458 - Pics of my 458 and my buying experience | FerrariChat

458 Pics of my 458 and my buying experience

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Defender 90, May 4, 2020.

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  1. Defender 90

    Defender 90 Rookie

    Oct 21, 2019
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    Chicago, IL
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    Dennis
    #1 Defender 90, May 4, 2020
    Hello,
    After 4 months of research and actively shopping I picked up my 458 in Florida this week. Thanks to all the members who add content, you (and the search function ) were key to me getting my 1-owner, Rosso Corsa on Nero race seats spec.
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    I am coming from a Model S and a BMW i8 so the sound, OMG she is glorious when she sings. The power and seems limitless and she is so nasty, in a good way, and so fun.

    I took these pics around Miami but she is being shipped to my home near Chicago. I am looking forward to adding to the community and paying it forward. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login


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  2. tekaefixe

    tekaefixe Formula 3

    May 10, 2012
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    #2 tekaefixe, May 4, 2020
    Biutifo! Congrati!
     
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  3. Defender 90

    Defender 90 Rookie

    Oct 21, 2019
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    Dennis
    #3 Defender 90, May 4, 2020
    In terms of my buying experience, in full candor, it was harder than I anticipated. It took 4 months and tons of FerrariChat, YouTube and Google to ensure I was getting the right 458.

    I am big on aesthetics and, although I was open to most interior and exterior combos but 1/3 of the listings had combos that were just not my cup of tea. Being that the 458 is unique the lack of one or two options was a deal breaker. Lastly, condition of the car in person vastly differed from the online pictures. I probably saw 6 cars in person, flew to a couple, and 2 were in rough shape.

    I did enjoy the test drives and the knowledge gained. Picking my car up at the dealership I talked to some owners who were hanging around waiting for service. They gave me so much information, told me how to use the tender, how to warm the car and told me that my 458 is meant to be driven spiritedly, to have fun with her and put some miles on her. I’m definitely on board for the former two points, we’ll see about the latter .


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  4. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie
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    #4 Carnut, May 4, 2020
    Very nice car, your first from what I gather is a big deal. Enjoy
     
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  5. Defender 90

    Defender 90 Rookie

    Oct 21, 2019
    34
    Chicago, IL
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    Dennis
    #5 Defender 90, May 4, 2020
    Thank you. Yes, she is my first and I had to make sure I made the right choice. 4k miles with the exact spec I wanted. Bonus was tiny built-in 9500ci Escort Passport and front and mirror PPF.

    Surprisingly, most dealers barely budged on price (from February to right now). However, I ended up getting a few thousand off. I was upfront, nice, concise and showed them proof that I could purchase it. Nope, most said price listed is the price you pay maybe a couple grand off.

    I can understand why the 458 is so beloved. It’s amazing and I am obsessed with my new toy.


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  6. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
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    #6 italiafan, May 4, 2020
    Last edited: May 4, 2020
    Dennis,
    Beautiful car ( nice pix) and it a was pleasure chatting with you at the dealership. I had an almost identical 2011 458 Italia and loved it for many happy miles (~24K) before trading it for my Speciale.
    These cars are generally very well built and function better with regular use IMO.
    I’ll repeat my advice:
    1. Always warm up car thoroughly before going over 4K rpm, oil temp (not water temp) > 150F.
    2. Never lug an engine; that means no heavy demands on engine below power band: “don’t stomp on it when in higher gear and at 2000rpm.”
    3. Drive the car, it is an amazing machine. It is primarily kinetic art.
    4. Oh, bonus, don’t ever ever skip routine maintenance, get the annual service done.

    Enjoy in good health!
    Nice meeting you.
     
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  7. Jo Sta7

    Jo Sta7 F1 Rookie
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    #7 Jo Sta7, May 4, 2020
    Beautiful car! So pumped you found what you wanted. I think your spec is terrific.
     
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  8. Defender 90

    Defender 90 Rookie

    Oct 21, 2019
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    Dennis
    #8 Defender 90, May 4, 2020
    Nice meeting you and thank you. Great idea to reiterate for future owners. Your F12 sounds great!

    May I please ask if you have any advice on how to drive her and what to do on long highway drives. Am I supposed to vary speed and or RPM or just cruise at the same speed in Auto? I drove from Naples to Miami and that constant drone made me feel like I may be hurting her. Image Unavailable, Please Login



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  9. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
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    #9 italiafan, May 4, 2020
    You are definitely not hurting the car on long highway drives, no need to vary speeds at 4K miles it is broken in.
    I have done many thousands of highway miles on long road trips in my 458 Spider and I usually plunk into 7th gear and just drive like a normal citizen. No issues. I always keep my car in race mode, but on highway will put in “bumpy road” mode just for comfort.
    Btw...that was my 812SF. :)
     
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  10. Defender 90

    Defender 90 Rookie

    Oct 21, 2019
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    #10 Defender 90, May 4, 2020
    Thanks so much. I was about to give up on the 458 and get a Cali T or 488 (both great cars as well) as it was easier to find the spec I wanted in the latter two models. Then I saw a new listing pop up. FerrariChatters are right, in time the right spec will come to you.

    It was like Harry Potter’s wand choosing him. It was meant to be and Ferrari of Tampa Bay had been great so far (there is one lingering issue that they promised to resolve; I trust they’ll pull through).

    To any potential owners out there my advice is that compromises are for relationships not your dream car.


