Since its debut in 2009, supercars have advanced significantly, yet the 458 doesn’t seem to have aged all that much. New supercars are increasingly out of reach for the typical buyer as Ferrari sales surge and costs continue to rise. Purchasing a used Ferrari won’t be a full throw of the dice because the 458 is the first modern Ferrari to leave questionable reliability in the past. The 458 Italia is a terrific choice as your first used supercar if you’re in the market.
In This Article...
Conclusion
In general, the Ferrari 458 Italia can be characterized as a dependable vehicle. Yes, particularly with regard to its transmission, it has a history of having some issues. These are well recognized, though, and do not happen frequently enough to qualify as a “unreliable” car. In fact, it’s challenging to name a supercar produced in the past ten years that could be considered truly unreliable. Nowadays, there is no justification for it, and any producer with a bad reputation would quickly lose business to a wide range of rivals.
With supercars at this price bracket, we have a ton of options today. None of the high-end vehicles, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, McLaren, and others, are inherently unreliable.
Check out my article if you’re unsure if you can afford a supercar. The fact that they can really purchase one for themselves after looking at the numbers surprises a lot of people!
Driving Practice
A truly fantastic driving experience instantly overtakes the driver when they are in the 458. The 458 gives you a sense of security and assurance without endangering your health. The car’s steering is reportedly more sensitive than most supercars and is very responsive. This allows for plenty of stability by giving drivers a very accurate idea of where the wheels are during turns.
Although some electronic aid is responsible for the incredible steering, it doesn’t feel numb as many other cars do. With the drivers’ experience coming down to skill level and driver aids, the 458 treads a very narrow edge.
The simplicity with which this car may be driven aggressively inspires an electrifying sense of confidence while, at the same time, allowing for an unrestricted experience while pushing the 458’s limits.
Regardless of your driving experience, the 458 will always have enough power to excite you. To give you an idea of how much power this car has, lap times for the 458 Italia have been demonstrated to be only one tenth of a second slower than those for an Enzo.
The 458’s suspension consists of a dual wishbone setup up front and a multi link setup optimized for maximum handling and grip. Using the renowned Manettino switch on the steering wheel, multiple driving modes allow for further suspension modification. The options available to drivers are wet, sport, race, CT off (traction control), and finally, ESC off, which turns off all driver assistance features.
The 458’s cockpit is substantially more driver-focused than its predecessor. The cabin has been thinned significantly, but it is still decorated with the best materials available. It feels very open and light, and the central console is exquisitely straightforward and simple.
The design of the steering wheel best illustrates Ferrari’s strategy for connecting the driver with the vehicle. Like an F1 driver, drivers can find everything they need right at their fingertips on the actual steering wheel. The Manettino switch, together with the horn, signals, headlights, suspension dampener button, wipers, and other controls, are all easily accessible. Ferrari and Michael Schumacher collaborated on the interior design to give the 458 a genuine race car feel.
The bright central tachometer is atop a fully digital display with screens on either side. The left pod will project vehicle status and driving mode displays while the right pod shows the speedometer, radio, and satellite navigation. Drivers will notice a row of bright red LEDs across the top of the steering wheel, which shows the tachometer’s growing redline and helps you stay focused on the track.
What to Check Out
Although the 458 is generally a solid vehicle, there are some potential problems. For the Ferrari 458 Italia model years 2010 to 2011, there have been multiple instances of gearbox failures. During the same time, Ferrari issued a recall for the vehicles due to a crankshaft issue that might result in an abrupt engine seizure and a possible accident. It was discovered that several crankshafts needed to be changed since they were manufactured using inappropriate machinery. Verify that the necessary repairs were made if the vehicle you’re considering is from this era. The secondary component of the trunk latch may not release when the automobile is at a complete stop, which was a problem that affected the model years 2010 through 2014. Additionally, due to the glue in the rear fenders, Ferrari issued a recall for 2010 458 models. This adhesive can catch fire at high temperatures, perhaps causing the loss of the entire vehicle and an engine bay fire.
The Ferrari 458 is actually regarded as a minimal maintenance vehicle for individuals who choose to purchase a model from the early 2010 or 2011 model years. The 458 Italia requires little maintenance except standard maintenance like oil changes. The DCT transmission does not require a new clutch because it is designed to endure the lifetime of the vehicle. The brakes are typical carbon ceramic and designed to endure the lifetime of the vehicle; nonetheless, track excursions may have damaged them. Similar to the preceding Ferrari F430 model, the 458 Italia uses timing chains rather of timing belts, and these are also maintenance-free.
Hardwearing materials coexist with plastic finishes that are readily scratched in the interior, which is a bit of a mixed bag. When maneuvering into a place, sight isn’t great to the rear three-quarters, so check the body for parking damage. Additionally frequent are kerbed alloys. Look for any interior water stains and use a fine-toothed comb to inspect the seals. The Spider’s fabric roof is not completely fault-free, and some owners have reported incidences of water penetration and the mechanism jamming. Check for uneven tire wear, signs of an accident, interior wear that doesn’t line up with the car’s stated mileage, and insist on a complete service history.
