Ferrari 458 Italia

What is it?

The 458 Italia is Ferrari’s heartland supercar: a mid-mounted V8 berlinetta which defines that evocative prancing horse badge. A replacement for the excellent F430, the 458 arrived in 2009 to a predictably rapturous welcome. With a dry-sumped 4.5-litre V8, the Italia is substantially up on power compared to its predecessor – so much so that it’s as quick around Ferrari’s own test track as an Enzo, the halo model to which it pays homage in some of its styling details.

Who buys it?
Anyone with an ounce of petrol in their veins (and the financial resources needed to get their name on the logbook) is likely to want a 458 Italia. It’s a hugely accomplished car and offers more performance than most drivers will ever crave.
Ferrari 458 Italia buyers are a diverse bunch. Some are Ferrari first-timers, some are F430 owners upgrading to what is a superior car in every respect. As a Ferrari, it’s an indulgent purchase and one that often shares garage space with equally alluring exotica from the prancing horse stable and rival Italian or German brands. Not all owners treat these cars as garage queens though – thanks to a dual-clutch gearbox and excellent ride comfort, the 458 is easy to use as an everyday car.

What is the model range like?
The 562bhp 458 went on sale in 2010 and remains a staggeringly capable thing to drive. With a 70bhp jump over the F430, it’s not hard to see why it has such searing pace: 62mph arrives from rest in just 3.4 seconds.
One major shift with the 458 over the old F430 is that the option of a manual gearbox was dropped (for the first time on a mainstream Ferrari). That means only one model was available from launch, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. But this is a great gearbox – rifle-bolt quick and much smoother than the F1 gearbox of the previous generation car.
And then there’s the noise. With a shriek that only a flat-plane crank V8 Ferrari engine can make, it’s loud and utterly addictive.

What were the key developments in its lifetime?
A drophead 458 with a folding metal roof arrived in 2011. The Spider has very few compromises over its fixed roof counterpart, looks strikingly similar and the driving experience is not discernably different either. Despite a price nudging 200,000, it’s likely to become more popular than the coupe. Being able to listen to the full-on aural assault of that dry-sumped V8 sans-roof is also an unforgettable experience.

Which model do you recommend?
If you can lay your hands on a 458 Italia, then in the current market it could make a sound investment. Most cars have been changing hands above list for some time, such is the demand. The Spider is a superb option, given the additional usability it offers with the folding hard top, but waiting lists are currently sitting at 18 months, leaving the 458 Italia coupe as the default choice – although paying a premium will secure the keys to a Spider.
Such is the extensive range of personalisation options now available on new Ferraris, many cars left the showroom loaded with thousands worth of additional options, like carbon trim, diamond quilted leather and bespoke wheel colours. It’s worth picking a car with a sensible range of options, though. Going overboard with carbon fibre addenda can add heavily to the price without enhancing long-term value.
The seven-year servicing package now standard on the 458 Italia is great news for residuals. It means maintenance is taken care of within the Ferrari network regardless of mileage.

What colours and trims do you recommend?
The 458 Italia is increasingly popular in Nero Daytona (black) – and in combination with quilted leather and contrast stitching, it looks very appealing, a touch different to the default Rosso/Crema often seen on Ferrari’s core model. Bianco Avus (white) is also fashionable, for the moment.

What should I avoid?
Aside from what Ferrari terms €thermal incidents’, which occurred early on in 458 production and caused a worldwide recall, there are few reported issues except the occasional electrical gremlin. But with a four-year warranty, these cars are still relatively safe purchases from a maintenance point of view.

Summer 2012 Market Report values update
The 458 Italia is still hot property, and enthusiasm for this superlatively talented mid-engined Ferrari continues unabated three years from launch. It would be a stretch to call the 458 good value in the current market – although there are few who would question whether there’s a better way to spend 200k.
The introduction of the Ferrari 458 Spider has added a nitrous boost the 458 scene causing the mandatory trade up from italia to spider enabling the used market to gain an influx of 458’s and the Ferrari factory to take further money from the devoted buyers.
The CS Market Price at the entry point to 458 ownership is 175,000 – which buys a 2010 example showing around 5,000 miles. Yes, that’s not far off what a new one costs without options, so it’s clear that the honeymoon period is still not over for the 458 Italia. It’s possible to spend silly money by paying too much attention to the options list though – and there is arguably better value to be had by seeking out a more modestly specified car. Breaking below the 150k barrier can only be done by opting for a left-hand drive example – but the hassles associated with having the steering wheel on the wrong side for UK roads shouldn’t be underestimated.

It should go without saying though; this car is all about the driving experience – with the awe-inspiring performance figures being the real draw for most buyers. However, diamond stitching, racing seats, carbon fibre body and interior addenda, special paint, premium sound systems, painted calipers, fitted luggage sets – many of the original owners simply went to town with the options, so relatively few cars are available in €basic’ trim.

The spread between the lower and upper end of the 458 market isn’t huge, given the fact this is a relatively new car still. A reasonably well-optioned 2011 example currently commands 195-210,000 with around 2,000 miles showing, and opting for a slightly older 2010 car will see that figure drop to around 185k, depending on options. Prices are expected to stay firm for the time-being though, with supply of these cars remaining tight.

Things to look out for
€ Don’t go overboard with carbon trim, but the carbon fibre driving zone – with steering wheel, paddle shifters and the dashboard strip in carbon is worth having
€ Ensure the car is up to date with factory recalls and dealer software updates by talking to Ferrari UK.
€ Avoid anything with tasteless aftermarket wheel and spoiler upgrades – believe it or not, people will try and enhance these cars – and some have very limited aesthetic appeal.