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  11. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
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    #11 italiafan, May 4, 2020
    General advice for driving, once warm.
    Sport or Race mode depending on your confidence and skill (Race can let you “slip and slide” a little and if you aren’t prepared for that can be disconcerting.
    Manual mode is best, it’s a sports car. Though I have used auto if on phone or in lengthy discussion with passenger.
    Bumpy Road mode can be your friend on bad surfaces and I use it often.
    I like to keep the rpm in the power band (except on highway cruising); that means typically engine always above 3K rpm...that is why cars have gears.
    Careful of wet and cold ceramic brakes, they don’t work as well. When driving off and warming up cold car, particularly if raining, makes sure you get in some brake pumps early on. I’ve even “dragged” my brake pedal a bit to get them hotter and drier quicker.
     
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  12. Defender 90

    Defender 90 Rookie

    Oct 21, 2019
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    #12 Defender 90, May 4, 2020
    Thanks and, LOL, my newness is showing . Great 812SF!

    I have not tried race mode yet. I am easing myself into her. Bumpy road mode worked nicely though.

    Man, I have to work today. I just want to drive around some backroads right now. From the driver’s seat, I love how her fender’s bulge and how elegantly sculpted the side mirrors are. It’s pure perfection.


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  13. Defender 90

    Defender 90 Rookie

    Oct 21, 2019
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    #13 Defender 90, May 4, 2020
    This is great info; thanks. Somehow I missed the threads regarding the brakes.

    I’m doing sport mode for the next week or so. Build confidence and get to know her quirks. Race mode seems fun as heck and I can’t wait!

    The car feels modern but I just discovered it has a CD disk changer. Time to go in my basement and find my The Killers and Blink 182 CDs .


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  14. AlfistaPortoghese

    AlfistaPortoghese Moderator
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    #14 AlfistaPortoghese, May 4, 2020
    Fantastic photos of a fantastic Ferrari.

    Enjoyed every word of your review and every photo.

    Wish you many miles of happiness behind the wheel of one of the best Ferraris of all time in its 70+ years of history. Enjoy in good health!

    Rack up miles in that baby!

    Kind regards,

    Nuno.
     
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  15. jomarti1

    jomarti1 Karting

    Feb 27, 2017
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    S. Florida
    #15 jomarti1, May 4, 2020
    Enjoy it!!
     
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  16. 3POINT8

    3POINT8 F1 Rookie
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    #16 3POINT8, May 4, 2020
    congrats!
     
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  17. FFan5

    FFan5 Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2018
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    #17 FFan5, May 4, 2020
    For highway driving.... I strongly encourage taking your Model S. I enjoy my Tesla much more on highways than the 458. It is the better tool for the job. If I am driving out to some nice backroads, I still prefer to take backroads to get to the backroads. :-D
     
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  18. Graz

    Graz Formula 3

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    #18 Graz, May 4, 2020
    And the great thing about the 458 is it’s like the first time every time you drive it. Be responsible but don’t baby it. It loves to be pushed. Congrats on a beautiful car and welcome to the addiction. Drive it often in good health. Remember this life is no dress rehearsal!
     
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  19. Defender 90

    Defender 90 Rookie

    Oct 21, 2019
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    #19 Defender 90, May 4, 2020
    I agree with you. We drove from Tampa to Naples to Miami and that engine drone kind of got old after an hour.

    I am probably putting 1k-2k miles, per year, on her so the limited miles that I do log will be on nice and curvy backroads.


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  20. Defender 90

    Defender 90 Rookie

    Oct 21, 2019
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    #20 Defender 90, May 4, 2020
    Thanks Nuno. When researching I appreciated your comments and insights.

    I plan on putting 1-2k miles on her per year. But I will make those miles count! The FerrariChat Midwest Chicago forum has a cruise this Saturday. I will be attending that and I plan to update this thread with pics of it. My bold prediction: 2/3rds of the cars will Rosso Corsa and Giallo Modena; and it will be awesome!

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  21. Rexcat458

    Rexcat458 Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2019
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    #21 Rexcat458, May 4, 2020
    Congratulations on your first Ferrari! I recently purchased my first Ferrari this past December in Atlanta and drove it home to the Houston area in an awesome seventeen and a half hour drive, stopping only for fuel and comfort stops.

    The engine “music” was one of the best things about my solo drive home. You will find the 458 is an epic experience that will always put a smile on your face and exceed your highest expectations! Cheers bruddah!

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  22. Natkingcolebasket69

    Natkingcolebasket69 F1 World Champ

    Jul 2, 2017
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    #22 Natkingcolebasket69, May 4, 2020
    Beautiful enjoy!


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  23. Nsd991

    Nsd991 Formula Junior

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    #23 Nsd991, May 4, 2020
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  24. Fireman1291

    Fireman1291 Formula Junior

    Oct 30, 2017
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    #24 Fireman1291, May 4, 2020
    Who was your salesman at Ferrari Tampa Bay? I never even saw your car there or I would have bought it LOL.
     
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  25. Ianjoub

    Ianjoub Formula Junior

    Dec 22, 2019
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    #25 Ianjoub, May 4, 2020
    Congrats!

    I spent 2 months in sport mode until I felt comfortable with mine. I then went to CT off and haven't changed it since. I have put 8k on mine in 4 months now. Oddly enough, it seems I will only get 8k out of tire sets :D.
     
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