I know this may sound ridiculous to some. It even sounds ridiculous to me. I've owned many incredible cars over the years, but about a year ago I sold my perfect 2010 BMW e92 M3 and gorgeous 2011 TTS-1 and made a decision to cut back to 3 cars. Three car garage, one car in each. Then, I bought a Porsche Macan Turbo PP to replace my X5, a new BMW i3 as my daily driver, and traded my 458 for a new 488 GTB, which I've since upgraded to the 488 Spider.

So, the 488 Spider is my favorite car ever. There's never been a car that makes me feel this way. Every time I drive it and come home I tell my wife that it shouldn't be called a car. Car just doesn't do it justice. The visceral experience is best a man can have. It is truly epic!

So whats the dilemma? I suffer from pretty serious lower back pain. It's bad enough that it deters me from driving the Ferrari. Many days I just say, what the hell, I'll drive it next week. I'm also reluctant to drive it to my office. I use to drive some of my other Ferrari's to the office, and I'd hear the comments floating around the office for a few days. Yeah, I know, I'm the boss so who cares? I do, that's who! Consequently I hardly ever drive this gorgeous piece of machinery. I drive it so seldom that it makes me feel guilty and sad. You ask why guilty? Because I can think of many other things i can do with money than let it sit in my garage and depreciate. As an example, I just bought a million dollar plus yacht. Another one of my passions.

I've been thinking of selling it and replacing it with a new TTS. The only reason I can make some sense of that is at least I drove my TTS. I have 1000 miles on my 488 in 8 months, and I was putting 12k on my TTS a year.

I don't really expect any of you to say anything I haven't already rattled around in my head a hundred times. I'm sure I sound like a spoiled brat. Writing this was more for personal therapy than any thing else.

Thanks for listening. Miss you guys!

 

Do it... at least the TTS will get driven. You can also take the money you will pocket on the 488 sale and use it for fuel towards the yacht.

 

Or, you could do what I did and buy a McLaren. Ride is comfortable, seats are awesome, and it’s got that wow factor too.

 

Back pain is a real bummer. Choosing between a 911TTS and 488 is a champagne problem though. You might confirm your sense of the 991 first though -- I'm sure it's easier to get in and out of than a 488, but wonder if maybe an M6 or Bentley or AMG-something might be better suited?

On a side note, how do you even get a 488? I expressed interest before getting my TTS and got absolutely nowhere...

 

I wouldn't think twice...if your back pain is a limitation, and you have the means to enjoy your life by dumping the 488 and buying a TTS, why wouldn't you? It's one way of not letting your pain ruin your day to day life!

I got my TTS shortly after I survived a quick bout with cancer, and it made me think as to WTF I'd do with my money, if I didn't absolutely enjoy what it brings. It happened over lunch one day - when it was pointed out to me that I was a cancer survivor, 4 months after my surgery.

That really made me think twice - and despite having a bunch of awesome rides in my garage, I drove right over to the Porsche dealer and ordered a '16 TTS.

That fight for my life made me realize how little time we have and how precious life really is. So if you have a back issue that's hindering some part of your life, and you have the opportunity to remedy some part of that and enjoy the outcome, you should just do it and not think twice. No point owning that car unless you're gonna enjoy it!

Just my 2 cents...

 

Boom! Good luck!

and #earned by the way!

 

This is an interesting angle on it.

If I was OP, I would drop the 488. He isn't driving it enough. Instead get either a 911 TTS, or maybe even something like a Continental GT. The new Continental GT is Panamera based, and is supposed to be much sportier than the old one. Its certainly the car I would get if I had back issues.

I am considering getting a new AMG E63S for my wife and based on my initial test drives I don't think it is any more comfortable than my TTS. It's bigger, but seats are firm and ride quality is comparable.

 

I don't think I can part with the 488. I am truly torn. I was far more comfortable in my GTB with my electric Daytona seats. I went with the Race seats because the spider looses about 2 inches of leg room and the race seats give some of it back. In hindsight, as much as I love the sound of the spider with the back window down, the GTB was the better chose for me. Never should have sold the GTB.

The net of it is that the TTS is far more comfortable to sit in and easier to get in and out of, relatively practical, real easy to drive, fast as hell, full of technology, and beautiful inside and out. The 488 on the other hand is pure F**king sex, uncomfortable, totally impractical, faster than hell, sounds incredible, looks like a piece of art, expensive as hell, and gets my heart racing every time I look at it, let alone drive it.

I really appreciate all the feel back. I don't think I can let it go. I love it so much I almost feel guilty. Like why me? How does a simple, uneducated guy from Toronto get to own something so special that it keeps me up the night before I know I'm going for drive? I spent 40 years dreaming about Ferrari and what it might be like. Breaking up is hard to do when you're in love

 

I would have to agree. I wouldn't be able to let it go and I've had these same feelings when I bought my first "dream" BMW, then to my first "dream" Porsche etc...

I would get a supplement vehicle and instead of getting the new redesigned Bentley CGT, I would look at the current one that is out that is brand new. I was offered a CGT Speed brand new for 50K MSRP. Other then suspension being a weak point, the car is basically bulletproof. I know several people who have over 100K on the dial..

 

Cpiguy,
I don't think the 991TTS is more comfy than the 488. At least not by a large margin.
Yours was lowered even worst.

I would keep the 488 and get some PRP for your back
A much cheaper solution than swapping cars.
About guys at the office, wrap it silver or take each employee every Friday to lunch in it , they will be excited and work harder for you.

 

If they don't like you it's probably not the car.

See a chiropractor ice it and drive it.

 

Why not keep the 488 and trade the i3 for a TTS?

 

I can understand your feelings. We have a Rosso Scuderia 488 Spider with Cuoio interior in our showroom and I often find myself drifting off just starring at it in pure awe. The sound it produces when we have to move it is intoxicating.

Best of luck with your decision!

 

There's the DSC box from TPC racing, which people say it makes the ride more compliant in normal mode and more responsive during fun time. There may be a similar product for Ferraris, but it's not my turf.

I too suffer from severe back pain, the type that leaves you in bed for a week at a time, spine injections and lots of NSAIDS. My humble advice is: exercise, chiropractor, keep what makes you happy. Proper mind set helps with muscle relaxation. Maybe a softer seat? Combination of inflatable cushion with memory foam? Being a back pain sufferer, I know we do anything to have a decently normal life. You could have something custom made. Even replace the bottom part of the seat. I know the Ferrari police is getting upset. I have a teeter hang ups, so I lost sense of ridiculous a long time ago...

I have a C2 cab, the softest suspension among all the 991.2, and depending where you are, you will suffer.
I had a M6, faster and more comfortable but I wouldn't trade back even if added another 100hp, so I see your conundrum.
The way I see it, I have to exercise and stay in shape if I want to enjoy my car. Not a bad carrot...

Article from edmunds, not really for gear heads in pain:
https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/c...back-pain.html

If I buy one of these is bc I lost any love I ever had for cars:
https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/t...back-pain.html

 

I drove a 488 Spider for a week about 2k miles in Europe on Adventure Drives 04 in Europe I. September 2017. While I loved it's looks I didn't think it was as comfortable as my turbo s and I thought it was very clunky and not fun to drive around town. Big Turning Circle, low ground clearance and clunky transmission around town compared to the PDK.

The only place I really liked it more was at very high speeds on the highway where it's definitely faster than the stock turbo S. And I loved the crowds that would gather around it in Italy. And man oh man it is dramatically better looking in the two of us.

But overall after the week was over I couldn't wait to get back in my turbo S and really had no desire to buy the 488.