488 GTB Advice
Discussion
Hey PistonHeads massive. I am thinking about dipping my toe into 488 ownership but noting that prices are seemingly are at a high point, I am after some advice from the sage among you. (Yes, I know don’t buy at the high point in the market. But I really want one)….
Firstly, what specs should I look for in a 488 that are must haves? I’m not really a lover of red cars, is that a bad thing, to not want a red one?
I quite like this car: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107145... but it looks quite pricy. Is this fair considering its mega spec?
Are 488 very spec sensitive?
If you buy an approved car do you automatically get a 2 year warranty from Ferrari no matter how much original warranty is left?
Sorry bit if a random collection of questions. Thanks in advance.
Tom
Firstly, what specs should I look for in a 488 that are must haves? I’m not really a lover of red cars, is that a bad thing, to not want a red one?
I quite like this car: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107145... but it looks quite pricy. Is this fair considering its mega spec?
Are 488 very spec sensitive?
If you buy an approved car do you automatically get a 2 year warranty from Ferrari no matter how much original warranty is left?
Sorry bit if a random collection of questions. Thanks in advance.
Tom
Looking to get out of the 992 Tom 
Funnily enough the 488 is a car on my list at some point once I have maybe had my fill of Lambo. anyway....I think in the main the advice here is buy the car you like, colour will always be subjective, some folks will only buy red and others would never consider it. On spec shields are very popular, as are race seats and the carbon driving zone (mostly to lift the interior). The car you linked is a good spec but as you call out, it's also all the money. I like the sound of a 2016 488 at the £150k mark with under 15k miles as I think thats the sweet spot, I don't think prices have firmed up in the last 12 months as they have for the 458.
JD
Funnily enough the 488 is a car on my list at some point once I have maybe had my fill of Lambo. anyway....I think in the main the advice here is buy the car you like, colour will always be subjective, some folks will only buy red and others would never consider it. On spec shields are very popular, as are race seats and the carbon driving zone (mostly to lift the interior). The car you linked is a good spec but as you call out, it's also all the money. I like the sound of a 2016 488 at the £150k mark with under 15k miles as I think thats the sweet spot, I don't think prices have firmed up in the last 12 months as they have for the 458.
JD
Hey, thanks very much. The 992 is already gone. I ran it for 15/16 months and managed to make a little profit by selling it now, easily the best car I have owned so far. I have a Turbo S coming in Mar next, so just looking at what's about.
I like this car, but my worry is, how much has the market shifted since last year? And will that mean in 12 months the car is worth 40k less? No one knows, but my gut feeling is it is just too much right now. I think its a £175k car thats up for £185k.... I don't need it, so I could just wait.
I'm with you, £150k seems a much safer bet, I don't think I have seen many low miles 488s under that yet?
Tom
I like this car, but my worry is, how much has the market shifted since last year? And will that mean in 12 months the car is worth 40k less? No one knows, but my gut feeling is it is just too much right now. I think its a £175k car thats up for £185k.... I don't need it, so I could just wait.
I'm with you, £150k seems a much safer bet, I don't think I have seen many low miles 488s under that yet?
Tom
My 488GTB will be for sale at DL Swindon in a few days time. Its a 2016 car with only one previous owner from new and about 8.5k miles. Its a high spec car in Grigio Ferro, Carbon inside and Alcantara Racing seats in Cioccolato which is a stunning combo. It has Forged rims, F/R Cameras, JBL, Apple Carplay, Fancy lights etc.
I'm guessing around £150k will buy it depending on what margin they work on.
I'm guessing around £150k will buy it depending on what margin they work on.
Taffy, that is the kind of spec I am after and at that price it seems a very good idea!
I assume you sold it as the warranty and service pack are due soon? What were your thoughts on owning it?
NB: I have already emailed Harry Bowman @ Swindon
I assume you sold it as the warranty and service pack are due soon? What were your thoughts on owning it?
NB: I have already emailed Harry Bowman @ Swindon
Edited by findtomdotcom on Thursday 22 July 11:10
I was at DL yesterday viewing the new 296 GTB. DL told the gathering they sold 109 cars in the last accounting year and are No 1 sale dealer in Europe at the moment. They currently have 10 approved cars for sale, an all time low.
