Discussion
Ok, I might be stealing Marcus' thunder (sorry) as he is still out driving a Scud. But I got behind the wheel for about 15 minutes.
First off, the car looks ok stationary inside a dealership, better outside in daylight, and really quite nice when moving. I think the way the light moves across the surfaces makes the difference (this car was, of course, red).
The noise is of course fantastic, as is the speed of the gear change. Race mode transforms it into a really angry sounding thing. I think, however, it has been designed to have people in Switzerland throwing rocks at you, because race mode + 60kmh speed limit = very loud buzzy exhaust note. Nicht so gut!
I'm also not sure I like the gearbox despite its techno-fangledness. It doesn't seem to blip on the downshifts unless you're really piling on. I guess it is the way of these dual boxes
The seamless upsifts and the howl do make it sound like a mini F1 car though.
Steering is amazingly light at low speed yet weights up and is very direct once you are on the move. Kart like.
Didn't think those little screens either side of the rev counter were much cop though, quite difficult to read the screen on the left with fuel gauge etc.
Overall, though, I don't know. The way it puts on speed, and how easy it is to drive. My passenger who also drove it, for longer than I did, said it is like his GTR. My summary to Marcus as I got out, it is just too easy to drive. On the other hand, maybe I need more than 15 minutes to appreciate a 200k car...
First off, the car looks ok stationary inside a dealership, better outside in daylight, and really quite nice when moving. I think the way the light moves across the surfaces makes the difference (this car was, of course, red).
The noise is of course fantastic, as is the speed of the gear change. Race mode transforms it into a really angry sounding thing. I think, however, it has been designed to have people in Switzerland throwing rocks at you, because race mode + 60kmh speed limit = very loud buzzy exhaust note. Nicht so gut!
I'm also not sure I like the gearbox despite its techno-fangledness. It doesn't seem to blip on the downshifts unless you're really piling on. I guess it is the way of these dual boxes
The seamless upsifts and the howl do make it sound like a mini F1 car though.Steering is amazingly light at low speed yet weights up and is very direct once you are on the move. Kart like.
Didn't think those little screens either side of the rev counter were much cop though, quite difficult to read the screen on the left with fuel gauge etc.
Overall, though, I don't know. The way it puts on speed, and how easy it is to drive. My passenger who also drove it, for longer than I did, said it is like his GTR. My summary to Marcus as I got out, it is just too easy to drive. On the other hand, maybe I need more than 15 minutes to appreciate a 200k car...
Edited by AndrewD on Friday 12th March 15:59
You cant really say its easy to drive unless youve got the traction control off and are sliding it around or are really on it. I cant think of many modern cars that are difficult or challenging to drive at moderate speeds.
Also, if it doesn't blip on the downchanges its because it doesnt need to. Unless you are pressing on and car senses the need to match the revs with the wheel speed. I like the sound of that as opposed to it mindlessly blipping on downchanges for curb crawlers who are just trying to attract attention
From what I've seen on video it seems absolutely fantastic and I cant wait to get mine. I just wish there was a manual option.
Also, if it doesn't blip on the downchanges its because it doesnt need to. Unless you are pressing on and car senses the need to match the revs with the wheel speed. I like the sound of that as opposed to it mindlessly blipping on downchanges for curb crawlers who are just trying to attract attention
From what I've seen on video it seems absolutely fantastic and I cant wait to get mine. I just wish there was a manual option.
pistolp said:
You cant really say its easy to drive unless youve got the traction control off and are sliding it around or are really on it. I cant think of many modern cars that are difficult or challenging to drive at moderate speeds.
Also, if it doesn't blip on the downchanges its because it doesnt need to. Unless you are pressing on and car senses the need to match the revs with the wheel speed. I like the sound of that as opposed to it mindlessly blipping on downchanges for curb crawlers who are just trying to attract attention
From what I've seen on video it seems absolutely fantastic and I cant wait to get mine. I just wish there was a manual option.
Calm down dearest. Just because I wasn't really bowled over after a 15 minute drive doesn't mean I'm challenging your manhood because you've ordered one. Great for you. You can even start your own thread telling everybody, again, that you've ordered a 458.Also, if it doesn't blip on the downchanges its because it doesnt need to. Unless you are pressing on and car senses the need to match the revs with the wheel speed. I like the sound of that as opposed to it mindlessly blipping on downchanges for curb crawlers who are just trying to attract attention
From what I've seen on video it seems absolutely fantastic and I cant wait to get mine. I just wish there was a manual option.
