Like everyone here, I love Porsches- since having a 944 poster on my bedroom wall in junior high- and have had the good fortune to own several non RS models since 2005. Really enjoy my chalk ‘18 GT3 6-spd but have an itch to own an F-car. Have recently driven a 458, 458 Speciale, and 488 GTB- all sensational from the iconic looks to interior design to engine / suspension / sound; only (minor) criticism may be steering feel. Would like to keep it for several yrs, maybe long term- street driving 2-3K miles/yr (no track), summers only. Cost of entry = GT3 + 100K.

For those of you with F-car ownership experience- what do you think? If you could only have one ie GT3 vs 458/488 what would you choose? And how is recent Ferrari reliability? (Im looking at certified ‘18 488’s).

DD will remain the Cayenne GTS…may get a GT4 to keep a manual car in the stable if going the F-car route.

 

GT3 manual over the 488 any day, now if you are comparing a 458 Speciale to a manual GT3 that would be a harder choice.

If you want to buy a Ferrari dont get the 488, in my opinion not a pretty design or performance, go 458 Speciale or 488 Pista or F8 Spider. I personally picked up a 430 Scuderia which is as raw as they get.

 

488 pricing is ridiculous now at $250k+. I'm talking relatively speaking, as the 458, which has also gone up, can still be had at $200k for a good one and that car will be more highly valued in the long run. At $250k, I'm looking at 675LTs, which are way more visceral and entertaining.

 

This is all going to be personal opinion....if you have the itch for an F-car there is no comparison....

 

I have had a 488 for 5 years, a 458, an F430, a 360. The 488 is the easiest car to drive fast I have ever driven. You can buy a warranty from ferrari for 12 years. The maintenance is included for 7 years. A 911 is a great car but IMO isn't as much fun as the 488. I own a 2RS which is more fun but a bunch more money. I also have a .2 GT3 a great car but not close to is much fun. YMMV.

 

For your intended use -- i.e., street driving during the summer -- the 488 hands down.

This is coming from someone who has owned a 991.1 GT3, a 991.2 GT3 RS, a 488 and a Pista.

Love both Porsche and Ferrari, but for what you want in a car, the 488 > the GT3.

Good luck and enjoy the search.

 

Do you track or just street? I think this affects the relative enjoyment of the models...

 

Just street driving, ie to and from work (mostly open highway) and weekend cruises in the Chicago suburbs…no track, no canyons, highway 1’s, etc. No more than 3K miles a year. Not worried about depreciation per se- some concern about repair / maintenance costs (ideally < $5/yr).

The manual GT3 is fantastic….but maybe a little “too much work” as i’ve aged. On the other hand, the R8 V10 was “too easy” and not involving enough 😡

 

The Ferrari is going to be as simple as the Audi and the Porsche will sound better....but neither are Ferrari's

 

I test drove an '18 488 Spyder the week I made the decision to buy my GT2. I had always wanted a Red Ferrari and it was pretty exciting to drive one and I loved the open air availability the Spyder provided. I was impressed with how the 488 drove and steered and it was wicked fast. I did not test drive a GT2 before purchase as it was pretty well documented as The Grim Reaper/Ring Prod car lap record holder, etc. To be honest I had planned to buy the Ferrari but I just feel in love with how my specific GT2 looked in Guards Red with the WP and White Gold magnesium wheels. I know that didn't answer your question but there is no answer to these questions of what should I purchase? In the end I just fall back on the which car makes you want to keep turning around as you walk away from it.

 

As others have said this will come down to personal preference. If you really want to own a Ferrari then no other brand will scratch that itch. I personally feel the 911 GT cars are hard to beat for balance across the boxes that make my fun drives exciting. For the type of driving you describe I personally would stay with a high rev’ng NA engine. I also feel 488 was step backward in driver engagement (you are not tracking it) and would go 458 or even 430 as someone mentioned which is easier on the budget you mentioned and both are fun to drive. The F1 (430) vs DCT (458) feel very different to drive. Both cars are pretty dependable but I would budget for some maintenance

I personally will always have a 911 GT car (driving a 911R and 991 Speedster) which are both staying. Last summer I got the same itch and purchased a 16M and 458 speciale aperta. All four cars would fit your bill but each is a little different and when in drivers seat I am satisfied. If pushed for only one it would be the R

the car you currently have is one I could also be happy with....but life is short and you can always find another .2 GT3

 

I would try and stretch the budget to 458 speciale.

 

If you have the itch for a Ferrari solve it, and it’s one of the best cars to own once in my opinion. Enjoy the choices.

 

I own both a GT3 touring and a 488 spyder. Very diff. driving experiences. They are both great handlers but I have found my 488 just wants to really really go!!!! The GT3 can be driven subtly if need be, however the 488 screams to me to just hit the gas and go! What a wonderful dilemma to have. Either way you win!

 

I own a Touring, love manuals, and hate Turbos. However, my local Ferrari dealer let me drive a 488 GTB for an afternoon and It’s definitely a great car, and maybe the only car I’ve driven that has really solved the problem of Turbo lag. Being a BMW motorcyclist I was already comfortable with the ‘wierd Alice’ turn signal controls being on the steering wheel, but not everyone will agree. Coming from a Porsche I was shocked at how fast the revs built, and the car was WIDE and had limited visibility to the back and sides. Pedal placement was very Italian (narrow positioning for my American feet) but I understand the pedal placement is adjustable if necessary. All in all a very livable car, if you lean that way.