Thoughts on buying a 488 vs a 458 Speciale'? What would you take? | FerrariChat
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Thoughts on buying a 488 vs a 458 Speciale'? What would you take?

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by s4play, Jan 29, 2018.

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  1. s4play

    s4play Karting

    Oct 25, 2006
    170
    #1 s4play, Jan 29, 2018
    Been dabbling with this choice as I currently drive a Huracan / NSX. Love both cars for various reasons but keeping the NSX, and putting the Huracan on consignment now.

    Price aside, which car would you rather pick?

    I like the modern updates on the 488 but I think the sound on the 458 is preferable. Found a super nice Speciale with under 1000 miles so thinking that would be a more proper collective car next to my vintage NSX.....


    Curious why 488 owners picked the 488 instead of a 458 Speciale?


    thanks guys!

    quick pick of my rides now, please share pics of your 488 or 458 to help me decide!!!

    [​IMG]
     
    dhari and saraojo like this.
  2. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Veteran

    Jan 21, 2017
    5,653
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    #2 LVP488, Jan 29, 2018
    I made this decision more than 2 years ago - at which time the 458 Speciale was only marginally more expensive than the 488 GTB (both new).
    As an investment the Speciale would have been a better choice, since it's kept its value far better; however I do not regret chosing the 488.
    Coming from a series of 12-cylinder Ferrari (Testarossa, 550, 575 and 599) I never appreciated the typical character of the Ferrari V8 (power only coming with high rev), but the turbochargers changed that - of course it does not impress people loving the high revving V8, but for me it's welcome.
    The 488 is also faster than the Speciale in any conditions, in spite of being more refined (it's not an incredible feat since it has more power, which might be considered unfair - but still...)
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  3. obbob

    obbob Formula Junior
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    Aug 14, 2017
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    #3 obbob, Jan 29, 2018
    Speciale for me. It’s a no brainer for me. The Speciale feels so much more raw and exciting in every sense of driving. I felt the 488 lacks a lot of the theater that the Speciale has.

    The Speciale is not as fast, but are you buying a Ferrari for the numbers or the experience?

    Also the modern updates on the 488 are minimal. Better infotainment graphics and an updated SSC software are the ones off the top of my head. I felt the Speciale gearbox was actually faster than the 488 GTB, despite being older

    With that said, a 488 GTB is near $100k less than a 458 Speciale now, so it depends a lot on your budget. I doubt you would regret either.
     
  4. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
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    #4 italiafan, Jan 29, 2018
  5. saraojo

    saraojo Formula 3

    Mar 9, 2015
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    #5 saraojo, Jan 29, 2018
    Italiafan Do have two speciale?
     
  6. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
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    #6 italiafan, Jan 29, 2018
    Nope, just the one. The garage is my friend's house...
     
  7. AlfistaPortoghese

    AlfistaPortoghese Moderator
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    Mar 18, 2014
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    #7 AlfistaPortoghese, Jan 29, 2018
    Both!

    If not possible, take the special or limited edition over the mainstream.

    Kind regards,

    Nuno.
     
  8. saraojo

    saraojo Formula 3

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    #8 saraojo, Jan 29, 2018
    In your case I would definitely go with a white speciale to go with your NSX. Especially if you dont plan to drive it much.
     
  9. Finlander

    Finlander Formula 3
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    #9 Finlander, Jan 29, 2018

    Which front spoiler and side skirt is that on the Huracan?
     
  10. Napoli

    Napoli Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2017
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    #10 Napoli, Jan 29, 2018
    All things considered, 488 all day, every day.
     
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  11. Ferrari 308 GTB

    Ferrari 308 GTB F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2015
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    #11 Ferrari 308 GTB, Jan 29, 2018
    I would pick the Speciale.

    Which ever you go for wait a bit longer until the 488 VS is finally launched and the trade in's start to ramp up.Likely to be some quite large drop in values.
     
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  12. Afonsolaw

    Afonsolaw Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2011
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    #12 Afonsolaw, Jan 29, 2018
    Speciale!
     
  13. dustman

    dustman F1 World Champ
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    #13 dustman, Jan 29, 2018
    I don’t know.
    488 spider sounds really deep and loud and is so much quicker.
    Speciale is an aura car, but doesn’t sound as good as a base Italia.
    You may find the Speciale too down on power for your needs.
    I bought or tried them all....please do same as everybody has diff tastes.
     
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  14. Solid State

    Solid State F1 World Champ
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    #14 Solid State, Jan 29, 2018
    Just for kicks, how much is the estimate to replace turbos on an out of warrantee 488? Kind of a hot potato for the unlucky last owner. Anything spinning that fast, getting that hot and coming in a yellow box accompanied by several printed white pages just won't seem that Speciale.
     
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  15. stavura

    stavura Formula 3

    Sep 1, 2016
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    #15 stavura, Jan 30, 2018
    As amazing and as special as the speciale is, I'd say 488 all the way.
     
