kosmo

whens the GT2 RS coming? I heard that its going to have 6 wheel steering!

Nizer

5-Lugs

CAlexio

let me just say something for which I will probably get shot, and that is the following: Ferraris really do have that certain something, the color, the details, the sound, the history, the provenance... not sure.. but this certain something, if you let your inner child come out and live for a second... make your inner child dream again. That's it, all I wanted to say.

frayed

Agreed.

As a prior fiat owner, I found that in the real world, it didn't work for me. Too much attention, too impractical, high running costs, stupendous depreciation.

But yeah. They provide a sense of occasion that Porsche does not.

TRAKCAR

Way too flashy to drive around town, way to pretty to bash the crap out of at Sebring.

lopro

I agree trakcar.

Nick

Could not agree more. Owned several and each time I got into one I was grinning from ear to ear. That said, it is an attention getter and it can become annoying. That is why I opted out of the 458 and bought the 997.2 TT Cab. Sadly, the TT though a terrific car just did not measure up in the excitement category. I sold it and decided that the GT3 is the one Porsche can provide me with the driving passion that a Ferrari elicits. Many reviewers of the GT3 referenced the GT3 equal in excitement as the 458 and the McLaren.

markow

here is my take: the attention my black F458 gets is often very disturbing. it ranges from teenagers trying to sit on it posing for photographs to drunk ladies trying to hitch a ride. practicality has been very good so far, certainly GT3 level. running costs: high insurance yes, fuel like my ex-M5, service free for 7 years. all in all not too bad. depreciation: not as bad as my ex-M5 and my ex-C4S.
pleasure of drivingut-of-this-world. nothing i have ever owned gets close. maybe the 991 GT3.......
peter

CAlexio

good to hear that gt3 can possess that sense of occasion. probably helps reinforce the fact that $130k, this car is truly an amazing bargain. Sounds insane, but you really can leave it option-less and have a completely desirable car which is not only fast, but also makes a lot of the right noises and moves to make you feel like you're in something special.

if I had $250k+ to spend on a car without stretching myself though... would I opt for the 458?... (probably)

kosmo

yeah Nizer, traditional lugs,and proper seats. What were they thinking?!

but frankly for that price, I'd get a nice Cup Car, and a trailer, and a truck to pull'em

carcommander

I too have a black 458. It's my fourth Ferrari. All of which have been a ball to drive. IMHO no 911 comes close. I have owned a 911 of some kind for more than 20 years. Turbos GT3RS etc. There is nothing like a Ferrari. Own one at some point if you can.

I am not feeling the Special. The scud lost 100k plus in value in 2 years. So wait if you want this one.

luffe

I guess you'll see this car speeding up and down boulevards by douche bags more than you'll see it at track days.

Bill_C4S

Beauty definitely in the eyes of the beholder...but damn i be smitten.

Might just have to venture to the dark side.....

GrantG

"Ferrari says it has also clocked the 458 Speciale lapping its Fiorano test track in 1:23.5 seconds, which is 1.5 seconds faster than the 458 Italia and just half of a second off the pace of the F12 Berlinetta. Ferrari’s fastest road car around Fiorano remains the LaFerrari, which needs less than 1:20 to complete a lap. "

Something is fishy with those laptimes. The Speciale adds semi-slick tires, loses 200 pounds of weight, gains power, aero, and handling tricks and only shaves 1.5 sec from the 458? Either they are sandbagging the Speciale's time to let the F12 win or it's a big disappointment (tires alone should've allowed that time)...

carcommander

Ferrari plays fast and loose with everything. HP numbers, wieght and lap times.