So please be advised that good cars will not hang around, it is not just sales talk. I got my 488 GTB from DL last August before it made the website, I bought it unseen as someone was coming to see it that day. DL sold by trade-in 458 Italia within the week.
So please be advised that good cars will not hang around, it is not just sales talk. I got my 488 GTB from DL last August before it made the website, I bought it unseen as someone was coming to see it that day. DL sold by trade-in 458 Italia within the week.
findtomdotcom said:
Taffy, that is the kind of spec I am after and at that price it seems a very good idea!
I assume you sold it as the warranty and service pack are due soon? What were your thoughts on owning it?
NB: I have already emailed Harry Bowman @ Swindon
Its a brilliant car and a big step up from the 458 especially in poke and damping. It also sounds very good which surprised me and better than the Pista and F8 IMO. I assume you sold it as the warranty and service pack are due soon? What were your thoughts on owning it?
NB: I have already emailed Harry Bowman @ Swindon
Edited by findtomdotcom on Thursday 22 July 11:10
The only reason its for sale is i've just bought an 812 Superfast and i simply can't justify both either in usage, garage space or financially. To be truthful i'm guessing the price on it based on what my Sales guy said when we did the deal. Its in as new condition apart from some scratches under the front bumper which will be rectified before sale.
Its a May 16 car so still has two free services left and will come with a fresh two year Ferrari warranty from DL. DL Swindon are very good to deal with compared to some other i could mention. I'm only the second owner which is very rare for this type of car.
It doesn't surprise me that they are the top selling Ferrari Dealer in Europe and have been so for a few years.
Thanks very much. I am booked in to see it tomorrow. Taffeta I tried to email you but you have the feature turn off on the forum. Would you mind me chatting to you before seeing it tomorrow? Could you message me your phone number please?
I did think about the 458, what an amazing noise! But I think the 488 just suits me better, love the torque and the few updates etc.
The hard question is, keep the 488 or sell when the Turbo arrives….
I did think about the 458, what an amazing noise! But I think the 488 just suits me better, love the torque and the few updates etc.
The hard question is, keep the 488 or sell when the Turbo arrives….
findtomdotcom said:
Thanks very much. I am booked in to see it tomorrow. Taffeta I tried to email you but you have the feature turn off on the forum. Would you mind me chatting to you before seeing it tomorrow? Could you message me your phone number please?
I did think about the 458, what an amazing noise! But I think the 488 just suits me better, love the torque and the few updates etc.
The hard question is, keep the 488 or sell when the Turbo arrives….
Watch JayEmm's U Tube on the 488 where he compares it to the 992TTS.I did think about the 458, what an amazing noise! But I think the 488 just suits me better, love the torque and the few updates etc.
The hard question is, keep the 488 or sell when the Turbo arrives….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSWZjtdpOBc&t=...
I'll pm you sometime today.
Thanks Taff, fantastic.
I can't stand Jayemm. Who is this odd bloke to tell us all about how good his cars are?
I haven't seen the video but I would guess his conclusion is Ferrari special and 911 boring.... He says the same rubbish every time. Oh and probably gets a mention in there for his Lotus... To be fair, Lotus are awesome.
Tom
I can't stand Jayemm. Who is this odd bloke to tell us all about how good his cars are?
I haven't seen the video but I would guess his conclusion is Ferrari special and 911 boring.... He says the same rubbish every time. Oh and probably gets a mention in there for his Lotus... To be fair, Lotus are awesome.
Tom
Taffy66 said:
Its a brilliant car and a big step up from the 458 especially in poke and damping. It also sounds very good which surprised me and better than the Pista and F8 IMO.
The only reason its for sale is i've just bought an 812 Superfast and i simply can't justify both either in usage, garage space or financially. To be truthful i'm guessing the price on it based on what my Sales guy said when we did the deal. Its in as new condition apart from some scratches under the front bumper which will be rectified before sale.
Its a May 16 car so still has two free services left and will come with a fresh two year Ferrari warranty from DL. DL Swindon are very good to deal with compared to some other i could mention. I'm only the second owner which is very rare for this type of car.
It doesn't surprise me that they are the top selling Ferrari Dealer in Europe and have been so for a few years.
