Ferrari 488 GTB First Drive - Would You Buy One Over A New Porsche 911 Turbo S?

Today I'm playing a dangerous game, and asking the new vs used question. Inspired by the release of the insanely fast, but potentially unexciting new 992 Turbo S, I got my hands on this approved used Ferrari 488 GTB from Meridien Modena - and took it for an extended test drive to see whether a modern Ferrari could still be exciting.
Big thanks to Meridien for providing me with this car. www.meridien.co.uk
Want to see your car on the channel? Email me on [e-mail]
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[@dougnolan5567]

Really enjoying this series James..👍👍

[@MrGB1999]

Yep. Really fun to watch these, back to back

[@TheKRVR]

When I drove the 458 and 488 back-to-back, I found it rather difficult to get used to. Once you switch to the turbocharged unit, I kept clattering into the rev limiter because I was used to how high the 458 revs. But, I felt that if you were to pick one to use everyday, the 488 was definitely the car. The power is just so usable in normal situations and the styling is just more subdued compared to the 458. It’s not necessarily better looking and both draw a crowd, but it just seemed more up to date, as a newer Ferrari should. I still feel though that if you’re looking for a sense of occasion and a car to use on weekends as a toy, the 458 is the more special feeling car all courtesy of that amazing naturally aspirated engine. Hard to go wrong with either car though, or really any of the V8 Ferraris you’ve reviewed in this series!

[@mikeelliott886]

I'm currently weighing up a 458 vs 488. I'm surprised to hear you say you think the 488 styling is more subdued? If anything, it looks more aggresive to me than the 458!

[@EconomicsMate1]

I never really liked the way the 488 looked opposed to the 458. But theyre growing a lot on me. I think they look amazing now that ive driven one and seen it many times in person. The f8 though, that car looks gorgeous. Nice review as always Jay

[@Maurice_Moss]

Interesting, the f8 has made me appreciate the 488 looks more, think the f8 looks way too fussy. That's probably just me 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@mattbudesa3038]

@@Maurice_Moss I'm the same way. I prefer the 488 looks.

[@joe718gt4]

If only you could put the NA V8 in the 488 body

[@carlmaissan4340]

@@Maurice_Moss It's a tough call... IMHO the scoop nose of the F8 works better than the slightly awkward, squint-and-it's-a-bit-Lambo flat bonnet of the 488, enough to make up for the fussier back end. And as James says in the video, Pista FTW (albeit in a different price bracket)

[@watermelon1221]

488 > f8 f8 is just a more comfortable 488 pista with some downgrades, not really a new car, it's just a mid cycle refresh

[@watermelon1221]

love your review and comparisons to other cars. I learned a lot more about this car than I'd ever learn from the big name car reviewers. Probably one of the best 488 reviews out there

[@sportzntouring]

Loved the Ferrari series! Except for one aspect... It's made me want ALL of them! 😂

[@360trev]

Loved this 8 cylinder Ferrari series. Been genuinely excited to watch the next installment. Well done James for bringing something new to debates.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks Trev. With luck will be able to do the F8, and if next year is kind perhaps some of the specials too

[@resnonverba137]

I find it very refreshing that the car has lots of leather, no carbon-fibre and no obvious Alcantara. As an overall package, it'd be the 911 for me, but I do like these smaller Ferraris very much.

[@jrgb9945]

Carbon fiber is a joke when it's all over the interior. Looks like plastic.

[@resnonverba137]

@@jrgb9945 Agreed. Carbon-fibre certainly has its place, but the faddish overuse has become as irritating as it is pointless.

[@fredk6992]

@@resnonverba137 adding carbon to the point where you're adding weight is very ironic

[@shanipissedoff]

Man I love your reviews its television leveled content.. I like the accelerations and pass by’s, since of humor , charisma and detail of review.. don’t stop this formula for real for real

[@stefaneinz]

This series of videos has been the perfect tonic over the holiday period in lockdown. Really excellent. Thank you! And if you’d like to try a 488 Pista (when temperatures allow!), PM me.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Email me on [e-mail]

[@alexkoefman]

Please do it! Even when temperatures don’t allow!

[@fernandosestini3373]

Really enjoy he’s take on cars.... appreciate all the content in the tough time we all living in.... Keep it up 👍

[@ckmurphy1]

Best series of the year..... James I enjoy your blend of perspective and antidotes.

[@rhettcorcoran2879]

This is a great set of videos, thank you.

