458 owners?

[kbf1981]

I went to have a look at one of these the other weekend and thought it was amazing. Thinking of putting a deposit on should everything workout well in the next couple months. Has anyone here already got theirs and if so, what's it like? As good as the reviews? Any regrets? Any essential options?

Would love to see pics if anyone's happy posting them up!

[Shmee]

A bazillion pictures: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ferrari%20458

[mhh]

Mine is a year old next week. I've driven 18,000km with one dealer visit for a service and new tyres. It's a fabulous car. I've got plenty of options but I don't think any are essential - it depends on your needs. The one option I wouldn't bother with on the next car is the iPod connector - I've never used it - because the exhaust sounds too good.

Highly recommended.

[kbf1981]

mhh said:

Mine is a year old next week. I've driven 18,000km with one dealer visit for a service and new tyres. It's a fabulous car. I've got plenty of options but I don't think any are essential - it depends on your needs. The one option I wouldn't bother with on the next car is the iPod connector - I've never used it - because the exhaust sounds too good.

Highly recommended.

Thanks for then feedback! I'd probably use it for the occasional longer trip (like first holiday in years doing a road trip round Europe!), so I was thinking of keeping the iPod connector on there....this is the option set I'm thinking of so far, anything obvious missing? I never keep them that long so don't want to add loads of as I'll probably only have it a year unless I fall massively in love!

Rosso Scuderia
Interiour colour - undecided
Standard Seats
Scuderia Ferrari shields on fenders
20" Chromed shadow wheel rim
Giallo Modena brake Calipers
Yellow Rev Counter
Steering Wheel in LEDs
Electrochromic interior rear view mirror
Front Suspension Lift System
Tyre Pressure & temperature monitoring system
Rear Parking Sensors
iPod Connection
Satellite Navigation system
Anti stone chipping protective film

[BelfastBoy]

kbf1981 said:

Thanks for then feedback! I'd probably use it for the occasional longer trip (like first holiday in years doing a road trip round Europe!), so I was thinking of keeping the iPod connector on there....this is the option set I'm thinking of so far, anything obvious missing? I never keep them that long so don't want to add loads of as I'll probably only have it a year unless I fall massively in love!

Rosso Scuderia
Interiour colour - undecided
Standard Seats
Scuderia Ferrari shields on fenders
20" Chromed shadow wheel rim
Giallo Modena brake Calipers
Yellow Rev Counter
Steering Wheel in LEDs
Electrochromic interior rear view mirror
Front Suspension Lift System
Tyre Pressure & temperature monitoring system
Rear Parking Sensors
iPod Connection
Satellite Navigation system
Anti stone chipping protective film

for the shadow wheels, great choice! One observation though - is the rev counter yellow as standard or would that be your optional choice? If it's the latter, how much do Ferrari charge for something that - to me anyway - wouldn't bother me enough to want to have it in a different colour? Finally, if I were ever to find myself in your position, I'd go for sabbia or beige for the interior (but my preferred exterior colour would be TDF blue).

[kbf1981]

BelfastBoy said:

for the shadow wheels, great choice! One observation though - is the rev counter yellow as standard or would that be your optional choice? If it's the latter, how much do Ferrari charge for something that - to me anyway - wouldn't bother me enough to want to have it in a different colour? Finally, if I were ever to find myself in your position, I'd go for sabbia or beige for the interior (but my preferred exterior colour would be TDF blue).

It's an option but it's free - they only charge for White I think.

I'm a little tempted by white or yellow for the exterior - only thing pulling me away is...I've never had a Ferrari before, so I think I might regret not going for red as it's the classic colour. Yellow looks amazing on a 458 though. Not rushed to put the order in so going to take my time making my mind up on what I'd like!

This is your ideal spec by the looks of it! http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3395244.htm

[steelej]

Just so you know the 'classic' red is Rosso Corsa, Rosso Scuderia is more orangey than Corsa.

John.

[BelfastBoy]

kbf1981 said:

This is your ideal spec by the looks of it! http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3395244.htm

If I had £210k, that is my dream car right there!

[johnnyreggae]

That looks like Frank Lampard's

[kbf1981]

steelej said:

Just so you know the 'classic' red is Rosso Corsa, Rosso Scuderia is more orangey than Corsa.

John.

I can't decide between the colours, going to have a look at some in the flesh before picking. Like I said anyway, no rush, just wanted to flesh out the options really from anyone who's familiar with the car...

[mhh]

kbf1981 said:

Thanks for then feedback! I'd probably use it for the occasional longer trip (like first holiday in years doing a road trip round Europe!), so I was thinking of keeping the iPod connector on there....this is the option set I'm thinking of so far, anything obvious missing? I never keep them that long so don't want to add loads of as I'll probably only have it a year unless I fall massively in love!

Rosso Scuderia
Interiour colour - undecided
Standard Seats
Scuderia Ferrari shields on fenders
20" Chromed shadow wheel rim
Giallo Modena brake Calipers
Yellow Rev Counter
Steering Wheel in LEDs
Electrochromic interior rear view mirror
Front Suspension Lift System
Tyre Pressure & temperature monitoring system
Rear Parking Sensors
iPod Connection
Satellite Navigation system
Anti stone chipping protective film

Your planned spec is quite similar to mine. Like you, I wanted red for my first Ferrari but went Corsa. I have the same options as you but I chose the painted grey rims, red calipers, race seats (black with red stitching), front and rear sensors, adaptive lights (mandated by front lift) and had a full after-market clearbra rather than the half bra the factory offers. A year on, there's nothing much I would change. The only other "essential" is the switchable exhaust valve aftermarket mod to enable driving in Sport with some decent exhaust sound. Let me know if you would like more info on how that is done.

