458 drive

Barry · 11-06-2011, 10:10 AM

Today I had the immense privilege of taking a bright yellow 458 Italia on a test run courtesy of the Irish Ferrari dealer Charles Hurst.

It was the perfect winter's morning, blue skies, no clouds, dry roads and a crisp feel in the air. Ideal Ferrari weather. The roads around Lough Erne in Nothern Ireland were the playground and what wonderful roads they are. On a sunny Sunday morning with very little traffic I couldn't have asked for more.

And the 458...? My God what a car.

This car takes everything to a completely new level. The power, the handling, the brakes and that gear-change - how quick is that?! Quite simply the best car I have ever driven, bar none.

The bad news.... I had to hand it back.

But it was fun whilst it lasted...

Barry · 11-06-2011, 10:12 AM

A few more pics.

Barry · 11-06-2011, 10:13 AM

Nice rear...

Barry · 11-06-2011, 10:15 AM

Stopping power....

JazzyO · 11-06-2011, 01:29 PM

I understand exactly what you mean Barry. How overwhelming a 458 is. It is just what the Americans succinctly but crudely call a mind f*ck. The best way to put the 458 in some sort of context is to have driven several Ferrari's before, preferably 430 or 430 Scuderia, at serious pace, and then drive a 458. The way the goal posts have been moved is hard to explain.

In many ways I find driving a 458 to be in the middle of a Marvel Comic book. And yet, strangely, you can still potter around in it. And then, when you can't improve the experience any further, you park it, step out, and adore the lines. What a fantastic design. What a car.

Onno

Barry · 11-06-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyO

I understand exactly what you mean Barry. How overwhelming a 458 is. It is just what the Americans succinctly but crudely call a mind f*ck. The best way to put the 458 in some sort of context is to have driven several Ferrari's before, preferably 430 or 430 Scuderia, at serious pace, and then drive a 458. The way the goal posts have been moved is hard to explain.

In many ways I find driving a 458 to be in the middle of a Marvel Comic book. And yet, strangely, you can still potter around in it. And then, when you can't improve the experience any further, you park it, step out, and adore the lines. What a fantastic design. What a car.
Onno

totally agree Onno. Simply sublime. How you sleep at night knowing one is on it's way to you I don't know!

iainuk · 11-06-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry

totally agree Onno. Simply sublime. How you sleep at night knowing one is on it's way to you I don't know!

I sleep quite well with one in the garage

Glad you had a fun day Barry. The 458 is a superb car and I just don't get it when people on various forums say it's not involving enough or too easy to drive etc. It's an immense car on the right roads. I had a little play with a few weekend bikers in mine a few weeks back and I think they were genuinely shocked at the speed I could carry through corners

champagne612 · 11-06-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry

Today I had the immense privilege of taking a bright yellow 458 Italia on a test run courtesy of the Irish Ferrari dealer Charles Hurst.

The bad news.... I had to hand it back.

But it was fun whilst it lasted...

Sounds and looks like someone had a good Ferrari day

Barry · 11-06-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iainuk

I sleep quite well with one in the garage :grin

I think I'd sleep in the garage Iain!

Barry · 11-06-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champagne612

Sounds and looks like someone had a good Ferrari day

Was it that obvious?

PbPedis · 11-06-2011, 04:17 PM

The styling hasn't grown on me yet, but I would be scared to test drive it because I don't think I'd want to get back into my own car afterwards.

champagne612 · 11-06-2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry

Was it that obvious?

The part where you professed to g-d sorta screamed you were in heaven

212Export · 11-06-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyO

I understand exactly what you mean Barry. How overwhelming a 458 is. It is just what the Americans succinctly but crudely call a mind f*ck. The best way to put the 458 in some sort of context is to have driven several Ferrari's before, preferably 430 or 430 Scuderia, at serious pace, and then drive a 458. The way the goal posts have been moved is hard to explain.

In many ways I find driving a 458 to be in the middle of a Marvel Comic book. And yet, strangely, you can still potter around in it. And then, when you can't improve the experience any further, you park it, step out, and adore the lines. What a fantastic design. What a car.

Onno

...what kind of a description !

Boxer · 11-06-2011, 10:38 PM

Well captured. It is a very impressive machine.

Barry · 11-06-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PbPedis

The styling hasn't grown on me yet, but I would be scared to test drive it because I don't think I'd want to get back into my own car afterwards.

There was a slight element of that feeling. But I still love my 360...

Prestiga · 11-27-2011, 08:52 AM

The 458 Italia is no longer a Ferrari - its a super-Ferrari

The 458 Italia is much more ferrarrrrrri that any other... much much ,uch ,ch better than the 430 and absolutly unlike the California or the V12 599.

