3.8 RS - 458 Italia. Crazy or inspired?
Discussion
Ran an 11 plate Italia for a week last summer over 1700 miles as possible long term replacement for my much loved 997 GTS....then managed to get a convincing promise on a 991 GT3 order which is due shortly.
I was literally blown away by the depths and abilities of the 458 and found the engine and gearbox and overall package almost perfect. I have driven a 12C (and Aventador) for extended periods but neither of these imo come close to the Ferrari. I have also driven a 3.8 RS which is so involving but personally I did not get on with the gearbox (preferring F1 or PDK) and found the car too hardcore for my use as a daily.
One downside I experienced with the F when comparing with 911s is that the girth of the car meant progress on typically fast UK A and B proper driving roads could be hampered and the smaller dimensions and chuckability of the 911often meant there could be little difference in overall pace point to point.....this could be relevant between the 458 and your RS choice depending on the type of roads you 'drive'
If you approach the right F dealership and appear convincing enough to be a potential purchaser, I understand it is possible to borrow a car over the weekend, but unsure whether this applies to the 458.
I was literally blown away by the depths and abilities of the 458 and found the engine and gearbox and overall package almost perfect. I have driven a 12C (and Aventador) for extended periods but neither of these imo come close to the Ferrari. I have also driven a 3.8 RS which is so involving but personally I did not get on with the gearbox (preferring F1 or PDK) and found the car too hardcore for my use as a daily.
One downside I experienced with the F when comparing with 911s is that the girth of the car meant progress on typically fast UK A and B proper driving roads could be hampered and the smaller dimensions and chuckability of the 911often meant there could be little difference in overall pace point to point.....this could be relevant between the 458 and your RS choice depending on the type of roads you 'drive'
If you approach the right F dealership and appear convincing enough to be a potential purchaser, I understand it is possible to borrow a car over the weekend, but unsure whether this applies to the 458.
The 911 feels like a small car, in fact no bigger than a golf gti to be honest. The 458 is wider and you notice it. That said sitting in the cabin of the 458 then a 911 and you will see how much more claustrophobic the 911 is. The 458 is a smidge under 2 meters wide, however it is not to big for any of your back double faves. To be honest it feels quite a normal car and it's razor sharp steering rack makes it more manageable than should be possible. I really suggest u spend a little time with the car. It's not an Aventador that really is fook big for spirited driving in the UK, it is very manageable. In many ways it is a posh 911 with a lot more power.
Thanks for all the input. It's been really interesting. I'm set up for a test drive in a Grey/Black 458 this Saturday but I'm sure I'll like it. The big question mark I have (and as identified on here already) is the 3.8 RS is a genre of car that will never be made again and I wouldn't be able to get back in to one if prices continue creeping/lurching upwards. That said, I don't buy cash for investments but to be driven. So not an easy decision!
Unsurprisingly the RS got some decent bids from the trade so it's good to know that the high asking prices for those on sale do seem to be backed up by strong purchase prices.
Will be sure to post some thoughts after I've driven te 458 back to back with my 3.8 RS.
Unsurprisingly the RS got some decent bids from the trade so it's good to know that the high asking prices for those on sale do seem to be backed up by strong purchase prices.
Will be sure to post some thoughts after I've driven te 458 back to back with my 3.8 RS.
Let me suggest an option not tabled yet...
430 Scuderia! I've just gone from a 997 GT3 to one of these and this thing is laugh out loud / recalibrate your sense of speed good! I feel it still has enough of that analogue feel (it is a manual after all) to be as visceral as the Porsche with the added theatre that the Porsche missed. As a driving experience it matches / surpasses the GT3 in ALL areas (steering / chassis / engine / noise / grip & poise) plus it's is an appreciating asset - unlike the 458.
I LOVED my GT3 and did 15000 miles in 2 years in it. I can safely say I have no regrets (especially with the exhaust valves permanently unplugged ).
The king is dead, long live the king! Problem solved!
430 Scuderia! I've just gone from a 997 GT3 to one of these and this thing is laugh out loud / recalibrate your sense of speed good! I feel it still has enough of that analogue feel (it is a manual after all) to be as visceral as the Porsche with the added theatre that the Porsche missed. As a driving experience it matches / surpasses the GT3 in ALL areas (steering / chassis / engine / noise / grip & poise) plus it's is an appreciating asset - unlike the 458.
I LOVED my GT3 and did 15000 miles in 2 years in it. I can safely say I have no regrets (especially with the exhaust valves permanently unplugged ).
The king is dead, long live the king! Problem solved!
Slickhillsy said:
Let me suggest an option not tabled yet...
430 Scuderia! I've just gone from a 997 GT3 to one of these and this thing is laugh out loud / recalibrate your sense of speed good! I feel it still has enough of that analogue feel (it is a manual after all) to be as visceral as the Porsche with the added theatre that the Porsche missed. As a driving experience it matches / surpasses the GT3 in ALL areas (steering / chassis / engine / noise / grip & poise) plus it's is an appreciating asset - unlike the 458.
I LOVED my GT3 and did 15000 miles in 2 years in it. I can safely say I have no regrets (especially with the exhaust valves permanently unplugged ?).
The king is dead, long live the king! Problem solved!
I must admit I hadn't considered one of these. I thought they'd gone stratospheric price wise. 430 Scuderia! I've just gone from a 997 GT3 to one of these and this thing is laugh out loud / recalibrate your sense of speed good! I feel it still has enough of that analogue feel (it is a manual after all) to be as visceral as the Porsche with the added theatre that the Porsche missed. As a driving experience it matches / surpasses the GT3 in ALL areas (steering / chassis / engine / noise / grip & poise) plus it's is an appreciating asset - unlike the 458.
