Originally Posted by Underblu

Based on Nordschliefe numbers amongst others, to say the 458 Spider runs rings around the 718 Spyder is completely fallacious. The 718 Spyder/GT4 as a track car appears to often get the better of the 458 based on the numbers from Fast Laps etc. Now the Aperta/Speciale is a different story but also a different price category.

Also, while certain modern Ferrari’s have indeed shown incredible appreciation metrics, the current market boom along with tight supply chain has made many cars particularly desirable high end sports cars appreciate in value. Similar appreciation can be said for those who bought recent used Porsches at the right time such as the 991.2 GT3.

while I appreciate the feedback, especially the info that the Ferrari double clutch is engaging, gross hyperbole like runs rings is pretty much worthless not to mention inaccurate unless you are comparing the Ferrari to a Fiat. And I would never confuse the precise and taught PDK with a slush box. Again that’s ridiculous. The Ferraris I drove with paddles shifters felt a bit more raw but so did BMWs first DCT and I don’t know if I’d consider either better than the surgical PDK. To be clear, I know how well my 718 Spyder performs, I’d like to know how much feel and handling dynamics will suffer in comparison if I add a 458, Cowl shake appears to be an issue, I’d like to know if there are any others before I grab a 458 as a dance partner.

Originally Posted by Underblu

Good to know that reliability is reasonable. Thanks to all who contributed useful information. It seems performance wise the 718 Spyder and 458 Spider are comparable with the former being stiffer and a touch more buttoned down and the later having greater acceleration.

Again I don’t understand the need for fallacious hyperbole or engaging in hot air pissing matches. I mean seriously, “Blow the doors off”, what are we on the playground.

Originally Posted by Bartleby7334

I test drove a used 458 Spider right after I bought my GT3T. Might have only been that particular example, but pedal placement is cramped and narrow (made for Italian loafers) and brake feel/feedback was blunt and crude. The engine, of course, is thrilling (even coming from a 991.2 GT3) but the build quality has something to be desired: adjusting the seat back caused it to torque/twist in a way that Porsche would never have allowed out of the factory.

By way of comparison, I was loaned a 488 GTB for an afternoon and that car was heavenly to drive and felt modern in every way.

Originally Posted by Zhao

Did a hyperbole touch you in a bad way? I saw how you went off the deep end on ilko for using a hyperbole while trying to be helpful to you so I wanted to see how you'd react again... and you need to take a chill pill.

Originally Posted by Zhao

Hey, really nice guy who definitely has no problems, I was providing info you clearly were in the dark about; those cars are further apart than a Boxster S is from a Spyder for performance because a decade of tire development and a totally different classes of tires accounts for seconds. Try not to **** all over people who are trying to be helpful. No one normal would get antagonized by a commonly used line so it gave me the info I needed to know not all is well in the world of underblu.



Btw, no, a Spyder is not an exhaust and header away from being comparable to a Speedster. What a ridiculous statement.

Originally Posted by Dr.Bill

Well, according to Fastest Laps: "The 458 Italia Spider is the fastest by a huge margin".

It's got more HP, more torque and is lighter. Half a second faster to 60, one second faster in the 1/4 mile and a higher top speed. Plus it sounds far better.

Don't confuse an emotional decision with facts. Both are fantastic cars. But not even close to equivalent.

Originally Posted by Zhao

It's tires. OE tires for the 458 are Bridgestone S001's. A ok but nothing special summer tire. Or the Pirelli Pzero which is also nothing special. 10 years ago tires were a lot different also without the same class of tire. That was 5? generation of tires ago for bridgestone, and each generation was faster then the last.

Compared to the dunlops or cup2s on the gt4... that's a big gap in tire grip. Put good tires on the 458 and it'll blow the doors off the 718. It's the same with the Mclaren from that era. It'll get a good time with a great driver when it was first tested, but then you see people putting great tires on it with a decent driver and dropping seconds off the original test time on OE tires.

Originally Posted by Underblu

I know the 458 Spider is faster and acknowledged that fact. My question was focused on things such as steering feel, chassis stiffness, braking, and handling dynamics. A C8 and Huracan put up better acceleration numbers than a Spyder too but neither are on my short list. From the feedback it appears the 458 would be comparable in handling and feel. I haven’t driven a 458 enthusiastically enough to gain any real insight but I concur the sound and power on tap is phenomenal. I feel reasonably certain that if I find the right 458 it won’t disappoint and will be as enjoyable as my Spyder

Originally Posted by JAhmed

The 458 is an incredibly enjoyable car. It is theatrical in ways a stock Spyder/GT4 cannot be. It has a sense of occasion to it that cannot be quantified. I did not have a Spider, so I won't comment on cowl shake...but the steering feel, braking (feels almost like unassisted brakes) and handling are very enjoyable. The noise is top shelf (my car had factory Ferrari sport exhaust with the valves disabled).

As mentioned above, I did 9k miles in 8 months in my 458. Loved every mile. It was very robust and enjoyable to drive. I have many miles in stock 718 GT4/Spyder variants and they are not comparable to a 458 in terms of overall experience* (depending on how much of your enjoyment comes from rowing your own gears). My re-geared/tuned/heavily modified Spyder gets much closer to the overall 458 experience, and the fact that I like rowing my own gears pushes it over the top for me.