Used car buying guide: Ferrari 458 Car News

When the Ferrari 458 Italia took over from the F430, we said it set a new standard for supercars and that was arguably Maranello’s biggest achievement.

It’s certainly one for the walls of children’s rooms, and even now, more than a decade after the 458’s introduction, its 4.5-liter, 562-hp mid-range V8 atmo is a tasty proposition. for a used toy – if you can afford it.

The 458 written by Pininfarina was launched in 2010 with performance comparable to the hallowed F40, although it was billed as the ‘junior’ Ferrari of the time, being positioned just above California’s entry-level at a little meager £ 175,000.

As is always the case, optional extras drastically increased the cost, with some cars costing up to £ 40,000 for freebies including racing seats, Alcantara headliner and carbon fiber steering wheel. .

We’ve moved up a bit in point-to-point pace since then, but the 458 remains incredibly fast in the real world, capable of going from 0 to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 210. mph.

It used Ferrari’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the accessibility of its reserves set the car apart from its rivals, with its redline at 9,000 rpm and 80% of its peak power available from at only 3,250 rpm.

Such was the praise on the car’s release that customers who had managed to get their hands on a 458 were quick to whip them for £ 25,000 more than their original list price (and often succeed).

In 2013, the exclusive 458 Speciale arrived, with the coveted center race strip and, more excitingly, a power boost to 597 hp. Technology upgrades included a carbon fiber wheel arch, upgraded ceramic brakes, magnetic dampers, a new diffuser, and improved anti-roll bars. The Speciale was so hardcore that even its windows were made thinner, but Ferrari’s Side Slip Angle Control (SSC) system gave it a level of accessibility for any driver brave enough to get behind the wheel.

As you would expect from a supercar, the most used examples of the 458 have relatively low mileage but will undoubtedly have been driven with impatience and potentially even on the track. Color combinations, mileage and number of owners can contribute to reduced prices, which now start at around £ 115,000 – no pocket change, of course, but attractive for an old Ferrari V8 with new levels of performance Ferrari V12.