Happy New Year then folks, welcome back to the real world. No more biscuits for breakfast, pigs in blankets for lunch and drinking whenever you want. With a nice walk to try and offset it. 2024 is here, and there’s no escaping it - here’s to a happy and healthy one for all of you.
Inevitably there will be some automotive anniversaries to celebrate over the next 12 months; we’ve already taken a look back at some of our favourites launched in 2004. Don’t be surprised if the retrospectives are even more emotional in 2024, too; nostalgia is a powerful tool, and with the future looking so uncertain for those who like fast cars (you might even say unnerving) the past is a safe space for us all to get lost in. What’s coming up can be scary; what we look back on is almost always remembered fondly.
The Ferrari 458 Italia needs no rose tinted specs to be recalled as one of the greats. First seen at the Frankfurt motor show in 2009, it’ll celebrate 15 years in 2024. There are cars out there for sale on 2010 plates, which feels incredible for a car that still looks so modern and which influenced Ferrari for such a long time after its launch.
It’s probably fair to say that modern Ferrari begins with the 458. Prior to this car there were still manual gearboxes, fairly modest power outputs and not so much tech. This car then introduced DCTs for the berlinettas (and they would never look back), an even more advanced suite of driver aids (making for the most thrilling mid-engined berlinetta yet) and a design that immediately made its predecessor look very old indeed. From the 458 Ferrari went from strength to strength, the entire lineup getting a total reinvention with each subsequent replacement from 2009: old-school and awkward 612 became the innovative, interesting four-wheel drive FF, and the 599 was blown away by the lighter, smaller, even more powerful f12. Generational change had never been so great, and the 458 was the first of its kind.
As well as being so good out of the box, the Italia also became the last naturally aspirated V8 from Ferrari, so its legendary status has been assured for a very long time. Residuals have stayed strong as a result, too; if any have been for sale since 2015 for significantly less than £100,000, we’ve not seen them. Which isn’t bad going for a car that was from £170,000 new all those years ago.
This one was a fair bit more than that in 2011, thanks to a £40,000 options spend. That included a lot of carbon and alcantara inside, plus forged wheels. The spec looks sombre in a sea of Rosso Corsa, but then not everyone likes red Ferraris. What everyone does like to see is a full main dealer service history and just two owners - 22k is on the low side as well. Though recently in storage, this 458 had a major service 1,500 miles ago, so should be ready for whatever 2024 has in store.
It’s for sale at £125,000; as might be expected, there are even lower mileage examples for more money, and those with more miles and owners for a bit less. What’s most interesting, however, is that a 458 is now comparable in terms of money to the later, turbocharged 488 - this GTB is five years newer, comparable in terms of mileage, and a smidge over £130k. A tough decision, for sure, because Ferrari took to turbos spectacularly as well. Which would it be?
SPECIFICATION | FERRARI 458 ITALIA
Engine: 4,497cc, V8
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 570@9,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 398@6,000rpm
MPG: 21.2
CO2: 307g/km
First registered: 2011
Recorded mileage: 22,000
Price new: £169,545 (2009, before options)
Yours for: £125,000
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