[@imwallace1984]

Great Series James and a great channel too. I have been a subscriber for a while, but after this series, I can genuinely say your channel is top 3 in my faves! Happy New year to you Buddy!

[@Amir-kc9yu]

Great series. Nicely done.

[@sanjmal9568]

I have similar thoughts about the 488. Those people who generally talk about the excessive turbo sound and the lack of “soul”, I dare say would change their opinions if they test drove one!

[@360trev]

I've got both Turbocharged (Mclaren) and Normally aspirated (Ferrari) supercars and they actually require rather different driving styles to get the most out of them. I actually prefer normally aspirated myself even though Turbocharged gives you lugs of power it's less controllable and therefore you lean on complex traction algorithms to sort everything out for you which they do brilliantly ofcourse but then if your an experienced driver of on the limit NA cars you miss the feelings you get from doing it yourself. You kind of feel a bit like a cheat driving fast in say a McLaren because the car is doing majority of it for you.

[@neil5242]

Nice video series, Jay. Keep up the good work.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thankyou! May take a while to top this one

[@sedzanithilivhali882]

Thought I'd take a break from the Carwows and the Carfections and take a look at a review from a smaller KZbin channel today, I am not disappointed. Great work!

[@aj8768]

Great review and video just subscribed!

[@philippebeinaerts]

I drove one of these for an afternoon, in the surroundings of Modena. That's an experience tattooed directly into my brain, even more because of the sense of connection and absolute control than because of the insane engine power. It's like having a hand on each wheel, and road surface issues just don't seem to exist for this car.

[@jeffreylevin9728]

Yes. This summer i purchased a 2018 488 spider. Same exterior color but with cuio interior. very happy with purchase.

[@davidmanning1474]

Awesome channel. Cant wait to see it grow

[@dka774]

Another great video Jay, no nonsense. Love your work

[@crawfordbrown75]

The engine note had nothing on the 348, or 355 or 360 etc etc. Something special about NA engines.

[@ferociousmullet9287]

Turbos can sound good. Just look at F1 or a nice 911 with a decent exhaust. The problem is with the EU and its absolutely shocking requirements for noise and pollution. You end up with this. In the 10-15-20 years since those engines came along the EU has tightended up regulations hugely. This is also one of the reasons they look so boring as well. Crash regulations........ alongside emissions regs = got to be very 'slippery' and well. Everything ends up looking like a plane wing profile.

[@joedonnelly387]

@@ferociousmullet9287 as much as I adore cars, doing what you can to not destroy the planet, or to avoid killing that child who runs out in front of you unexpectedly, is probably more important than cars that sound and look nice

[@jameswillard1]

@CrawfordB Did you honestly come into this video expecting it to sound as good as those cars? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Audfile]

If you're buying a Ferrari, it must be naturally aspirated unless you spend all day at the track and times are important.

[@crawfordbrown75]

@@joedonnelly387 I'm really sorry but some 1% ers getting their NA engine will make absolutely zero difference to the environment while dirty unregulated ships dominate the oceans. One cruise ship annually = 92500 diesel Ford fiestas, and that's just in fuel content. The fiesta is a hundred times cleaner. Source: I'm doing my engineering masters project on this shit.

[@shafro1]

Brilliant real world review, keep them coming!

[@xtlmad]

love the mid engine ferrari mini series. great work and honest feedback thanks!

[@mattdoyle9772]

After watching all the series so far I think I'd definitely have a 488! In this spec too just looks mega and the turbo V8 is right up my alley

[@8359s]

Hi, thanks for the content. As this was the first you drove will there be sth like vlog summary of Ferrari's V8, especially which one you would take 458 or 488.

[@KSL12]

Always enjoy your reviews . I have tried Some of the new Ferrari's I am sticking to what I've got.

[@RS-bw6ow]

I like both, especially the spec on the 488. But for me definitely 458, looks beautiful and the Sound is so unique!

[@atomicdave1987]

Loved this series James, I actually really like these modern Ferrari's. Not that I'll ever be in the position to, but could happily see myself in one of these (assuming someone who's 6' 5" could actually fit!)

[@jeffdoell5064]

Great work. So now that you’ve reviewed them in quick succession, I’d love a summary video. Maybe ranking the top 3 if you want a weekend warrior, compared to top 3 if you want a fast GT for regular cross country jaunts, versus top 3 if you want an all rounder. Maybe a ‘best bang for your buck’ recommendation. I’ve never been in a V12, so would also be interested to hear your views on how they compare to your 550 and a modern Ferrari V12.

