488 GTB - buying tips/pointers...

488 GTB - buying tips/pointers...

Author
Discussion

glm1977

Original Poster:

199 posts

161 months

Tuesday 20th March 2018
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Hi all,

I’m looking to get myself a 2nd hand 488 GTB as a long term car which will also be my first Ferrari and as per thread title, I’m looking to get some general advice...

- I see on the 2nd hand market there are a few low mileage cars with varying specs that seem to be hanging about, are there any options (or lack of) that deem a car less desirable?

- I presume the 488 comes with the longer warranty backed by Ferrari, but is this transferable with the car? Do elements of the warrant get dropped off when sold on?
Or are there conditions that need to be met to keep this valid, such as Ferrari main dealer servicing only etc... ?

- although it’s a recent-ish model, are there any items to watch out for in regards to issues/weak points?

Like I say, I’m after some pointers to then go off and do further research at this point.

Lastly, albeit this isn’t a primary concern, more of a point of curiosity; I’m cognocent of the 458 values holding up well. Is this just the market at the moment (with a bit of a correction due), or the impact of the 458 being the last NA engine...? I guess the 488 won’t hold up as strong in 3-5yrs time?

Obviously, no one has a crystal ball but interested to hear people’s thoughts from those with experience of being a long term Ferrari owner.

Many thanks

johnnyreggae

2,936 posts

160 months

Tuesday 20th March 2018
quotequote all
glm1977 said:
I presume the 488 comes with the longer warranty backed by Ferrari, but is this transferable with the car? Do elements of the warrant get dropped off when sold on? Or are there conditions that need to be met to keep this valid, such as Ferrari main dealer servicing only etc... ?
Car comes new with 7 yr transferable main dealer servicing

South tdf

1,530 posts

195 months

Tuesday 20th March 2018
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As long as it was UK supplied (I was told a few early cars were not UK supplied) as above it will have 7 year servicing which is annual on most cars due to mileage. Warranty is 3 years and auto transfers as long as servicing is kept up.

Spec wise most cars will have the key options of Wheel Upgrade, Scuderia Sheilds, LED Steering Wheel (Driving Zone), Parking Camera plus little bits like contrast stitching and horse on headrest. Sports Seats are great but not to everyone’s taste so worth trying. Also worth considering suspension lift depending on how you plan to use it.

As for pricing, the latest price increase makes the later 2017 cars seem well priced when comparing to the latest price list.

LIVENT

196 posts

228 months

Tuesday 20th March 2018
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I pick my new 488 up on Thursday. Personally I am not sure how much the N/A aspect will affect the value of the 458, it might make a small difference but I think most people want the newest model. Personally I wanted a turbo charged car. 488 values are still high and the price increase will only aid that.

From my point of view these were the things I wanted:
Carbon Driver Zone
Lift (my drive has a bit of a slope)
Carbon fibre racing seats with lifter
20" forged wheels
Carbon fibre rear light surround
Parking Sensors
Sheilds

Good luck with your search. It is a great car, I cannot wait for Thursday, will post some pics once I have the car.

blueSL

614 posts

226 months

Wednesday 21st March 2018
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I picked mine up a couple of weeks ago, very happy with it.

I went for the Goldrake seats but not the rather cheap looking grey plastic lift lever. I am tall in the body so would have the seat at its lowest position anyway, which is what you get if you don’t specify the lifter.



Edited by blueSL on Wednesday 21st March 01:05

garystoybox

777 posts

117 months

Wednesday 21st March 2018
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South tdf said:
Warranty is 3 years and auto transfers as long as servicing is kept up.
I know the warranty on my 458 was 4 years factory and pretty sure it still is on the 488?

blueSL

614 posts

226 months

Wednesday 21st March 2018
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Yes, 4 years, 7 years routine servicing, 1 year tracker.

As for resale prices, it seems the 488 is depreciating but nothing like at the rate of, say, an Aston Martin. The market marks it down because it is not N/A but conveniently forgets that most road tests rate it the better car, let down only by the slightly lower rev limit and the more muted soundtrack which is inevitable given the turbochargers are soaking up the exhaust gas energy.

I came to it from a 997.2 turbo and it is streets ahead of that car in terms of driver involvement.

blueSL

614 posts

226 months

Wednesday 21st March 2018
quotequote all
Yes, 4 years, 7 years routine servicing, 1 year tracker.

As for resale prices, it seems the 488 is depreciating but nothing like at the rate of, say, an Aston Martin. The market marks it down because it is not N/A but conveniently forgets that most road tests rate it the better car, let down only by the slightly lower rev limit and the more muted soundtrack which is inevitable given the turbochargers soaking up the exhaust gas energy.

I came to it from a 997.2 turbo and it is streets ahead of that car in terms of driver involvement.

Edited by blueSL on Wednesday 21st March 09:32

LIVENT

196 posts

228 months

Wednesday 21st March 2018
quotequote all
blueSL said:
I picked mine up a couple of weeks ago, very happy with it.

I went for the Goldrake seats but not the rather cheap looking grey plastic lift lever. I am tall in the body so would have the seat at its lowest position anyway, which is what you get if you don’t specify the lifter.



Edited by blueSL on Wednesday 21st March 01:05
Car looks great smile I had to get the lifter because my wife is a short arse smile

End of the day I test drove almost everything in the same market and for me the 488 was streets ahead so I ignored markets, depreciation and all of that and bought what I wanted, which in my view for the money is the best car on the planet.

blueSL

614 posts

226 months

Wednesday 21st March 2018
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Thanks, I agree, buy the car you want, you can’t take it with you!

Durzel

12,267 posts

168 months

Wednesday 21st March 2018
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Early decent spec low mileage 458s are still commanding circa £150k at main dealers (much to my chagrin because it means I could've sold mine much later than I did). I would've thought you'd be in a very good position buying nearly new bearing in mind this, and the price rises already mentioned.

glm1977

Original Poster:

199 posts

161 months

Thursday 22nd March 2018
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thanks for the input all! thankfully all positive and cements my view on the 488.

LIVENT

196 posts

228 months

Sunday 25th March 2018
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Here is mine. Had it 4 days, phenomenal car, I can't fault anything about it. I personally love the sound of the turbos.

You get a lot of attention, people filming you in their phones and taking pics all the time.


RichV12

102 posts

157 months

Wednesday 28th March 2018
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blueSL said:
I picked mine up a couple of weeks ago, very happy with it.

I went for the Goldrake seats but not the rather cheap looking grey plastic lift lever. I am tall in the body so would have the seat at its lowest position anyway, which is what you get if you don’t specify the lifter.



Edited by blueSL on Wednesday 21st March 01:05
Hi,
What side sills have you gone for? They don’t look carbon or the shiny sport black.... was hoping to order mine with matt black side sills.
Thanks

blueSL

614 posts

226 months

Sunday 15th April 2018
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They are the sport sills, not carbon but satin black painted. One of the better value options and provide visual interest compared to the standard body coloured ones.

andy355

1,341 posts

238 months

Sunday 15th April 2018
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Haven't driven a488 as self imposed ban but engine wise I much preferred my Cali t to the previous normally aspirated version. I thought it was more fun and probably louder at higher revs. Bit quieter at idle for sure