2019 Portofino vs. 2015 458 Spider

Depends on the actual track. The 458 has superior mid-engine handling, which gives it an advantage in the turns, but the Porto may make some of that up in the straights. So on some tracks the Porto might win, but on most the 458 has a clear edge.

That said, there is so much more that goes into it. Suspension design and setup, weight, weight distribution, braking, tires, alignment setup, and the list goes on and on. I don't know much about either car, but out of the box the Porto is not a design that lends itself to being a track beast, whereas the 458 is.

 

If your sole criteria for buying a car is how fast it is round the track you might need to look elsewhere as neither is a racing car

 

Frankly, using a Ferrari as a track car only makes sense if you don't mind burning Franklins by the barrelful.

 

Buy a cheaper car for the track, one you can drive at 9/10 and is cheaper to maintain; you will have a lot more fun. I know a guy with a 360 Spider and an older Z06, he has a great time with the Z06 on the track. SOme people even recommend spec Miatas for the track.

As far as 458 vs Portofino: totally different. I would never trade my 458 for the Portofino, as the Porto is more for touring.

 

If I were inclined to track a car I'd do an older Porsche 911 or a Cayman personally..

Ferrari is just too comparatively expensive for that same experience IMHO.

 

From my understanding of the 458 design process was that it was designed for the track and street from the beginning. Previous Challenge cars, the 348, 355, 360 and 430 were street cars modded for the track. The 458 had track in mind from the start rather than after the fact. IMHO the 458 is the best V-8 and chassis ever built. Certainly the newer amazing cars....Pista, F8 and the SF90 are superior in performance..but I think the 458 will be considered the classic in about 10 years.

 

The 458 Speciale remains one of my most fun and easy cars to turn laps on the track. The Portofino never was. It is much about weight and designed purpose. The Porto was always just a GT car whereas when released, the 458 was arguably the best car available to track for a street car. There is no hesitation or question in my mind that the 458 base car would be more fun on a track than a Porto.

 

Brakes for example. The get new disks + pads all around, you are probably looking at 24KUSD (some others might have more accurate numbers). Then a new bumper on a Ferrari will set you back 5000 USD. Probably 5 times cheaper with a Z06. Track takes its toll on cars and that's not only about brakes and tires. You might end up in the gravel one day, and I'd rather have that happening in a modded Cayman, Z06 or even Miata, than in a Ferrari.

 

what is your purpose of wanting a Ferrari?

458 is a sports car, portfolino is a leisure GT car albeit fast. One is NA engine, one is turbo. One is mid engine, one is front. One is not convertible, one is. One is 2 seats, one is 2+2. One is instantly recognized as a Ferrari, one may not be. one is apple, one is orange, but both are fruits.

Also please try to test drive both cars, see it for yourself, so that you can ask more sophisticated questions to receive more sophisticated answers that are important for a decision making process to buy a 200k toy.

Buy a car based on specs alone is not advised if you want to be a car enthusiast. So this all go back to the first question. What is your purpose? For show, Lambo in Verdes variant color will win for miles. For tracks, see answers above.

Calling @paulchua to chime in.

 

I say 5 to 7 years given how fast the electric cars are shoved into our faces.

 

My Porto is amazing on day to day and tour events, had a blast at a 3 day public fast day track day as well, very little wear on tyres and brakes drove at 75%.
My mate owns a Pista, had a 458, ordered 812gts, and loves driving my porto. Said if he had to have 1, and wanted to share the experience for short burst passengers in the back- it’s a porto.



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Not sure where you got that the Portofino is quicker in 0-60 than a 458. They are basically the same. But I can tell you the 458 feels much quicker when driving than the Portofino. We have a Portofino and a 458. Given a choice, I will always head to the 458. The 458 also has race mode, the Portofino does not. I love our Portofino, but I loved the 458 more.

 

Depends what you like to do. I just got home yesterday after driving my Porto 900 miles, hitting 3 of the best roads in the US and I arrived back home fresh and relaxed.

Old Spiral Highway (inspiration for the song Hot Rod Lincoln) 64 hairpin curves in about 6 miles.
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Then Hwy 12 over Lolo Pass. No pics because I was too busy driving, but it's 200 miles of 40 mph marked sweepers on a mostly deserted and well paved road through a beautiful river valley. I drove 3 straight hours at the limit of my ability and was so exhausted (and happy!) I slept 9 hours that night (I usually sleep 5-6 hours).

Next, spent a day driving Going to the Sun Rd and hiking.
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After that, top back up, Spotify and Waze engaged, drove 300 miles of 80+mph Montana backroads to get home.

For this type of trip IMHO, the Portofino is the best car in the world. What would be better?

 

If you want to consistently track a Ferrari then you should look at challenge cars.

If you want a Ferrari that will be very easy to live with, very wife or significant other friendly, fast, relatively comfortable good looking, fun to drive and very nice, that is the Portofino. If you want a Ferrari to be a FERRARI, be exhilarating, exotic, life affirming, a few more daily type compromises, that is the 458. (note the 458 is not uncomfortable)

I think they did a fabulous job on the Portofino, but it is, in a relative sense, a lifestyle car- it is very capable and in the right hands will leave most other cars in the dust. But, the 458 is one of the all time great Ferraris. (I've owned both)

 

I agree with the difference in experience between the two and the 458 is not only an iconic Ferrari but an appreciating asset these days. I've never owned one but I lust for one. I have owned several track or very hard edged street cars including a '73 Carrera RS with Recaro racing shells, 4 point harnesses and manual everything including brakes. That thing was an adrenaline pump, you felt you were risking your life going 30 mph and your heartrate would hit 130bpm going to the grocery store, lol.

To me a Portofino is the ultimate GT car, a car for those that love going places and love the drive itself to get there. They are made to actually be driven places, not just short bursts for the fun of it. I think of it as the Ferrari version of a 911 Turbo, while the 458/488/F8 is more like a GT3.

The 458 in my mind at least is more of a special weekend event. Meet up with a few folks, talk cars, go for a drive for an hour or two and enjoy the engine note, bring it back home and wipe it down.

I think folks will be happiest with whatever car they choose when they are honest with what is important to them. For me these days, that's going on drives like the above. I couldn't take a 458 simply because it doesn't have the room to take 2 people's stuff including a cooler, hiking gear, etc.

I do wish Ferrari made a harder edged hardtop convertible with a bit more storage though. Maybe I need to drive an 812 GTS..

 

I got the chance to drive the new Portofino M at Cauley Ferrari a couple of months ago. They finally put a real kick in the torque. It will snap your head back when you put your foot on the go-pedal. It’s the first Porto that I have really liked.

 

drove the portofino m a few weeks ago. not anywhere comparable to the emotion and looks of the 458 spider.

 

Gone from a Portofino to a 812.... now hoping to pick up the last GTS order...[emoji173]️[emoji170] Image Unavailable, Please Login


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