I love 458 - more than any other car in the world (and i have drove almost any car except Zonda / Koni)

Nir

430Addict · 11-27-2011, 05:17 PM

True, the 458 is better in many ways. It's the latest weapon, apart from the FF, from Ferrari so it has to top the previous models. However, if finances permit, one has to keep at least a Scuderia and a CS in the garage apart from acquiring the new 458 in order to remind himself of Ferrari's roots...RAW, SPINE THINGLING BRUTAL F1 POWER!

F1.360.LOVER · 11-27-2011, 07:25 PM

Barry, I noticed that you have an F1 360. So do I. I was wondering what the 458 shifting felt like in comparison to our cars in sport mode? I hear it's seamless and very smooth. Thanks in advance.

Boxer · 11-27-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1.360.LOVER

Barry, I noticed that you have an F1 360. So do I. I was wondering what the 458 shifting felt like in comparison to our cars in sport mode? I hear it's seamless and very smooth. Thanks in advance.

The F1 gear change on the 458 is much quicker and smoother than the 360 and 430. Having driven all three though, the one I prefer is the "almost as quick as the 458" "hammer thump" of the 430 Scuderia F1 gear change.

Prestiga · 11-28-2011, 12:47 AM

take a loot at the TopGear check of the 458 vs 430.... Its really amaizing!

best car specifications ever!

11-06-2011, 10:10 AM	#1
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,257	458 drive Today I had the immense privilege of taking a bright yellow 458 Italia on a test run courtesy of the Irish Ferrari dealer Charles Hurst. It was the perfect winter's morning, blue skies, no clouds, dry roads and a crisp feel in the air. Ideal Ferrari weather. The roads around Lough Erne in Nothern Ireland were the playground and what wonderful roads they are. On a sunny Sunday morning with very little traffic I couldn't have asked for more. And the 458...? My God what a car. This car takes everything to a completely new level. The power, the handling, the brakes and that gear-change - how quick is that?! Quite simply the best car I have ever driven, bar none. The bad news.... I had to hand it back. But it was fun whilst it lasted... Attached Images Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

11-06-2011, 10:12 AM	#2
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,257	A few more pics. Attached Images Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

11-06-2011, 10:13 AM	#3
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,257	Nice rear... Attached Images Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

11-06-2011, 10:15 AM	#4
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,257	Stopping power.... Attached Images Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

11-06-2011, 01:29 PM	#5
JazzyO Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Ferrari Life Posts: 4,289	I understand exactly what you mean Barry. How overwhelming a 458 is. It is just what the Americans succinctly but crudely call a mind fck. The best way to put the 458 in some sort of context is to have driven several Ferrari's before, preferably 430 or 430 Scuderia, at serious pace, and then drive a 458. The way the goal posts have been moved is hard to explain. In many ways I find driving a 458 to be in the middle of a Marvel Comic book. And yet, strangely, you can still potter around in it. And then, when you can't improve the experience any further, you park it, step out, and adore the lines. What a fantastic design. What a car. Onno Future: 458 Italia (May 2012)* Present: 550 Maranello, 330GTC, 365BB (x2) Past: eh - see above.

11-06-2011, 04:17 PM	#11
PbPedis Owner Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 22 Name: Dennis	The styling hasn't grown on me yet, but I would be scared to test drive it because I don't think I'd want to get back into my own car afterwards.

11-06-2011, 10:38 PM	#14
Boxer Owner Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Ferrari Life Posts: 12,792	Well captured. It is a very impressive machine. Boxer Current: F40, F50, 612, 430 Scuderia Past: 360 Modena, 360 Challenge, 550, 575, 365BB, 512BB, 456 GT, F355 GTS, 365 GTB/4 Daytona, 308 GTB

11-27-2011, 08:52 AM	#16
Prestiga Join Date: Nov 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 16 Name: Nir	The 458 Italia is no longer a Ferrari - its a super-Ferrari The 458 Italia is much more ferrarrrrrri that any other... much much ,uch ,ch better than the 430 and absolutly unlike the California or the V12 599. I love 458 - more than any other car in the world (and i have drove almost any car except Zonda / Koni) Nir

11-27-2011, 05:17 PM	#17
430Addict Owner Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 395	True, the 458 is better in many ways. It's the latest weapon, apart from the FF, from Ferrari so it has to top the previous models. However, if finances permit, one has to keep at least a Scuderia and a CS in the garage apart from acquiring the new 458 in order to remind himself of Ferrari's roots...RAW, SPINE THINGLING BRUTAL F1 POWER!

11-27-2011, 07:25 PM	#18
F1.360.LOVER Owner Join Date: Dec 2009 Ferrari Life Posts: 56	Barry, I noticed that you have an F1 360. So do I. I was wondering what the 458 shifting felt like in comparison to our cars in sport mode? I hear it's seamless and very smooth. Thanks in advance.

11-28-2011, 12:47 AM	#20
Prestiga Join Date: Nov 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 16 Name: Nir	take a loot at the TopGear check of the 458 vs 430.... Its really amaizing! best car specifications ever! Last edited by Boxer; 11-28-2011 at 10:05 AM.

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