[@acchaladka]

Ferrari isn't my thing, but here's a comment to let everyone know I've watched with ads playing in full and sound on these little headphones which are not in my ears...great channel Jay, see you on the next one as my notifications are on.

[@zfloz9895]

I drove one ,spider version. Except the usual convertible body shutter, that car was a dream, the steering response and the engine fast answer to the throttle, was really making it a real accurate and fun car. . And before I drove it ,I hade drove the GTB Lusso. But for the 488 I fall In love !!!

[@roberthao644]

What a great review! Cants wait the one for 360

[@ironicchungles5912]

Doug DeMuro wears two t shirts, whilst the infinitely superior JayEmm wears two dress shirts

[@vinmilesfewpics]

Hahaha

[@gaara4667]

It’s a dominance thing

[@maxmartin-merrells3723]

@@gaara4667 hahahaha

[@MethmalDhananjaya]

I think JayEmm is UK so two shirt would take cold away from him, but Doug wearing two on California is hilarious.

[@predajor]

Really great and honest review with passion, 🍹

[@DwainDwight]

488 is simply awesome. for me anyway it is everything I want. great vid JM

[@MrGB1999]

Always had a soft spot for the slightly overlooked 488. Design-wise, it's almost perfect. The side vents and more gaping front give it the edge over the 458, which is starting to look a little of its time, already - something modern car designs will always face. The F40 tips still got it though.. The only (big) issue with the 488 is obviously the sound. When you consider the 488 up against the piercing metallic shriek of the 355 / 360, it feels like we have a travelled a long way from that previous era. And to me that's where the thrill has always been with Ferrari. That shrill, operatic howl that turns heads and makes spines tingle. It's actually exhausting as a driver (ex 360 owner) - driving them at full chat for a few hours absolutely wrings your adrenaline reserves dry. But with the 488, and V8 cars since, there's a visceral intensity lacking, since turbos and particulate filters became necessary. Even the relatively dead dual clutch gear changes rob some of that signature drama. And I guess that is part of what makes the new V8s more capable all-rounders. A similar pathway taken as the 911.

[@NZGlenn]

Thanks mate, really enjoyed watching these. Still the dream to own a Ferrari, I think the 430 is me.

[@Fioravanti.80]

Another good review James. No question I would take this over the 911 Turbo S. It ticks more boxes for me.

[@delatroy]

Great video Jim

[@swiper1818]

really informative vid!

[@CarYenta-1]

Thank you for spending the time to add footnotes, a la the Pininfarina comment :)

[@nelsonclub7722]

Since we seem to be going fairly solidly and to my utter delight through the Ferrari back catalogue one at a time I will wait for my favorite - the F40!!!! I wish I still had my Dino 246gt to lend you

[@stevewight2000]

You've lifted the game. Well done sir

[@thedarkknight7924]

What a coincidence!! I have one the same color sitting on my fireplace mantle!!

[@brianhimmelman420]

Super infomercial ... thank you !!

[@gmain1977]

great review , will you be reviewing a testarossa at some point?

[@JURASSICDIVERUK]

Gorgeous car and stunning colour!😍

[@stevenbates7181]

Another great video, super value the 488 I believe.

[@winorbin]

Great video 👌

[@psircos]

Jay, the entertainment system is behind you and, theres only one controller 😊 Simplest and best system

[@R-Tap]

I'm hoping for a V12 series in 2021. After all that, I still want the 430 but your 488 love in came close. Happy NY James.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Happy New Year And if you go back through my videos you will find a week where I did the 550, 599 and the F12

[@paulallwood6033]

Loving the daily Ferrari content James.....I'd take the 458 I think 🤔

[@ngkeong3387]

Why choose the older car when the new one has better upgrades. I just got the 488, its amazing . Had check on few 458, its too old for my liking. My 488 has novitech pipe. Sound super loud , no difference than the 458 but with more power better gearbox and newer interior

[@darrellsimpson6966]

Fantastic Ferrari, really good presentation. Hope you get to drive the 458.

[@velvetjones1856]

The 488 has the side air inlets you're missing on the 458. But the 458 has the NA engine sound missing in the 488. In the end, the 488 seems to be a better car. One would hope to get the improvements in the Pista or F8 Tributo. Seeing you fit in the car give the idea that the Italians can make a car that fits a proper-sized man.

[@dallasstang2818]

I’ve never ever really complimented any KZbin before but Jay… good job

[@liamschannel6294]

There warranty deals are amazing!! Definitely gonna gain more customers with deals like that!!

