Ferrari switched its sports cars to turbo power in 2015, and since then there has been debate as to whether it was a good or bad move.
Everyone, from magazine reviewers to armchair critics who did not come close to some YouTube video, had their say, but now it seems the people who really matter have given us an answer.
These are the ones who have enough money to choose between the two. And looking at the values of both the Ferrari 458 and 488 suggests that the aspiration of power is still highly regarded.
If you look at the prices of the earliest 458s, the Italia is obviously much cheaper than a 488 because it is four or five years older. You could end up in a 2011 458 for less than $ 155,000 in the US, or £ 120,000 in the UK, if you’re lucky without the major dealer support, while the earliest 488s of the customers were 2016 models and from $ 218,000 in cost the US. £ 140,000 in the UK.
But look at the prices for 458s built closer to the model switch, and the situation is less clear. You would expect the newer, more powerful car to offer a substantial premium, but even official Ferrari dealers selling approved used samples of both types of cars charge similar money and sometimes more for the older, slower 458.
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British Ferrari dealer Stratstone, for example, has an approved second-year 2013 model year 458 for £ 144,800. But a 2016 488 in the same garage with only 7,300 miles is marked at £ 152,000. It looks like a small storage for cars that are significantly younger and have fewer miles. We issued Stratstone for some insight, but we have not heard yet.
Meanwhile, three other UK Ferrari dealers are offering 488s for less than £ 150,000, and Dick Lovett Swindon wants £ 159,990 for a 4584-kilometer length registered in 2014. In addition, an independent dealer told us that he is much more interested in customers looking for the older car.
In the US, 458 Italians are the best at around $ 210,000, while the cheapest 488s start at just under $ 220,000. However, it is worth pointing out that the value of a car can vary depending on the options and color chosen by the original owner.
Do you want to talk to Specials? The harder, lighter, faster version of the 458 is completely different. U.S. retailers are asking up to $ 380,000 for the coupe, and a whopping $ 690,000 for the convertible Aperta version.
The 458 first appeared in 2010 and evolved in 2015 to the 488. There were a few minor style changes, but the engine was the biggest difference. Ferrari has powered the old naturally aspirated F136 4.5-liter V8 for a new F154 3.9-liter V8 using turbo technology it unveiled in the California T last year.
On the plus side, the engine power got a huge boost and jumped from 562 hp (570 hp) in the 458 Italia to 661 hp for its 488 GTB successor. And more strikingly, the torque increased from 540 Nm (740 Nm) to 760 Nm (561 lb ft). The 488 was faster from a stoplight, and it was also much faster in passing situations, while a cleverly adjusted boost curve meant there was still fun in turning it out to the red line.
But not so much fun, because the engine with turbo power did not sound nearly as exciting, and the red line was 1000 rpm lower. We both drove and definitely prefer the sound of the 458, although the kick of the turbocharged Ferrari is seriously addictive and it is a much easier car to live with and enjoy.
We will not kick one out of bed, but what do you choose? Let us know in the comments.