If you like sliding a 560bhp car around the public road then good for you. It is patently ridiculous to say that is the only way to be qualified to say whether a car is too easy to drive, all that tells you is how easy the car is to drive on the limit, duh. You can drive a road you know like the back of your hand, at reasonable speeds, and compare how much the car made you work for your fun to a large range of other cars you've driven on the same road.
So, you see, here's the thing. I can say exactly what I like, because that's how I see it.
If you can't think of cars that are a challenge to drive at normal speeds then I'm sorry for you. I can. I own two of them.
I don't need lectures on blipping on the downchange. I know why it doesn't do it. You did read my comment "I guess that's dual clutch boxes"? I was observing with regret that it didn't do it.
FFS
steelej said:
Anubis said:
How bigger step up is it from the F430? Would you say it's worth forking out a (lot) more for it than a second hand F430?
As good as it undoubtedly is, I find it hard to beleive it's 120grand better than a slightly used 430. The 430 right now is a relative bargain.John.
Getting straight to the point, the 458 was great. I can see what Andrew means by being easy to drive but, does feel a really sorted car. Drove it for just over 2 hours although held back a bit as the temperature rarely rose over 3 degrees.
Back to the dealer and tried a 599.
Then onto a late Scuderia. The 458 is great, the Scuderia just seemed better; Raw, angry, brutal. Having said that, a 458 is so incredibly close and the one I'd like to live with in most situations. For a one-outing drive, the Scuderia tops the list. Totally epic.
Will get round to download some photos soon.
Back to the dealer and tried a 599.
Then onto a late Scuderia. The 458 is great, the Scuderia just seemed better; Raw, angry, brutal. Having said that, a 458 is so incredibly close and the one I'd like to live with in most situations. For a one-outing drive, the Scuderia tops the list. Totally epic.
Will get round to download some photos soon.
Edited by marcusjames on Friday 12th March 18:13
marcusjames said:
Getting straight to the point, the 458 was great. I can see what Andrew means by being easy to drive but, does feel a really sorted car. Drove it for just over 2 hours although held back a bit as the temperature rarely rose over 3 degrees.
Back to the dealer and tried a 599.
Then onto a late Scuderia. The 458 is great, the Scuderia just seemed better; Raw, angry, brutal. Having said that, a 458 is so incredibly close and the one I'd like to live with in most situations. For a one-outing drive, the Scuderia tops the list. Totally epic.
Will get round to download some photos soon.
whatever Back to the dealer and tried a 599.
Then onto a late Scuderia. The 458 is great, the Scuderia just seemed better; Raw, angry, brutal. Having said that, a 458 is so incredibly close and the one I'd like to live with in most situations. For a one-outing drive, the Scuderia tops the list. Totally epic.
Will get round to download some photos soon.
Edited by marcusjames on Friday 12th March 18:13
andrew. said:
marcusjames said:
Getting straight to the point, the 458 was great. I can see what Andrew means by being easy to drive but, does feel a really sorted car. Drove it for just over 2 hours although held back a bit as the temperature rarely rose over 3 degrees.
Back to the dealer and tried a 599.
Then onto a late Scuderia. The 458 is great, the Scuderia just seemed better; Raw, angry, brutal. Having said that, a 458 is so incredibly close and the one I'd like to live with in most situations. For a one-outing drive, the Scuderia tops the list. Totally epic.
Will get round to download some photos soon.
whatever Back to the dealer and tried a 599.
Then onto a late Scuderia. The 458 is great, the Scuderia just seemed better; Raw, angry, brutal. Having said that, a 458 is so incredibly close and the one I'd like to live with in most situations. For a one-outing drive, the Scuderia tops the list. Totally epic.
Will get round to download some photos soon.
Edited by marcusjames on Friday 12th March 18:13
pistolp said:
The car is swizterland I think, first UK cars arrive in may june time. I have order......sorry!
Congratulations, I'm sure you'll love it.It's all relative. They may be "just" great Ferraris, but this makes them significantly better than Lamborghinis.
Lights fuse, stands back. The Andrews will be along shortly
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