Out of a 458 Spider into .....what?

[mdrc]

So......
I sold my 458 Spider because I thought I wanted a McLaren 650S and I got offered what I thought was a good price. And I've been to look at several 650s of various colours, all with great spec, low mileage, good pricing, FMSH......but I've walked away from all so far because I didn't feel that for the price, they gave me the same Wow factor I always felt with my 458. I can't fit in a Huracan or an R8 (6:2 ish).... so am I missing something ....is there a must have 650s colour combo, or something else.....or have I just been a complete numptie by getting rid of the 458??? ....in all honesty, I even sat in an AMG GT C at Goodwood today and it felt more special than the 650s....might be an age thing!!!
PS insulting replies not welcome!!!!

[NDA]

488?

[mdrc]

488 is a good shout, but Spiders not readily available yet & relative to a 650s, still very expensive.....my logic re the 650 was that at the moment, they are a lot of Supercar for the money, albeit that I expect to see some further downward price movement due to the 720 and also the 570 becoming more available......but hopefully, this won't be that significant - I think my logic holds good (rational brain), but they still don't quite do it for me (emotional brain)!!!!

[JohnG123]

Just my opinion, get back into a 458.

Before I purchased mine I went down the McLaren and Lamborghini route, there is just something special (I can't explain it and I don't know what it is but I know it's there) about driving the 458.

I can't even think about the day I will have to part with mine.

[petrolpat]

I sold my F430 and bought a 12C, Three months later 12C sold and now have a 458 Italia ! The 488 is growing on me (not driven one yet) so maybe that's the one to go for. Or another 458. Had 2 430's as missed the first one so much when I sold it, perhaps also consider a classic F car.

Edited by petrolpat on Saturday 1st July 07:48

Edited by petrolpat on Saturday 1st July 07:51

[petrolpat]

JohnG123 said:

Just my opinion, get back into a 458.

Before I purchased mine I went down the McLaren and Lamborghini route, there is just something special (I can't explain it and I don't know what it is but I know it's there) about driving the 458.

I can't even think about the day I will have to part with mine.

spot on

[Wilmslowboy]

mdrc said:

So......
I sold my 458 Spider because I thought I wanted a McLaren 650S and I got offered what I thought was a good price. And I've been to look at several 650s of various colours, all with great spec, low mileage, good pricing, FMSH......but I've walked away from all so far because I didn't feel that for the price, they gave me the same Wow factor I always felt with my 458.....PS insulting replies not welcome!!!!

I kind of did the opposite

I looked at 458 but thought like of like they weren't as good as a 650s (and they were more expensive) , then thought about a 488 but the premium to the 650s was best part of £50k....which again it doesn't justify.

But I do agree, my 650s is silver (with Carbon) and on some days it looks stunning, on others its a bit "resale silver".

I have a 720s on order, and am seriously thinking of trying a 458 out in the mean time...there is something about the darty handling and NA engine noise.


How about a F12 ???

[mdrc]

Thanks folks & yes all pretty much confirming my thoughts...have looked at F12s but ideally want a Spider & something a little more agile...I'm off to see 2 650s next week so giving it a fair chance!!

On a somewhat related note...at 6:3 tall, the 458 driving position was never an issue, but in all the Mclarens (including the 720S I sat in yesterday), I have to go for the manual, unheated or bucket seats to get comfortable....

[TISPKJ]

Different price bracket but 675 will give you what your looking for .......

[RamboLambo]

TISPKJ said:

Different price bracket but 675 will give you what your looking for .......

Agree but at twice the price for the additional 10% thrill factor over the standard 650S.

You need serious drive time in a 650S to recognise all its true qualities. You cant take these cars for a 20 minute test drive and expect to come back grinning from ear to ear necessarily. They are not big shouty lairy louts like there equivalent N/a Ferrari/Lamborghini.

TBH I feel exactly the same way about the Ferrari 488 which I don't feel is any better than the 650s and yet again twice the price for a spider if you can even get one.

The 650S is a real grower and the more you drive it the better it gets. If I was to criticise it in any way at all I would say its just TOO darn good. Its so well engineered and put together with everything top quality.
Its an amazing piece of kit for the money and a safe haven at todays prices as its superior to the sports series 570S I also own and early 720S will be rare and at a premium for the next 12 months.

