So I was fortunate enough to take a 11 day vacation across Italy over the last 2 weeks. I got to see some amazing sites in Venice, Rome, Florence, Pisa an Lake Como but the highlight of the vacation was the 4-5 hours we spent in Maranello...the home of Ferrari.

Unfortunately, unless you can prove you OWN a Ferrari, you cant get a tour but I still got the chance to take a 30-40 minute drive in a 458 Italia and wanted to give my impressions.

1. The car looks amazing, I love the look of my 2008 911 but the 458 is in a way different class.

2. The interior is nice but you can tell it is NOT any form of a touring car. Very sparse.

3. The car sounds better than any other car I have ever heard. 4.5 liters of magic at 9500rpm.

4. Despite the magical sound and stunning looks, the car feels "slow" in comparison to the Porsche. It is still fast but the Porsche is faster and frankly it didnt even feel close.

5. EVERYBODY stops to stare and take pictures..if you want attention, get this car.

6. Did I mention the sound?

I was able to get it up to about 210km/h and the car felt very stable. The ride was good and it handled and braked very well.

Overall it is an impressive car and I am thankful I got to drive a 458 at its birthplace.

Do I want one? Hell yes (My daughter even said "Daddy, you have to get one".

Is it "better" than the 911? If you want attention or the sound, then hands down YES but I honestly feel like the 911 is a better car.

I had to attach a little picture the wife took as I was finishing up the drive....

 

You should have tried the f12 and the aventador also

 

If we were staying longer I would have. I had already delayed the family by about 3 hours having my fun!

 

Thanks for the review. I always enjoy reading these. Is your 911 TT tuned or stock? I had a 997 GT2 tuned to over 620hp/tq and it was faster than my SCUD which is a tad slower than a 458. I would say that in stock form my GT2 (which is faster than 911TT) is equal to the SCUD. The tuned GT2 is faster than anything I have ever driven, including the Aventador (which is blah), MP4, 458, highest level gallardo's.

The GT2 is an overall better car with acceleration, handling, reliability, comfort and less attention. It is engineering and driving perfection. The SCUD is way more fun, emotional and smile/giggle inducing than any 911 can come close too. I don't miss the speed of the GT2 because you had to reach going to jail speeds to induce fun whereas the SCUD can do it with legal speeds. Even just cruising at 50mph is an emotional event in the SCUD.

This is just my experience.

 

My 911 is tuned with exhaust...versus stock I would say it is pretty close.

I would agree 100% with you "jail speeds" comment. I actually talked to my wife about trading the Porsche for something like an F430 that I could enjoy at more "legal" velocities. Right now I am in Stuttgart and the Autobahn gives me the chance to legally have fun but once I am back in the states, it might be a tougher sell!

Did you drive a normal 430 before your Scud? Is there a big difference?

 

I have not driven the regular F430 at all. They say that the SCUD is 40% lighter, louder and stiffer. It is also much faster due to the 200 lbs weight savings, more power and better gearing. The SCUD is one of the most least comfortable cars you could drive though, no insulation whatsoever. I dare you to care when you are driving it though.

 

I love the look too. Except i couldnt take one with a tan/brown interior.

 

Great review and I agree on all counts.
Did I mention the sound?

 

Please , stay away from Ferrari and that part driving at high speed at the autobahn. Just make a quick search about ferraris loosing control at high speed for no reason . They are rwd and in germany driving rwd at winter should be a problem . Also f430 at mobile.de the 2005 ones are 70.000 euros , just get the r8v10 instead . Same price but newer and better in every aspect . Also you can twin turbo it in the future.If you want a ferrari , you should wait for FF depreciation and keep you 997 , because its holding its value very good

 

I was lucky enough to drive a few Ferrari's while I was shopping cars. I drove the California and although sexy as all get out, was not what I was looking for in a car performance wise.


I drove a pre owned 430 and it was far better performance wise, but I still preferred everything about the Porsche TTS I purchased new. Did not drive the Italia, and its out of my toy budget anyway.


The sound of the F Cars is just incredible and I love it. My neighbors would not like it as I cruise with friends eaqrly Sunday AM;s in the summertime.

 

Point A to Point A cars...

 

If you want to spend 200,000 on a 911 turbo, that looks like a 50 k cayman than be my guest.

The 458 is the all around package, and a true supercar. I have owned many porsches and i love everything about them, but Ferrari's are an experience to drive.

 

The only thing that the 997 TT is better than the 458 is the price.

 

price..
acceleration
braking
grip
reliablity
top speed
cost of insurance
mod-ability

i love the 458, but the mp4-12c is what i want to own one day soon. an mp4 with a tune and exhaust, and 650s revised suspension settings.

 

For the price of the new 458 you can get a used 12C and a 997 TT to haul the kids.