Book Description

This document, assembled from the lived experience of Ferrari 458 owners, serves as a comprehensive guide for prospective 458 purchasers. The checklist is inclusive of critical and minor flaws observed among 458s and will assist you in making an informed decision. I want to empower your selection process with knowledge gleaned from my ownership, help you understand price differentials within the marketplace, and raise awareness of maintenance concerns associated with 458s.Although I feel this guide is exhaustive, some items may be missing or difficult to check prior to purchase. This is a living document that will be updated periodically to reflect my experience of ownership and DIY maintenance. All future updates are included with the purchase of this document.It's tempting to save money by using this guide in lieu of a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) provided by a professional mechanic. For most older Ferrari purchases, I believe a PPI is critical but on the more modern Ferraris, I've found them to be less helpful and sometimes a waste of money. Please do your own due diligence and determine what the PPI will include before you agree to have the service done. If you are unsure about whether or not the PPI is worth the money, you can contact me to set up consulting time and I can review the PPI.Finally, do not discount your emotional experience throughout your considerations. It can feel exhilarating to purchase a 458, but that state of mind can interrupt better judgement. This guide can help you maintain objectivity while evaluating a car you have cultivated bias for. Please bear in mind that Ferraris are still just cars, machines that can and will wear and break. However, like any ordinary car, a Ferrari can be thoughtfully maintained to provide many years and miles of use. You should scale your expectations based on your desire for perfection. If you are in search of an immaculate 458, then you'll want to ensure most items on this list are in excellent repair. If you are looking for a driver's car, then your threshold of tolerance for minor functional or aesthetic flaws may be higher. Bear in mind, lower miles can mean more problems. Cars that have sat unmoved for long periods of time tend to have more issues than those that have been driven and maintained properly. This guide will help expose these issues and let you decide if they are deal-breakers, negotiation points, or simply items to resolve (or even just accept as is) after purchase.People ask me all the time, "Should I buy this Ferrari?" That is a question I cannot answer for you. I can only help inform your decision with knowledge gleaned from my own experience. The decision is ultimately yours to make, but in most cases, I don't think you'll regret it.