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Cars? Cars are transportation. Ferraris? They are
something else all together. Art, music, velocity...
and lust (the 488 GTB has whole a lot of that
going on. A tip to first time Ferrari buyers-
budget extra time for each and every trip.
You'll be swarmed.
Base price is around $250,000. Of course
buyers will want a few extras to make it
their own. This one has nearly $105,000 worth.
That alone will buy a pretty nicely equipped Mercedes SL.
The whole car.
Over half the extra cost comes from a blizzard
of carbon fiber pieces so those who don't
care for the look will save serious dough.
At some $12,500 bucks, the special red paint
is practically a necessity though. Hey, it's
a Ferrari. Every time the hood is popped,
owners can reminisce about the moment they
chose, say, the titanium exhaust pipes.
Oh, and the trunkbisn't very large.
Anyone need any TP? Anyone? Only used by a Ferrari...
No one orders a car from Maranello for practicality.
Ferrari claims a 0-60 time of under 3 seconds.
Let's give it a go...
Yes, I believe. Okay that's a little too fast.
Top speed is 205 miles an hour. Saturn V rocket
velocity shouldn't surprise anyone with this
riding on the front flanks. Aluminum for the
chassis and body panels keeps weight down.
Like all things served under glass, the V8
is something special. The 3.9-liter's twin
turbos rouse 661 stallions and 561 lb-ft
of torque. Maybe it's juvenile but you'd
rev it too. The back tires deliver that power
to the pavement. Drive modes? Of course there
are drive modes. A seven-speed dual-clutch
automatic with a manual mode is the only gearbox.
It's brilliant
Okay, a Tesla Model S also accelerates
very fast but it does not have "the sound"
Ha, why would you listen to the audio system?
No gaudy wings to manage aerodynamics, some of
the downforce occurs when part of the air that
enters here is channeled out here. This subtle
slot helps too. The steering wheel lets you
know when redline is approaching, not
that the gauge cluster isn't perfectly clear
The steering is incredibly direct but
it never feels like a Chihuahua on amphetamines.
This car is actually pretty easy to drive.
An adjustable suspension never gets anywhere
near soft. The cabin is hardly hushed but a
200 mile day won't leave drivers rung out.
Ask me how I know. My wallet's been flogged
though. 488 drinks premium fuel like a
thirsty Labrador, something owners
probably think little about.
I've got carbon ceramic brakes, might as well
try them. Oh, I'm going to feel that in the morning.
I'd have to triple the speed limit to test
handling, that's not happening... on camera.
Let's just say it's very impressive.
Also impressive is the craftsmanship in
the cabin. The leather work is as good
as it gets without walking into a
Prada store. It might be possible
to get a small bag of golf clubs back
here. At nearly 11 grand, the Goldrake
racing seats can be ordered by size.
Bordering on hard they remain supportive. A
nd there are child seat latches. Lucky kid.
I'm trying to find things to grouse
about. The doors don't open exceptionally
wide. At least you won't be giving anyone door dings.
There's a navi system but it's not much
fun to program using this small knob.
Visibility is actually pretty good except
for out the back and this does not have a
back up camera. Makes me nervous.
There's no sunroof but there's always
the retractable-roof Spider version
for those who want to see and be seen.
Publicity hounds and art collectors
alike will find this Ferrari's lofty
price tag a bargain. It attracts ears
and eyeballs like no other car. If you
have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.
Fun fact- the 488 gets its name from the
fact that each of the 8 cylinders is 488
cubic centimeters and GTB stands for
Grand Touring Berlinetta. The turbocharger's
compressor wheels are made from a
low-density alloy normally used in jet engines.
I love the sound of a twin turbo V8
roaring from behind me and I have to
say this one was lovely. It's great
that the driver can actually see the
engine in the rear view mirror. And it
turns out I had this car to celebrate a
significant wedding anniversary with this
fine woman. She loathes conspicuous
consumption but loved the 488. Wonderful woman,
her patience helps to keep these car reviews coming.
There ya go gang, that is my take on the
Ferrari 488 GTB and can I just say,
if you have the means, it's highly recommended.
That's from "Ferris Buhler's Day Off"
right? Also with a Ferrari. Highly recommended,
both the movie and the Ferrari.
That's Driven, I'm Tom Voelk