 is mega quick, mega grippy and easier to live with but it did not get my pulse racing or the hairs on my neck standing up, whereas the 458 did and it did so pretty much immediately it just feels a vastly more special car.
I sort of agree with Gibbos comments above on the Italia vs GTB. Having owned 2 458 Italia's, I decided against replacing like for like only on the basis of it being a little too refined when tootling about. However, the 488 Spider is imo a huge step on the 458. It drives exactly the same as the GTB, so much stiffer than it’s predecessor and with the benefit of the rear windows down/roof off. The engine sound is transformed and I honestly find it better/more interesting to listen to than my previous 458’s. I get more enjoyment from it when either driving slow or fast than I did from my previous cars. I’m not convinced a 488 GTB would have done the same, hence I think the OP is onto a winner.
Re values, the older car will lose less, as is generally the way. 18 months into ownership, my 488 has dropped about £35k, if I’d kept the 458 it would have lost about £22k.
Re values, the older car will lose less, as is generally the way. 18 months into ownership, my 488 has dropped about £35k, if I’d kept the 458 it would have lost about £22k.
My old 488 Spider is at Carrs Exeter at about £220,000. A Dec 2017 car with a good spec including carbon race seats, carbon drivers zone and some good external carbon. 1100 miles. It was Rosso metallica which is rosso with a red metallic flake. Looks great in the sunshine. It was £256,000 new. If you are interested give Dominic Mulvey (Dom) a call.
The best 488 Spider is at Meriden Modena, triple yellow. I owned it for 6 months, but let it go back to the dealer recently for 2 reasons, firstly seem to have acquired 9 points on my licence, 6 come back off next march, so removed temptation for now, and secondly have spec'd an F8 spider, was expected first qtr 21, but who knows now ...but more importantly want the points gone!..dont like teetering on the edge of ban
Ive owned 3 488 spiders and a 488 GTB and I have to say this yellow one is the fastest and best sounding. it is weird how they are all differant,but this yellow one is at least 10 -20% better than the others.It would still very much be in my garage until the F8 arrives if it wasnt for the points
I had the same thing with 458's had 4 of those and oddly one car, a 2011 one was so much more alive than the others...oddly enough that was triple yellow as well, so come to the conclusion they put special 'hot' sauce on the Triple yellows at the factory!!
Calculator said:
Do you kind me asking why it’s done so few miles? Did you just not get on with it?
I came out of the 488 Spider in late summer 2018 and purchased a Portofino which was due in October 2018 but then delayed to March 2019. The Spider was my first Ferrari and I have to admit that I didn’t fall in love with it as I expected I would. I am enjoying the Portofino more. Carrs gave me a good trade in value when I sold the Spider and I think they have followed the market down, still owning the car some 18 months later.Emonda03 said:
Ive owned 3 488 spiders and a 488 GTB and I have to say this yellow one is the fastest and best sounding. it is weird how they are all differant,but this yellow one is at least 10 -20% better than the others.It would still very much be in my garage until the F8 arrives if it wasnt for the points
Was the yellow one the newest of them all? If so there is a rumour that later models produced considerably more power than early ones to keep up with McLaren...
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