Newer, more sophisticated and faster cars are not necessarily more expensive to own now. There are special values and variables that will make the price of a car, especially a supercar, go up or down over time. This is what happened to the Ferrari V8 supercar model from two generations, namely the 458 Italia and the 488 GTB.
It was recently discovered that the price of the Ferrari 458 Italia was getting higher and higher. Even compared to the 488 GTB as its successor, the price of the 458 is even higher. One of the main factors that make this phenomenon happen is because of the turbo that is used in the 488 engine.
Ferrari has received a lot of criticism, even quite harshly when it returned to applying the turbo through the 2014 California T model. Many circles, both journalists and consumers and automotive observers, debated the move. The turbo engine trend then continued to the latest Ferrari models with V8 engines, even to the SF90 Stradale hypercar.
This phenomenon happened again. Prospective Ferrari buyers are now confused when they want to buy a 488 or 458. Because Ferraris with naturally aspirated (NA) engines are still considered more fun, so the used prices are higher.
For the early 2009 production version, the price of the 458 is certainly far below the 488 because it is five to six years old. For a 2011 production, a used Ferrari 458 costs less than $155,000 in the United States, or £120,000 in the UK. While the Ferrari 488 for the 2016 production year, is offered with a starting range of US $ 218,000 in America and £ 140,000 in the UK.
But if you look at the price of the Ferrari 458, the final production year, aka approaching the model change period, the price has skyrocketed. Even if you come to an authorized Ferrari dealer who offers these two models, you could say that the price of the 458 for the final production year is similar to or even exceeds the price of the newer, more sophisticated and faster 488.
In the UK for example, at authorized dealers, a 2013 458 can fetch up to £144,800, compared to the 2016 edition's 488 which is tagged at £152,000. In fact, at this dealership, the second hand Ferrari 458 aka used that is sold has an odometer that is much higher than the 488. However, that is only an example from one showroom.
Three other Ferrari sellers also did the same. The Ferrari 488 was sold for less than £150,000. Whereas dealer Dick Lovett Swindon is offering the 2014 458 for over £159,990. For the record, this 458 sold has a very low mileage, which is 10,216 km. One non-official dealer claims that demand from buyers is soaring for older Ferrari models, especially those with non-turbo engines.
In the United States, the highest 458 price was recorded at US$ 210,000, while the lowest 488 price was offered starting at US$ 220,000. Indeed, buying a Ferrari also depends on the personalization and color options of each car. That's why the hardcore 458 Speciale model has reached a price of US $ 380,000 for the coupe variant. Aperta variant even crazier, translucent US $ 690,000.
Consumers and Ferrari enthusiasts apparently still consider the engine sound produced by the NA engine, aka non-turbo, to have more value. Because without obstructions and screaming louder, the sound of the 4.5 liter V8 engine from the 458 becomes more fun to enjoy. Although when it comes to emissions, the 458 is certainly no better than the 488 which already follows the latest Euro standards.
When born in 2015, the 488 GTB adopted a 3.9 liter turbo F154 V8 engine adopted from the California T, replacing the 4.5 liter NA F136 V8 from the 458. The engine which was later adopted into various other Ferrari V8 engined cars has a greater output , namely 661 hp and 760 Nm. Acceleration and handling capabilities are certainly better too.
Now what makes me even more curious, will the price of the 458 Speciale be more expensive than the 488 Pista?