Congrats on the 812 - how does it compare?The only reason its for sale is i've just bought an 812 Superfast and i simply can't justify both either in usage, garage space or financially. To be truthful i'm guessing the price on it based on what my Sales guy said when we did the deal. Its in as new condition apart from some scratches under the front bumper which will be rectified before sale.
Its a May 16 car so still has two free services left and will come with a fresh two year Ferrari warranty from DL. DL Swindon are very good to deal with compared to some other i could mention. I'm only the second owner which is very rare for this type of car.
It doesn't surprise me that they are the top selling Ferrari Dealer in Europe and have been so for a few years.
I loved my 488 but the 812 is in a different league and price bracket unfortunately. A 2016 488 at £150k is a great buy but a nice 812 is about £100k more
The 488 was only meant to fill a gap while i searched for my 812 so i'm pretty biased in my opinion. However at £100k less than what it cost new its great value despite the princely sum. No more everyday luxuries for me in the foreseeable future !.
Despite this i think the 812 is by a huge margin the best car i've ever had the good fortune of owning. Its the first Ferrari i've bought where i feel i could keep it forever. The engine itself is probably worth the money and revs and revs but is also smooth like treacle.
The 488 was only meant to fill a gap while i searched for my 812 so i'm pretty biased in my opinion. However at £100k less than what it cost new its great value despite the princely sum. No more everyday luxuries for me in the foreseeable future !.
Despite this i think the 812 is by a huge margin the best car i've ever had the good fortune of owning. Its the first Ferrari i've bought where i feel i could keep it forever. The engine itself is probably worth the money and revs and revs but is also smooth like treacle.
So a few weeks on and the dealer has now agreed to my £10k lower than asking price offer. Quite excited by this but just wanted to do one final check before signing on the dotted line.
How much of deal is a non-red Ferrari? I don’t want a red one, but am I among the minority? Is it really resale red?
I plan to store it long term when I go overseas next year. I assume that this is usual for Ferrari and as long as they are on a charger, it’s a non issue?
What has been the experience of owners selling their cars back to dealers to buy a new car? I note selling directly looks to have a high cost. Is this the same if you are part-exchanging against a new Ferrari?
How much of deal is a non-red Ferrari? I don’t want a red one, but am I among the minority? Is it really resale red?
I plan to store it long term when I go overseas next year. I assume that this is usual for Ferrari and as long as they are on a charger, it’s a non issue?
What has been the experience of owners selling their cars back to dealers to buy a new car? I note selling directly looks to have a high cost. Is this the same if you are part-exchanging against a new Ferrari?
findtomdotcom said:
So a few weeks on and the dealer has now agreed to my £10k lower than asking price offer. Quite excited by this but just wanted to do one final check before signing on the dotted line.
How much of deal is a non-red Ferrari? I don’t want a red one, but am I among the minority? Is it really resale red?
I plan to store it long term when I go overseas next year. I assume that this is usual for Ferrari and as long as they are on a charger, it’s a non issue?
What has been the experience of owners selling their cars back to dealers to buy a new car? I note selling directly looks to have a high cost. Is this the same if you are part-exchanging against a new Ferrari?
A lot of potential Ferrari buyers are like yourself and avoid a red Ferrari like the plague. I'm not really a fan of the standard Rosso Corsa although the ultra expensive 3/4 layer Rossos are all stunning. Grigios are some of the best colours for Ferraris especially 488s with my favourite being Grigio Ferro with Silverstone a close second.How much of deal is a non-red Ferrari? I don’t want a red one, but am I among the minority? Is it really resale red?
I plan to store it long term when I go overseas next year. I assume that this is usual for Ferrari and as long as they are on a charger, it’s a non issue?
What has been the experience of owners selling their cars back to dealers to buy a new car? I note selling directly looks to have a high cost. Is this the same if you are part-exchanging against a new Ferrari?
Based on my Ferrari dealer the deals I've done are under two separate figures rather then the price to change. The old car being px'ed is given a value from the outset and the price of the new one is negotiated separately. Ultimately its the same as the price to change but IME its done differently at least with my dealings with Dick Lovett.
It depends at the end of the day how desirable they perceive your car to be in both condition, age, spec, owners and colour. Currently 488s sell very well and are wanted by main dealers but might change in a year or so.
Edited by Taffy66 on Wednesday 11th August 15:11
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