458 Would you buy a 2013 or hold out for a 2015?

If the 2013 has what you are looking for do not hesitate to get it. My 2014 458 Spider is off the free service plan this year, so a 2015 would basically get you one free oil change.

Rob

 

My 2013 458 Spider has 46K trouble-free miles (by trouble-free I mean one single wheel sensor replaced at $500...that’s it).

 

No changes that I am aware of. I have loved every minute and every mile with my 2014 458 Spider. Absolutely no regrets.

Rob

 

My understanding is the earliest cars have more snap and crackle in the exhaust note. No changes through the lifecycle and yes only annual service is included so why make a decision base on that?

 

I have a 2013 458 Spider. All things being equal, a 2014 or 2015 will cost more up front but be worth more when it's time to sell or trade.
If you plan to collect it rather than drive it, the 15 is probably the one to have. But then it's just garage art and you have missed out on the incredible
experience of driving one.

 

I feel sorry for those that don’t drive these cars. Really drive them.

 

I have a 2013. For me the included maintenance was just a chance for the dealer to get the car in the door and make up things that weren't really wrong with it.

 

If the 2013 clicks all the boxes for you I would jump all over it. The only reason to wait on a 2015 is if you wanted to have the last year in production. Otherwise they’re are no appreciable changes in the 2013-2015 model years. Don’t wait. Life is extremely unpredictable and it’s not a dress rehearsal. Go for it.

 

+1

 

I’m in the process of purchasing a 2013 spider too. I ruled out 11-12s but considered 13-15s. I didn’t stress over the maintenance plan, my bigger decision is whether or not to buy the extended power warranty.

 

I bought the two extended power warranty and 10 months later have not needed it. I've only put about 700 miles on the car though.
I doubt that I will repurchase it at the end of two years unless the car starts to become problematic.

 

What are the reasons people are ruling out 11-12s?

I've heard from some that they're more likely to have the transmission sensor problem but then some swear there is no correlation to model year.

 

I did look at that one but decided to pass.

 

I have a 15 Italia and there is no difference between 13 & 15. Don't even count on Ferrari giving you your last yr. of service free. I was informed by Ferrari in that my 15's date of manufacture was June 2014 they would not honor my 7th & last free service. It's now independent service for me!

 

I would rule out the later models, the earlier you can get the better they sound!

They are super-cheap to maintain (regular services is at least half the price compared to my lambos) so the free maintenance plan should not matter imo.

 

Hello,

I have a ‘15 Italia and I’ve put about 6k miles on it in 1.5 years. It still had four of the “free to me” annual maintenance services left when I purchased it, of which I’ve gotten three completed. Last one (the 7th) will be early next year…

I purchased the two year power warranty when I bought it, which is up early next year as well. I have had zero problems with mechanical issues, so all three annual services were free to me and I have not used the power warranty.

It’s an amazing car and it has been rock solid and reliable for the year and a half that I’ve owned it. I’m not sure if I will extend the power warranty or not when it expires… Like so many things in life, it’s a gamble.

If you have a big issue crop up that’s covered, you’re glad you have the PW. If not, you loose a few thousand £’s and you second guess your decision - maybe…

Cheers!

 

Let me give you some great advice as an owner.

-Don't look at the year, look at SPECS.
-I would buy from official dealer.
-Find a car with +10k miles on it. Major issues already fixed.
-Coupe has no cowl shake and is the drivers' car.
-You want the LED steering wheel.
-SPORT SEATS ARE A MUST.
-...and you don't need the front lift.

You are welcome!

 

I bought my '15 Italia in Ohio and took it to the local dealer for some very minor repairs. The service advisor told me I was lucky to have a '15 because while there are no official changes between '13-'15 they "made the cars better and made minor changes that they never announced."

I'm not sure how true that all is. I suppose even if every single bolt and panel and line of code were exactly the same, you could say that after 5 years of manufacturing they got better at making them. Mario and Luigi on the Maranello floor were more practiced after the 5-year production run.

I have heard that you want to avoid the '10-'11 MY because of tranny issues. Though those are also the years that you had more snap, crackle, and pop in the exhaust.

Personally I would prioritize specs over year. It could take a long time to find the exact specs you want and the difference in MY are really very minor if anything at all.