I can totally see where you're coming from. The problem is nowadays, so many mechanicals are involved in the driving experience, aiding your every tug of the wheel. I'm slowly moving backwards in the sense that I would almost prefer a 360 Modena over the newer Ferraris; be it the F430 or the 458 Italia. It just sort of has a "point me and I will go if possible" attitude, with driving dynamics that aren't refined and could end up punishing you if you pushed too hard.

 

1)The Basic 458 costs $250,000, that is the starting price here. Yes I agree with you there are certain options that made it cost that much that being primarily the exterior colour, which I didn't like.

2) There are lots of electronics and thats one of the main con's, I didn't like how soft the car felt all the time in auto and when you press the button it shows you it's other personality. I would of preferred it feeling sporty all the time, like the older exotic cars.

3) The quality of the interior is great, but it doesn't give you the bespoke feel or craftsmanship of say a Aston Martin, I've driven a DBS before and the interior is just fantastic. The interior feels more upscale compared to the 458, what the Aston lacks is the driving dynamics which the 458 has a big advantage. The DBS feels too heavy.

4) I've driven it in comfort and race, the kick in the back is very subtle compared to a 599. To think of it I might of over exaggerated, I was thinking about the car yesterday and this is one point I made a bit vague. I need to drive one again too notice any differences before I do get one.

5) I think that is ultimately due to being fortunate of driving many upscale cars before, hence my "expectations".

I agree with you and thats a big factor towards my expectations. I've driven many cars before be it exotics, german and british. Before even sitting in it there were certain things I had in mind.

I will take that in to consideration.

I told the salesman about the gearbox, he said most people are like me they would prefer a sportier drive and not as refined as this. The other salesman at the dealer told me its not a daily car before I test drove the 458 a couple of weeks ago, he recomended me to look at the California if I was looking for a daily car. I've driven a California many times, my relatives have one and I didn't like it as much as the 458 italia, I felt the Italia suites me more and can be easily used as a DD even close to the comforts of the California.

It bothers me that its extremely comfortable that its not considered to be a weekend car and more of a daily car, the ride and the different modes, rear view camera and parking sensors make it easy to park and drive it on a daily basis. The Gallardo LP560 isn't as good for a daily car because the gearbox is rougher, with the kick in the back shift and the interior isn't as comfortable as the 458. I think when the drop-top 458 comes out, lots of people might switch from the California to 458 spyder.

Thank you for observations, I like both and the 458 I dont hate it but I feel for its looks and price it shouldn't be so much as a soft car from an initial drive, should be more sportier.

I like the Scuderia front more, it looks more aggressive and the interior is more simplistic. The entertainment system of the 458 is hard, there is no actual stereo system on the dashboard like the 430's.

I absolutely agree with you, I didn't want to show my bias towards Ferrari and just type absolute opposite of my initial thoughts after driving the car. I absolutely love Ferrari as a brand, I've always liked them and will always continue to be an enthusiast. What bothers me is that the car feels very able to be used as a daily driver, that you wouldn't get a 911 Turbo and have this instead.

The 458 is a very capable car, I haven't crossed it out of my list but I was with out a doubt didn't expect it to be this easy to drive. For a car this low in height, the look and performance you'd expect it to be not as easy to enjoy on a daily basis so you drive it in the weekends. I didnt expect a car like this with 570hp and a 9,000rpm redline to be this user friendly, that bothers me.

 

That's a great review Mo, any more pictures?

 

Yes, just shows the interior of the car. Here is my cousin, he loves the car..he prefers it in red though.

 

MO = the Arab Jeremy Clarkson
Thanks for the honest review!

I never driven a Ferrari, but i would go for a F430 spider/16M over any 458.

 

I think a 4.0 RS will fit the bill for you Mo!

 

He knows what he's talkin' about

 

also a good suggestion.

i feel as if in some of these "next generation" cars the driver is simply not a big enough part of the equation. to me, that takes the fun away. same reason i don't like roller coasters, being led around at speed isn't my idea of a good time, i must be in complete control to enjoy it as i will then know the outcome is my doing.

 

Shows you how much your senses play into the enjoyment. You said it is quiet inside, and a Lambo with Tubi sounded nastier. I'm glad it's quiet with the windows up, loud & resonance gets old fast. They scream on the outside though. You need to have the combo you want to enjoy it...be that seat style, carpet color, paint color or carbon fiber. All you see when you drive is the interior...when you walk up to the curb you see the lines in a color you love...pick any exotic & if it isn't what you would have picked, it isn't that great.

Kinda like ugly babies except yours.

 

Yes the Lambo sounds nastier, I remember it when it was stock wasn't that much fun listening to it until the valves opened up. I guess what the 458 needs might be a aftermarket exhaust with no valves to my preference.

I saw a Red/Beige today, it appealed more to me. If I order a car it will have a red interior for sure, love full rosso interiors.

Now after a couple of days, I am sad to say that I do miss the car. I was on the same road today in my Kleemann SLK55 and I can say that it might not be way faster but the downshift and the blip was substantially more fun and it drive's even more comfortable than my car.

I never thought I'd like it more after a couple of days, I was expecting more of an initial enjoyment and addiction which will wear out after 2-3 days. I went on the same roads that I drove the 458, my SLK55 drifted on corners with the traction off and left with a lot of smoke and me finding my self drift to the left lane; whilst the 458 just leaped a head exiting from a corner and pulls. The thing that I miss the most is the sound when the valves open and the downshift.