[Beefmeister]

On white, yellow or red I personally think the black roof looks amazing, especially with the new carbon rear grille panel and dark wheels.

[pb1695]

Ours is now 14 months old, and has covered 29,000 miles. In addition to the dealer recalls, it is fair to say our car has had a few issues - some of which were caused by the servicing dealer.

In terms of spec we have -

Rosso Corsa
Sports Seats - worth every penny - in Black and Rosso
Rosso contrast stitch
Shields
Ceramic Brakes - not essential as we do not use the car on track but extremely effective
Yellow Rev Counter
Carbon Wheel, centre and door trim
LED change lights
Hi Fi upgrade and I Pod - not worthwhile as no one ever listens to it - the engine sounds too good.
20" forged sports wheels
Giallo Modena Brake Calipers (Yellow)
Tyre Pressure and Temperature Check
Front and rear parking sensors
Electrochromatic rear view mirror
AFS front lighting - a must especially on Autumn nights.
Sat Nav

And of course a private plate - F458 RED - finishes the car off nicely!

We bought the car as an ex demonstrator so could not change the spec. The only item that is really not required is the Hi Fi.

I absolutely adore this car - it really is the most complete car on our collection, exceptional steering, grip, balance and poise. Our McLaren is due in the next couple of months and I am really looking forward to arranging some member days to complete back to back comparisons. Here she is opposing our SLS - the most "fun" car on the collection!

[JazzyO]

The ceramic brakes are not an option, you cannot buy the 458 with steel brakes.


Onno

[Robbo66]

Test drove one yesterday,as think they look sublime.
Mind warping speed, superb interior and sound. Handling, again faultless. Massive step up from satndard 360 and 430.

So why aren't I signing ?.

A few reasons:
1) However good the gear change is, I miss the clack/clack gate of the manual stick.
2) It is too 'digital' for me. It's a tour de force of electronic wizardry, totally accomplished, but has 'removed' the driver to a degree, in some respects.
3) Steering.Light.Lacks feel.
4) Rear viz....very little
5) Absolute Plod magnet. I was pulled within 500 yards on the test drive !.
6) Serious amount of second hand cars on the market

Maybe one day I will get into one, but for me, the 73RS although not as quick, remains the only car I've driven to make me shout out loud when throwing her through the Black Mountains. In the 458, you'll get there quicker, but you would have been a little 'chauffeured' and flattered by the electronic 'big brother' in the back ground. Only my thoughts, my opinions obviously, and would have one over the GT3RS tomorrow....but the 73 stays put.

[kbf1981]

Robbo66 said:

Test drove one yesterday,as think they look sublime.
Mind warping speed, superb interior and sound. Handling, again faultless. Massive step up from satndard 360 and 430.

So why aren't I signing ?.

A few reasons:
1) However good the gear change is, I miss the clack/clack gate of the manual stick.
2) It is too 'digital' for me. It's a tour de force of electronic wizardry, totally accomplished, but has 'removed' the driver to a degree, in some respects.
3) Steering.Light.Lacks feel.
4) Rear viz....very little
5) Absolute Plod magnet. I was pulled within 500 yards on the test drive !.
6) Serious amount of second hand cars on the market

Maybe one day I will get into one, but for me, the 73RS although not as quick, remains the only car I've driven to make me shout out loud when throwing her through the Black Mountains. In the 458, you'll get there quicker, but you would have been a little 'chauffeured' and flattered by the electronic 'big brother' in the back ground. Only my thoughts, my opinions obviously, and would have one over the GT3RS tomorrow....but the 73 stays put.

That's interesting. I think there's around 18 or so on the second hand market and to be honest....I kinda see why someone, if you've owned it for a year, you'd think "why not sell and get my money back?". I only keep cars a year, no doubt lots of others like me.

I don't think they'll keep their premium much longer, so picking up next year it'll slowly start to go down....but I don't think it'll dip below £150k for a while, so you're losing £50k over 18-24 months which for the car it is, doesn't seem terrible. That's my rough optimistic maths lol.

I quite like the 7yr servicing / 4yr warrenty thing they've going on. Part of me thinks if I got it, I'd be tempted to use it as a daily driver. I've no kids, not married, so don't need space. Plus it's either parked at home or at the office, so again pretty safe. Would be a wicked way to get to work too!

[kbf1981]

mhh said:

Your planned spec is quite similar to mine. Like you, I wanted red for my first Ferrari but went Corsa. I have the same options as you but I chose the painted grey rims, red calipers, race seats (black with red stitching), front and rear sensors, adaptive lights (mandated by front lift) and had a full after-market clearbra rather than the half bra the factory offers. A year on, there's nothing much I would change. The only other "essential" is the switchable exhaust valve aftermarket mod to enable driving in Sport with some decent exhaust sound. Let me know if you would like more info on how that is done.

Where did you get the clearbra and exhaust done (if UK)? Is it much better than standard? Heard a few people say the loud / quiet switch around town gets annoying.

[kbf1981]

pb1695 said:

That's pretty much how mine would look except for the dark chrome wheels.

[anonymous-user]

kbf1981 said:

Where did you get the clearbra and exhaust done (if UK)? Is it much better than standard? Heard a few people say the loud / quiet switch around town gets annoying.

mhh is in Aus I think.

[nick28]

kbf - how long are you being quoted for delivery?