If the 650S still doesn't do it for you maybe the 570S is closer to the 458 experience as its less well engineered, a bit more edgy and loud and still rapidly quick. It does feel more playful and more go kartish than my 650S and as a bonus the missus will only come out in the 650

[JiggyJaggy]

Strange I went from a 458 Spider into a 12C and found it a lot more special and less fussy. I preferred it as it is a lot more rare and found it to be the perfect balance between usability/comfort and theatre. Im 6ft3 and found the 458 seats pretty uncomfortable.

[mdrc]

Which seats have you got in the 12c??

[JiggyJaggy]

The usual sports seats but Alcantara. Super comfortable and the alcantara gives the car enough theatre to give the interior enough pop. I have sat in these all day circa 4-6 hours straight and they are as comfy as the RR Vogue seats imo.

[Yipper]

Aventador Roadster.
Rolls Royce Dawn.
Huracan Performante Spyder (2018).

[PrancingHorses]

Get another 458 - I can't think of anything to replace mine with. I had a good go in a Huracan - very nice but very Audi IMHO. The 488 is nice but for now to expensive for what it is.

[nyxster]

I'd ggo into a F12 if you have the budget, really the step up from a 8 banger is the V12 for the full ferrari experience. The only issue I have with the Mac's is the engine package just lack that spine-tingling 'fizz burble howl that NA Ferraris have. The Lambo V10 has that in spades but going from a F430 to a Gallardo it just felt a bit too civilised and secure, which is a good thing in most respects but i wasn't giddy getting out of it. the Ferrari V12 on the other hand is just on a whole other plane of lick the steering wheel delight. For me F12 is king of the hill at the moment, and it just has such a rakish 60's gto look about it.

Other than that I'd go back into a 458. I'd likely take a SLS over the new GT - the 6.2 V8 is one of the best sounding engines Merc made, gullwing doors - it's not the quickest or best handling thing but rare and the NA engine is one of the few that matches Ferrari for pure aural delight.

[mdrc]

Just going with the flow on this....which F12 would you recommend?!

[nyxster]

mdrc said:

Just going with the flow on this....which F12 would you recommend?!

if it was me then i'd probably take this one -

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

grey with diamonds just seem to suit the cars slightly aggressive stance in my book and this one has a nicely balanced spec with the daytona seats.

for more budget I'd hunt down something like this with a full carbon pack and carbon seats which are silly money to spec but just look the business.

for me this is worth the extra, carbon everything, racing seats, diamond rims - and lots of alcantara everywhere which i think for the stripped out racer look is spot on.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I'd personally stick to buying from a horse dealer purely to build up reward points to get on future V12 allocation lists and to make sure I got the fulls bells and whistles checks and cuddles - it's just way too much car to be buying out of franchise.

Really for me the F12 is all the supercar you ever need - comfortable GT with plenty of luggage space, can handle the snow in ski resorts, yet can melt your face off round a track and nicely usable about town.

here's the thing, however good the V12 sounds on video, really nothing prepares you for the sheer spine tingling effect you get when you are in the driver's seat. From the first time i went out in a 512TR I have been utterly addicted to the sheer musicality these engines produce, you think the F430 and 458 sound good then the V12....and you're spent.

jww nails it;

https://youtu.be/psej9Q1xVmI

and that's why i personally couldn't buy a mclaren. Pavarotti vs the artic monkeys.

[_Superleggera_]

F12 is a good call.

Unless you want to wait for an 812. That is going to be some machine. I've only sat in it and the interior is very special, can't wait to give it a drive. My dealer is hassling me to put me on the list for one but I'm reluctant as there is no definitive date of when a car will be available.

[jackal]

Can echo the comments for the F12. Took delivery of one of the last in May and it has surpassed all expectations. Obviously these choices are very personal but for me and my heart strings it was a more special car than any other rivals up for similar money and at the eleventh hour (after discounting 991RS and 675LT) I chose it over a Speciale as well.

The breadth of the car's ability is probably what has been the biggest surprise though, it's almost any car that you want it to be from tight Austrian mountain roads, 700 mile Autobahn stints, popping to the shops or turning everything off an unleashing a complete bd animal of a car. Don't imagine that it's too GT, too heavy or lacking in agility compared to its mid engined peers; it's a precision sports car through and through IMO and will delight and thrill no matter what you ask of it. Cabin is also really nice and spacious for tall folk.