[champagne612]

Fancy things from Italy are rarely cheap, and that holds true for the new Ferrari 458 Spider. Getting your hands on the V-8-powered convertible will require a cool $257,000. That represents a premium of about $30,000 over the 458 Italia coupe on which the Spider is based.

Both versions of the Ferrari 458 employ a 4.5-liter V-8 engine that churns out 570 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission directs accelerative fury to the rear wheels. The Spider wears a rotating aluminum roof panel, which can open or close in just 14 seconds.

To make the top-down experience as thrilling as possible, Ferrari has specially tuned the 458 Spider’s exhaust note and developed a wind blocker which reportedly keeps wind noise low enough so that normal conversations can be held at speeds up to 124 mph.

Of course, bear in mind that the above figure is merely the base price for the new 458 Spider; Automotive News reports that most Ferrari buyers add 15 to 20 percent to their car’s sticker by bundling options like carbon-fiber trim or a backup camera.

The Ferrari 458 Spider goes on sale in the U.S. in January 2012.

[Boxer]

Do you have one on order?

[Killer58]

Sweet! My Spider had a sticker price of just over $200K. With the usual F-car depreciation, I should be able to get one about the time my Spider is used up.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Do you have one on order?

Nope ... stole it off of a Ferrari letter that I received in the mail.

My hope is the 16M sellers will see it and drop their price a bit.

[Jeff Kennedy]

Originally Posted by champagne612

Nope ... stole it off of a Ferrari letter that I received in the mail.

My hope is the 16M sellers will see it and drop their price a bit.

Doug, you are going to look good in the 16M. One thing that will happen though is when there is a drive, as soon as the roads get out of town that will be the last time we see you. We may hear you for a good while longer though.

Jeff

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kennedy

Doug, you are going to look good in the 16M. One thing that will happen though is when there is a drive, as soon as the roads get out of town that will be the last time we see you. We may hear you for a good while longer though.

Jeff

I can't imagine it being that much quicker on the roads than the 612. Recently a 599 pulled along side and we both gave it a quick go from 30 to 80 it pulled away slightly but no more than a car length.

Still believe after 500 hp all cars are equal in a straight line until you get to the turns and even then it's based more on driver capabilities.

I just want some raw toys as it looks like the crazy toys are exiting

If I were to own one car though the 458 Spider seems to be the car to own.

Ferrari nailed everything and with the CF options and paint schemes IMO it's the worlds best all around sports car.

The guys spec'n out their 458's lately are just beautiful machines.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by champagne612

I just want some raw toys as it looks like the crazy toys are exiting

Sounds like what you really need is a F50.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by champagne612

I just want some raw toys as it looks like the crazy toys are exiting
.

Originally Posted by Boxer

Sounds like what you really need is a F50.

Or a Ducati...

[Mike430]

Originally Posted by champagne612

Fancy things from Italy are rarely cheap, and that holds true for the new Ferrari 458 Spider. Getting your hands on the V-8-powered convertible will require a cool $257,000. .

Here in South Africa no official cost has been set yet, but we are most likely looking at US$500,000 for the Spider. And that's no exaggeration

Originally Posted by champagne612

If I were to own one car though the 458 Spider seems to be the car to own.

It is a gorgeous car and best of both worlds, if you want a Berlinetta but then on those sunny occasions you want the roof down, you now have that option too.

Originally Posted by champagne612

I just want some raw toys as it looks like the crazy toys are exiting

A 430 Scuderia / 16M would definitely be exciting, so would an F40

[champagne612]

It's the Scud thud shifting mule like kick on the Scud - 16M just cracks me up.

Fan of CF - which it has plenty of.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Sounds like what you really need is a F50.

That would be nice - hopefully next year I can expand the garage and start creating a serious car collection.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Mike430

Here in South Africa no official cost has been set yet, but we are most likely looking at US$500,000 for the Spider. And that's no exaggeration



It is a gorgeous car and best of both worlds, if you want a Berlinetta but then on those sunny occasions you want the roof down, you now have that option too.



A 430 Scuderia / 16M would definitely be exciting, so would an F40

Wow - that's tough to swallow.

Is it because it's new?

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Barry

Or a Ducati...

Hah ... they are a lot easier to store in living spaces

[Mike430]

Originally Posted by champagne612

Wow - that's tough to swallow.

Is it because it's new?

Unfortunately it's not because it's new. Here in S.A car prices are ridiculous and even worse when it comes to imported exotics like Ferrari etc.

The Italia's base price here is ZAR3.2million before options ($401,000) and when it comes to Spiders they are usually ZAR500,000 more than Berlinettas. So your looking at ZAR3.7million for the Spider before options ($463,700) which will shoot you over the $500,000 mark with options

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by champagne612

That would be nice - hopefully next year I can expand the garage and start creating a serious car collection.

Might take a year or two to find a good one. Suggest you start looking now. Happy to help.