Ferrari 458 Spider 2dr Car Review - April 2012

The steering for the 458 Spider responds so quickly that it almost feels supernatural, while the handling has plenty of grip even when cornering at speed. The suspension is a little softer than the coupe, meaning that the ride is a little more comfortable at slow speed, but still offers an excellent driving experience with only a little less stability when the roof is down. Inside the cabin there is plenty of adjustment in terms of the steering wheel and driving seat, but rear and over the shoulder visibility can be a problem at some junctions.

The engine figures are really what help the 458 Spider to continue the tradition of Ferrari, and the acceleration from 0-62mph is achieved in a blistering 3.4 seconds. The top speed of 198mph is also plentiful and means that this is a car that is worth taking to a racing track. Although there is a fair amount of noise to be heard in the cabin from the superb engine, this is no bad thing, and the protection from the wind with the roof down is very good too.

Ferrari has always made beautiful cars, and the 458 Spider is following in this tradition, with a sloping bonnet that slants up into the aerodynamic headlight clusters. The rear mounted engine means that the rear window is fairly high in the car, and the central exhaust is a beautiful centrepiece to the rear end. Inside the cabin the trim is classy and attractive, but the dashboard does offer a lot of information and there is a lot of buttons to be found on the steering wheel.

Alloy wheels help to give the 458 Spider a beautiful appearance, and the leather seats and trim are all included as standard in a cabin that is classy and stylish. The car does come with a CD player, but those who plan to park the car may want to consider adding the reversing camera or a rear parking sensor, as rear visibility isn’t particularly good.

Nobody will be buying the 458 Spider for its practicality, and the amount of space in the boot, which is at the front, shows that this aspect is purely incidental. The space for both adults is fine in this two seat car, and it is also comfortable enough for longer journeys. Ferrari have historically suffered with reliability issues, but these have all but been eliminated as it competes to beat its German rivals.

The Ferrari has a superb range of driving aids which help to ensure that the majority of accidents can be avoided by the driver. The power is delivered effectively to the wheels, and if there is a collision then there are plenty of airbags to look after the driver and passenger.

With a price tag of £198,906, there is no doubt that the Ferrari 458 Spider is a very expensive car, but the driving experience is difficult to rival in any vehicle, and there is a lot of equipment and technology that is to be found in the car.

The running costs for the Spider are also significant, with the 4.5 litre engine only able to deliver an average 23.9mpg. Insurance costs will also be very expensive, but one positive aspect is that the Ferrari is hugely desirable and is likely to hold its value quite well. The car is supplied with a four year unlimited mileage warranty, which is very good for cars of this class.