Discussion
Hey all,
I know there's a long 458 vs 488 thread here but I wanted to ask a different question...
I’ve been going back and forth lately and wanted to get some thoughts from fellow enthusiasts. I'm seriously considering picking up a 458—ideally one with low mileage and a good spec. It hasn’t aged a day visually, and the fact that it’s the last naturally aspirated V8 from Ferrari makes it a future classic, if it isn’t one already.
That said, my main hesitation is around reliability. The car is getting older, and with age comes the risk of expensive issues. I’ve been reading more and more about the potential reliability issues that some 458s have had. I'm also aware that if I end up finding a mint-condition one, after 15k miles, their prices seem to fall off a cliff. I intend to drive this car.
On the flip side, I’ve been eyeing the 488 as well. It’s a newer platform, still incredibly capable, and doesn’t seem to carry the same sort of collector-level “sensitivity” that the 458 does. But then again, the 488 lacks the NA engine.
So, what do you guys think? Is a 458 still a good idea in 2025, or am I better off going for a 488 and just driving the hell out of it without all the collector stress?
Appreciate any input from those who’ve owned or driven both.
I know there's a long 458 vs 488 thread here but I wanted to ask a different question...
I’ve been going back and forth lately and wanted to get some thoughts from fellow enthusiasts. I'm seriously considering picking up a 458—ideally one with low mileage and a good spec. It hasn’t aged a day visually, and the fact that it’s the last naturally aspirated V8 from Ferrari makes it a future classic, if it isn’t one already.
That said, my main hesitation is around reliability. The car is getting older, and with age comes the risk of expensive issues. I’ve been reading more and more about the potential reliability issues that some 458s have had. I'm also aware that if I end up finding a mint-condition one, after 15k miles, their prices seem to fall off a cliff. I intend to drive this car.
On the flip side, I’ve been eyeing the 488 as well. It’s a newer platform, still incredibly capable, and doesn’t seem to carry the same sort of collector-level “sensitivity” that the 458 does. But then again, the 488 lacks the NA engine.
So, what do you guys think? Is a 458 still a good idea in 2025, or am I better off going for a 488 and just driving the hell out of it without all the collector stress?
Appreciate any input from those who’ve owned or driven both.
488 and drive it without stress. 2017/2018 cars will take you to 2032/2033 Ferrari extended warranty option, where as most 458’s are near the end of line warranty options. 488 engine is pretty reliable and looks ok still in 2025. Think aim for a £135/140k Coupe lower mileage car from dealer with 2 year approved warranty. Quite a few made for UK. I do prefer the looks of 458 and the sound.
You'll get more problems with cars that sit around than ones that are driven regularly. My 458 is on just under 25k miles and has just been to Ferrari Manchester for its annual service - not a single item needing attention. A friend has a 458 and an F12, both on about 40k miles (all his miles), and again they are faultless. Find a car you like at a price you're happy with and just drive it.
Don’t get a low mileage one if you want to drive it, well don’t get one anyway. Get one that’s used and way more reliable.
I personally wouldn’t and don’t worry about it. The 458 is great and my slightly biased opinion is that it looks way better with the vents in the rear wing.
It’s more than fast enough.
I personally wouldn’t and don’t worry about it. The 458 is great and my slightly biased opinion is that it looks way better with the vents in the rear wing.
It’s more than fast enough.
I may be tempting fate here but I’ve owned my 458 spider from new in 2013 and, fingers crossed, haven’t had any major expenditure. Front shocks replaced at 6,000 miles under warranty. Indicators failed which was a £1k fix and I also had the “sticky switches” problem with the indicator buttons. Other than that, tyres, brake pads and petrol! The car has been serviced religiously on time by Meridien. While I SORN it for about 4 months each year, during that period at least once a month I get it out on my drive which has enough room to run it around and get everything moving and hot.
Oh, I should have mentioned that a few years ago the glove box failed to open using the button. The Ferrari suggested fix was about £7k. After discussion on PH one poster suggested trying a new battery, which solved the problem.
Oh, I should have mentioned that a few years ago the glove box failed to open using the button. The Ferrari suggested fix was about £7k. After discussion on PH one poster suggested trying a new battery, which solved the problem.