Ferrari 458 Italia, a thoroughbred from Italy
Early in its development, Ferrari’s 458 Italia made headlines for all the wrong reasons, prompting the Italian automaker to recall thousands of customer vehicles still covered by warranties due to braking and safety issues. Despite its highly tuned engine, chassis, and transmission, the 458 is one of the best Ferraris in recent years. Despite this, owners can rest easy knowing that the baby Ferrari only needs basic maintenance.
Italia’s top speed of more than 200 mph is due to Ferrari’s nearly burst-proof F136 4.5-liter V8 engine, which is located just inches behind the cockpit and produces 562 horsepower at 9000 rpm.
How dependable is a Ferrari 458 Italia?
Even if the 458 Italia may be the best Ferrari the world has ever seen, there are still some issues it must overcome.
There have been multiple complaints of transmission breakdowns in Ferrari 458 Italias from the 2010–2011 model years. Although Ferrari has not publicly acknowledged the issue or even issued a recall, it is important to note that the 2012 cars did come with upgraded transmission software, leading us to believe Ferrari was aware of it all along.
A defective crankshaft that may cause an abrupt engine seizure and lead to a crash has been recalled by Ferrari. It was discovered that several crankshafts needed to be changed since they were manufactured using inappropriate machinery. Ferrari offers owners the choice between installing a new crankshaft and bearings or getting an entirely new engine. Model years 2011–2012 were impacted by this.
When the automobile is stopped, the secondary part of the trunk lock might not release. Despite the fact that this is a pretty minor problem, the dealer ought to replace it. Model years 2010–2014 were impacted by this.
Due to the adhesive in the rear fenders, Ferrari recalled 2010 458 models. This adhesive can catch fire at high temperatures, perhaps causing the loss of the entire vehicle and an engine bay fire. Ferrari has fixed this problem by abandoning the use of adhesive altogether and using five rivets to fasten the components together. Owners of 458 vehicles will not be charged for this patch.
The Ferrari 488 is dependable.
Security & dependability Given Ferrari’s current record for making reliable automobiles, routine maintenance should keep the 488 GTB operating without any significant issues.
How well-built is the Ferrari 458?
There aren’t many automobiles that give greater attention-grabbing appeal than the Ferrari 458. It’s an incredibly attractive car.
The Ferrari 458 was created by the renowned Italian design firm Pininfarina, and it embodies everything a supercar should. The body mixes cutting-edge technical aspects like active cooling and aerodynamic elements with the classic supercar looks, including an aggressive nose, thin headlamps, a taught profile, and an amazing rear end.
As soon as you step inside the 458’s cabin, you’ll find everything a contemporary Ferrari would offer. It is significantly more exotic, focused on performance, and well-built than some vintage Ferraris.
Is the Ferrari 458 a wise purchase?
Which car—the Ferrari 458 Speciale or the Ferrari 488 Pista—do you prefer? Our sales manager, Geroge, shares his opinions on the current supercar market in this blog. These two Special Edition Ferrari V8s are absolutely gorgeous!
The 3.9 liter twin turbocharged 488 Pista is pushing 710 brake horsepower compared to the 4.5 liter naturally aspirated Ferrari 458 Speciale’s nearly 600 brake horsepower.
Both vehicles look amazing on the road and are absolute beasts on the track. We are fortunate to have both in stock and have had great success with both vehicles in the past.
The 458 Speciale’s normally aspirated engine, which means no turbos and minimal throttle latency, makes it the most notable difference between the two of them. The naturally aspirated engines produce greater noise, which is a very important factor.
It’s the natural roaring combustion that comes from the engine itself; you don’t hear turbos fizzing and whining along.
Given that it is Ferrari’s final naturally aspirated V8 engine, the 458 Speciale is a really wise investment. If you’re thinking long term, this will be a fantastic investment and should be included to your collection.
In the long run, I do see these going above a million pounds. The Speciale’s V8 engine is one of the greatest you’ll ever hear, and it received the Engine of the Year title. Therefore, that in and of itself must carry some type of acknowledgment.
The 488 Pista, on the other hand, has no trouble entertaining with presence or drive; in fact, the handling is arguably superior to that of the 458 Speciale!
There is no other way to truly describe the Pista’s incredible speed except to explain that it is twin-turbocharged. The Pista is now being sold for between PS320,000 and PS330,000. Given that it’s not significantly over list price, I do believe it to be a fantastic buy for that amount of money.
You would spend twenty to thirty thousand dollars above budget, but it is totally worth it. You are protected because I don’t see these losing value or crashing anytime near.
To be fully honest with you, I love the Pistas, but if it were my money, I would simply love the fact that I could claim to own the final naturally aspirated V8 Ferrari ever produced.
In my opinion, the 458 Speciale is among the best vehicles I’ve driven to date. A particularly beautiful example would cost between PS260,000 and PS270,000, and you know where to acquire it!