I dont remember its been a while, maybe psychologically being a special edition and more race equipment and more sound inside the cabin.

Maybe if the 458 had the club sport seats like the scuderia, 4 point seatbelts I would of been interested. I didnt like the daytona seats, its more like sitting in a couch and not "sporty" for the car. I felt it was more of a seat suited towards a 612 or a California and not for a 458.

I saw the car twice, the car I drove the spec looked better in the showroom than the street. I didnt like the interior nor the exterior colour, it didnt have the full carbon fiber dashboard trim or in the lower tunnel.

 

Thanks for the review, and like I always say, the scud WILL blow you away, and make that extra coin worth it.

 

Scuderia version is out of the question. The car would be more than $360,000 for sure, I dont plan on spending that amount on a car this size.

 

I forgot to mention the warranty and the service costs, the warranty is 3 years and the service:

1,500km free/first service.

Every 10,000km or year = $1,441.18

20,000km /major service = $2,522.07

 

Meanmachine: There are many odd statements in your review, but just as an FYI:

1) 309k is a ludicrous price, I agree. Obviously the test car you saw was badly configured and 'blinged out' with some silly expensive options that are pointless like the triple layer paint which costs 25k alone, and unfortunately none of the 'must have' ones like the racing seats. A very well equipped car (with the carbon racing seats which make a big difference) is about 255-260USD.

2) As far as having no sense of occasion, this is a strange statement. First time I've heard someone say this about this car. You could say that it has a lot of electronics, but that has nothing to do with sense of occasion.

3) The quality of the interior is dramatically better than any current ferrari offering and any prior one, so what exactly are you comparing it to? You mention a Pagani in the same sentence, I assume you realize you can get 4 x 458 for the price of one Pagani, it certainly should seem a lot more bespoke.

4) You say the 458 shift is like tiptronic on granturismo with no feel. I hope you are exaggerating or I would have to think that you either did not drive this car at all, or you kept it in auto comfort mode the entire time. There is NOTICEABLE kick in the back when you drive the car in Race mode and shift above 6000rpm. This was in fact one of my biggest concerns but I found the shifting feel to a beautiful balance of feeling it in the back without being unbelievably harsh. By the way, the same comment is reflected in every single other review about the shifting.

5) Ultimately, when you make a statement like "t doesn't feel like a sense of occasion or an event when you drive it; very very normal car" I have to conclude you really don't know what you are talking about, pardon the harshness. Unless 'normal' to you is a Carrera GT.

 

MM, I think it might have a lot to do with the fact that you have driven many nice cars. I have a G35 and I have a lot of expectations for the 458. I respect your opinion and taking the time out to share your impressions. I have a G35 and if you gave me the keys to the 458, I think my impressions would be different from yours solely based on what I'm already used to driving. I think you have mentioned this in some of your earlier posts but I think it's more of a reason than you think, as to why you aren't so impressed with the car. This is just my opinion of course. I hope you end up getting one some time down the road though!

 

Mo, as we have discussed before, look into a CGT when you're ready. that bespoke feeling, that sense of occasion, its there in spades. plus, you need to get into a manual brother. the 458 bored me as well, it pretty much drives itself.

 

simply put, the 458 is made into such an easy and capable car that it's not special to drive any more.

from what i have heard from ferrari owners, this is how they feel.

most of us buying exotics are looking for the raw experience combined with the sound an fury. i think 458 delivers a refined driving with sound and speed largely due to the dual clutch setup.

 

I think f430 is more fun to drive and gives you a special feeling when you are zipping around. No offense to 458, as I own both f430 and 458. When i step into garage, my hand reaches for f430 key. I think f430 is much more fun to drive. Lot of noise and feels like a F car. My 458 only feels like a Ferrari when i push it above 5k rpm. I think for normal town zipping/cruising, f430 is hands down more fun.

 

458<scud<gt2rs

but i must admit iv been in a 458 on the track and it blew my mind