[@steveberridge4648]

So Jay, having driven all the Ferraris this week is the F355 still your favourite? As someone who hasn’t driven any of them the 355 sounds the best but the 360 in blue was the prettiest and most surprising I felt based on your videos....

[@Supercarsofcheshire007]

Great looking car but not quite as nice as the 458 interesting to see the values cross over but that’s the appeal of a normally aspirated V8’s ..... keep up the great videos 👍🏻... really enjoyed the Porsche and Ferrari series

[@jamesnaughton5657]

Really impressed by these reviews. Feels like old school Top Gear before it became a parody of itself.

[@rickc2102]

Jay is no true Scotsman. 😁 Love your work, Jay!

[@freudsigmund72]

The last really pretty model coming from Modena before the 458 / 488 or F12, was the 365 Daytona, and those are just slightly over my budget.

[@ke0kie]

+ exhaust correction, I'd be a bit more inclined to ponder a 488 or newer mid-engine v8 Ferrari...but for both budget and tone requirements I'll stick with my 360>430>458 upgrade track.

[@JBsC6]

Ferrari 488 is awesome yet Im enjoying my 2020 c8 corvette z51 fe4 that I bought new in america for a little over 70 grand out the door...that I daily drive and my maintenance is a $100 oil change every year....and thats it. I am enjoying all your videos. Thank you

[@jamesatkinson7517]

This is my dream car, well not in that horrible colour but for me there is no other car. Such a balance of power and beauty and fun, this would be an every day driver for me. Need that lotto win to hurry up.

[@graygamingps4503]

When the 488 came out I was a massive fan but to be honest, as times gone on, I've gone off it a little and am starting to really appreciate the 458. I haven't even looked at an F8

[@markthoughtswithukrainemas2072]

JAYEMM !!!!!! --YOU have a BIG BOLD FRONT END --- I dont think many are excited about that either -----------------

[@TheTimmyH]

Can't really disagree with anything Jay said...I owned one for 14 months and it was great, hassle free, gets the looks etc. servicing at Colchester exceptional. The supercar market is buoyant currently and sold it back at only a few thousand pound less than bought.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks for sharing Tim, glad you enjoyed the car!

[@Get10Yards]

Love the colour on that Ferrari 488 it gives it a different look

[@mattevans4377]

Watching this review, it really made me wonder: Why on earth did we need the F8 Tributo? The 488 Pista (assuming it's the ultimate version of the 488 like every other special version) would have been a lovely send off to the V8s....

[@jameswillard1]

I agree but Ferrari has turned into every other manufacturer and only looks at money 💰

[@markwickens7271]

Because its successor will be a hybrid of some sort, hence the name.

[@mattevans4377]

@@markwickens7271 Then we not just name the 488 Pista the 488 Tributo?

[@Pulsonar]

Good review, 1st time I’ve seen a Ferrari that’s not a re-badged FIAT looking as though it genuinely belongs on a daily driver driveway. The excellent factory backed warranty and incentives must have cracked Porsche on the chin too. None of these toys are bargains but the changing winds could morph an enthusiasts dream into a once unattainable reality🙏🏽

[@DrNerdo]

I am going to buy one ... thank you for tipping me over !!!

[@miklu26]

Great review. I always thought 488 has got too much negative comments.

[@francoisworld9924]

No Ferrari mondial James ? would have loved to have seen the slowest Ferrari :( loving the videos and the range of cars being a peasant now I can only dream but a Mazda 3 mps new shape I think at some point , I do like some of the more cheaper car reviews but hey what beautiful cars :) you must be very proud to do this as a job, love the shirts my friend , thanks for lighting up many crappy days in this madness , over and out

[@choyayahyah]

I completely agree with your opinion even though I just ordered a 992 turbo s and that's because I have a kid I will need to sometimes fit in my car and more importantly I can't be too flashy in my neighborhood right away. I need to break in a bit slow. But my ultimate goals for cars are Ferrari

[@brianiswrong]

I would take the carbon drivers zone ( it's what I can see) and leave the rest to the ' willy wavers' 😃

