If you wanted to buy a new Ferrari 458 Speciale customised to your own specification it is too late as they ceased making the car a few months ago to make way for the replacement mid-engined car, the 488. The former Top Gear presenter James May almost missed the boat as Ferrari had stopped taking orders for the car but agreed to make just one more for him.
Every time Ferrari makes a limited run of upgraded cars, the bold who order them always seem to gain an appreciating asset while the meek carry on dreaming. The even rarer Speciale Spider or Aperta are now changing hands for much more than the dealership price with an example selling at auction in May for €515,200.
The Speciale is a more track-focused car where increased performance and use of lighter, more exotic materials make the car much quicker and agile than the 458 Italia.
Drivers can have enormous fun with the aid of the side slip angle control software that allows it to be driven on the edge, even drifting the car while the electronics monitor the level of control and capability of the person piloting the bends. My recommendation to anyone wanting to experience such thrills should take to a track rather than a public road.
All new Ferrari cars come with a seven-year service and maintenance programme regardless of mileage. So, if an owner exceeds the service interval distances of 20,000 km in less than a year, they may have their car serviced again at no extra charge.
Now’s the time
The Ferrari 458 Italia is one of the best supercars on the planet. A bold statement we know, but one that is backed up by endless expert reviews and numerous, if not record, victories on back-to-back road tests against competitors. The handling, acceleration, grip, and sheer excitement of driving one of these cars is comparable, but second to none. We at International Property & Travel have covered many hundreds of miles in them and steeped the car in justified praise each and every time.
The introduction of its replacement, the new 488GTB is, on all accounts, even better. The new 488 GTB is, however a 3.9 litre twin turbo charged V8. The 458 that it replaces is naturally aspirated, generating its exceptional performance without the addition of turbo boost. To many, this adds to the appeal of buying a used 458, a car that remains credible despite the 488’s superior qualities. Buying one is your chance to own and enjoy one of the best Ferraris ever made.
Top 10 tips on buying news
1. If it’s a private sale, it’s worth getting an independent Ferrari specialist to check the car over for you beforehand. If the owner objects, what are they hiding?
2. Make sure the car has a pukka service history – no gaps, no dodgy repairs, it should read like a consistent thread of meticulous maintenance with paperwork to back it up.
3. Go for a relatively low mileage car – whilst not overly important for a well serviced modern Ferrari, parts wear and when they do, expenses build up.
4. Examine the exterior carefully for dents and inconsistencies – it could mean a dodgy accident repair and a big bill for you later on (ie it could be concealing serious damage, and many 458’s have been casualties of over-zealous driving).
5. Look out for uneven tyre wear – it could point to a suspension alignment problem.
6. Bent rims/scratched alloys = bad driving plus possible alignment damage. Don’t be fooled by refurbished rims.
7. An HPI check is always a good back up. HPI stats show that generally, one in three cars for sale are hiding something, one in four has outstanding finance, and nearly 400 per day have mileage discrepancies!
8. Make sure there are no fluid leaks under the car or within the engine bay.
9. Thoroughly test drive the car (preferably with an expert) – but make sure there is insurance cover for you to do so.
10. Speak to as many current 458 owners about the cars as you can – those who have owned them often learn first-hand about any running problems.
Never buy on impulse, take your time, and get the right car for you. There’s plenty around.
