Which Car & Why - 458 Speciale or 911 S/T (for same money)

Which Car & Why - 458 Speciale or 911 S/T (for same money)

Author
Discussion

PaulCar1

Original Poster:

22 posts

22 months

Saturday 28th December 2024
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If you had the option of buying either of the above cars for £310k, which would you go for, and why?

Let’s ignore that the S/T on average is listed for more than the Speciale. Hype and early cars on the market are likely driving the higher premium, so I expect both of these cars to be similarly priced within the next 12 months, and likely follow the same price trends on into the future.

The Speciale is the last of the naturally aspirated ‘limited’ edition mid engined Ferrari, and the S/T is very likely to be Porsche’s last naturally aspirated ‘limited edition’ 911. I can’t see Porsche managing to release another ‘limited edition’ N/A car again? Both have relatively similar units (circa 1850 and 1963).

Therefore I see both cars as very similar cars, albeit 10 years apart.

That’s my view… what is yours and which would you go for?

MDL111

7,395 posts

189 months

Saturday 28th December 2024
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I thought there were closer to 3k Speciales built, but I might be wrong.
I think I would get the manual car personally, especially for road driving.

maura

363 posts

35 months

Saturday 28th December 2024
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There were 3500 Speciales built give or take 100 either side, not 1850, so the numbers are irrelevant to the question. Not driven a S/T but have driven both recent tourings so could imaginevthe S/T, so at same price I’m keeping the Speciale.

PaulCar1

Original Poster:

22 posts

22 months

Saturday 28th December 2024
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maura said:
There were 3500 Speciales built give or take 100 either side, not 1850, so the numbers are irrelevant to the question. Not driven a S/T but have driven both recent tourings so could imaginevthe S/T, so at same price I’m keeping the Speciale.
I wasn’t aware there was circa twice as many Speciale’s built as the S/T. The number I read seems to be left hand drives and excludes the Aperta numbers.

I have a 992 Touring and have driven the S/T… they are quite a different car, especially how responsive and ‘revy’ the engine is, due to the flywheel and clutch setup.

The Speciale is one of the most beautiful cars in the world to look at, and seems to get better as the years pass.

Completely torn on which I’d go for.

TurboTerrific9

475 posts

173 months

Saturday 28th December 2024
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Not driven the S/T so that could well be another level, although have owned a 911R and a Speciale, and dispite loving manual gearboxes the Speciale is such a better car in almost every way. Yes the 911R is a wonderful 911 but I struggle to see it at the same value proposition.

gunner

736 posts

242 months

Saturday 28th December 2024
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Speciale all day long...

SydneyBridge

9,796 posts

170 months

Saturday 28th December 2024
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gunner said:
Speciale all day long...
This
Evo best drivers car of the last 25 years

Edited by SydneyBridge on Saturday 28th December 21:56

stuthemongoose

2,434 posts

229 months

Saturday 28th December 2024
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SydneyBridge said:
gunner said:
Speciale all day long...
This
As above.

Unless you need a daily in which case…, agh f it. Daily the speciale.

AndrewD

7,612 posts

296 months

Sunday 29th December 2024
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I don’t get the love of the Speciale at all. I was expecting it to be to the 458 what the GTO was to the 599 but no chance of that. And it is pretty quiet. But the steering is just awful, typical modern Ferrari overly light and not much feedback. Sold mine within a few months and don’t regret it. I’d rather have a standard 458 and save a bucket of cash.
Not driven the S/T and I hope it is as good as many people say it is as mine arrives in February if the system is to be believed.

av185

20,278 posts

139 months

Sunday 29th December 2024
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Pista?

garystoybox

825 posts

129 months

Sunday 29th December 2024
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AndrewD said:
I don’t get the love of the Speciale at all. I was expecting it to be to the 458 what the GTO was to the 599 but no chance of that. And it is pretty quiet. But the steering is just awful, typical modern Ferrari overly light and not much feedback. Sold mine within a few months and don’t regret it. I’d rather have a standard 458 and save a bucket of cash.
Not driven the S/T and I hope it is as good as many people say it is as mine arrives in February if the system is to be believed.
Couldn’t agree more. Always promised myself one and when prices dipped in to the £260’s a few years back test drove one at my dealers and was left a bit deflated. Sounded nothing special and definitely not worth twice the price of a regular 458. Looked great though.

gunner

736 posts

242 months

Sunday 29th December 2024
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It's like any car, horses for courses, I feel true magic at my fingertips in my Speciale. I have the greatest respect for Porsche. I have owned at least 50 in all their iterations and certainly every type of GT3 since the very beginning. Some I've liked more than others but every GT3 is formidable. and I love my ST. Although I've only done 1300 miles so barely run in. But in the end it's another (0versized imo) 911 all be it a very good one. I fully expect the new GT3 to be all but identical and another great car, but the feeling I get in my Speciale is one when I can literally feel the car is breathing with me on any decent road. The only other car I've felt that in recently is my Sterrato (insanely good car) which clearly doesn't push many people's buttons. Never even seen another on the road.

It's the old story. Try both if you can, then decide.

PinkHouse

2,103 posts

69 months

Monday 30th December 2024
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av185 said:
Pista?
This all day

av185

20,278 posts

139 months

Monday 30th December 2024
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Yep you can see the value in them at the current levels.

Don't think I could sink the kind of money needed into the much older Speciale at their current frankly insane levels.

Chris355

823 posts

208 months

Tuesday 31st December 2024
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Take me a second to make this decision; Speciale every time! Although, as someone else says; I’d actually buy a pista.

Trev450

6,528 posts

184 months

Tuesday 31st December 2024
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Question for the OP, what type of use will you be using the car for?

My own personal choice would be the Speciale, but if you haven't driven one yet or have only had a relatively short drive, you may not be aware that they are quite hardcore and not something you would want to drive long distances in or use on a regular basis. There will likely be some who will disagree with this observationbut I should point out that,my daily is a GR Yaris with KW suspension so I am more than used to a firm ride and cars with little sound deadening.

sunnym3

154 posts

244 months

Tuesday 31st December 2024
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Just to throw in a curve ball, I would consider the challenge Stradale. Much more of a raw experience and compared to the Speciale, still under priced imo.