Definitely go higher mileage/used of either example. I’ve been a regular buyer of Ferrari since 1995, been down the garage queen route, won’t again, maintenance issues and values plummeting after driving them, which is all I want to do with them! Catch 22 on values, buy a garage queen 458 and store might see a small or no increase as last of … but you will have maintenance issues, mainly leaking shocks, and the car is about to come off the warranty allowance, or buy a used example with impeccable main dealer or best indie service history, with + 20k mileage and keep driving it. 458 or 488, for me 2 different cars, so whatever your flavour is. Im mainly on the V12 threads and same message, drive them and buy higher mileage examples, Ferrari V12’s are just better for it.
Different question, but leaving all else aside I'd have the 458 in a heartbeat. Just because of 9000 rpm and the sound.
I'd try and get a later one still with extended warranty options, if possible. I've been both lucky and unlucky in the sense that my 458 needed expensive work twice, covered under the Ferrari extended warranty. One thing that came up on the second occasion is that they couldn't figure out the cause of the problem but spent a huge amount of time investigating, and if it turned out to be not covered by warranty, I was into a big number just for that investigative work.
Just because of my experience, I might be more tempted to go 488 because of longer extended warranty options. I appreciate that this may be a minority view. Also the 488 is better on track if you intend to go on track days. I'd really really miss the sound and the rev range though. As a compromise, get a 488 Spider?
I'd try and get a later one still with extended warranty options, if possible. I've been both lucky and unlucky in the sense that my 458 needed expensive work twice, covered under the Ferrari extended warranty. One thing that came up on the second occasion is that they couldn't figure out the cause of the problem but spent a huge amount of time investigating, and if it turned out to be not covered by warranty, I was into a big number just for that investigative work.
Just because of my experience, I might be more tempted to go 488 because of longer extended warranty options. I appreciate that this may be a minority view. Also the 488 is better on track if you intend to go on track days. I'd really really miss the sound and the rev range though. As a compromise, get a 488 Spider?
The cost per mile goes down, the more you drive !
2k miles per year is nothing really. I think currently the sweet spot is a car between 20k and 30k miles.
I’ve had mine for three years. I’ve needed the warranty once. Otherwise pretty much just servicing costs and keeping on top of minor maintenance.
2k miles per year is nothing really. I think currently the sweet spot is a car between 20k and 30k miles.
I’ve had mine for three years. I’ve needed the warranty once. Otherwise pretty much just servicing costs and keeping on top of minor maintenance.
they have gotten quite a bit cheaper, have they not (I don't really follow UK 458 prices)?
If I were in the market, I would probably buy this one - try to get it a little closer to 100k and then just drive it and not worry about values. Got the seats I want and very good service history (change the rims to silver post purchase).
I don't think the standard V8s post 360 sound particularly nice, but still better than the turbo engines.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17435835
If I were in the market, I would probably buy this one - try to get it a little closer to 100k and then just drive it and not worry about values. Got the seats I want and very good service history (change the rims to silver post purchase).
I don't think the standard V8s post 360 sound particularly nice, but still better than the turbo engines.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17435835
Get a 458 that's been driven and looked after. Look for full service history and condition. And watch out for cars that have had mileage blockers / mileage adjustments, quite common with these cars. That's why so many 458s appear to have low mileage. Look for worn seat bolsters, stone chips on windscreen, worn foot pedals etc.
Good luck.
Good luck.
MDL111 said:
they have gotten quite a bit cheaper, have they not (I don't really follow UK 458 prices)?
If I were in the market, I would probably buy this one - try to get it a little closer to 100k and then just drive it and not worry about values. Got the seats I want and very good service history (change the rims to silver post purchase).
I don't think the standard V8s post 360 sound particularly nice, but still better than the turbo engines.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17435835
In my earlier reply I was going to post exactly this car and say wrong wheels, but thought I would be accused of being an Autostore fan boy as I’ve commented on their F12 in the F12 threads. But exactly this car, been up for sale 8 months, on the dot servicing, right mileage and I would be asking for it’s March 2025 service to be done and negotiate the last Ferrari Power 15 Warranty purchase which will take you to July 2026. If both done at £105k, a great buy imhoIf I were in the market, I would probably buy this one - try to get it a little closer to 100k and then just drive it and not worry about values. Got the seats I want and very good service history (change the rims to silver post purchase).