I LOVED my GT3 and did 15000 miles in 2 years in it. I can safely say I have no regrets (especially with the exhaust valves permanently unplugged ?).
The king is dead, long live the king! Problem solved!
Slickhillsy said:
Challenge Stradale are still sub £100k over in EU too...keep it lit said:
Slickhillsy said:
Challenge Stradale are still sub £100k over in EU too...IMO the Scuderia is the (relative) bargain at the mo and (for LHD's) sitting at the bottom of the depreciation curve, just watch this change next year as CS LHD prices pull up the Scud as they go. Supported by 2015 growth rates (UK 2.7% vs Euro 1.2%) UK could again be the benefactor in this buying opportunity...
996GT2 said:
VonSenger said:
Keep it, it'll never be repeated, as Im sure you've been told.
This +1
Try not to worry too much about boats sailing and curves on bits of graph paper chaps.
Go for experience, adventure and emotion because when the sun finally sets and they stick you under a ton of earth, that's all that really counted .... the fun you had and the people you met and loved and shared times with.
So in summary, get the Italia then you've done both, done the pinnacle of two different marques and had the novelty factor two times over.
Go for experience, adventure and emotion because when the sun finally sets and they stick you under a ton of earth, that's all that really counted .... the fun you had and the people you met and loved and shared times with.
So in summary, get the Italia then you've done both, done the pinnacle of two different marques and had the novelty factor two times over.
jackal said:
Try not to worry too much about boats sailing and curves on bits of graph paper chaps.
Go for experience, adventure and emotion because when the sun finally sets and they stick you under a ton of earth, that's all that really counted .... the fun you had and the people you met and loved and shared times with.
So in summary, get the Italia then you've done both, done the pinnacle of two different marques and had the novelty factor two times over.
Can't argue with that Go for experience, adventure and emotion because when the sun finally sets and they stick you under a ton of earth, that's all that really counted .... the fun you had and the people you met and loved and shared times with.
So in summary, get the Italia then you've done both, done the pinnacle of two different marques and had the novelty factor two times over.
jackal said:
Try not to worry too much about boats sailing and curves on bits of graph paper chaps.
Go for experience, adventure and emotion because when the sun finally sets and they stick you under a ton of earth, that's all that really counted .... the fun you had and the people you met and loved and shared times with.
So in summary, get the Italia then you've done both, done the pinnacle of two different marques and had the novelty factor two times over.
Agreed, the fact you're even asking the question speaks volumes. 458.....if you can't get a 991 GT3Go for experience, adventure and emotion because when the sun finally sets and they stick you under a ton of earth, that's all that really counted .... the fun you had and the people you met and loved and shared times with.
So in summary, get the Italia then you've done both, done the pinnacle of two different marques and had the novelty factor two times over.
So, thanks all for your opinions/advice. All gratefully received and very helpful indeed.
So, I pulled the trigger and swapped the 3.8 RS for 458. Wow these cars are different! I know the analogue versus digital analogy is a cliche nowadays but it really does describe these two cars perfectly. I'm by no means a racing car driver but the 3.8 RS is so visceral, the steering is superb and, to me, the driving experience is dominated by the gear changing and the handling/steering. It's not an easy car to drive well, but that's the beauty of it. The 458 is so technologically advanced - it really is an occasion to drive and flatters the driver (mainly the gear change). To me the driving experience is dominated by the noise (and what a noise, popping on the overrun too) and the beautiful looks. The gearbox is astonishing but, if it were available in a manual I'd almost certainly have chosen that but it's not and it's not the end of the world as I had a great experience in one of the best manual cars ever built and the other elements on the 458 sufficiently compensate. If the 458 was a manual it would be materially slower - not just the gear shirt times but with 570bhp, the 9k redline etc I would have to be processing so much more in order to make comparable changes, but it would be more involving. It's early days but I'm really pleased with the 458 and thanks to the price rises on the 3.8 RS I get to experience, IMHO of course, two of the greatest cars ever made!
I had a few queries about it so just to add: my (ex) 3.8 RS has just gone up on the Romans website if anyone is interested (I have no vested interest as they have purchased it from me). It's a gem: no ignitions in any rev range and all the documentation from new including the sales invoice.
Here is the new car. I went for a stealth look (if that's possible) of Grigio Silverstone, Black wheels and yellow callipers:
So, I pulled the trigger and swapped the 3.8 RS for 458. Wow these cars are different! I know the analogue versus digital analogy is a cliche nowadays but it really does describe these two cars perfectly. I'm by no means a racing car driver but the 3.8 RS is so visceral, the steering is superb and, to me, the driving experience is dominated by the gear changing and the handling/steering. It's not an easy car to drive well, but that's the beauty of it. The 458 is so technologically advanced - it really is an occasion to drive and flatters the driver (mainly the gear change). To me the driving experience is dominated by the noise (and what a noise, popping on the overrun too) and the beautiful looks. The gearbox is astonishing but, if it were available in a manual I'd almost certainly have chosen that but it's not and it's not the end of the world as I had a great experience in one of the best manual cars ever built and the other elements on the 458 sufficiently compensate. If the 458 was a manual it would be materially slower - not just the gear shirt times but with 570bhp, the 9k redline etc I would have to be processing so much more in order to make comparable changes, but it would be more involving. It's early days but I'm really pleased with the 458 and thanks to the price rises on the 3.8 RS I get to experience, IMHO of course, two of the greatest cars ever made!
I had a few queries about it so just to add: my (ex) 3.8 RS has just gone up on the Romans website if anyone is interested (I have no vested interest as they have purchased it from me). It's a gem: no ignitions in any rev range and all the documentation from new including the sales invoice.
Here is the new car. I went for a stealth look (if that's possible) of Grigio Silverstone, Black wheels and yellow callipers:
Edited by Skittles001 on Monday 20th October 19:45
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