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  16. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
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    #16 Need4Spd, Jan 30, 2018
    Want the fastest and newest, then 488. Or better yet, a (gasp) Huracan Performante. But if you want a car that is more likely to be closer in value to the price you pay for it, Speciale. The Speciale is also...more special!
     
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  17. dustman

    dustman F1 World Champ
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    #17 dustman, Jan 30, 2018
    I have a Perf Spider incoming and it’s less than a used Speciale....and a much much more exciting car!
     
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  18. ChrisPM

    ChrisPM Karting

    May 29, 2007
    75
    #18 ChrisPM, Jan 30, 2018
    If I was fortunate enough to have the choice I would buy the speciale. Requires less than a second to make that decision for me.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  19. s4play

    s4play Karting

    Oct 25, 2006
    170
    #19 s4play, Jan 30, 2018
    thanks fellas - keep the pics coming, I've always been a N/A motor guy though lately it seems turbo's are taking over with all the govt. regulations :(

    My s2000, NSX, and my past few m3's have all been NA, only my most recent M3 has turbos and I do admit it's a bit intoxicating. Test drove the new 720s and no doubt it's crazy fast but lacks "soul" which is kinda hard to explain.

    I bought the Huracan for the looks + sound of the amazing V10 so for me exhaust note is very important. I do like the thrust of the turbos too, decisions decisions!

    I've never driven a 458 Speciale' or even rode in one so it's hard to make that decision right now. Anyone in the NorCal SF bay have one they would be willing to take me for a spin? PM me
     
  20. s4play

    s4play Karting

    Oct 25, 2006
    170
    #20 s4play, Jan 30, 2018
    It's all part of the MAD Hydra dry carbon aero kit which also includes the rear decklid and wing, really gives the car a different look and sets it apart from every other Huracan out there, love it!

    I also have the EuroBoutique matching carbon fiber steering wheel and Lambo factory "Race" exhaust which sounds deeper than the Performante' setup.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  21. Dolceexte

    Dolceexte Formula 3

    Dec 20, 2015
    1,008
    #21 Dolceexte, Jan 30, 2018
    Would have loved to! Sold both...

    I would say the following:

    488 - faster for sure and great to drive
    458S - not as fast but feels amazing

    Aggressive look of 458S wins
     
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  22. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
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    #22 Caeruleus11, Jan 30, 2018
    How about:
    Get 458 Speciale drive, enjoy, if you are wanting more, then you could look for a 488 GTB or see about getting a 488 VS (version speciale- they will name it at some point in the near future). As @Need4Spd points out- the Speciale will hold its value better. If you want that 488 GTB, it will be on the market and you will get in at a lower price so my guess is trading out of the 458 Speciale wouldn't be a terrible hit at all.

    The other way 488 GTB-> 458 Speciale would likely be more costly.

    Personally, I like the tighter focus on driving in the 458 Speciale mission statement.

    PS your Huracan looks mean!
     
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  23. DavidJames1

    DavidJames1 Formula 3

    Mar 6, 2010
    1,772
    Bangkok, Thailand
    #23 DavidJames1, Jan 30, 2018
    Don’t think you can go wrong either way - 458 is last NA V8 and 488 is last V8 assuming the Portofino and Lusso go down the same engine path at the end of next year.
     
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  24. twist-a-grip

    twist-a-grip Karting

    Oct 25, 2013
    238
    #24 twist-a-grip, Jan 30, 2018
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    I’m biased, but having driven or owned most of the major players in the 500-700 hp car club that have come out over the last 8-10 years, I think the Speciale is the best of the bunch. You’ll lose less on a Speciale and get the NA motor you prefer.

    If I wasn't so cheap, I'd hire a photographer so I didn't have to use dealer pics of my car. I'd have some great shots like you have of your Huracan.
     
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  25. s4play

    s4play Karting

    Oct 25, 2006
    170
    #25 s4play, Jan 30, 2018
    Your car looks STUNNING, so jelly right now! I love white cars and looking at this Speciale in white just makes me jelly!


    Been looking at this pretty special white Speciale, any of you have thoughts on the car or know the history behind it? Would this be a good collector car with such low miles and the special Tri Colore stripes:

    https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=471904972&zip=94588&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D94588%26modifySearchId%3D112068358%26extColorsSimple%3DWHITE%26startYear%3D2012%26vehicleStyleCodes%3DCOUPE%26incremental%3Dall%26endYear%3D2015%26modelCodeList%3D458ITALIA%26makeCodeList%3DFER%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceDESC%26lastExec%3D1517271640000%26firstRecord%3D0%26searchRadius%3D0&startYear=2012&numRecords=25&vehicleStyleCodes=COUPE&firstRecord=0&endYear=2015&modelCodeList=458ITALIA&makeCodeList=FER&searchRadius=0&makeCode1=FER&modelCode1=458ITALIA


    Out of all my cars, my current unicorn is this NSX:

    [​IMG]
     
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