I don't think the standard V8s post 360 sound particularly nice, but still better than the turbo engines.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17435835
There's a guy over on the F12 thread (forum name 'supersport') who wanted to chop his 458 in for the Autostore F12 but they wouldn't take a P/ex. Perhaps the OP should drop him a line.
And as for sticky plastics, it'll come to all the 458s eventually. The rate of deterioration is determined by how much heat and UV they've been exposed to. I've just spent £6k having the sticky plastics sorted in my 2011 37k mile FF.
And as for sticky plastics, it'll come to all the 458s eventually. The rate of deterioration is determined by how much heat and UV they've been exposed to. I've just spent £6k having the sticky plastics sorted in my 2011 37k mile FF.
That'd be me 
Mine might well be up for sale soon, 2013 Spider, Griggio Silverstone, Rosso Corsa full electric seats, black carpets, 25.5K miles, 2 owners.
Had it two and half years, I've done 6K miles in that time and not had any problems. Last year was a bit thin in the middle of the year. Done about 500 miles in the last month, loved all of them.
Mine might well be up for sale soon, 2013 Spider, Griggio Silverstone, Rosso Corsa full electric seats, black carpets, 25.5K miles, 2 owners.
Had it two and half years, I've done 6K miles in that time and not had any problems. Last year was a bit thin in the middle of the year. Done about 500 miles in the last month, loved all of them.
Thanks so much for all the feedback, everyone — really appreciate the insight. It's honestly so refreshing to see how much love the 458 still gets even today. It just reinforces what makes the car so special!
Interestingly, a few of you made great points about not being afraid of higher mileage or more “used” examples. That’s actually made my search much easier since there are way more options out there in that category. I was originally fixated on ultra-low mileage, but if I’m planning to drive and enjoy the car, maybe that’s not the smartest filter.
Quick question for those who’ve been through the buying process — would you still recommend getting a pre-purchase inspection done directly through Ferrari? Or are there smaller independent specialists that are just as (or more) thorough and can be booked for the day to check the car over? I’d want someone who can look closely at typical issues like dampers, gearbox wear, engine health, and potential signs of corrosion. I know mileage tampering isn't common, but it’s still something I’d want verified properly.
I’ve found a couple of examples I’m seriously considering and will list them below shortly. Would love to get your feedback on the specs, pricing, or anything that stands out to you.
Also, is it still worth getting one from Ferrari and having the 2 year warranty peace of mind?
https://www.hrowen.co.uk/used-car/ferrari-458-ital...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505082...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502139...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407081...
Thanks again — you’ve all made this decision a little less intimidating!
Interestingly, a few of you made great points about not being afraid of higher mileage or more “used” examples. That’s actually made my search much easier since there are way more options out there in that category. I was originally fixated on ultra-low mileage, but if I’m planning to drive and enjoy the car, maybe that’s not the smartest filter.
Quick question for those who’ve been through the buying process — would you still recommend getting a pre-purchase inspection done directly through Ferrari? Or are there smaller independent specialists that are just as (or more) thorough and can be booked for the day to check the car over? I’d want someone who can look closely at typical issues like dampers, gearbox wear, engine health, and potential signs of corrosion. I know mileage tampering isn't common, but it’s still something I’d want verified properly.
I’ve found a couple of examples I’m seriously considering and will list them below shortly. Would love to get your feedback on the specs, pricing, or anything that stands out to you.
Also, is it still worth getting one from Ferrari and having the 2 year warranty peace of mind?
https://www.hrowen.co.uk/used-car/ferrari-458-ital...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505082...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502139...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407081...
Thanks again — you’ve all made this decision a little less intimidating!
White Spider stands out on price, but probably because it’s white. 2 year Ferrari warranty. The other cars Coupe look expensive to me but have not been looking at 458 prices for a while. Never heard of Lumen Cars. The car posted above by Supersport is worth a DM to check on his price. Of all the cars you listed, I think that black one at 108 is where I would be going.
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