488 Spider test drive

[buddys dad]

Currently run a 2018 911 turbo.
But theres that "what would a Ferrari be like" itch to be scratched. So went for a drive in this at a local Nottingham OPC.

Stunning car in as new condition, just under 9k miles.
Twin turbo, it drove not a million miles away from the 911. But with a much more F1 soundtrack.
Even with "bumpy road mode" off it was very compliant on its original 2018 Michelins.
The 18 way seats were a problem, seat base too short and not enough lateral support in the seat backs.
Much less sports car & more GT than my 911. Maybe carbon seats would make all the difference????

Colour scheme way too loud for me. As the sales guy said, you will get a LOT of attention (thats not for me)
Have seen a dark metallic grey in the flesh that was stunning & more my style.
But in a perfect world it would be a dark blue/ tan interior.

Sadly on the drive home concluded that my high spec 911 turbo with Panoramic roof does a not dissimilar thing.
The main difference being that intoxicating Ferrari soundtrack.
Maybe it was the seats, or maybe a 458 is worth a try?
Thoughts guys?

[MingtheMerciless]

If you liked the 488's difference to a 911 Turbo try the 458.

Then look for a grey one.

[Trev450]

Suggest you try a 488 with the carbon sports seats as they are a world of difference to the comfort seats.

I shopped around for mine to get one with these seats as it was a deal breaker for me.

[WCZ]

i'd go black 458 with carbon seats tbh, less attention but still super sporty!
or could go mclaren route

[supersport]

You will still find random strangers waving and flashing their headlights at you

But the attention is rarely low level beyond that.

[garystoybox]

458’s going to feel a little slow compared to the 488. Carbon seats transform the interior feel, even more so with a Spider. More interior space, leg room and head room.

[MingtheMerciless]

If you care about such a thing, the 458/488 Spider has some scuttle flex. Only annoying on a track.

458 is not slow. And more fun (IMHO). On a track it's a good 8mph slower on the main straight in Silverstone. Which will be a minority issue.

[buddys dad]

Sounds like the comfort seats are the problem.
So...carbon seats in tan & dark blue paint or grey 488 Spider...hens teeth!

[maura]

I’m 6 3 and can only fit properly in the Carbon Seats in any Ferrari, I also find them comfortable. Grey with Carbon Seats won’t be hens teeth.

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld]

Here’s my old 488, Grigio Silverstone, light interior, carbon sports seats. Savagely fast and very comfortable over long distances. I did about 8k miles in just over a year in it. I also think the 488 looks terrific.

[buddys dad]

Thnx guys
Sounds like the comfort seats are the problem.
So...carbon seats in tan & dark blue paint or grey 488 Spider.

[ANOpax]

buddys dad said:

Currently run a 2018 911 turbo.
But theres that "what would a Ferrari be like" itch to be scratched. So went for a drive in this at a local Nottingham OPC.

Surprised to see so many Ferraris at the Nottingham Official Porsche Centre!

[maura]

buddys dad said:

Thnx guys
Sounds like the comfort seats are the problem.
So...carbon seats in tan & dark blue paint or grey 488 Spider.

Dick Lovett have a Spider Grigio Silverstone one with Carbon Seats, but for me the red inserts and yellow calipers clash for me, would paint the calipers Red.

[Fast Eddie]

ANOpax said:

Surprised to see so many Ferraris at the Nottingham Official Porsche Centre!

They're the loaners they need for the Porsche breakdowns

Runs for cover .......

[buddys dad]

Fast Eddie said:

They're the loaners they need for the Porsche breakdowns

Runs for cover .......

OOOOps OPC force of habit that one.

[6208]

buddys dad said:

The 18 way seats were a problem, seat base too short and not enough lateral support in the seat backs.
Much less sports car & more GT than my 911. Maybe carbon seats would make all the difference????

Electric Seats = less leg room / recline, high driving position.
Racing Seats = more leg room / recline, low driving position.
Racing Seat with Lifter = same leg room / recline, the seat sits slightly higher at its lowest position.

What worked for me best was the Racing Seat (no lifter), The racing seat also had to be size large, and my preference was Goldrake for the style of seat.

[6208]

[supersport]

maura said:

buddys dad said:

Thnx guys
Sounds like the comfort seats are the problem.
So...carbon seats in tan & dark blue paint or grey 488 Spider.

Dick Lovett have a Spider Grigio Silverstone one with Carbon Seats, but for me the red inserts and yellow calipers clash for me, would paint the calipers Red.

My 458 is Silverstone with Yellow callipers, I really like them.

[Trev450]

6208 said:

buddys dad said:

The 18 way seats were a problem, seat base too short and not enough lateral support in the seat backs.
Much less sports car & more GT than my 911. Maybe carbon seats would make all the difference????

Electric Seats = less leg room / recline, high driving position.
Racing Seats = more leg room / recline, low driving position.
Racing Seat with Lifter = same leg room / recline, the seat sits slightly higher at its lowest position.

What worked for me best was the Racing Seat (no lifter), The racing seat also had to be size large, and my preference was Goldrake for the style of seat.

OP - from my searches when I was in the market last year I found that all cars with racing seats were size large and most came without height adjusters. This is probably due to the fact that this is an option in addition to the cost of the seat at around £1500 which for something you'd use once is a tad salty.
Being quite short (5' 6"), the height adjuster was on my list of 'must haves' but having found my ideal car but without said adjuster, a search revealed that Hill Engineering in Essex do a kit for about £200 and that solved my problem.

[maura]

supersport said:

My 458 is Silverstone with Yellow callipers, I really like them.

Love the Yellow Calipers, had them on all my Ferraris and Lambo, but my internal colouring would be yellow stitch or Grigio or white. On my F8 Spider I changed to red calipers and went Red Stich, yellow would have looked odd to me, but maybe it just me and OCD’s.. lol. I will post the Dick Lovett car for OP and you can see the red inserts in the Carbon Fibre seat and exterior yellow calipers. Was just saying cheaper to paint calipers red then the cost of interior change.