[@christophercatto7184]

having driven many miles in a 720 I'd agree that the 488 has a more "fun" steering feel. I would imagine the 600LT though is the pick of the bunch. The engine torque and general response in the Ferrari is better than any 720S which feels like it has a big hole low down when you're in a tall gear. Also the 488 sounds the best. the 488 is secretly quite a hooligan car, it eggs you on to do crazy getaways at T-junctions and roundabouts. I'd say the 488 and a Noble M400 are probably the kind of cars bad boys like to drive whereas something like a 355 or Diablo or 550 is what a more refined kind of customer would collect. The main problem with cars like these is that with a DCT there's little that you can play with at low speeds so the car will always be at licence losing speeds as Harry Metcalfe found out. 355s sound glorious (great engine calibration and gearbox) but they go absolutely nowhere. A 993 C4 will eat it for breakfast and if you want fun you should stick to a Noble M12 every time. but if you want a flappy paddle car, you can't go wrong with a 488 since you'll get bored of an Audi R8 and I dare say the Huracan drives like Ridge Racer (if you're old enough to remember those arcade multi-player games).

[@Doguelife]

Aww ridge racer revolution on the Ps1 ..I could spin them cars twice/720 round the corners 😂 happy memories but I don’t think I’d want to try in a huracan so 488 for me if I ever get one that is

[@leokal457]

Man i love how this car looks. I dont know why but i think it looks so aggressive while still being quite elegant. I especially love this colour! And its not red! Halleluja

[@varchitectinblack3307]

Love it - great vid and a great car that is currently not being fully appreciated because of all the fashionable “anti-turbo” & “pro- naturally aspirated” brigade. Over time this will be regarded a classic Ferrari. Btw what happened to the awesome end credits??!!

[@boogboog8097]

Most of my money I spent on fast cars and racy women, the rest was simply wasted 🧐

[@MethmalDhananjaya]

@Malachi Otis Damn! nobody fall for that shit either.

[@predajor]

Best way to live 😈

[@Kelveron]

The interior and exterior colour combo on this example works so well. Also, as general point, I really like the interior design of Ferraris. Not necessarily always the most intuitive controls/infotainment, but Ferrari dashes look so good, especially compared with dull as dishwater dash design of McLarens.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

McLaren's design language is quite elegant but they need better quality materials as they can be quite sparse otherwise

[@stuartmorris1689]

You are needed by terrestrial TV!!!!!!!!!

[@user-qn6yt3zx3w]

I would absolutely LOVE to have a 488, but a manual GT3 delivers a lot of the thrills, is arguably one of the best drivers cars and has thus far shown pretty solid residuals. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not better, nor is it ‘as good’, but in terms of bang for buck...

[@SturbokSensei]

Wow, the colour choice of that particular car is interesting... I mean it just blends into the pavement (1:40) completely! Moreover from the exterior shots i feel like that cold grey/silver colour highlights the wrong parts of the car somehow? All the panel seams etc. just jump into focus?

[@rickc2102]

That's a really good point.

[@sexytasmin]

Very nice James no horrible black wheels!

[@RyanLink]

I'm looking at a 2016 for sale at redline for only 139k!!

[@davegrindey7823]

Smart move not to use the spur road (A338 to Bournemouth) for ‘fast runs’. You did right to stick to roads east of South East of Ringwood

[@mikesreviews3334]

Love the 488 styling and deep sound, never really a big fan of the 458 styling.

[@citic101]

NICE THANKS

[@JohnAgustinScuderia458595]

Yes

[@firstnamesecondname5341]

In general, would you need the lift kit for uk roads, speed bumps and general carpark access, the stoooopid angle access car parks can be avoided without inconvenience

[@hexgraphica]

Many say that it sounds bad. It probably sounds worse than the 458, but the tone reminds me of an old school 4 cylinder like that of an Alfa GT racecar

[@tobeconfirmed6869]

As a life long Ferrari fan I’m loving this series and genuinely love your channel!! I really don’t know how I feel about the 488, it’s certainly not ugly, BUT... Turbo charging a Ferrari is a big no, no for me!

[@dutoitm1]

Thoughts on Chris Harris making the 992 Turbo S his car of the year?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Still yet to drive one old friend, the regular 992 S left me cold as you know - however reports seem to implicate the current turbo is a rather engaging drive. I'm looking forward to also trying Porsche UK's poverty spec 911 Carrera in the near future

[@mamau4785]

@@JayEmmOnCars poverty spec... this one made me chuckle more than it should have

[@000GunterGabriel000]

Says more about CH than the 992 TS imo. He used to be a benchmark. Not anymore. Too much telly fame bullshitting etc

[@chriscam5658]

@@JayEmmOnCars and a manuel 991 carrera T please..

[@robertlloyd7493]

Good looking colour

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

I'm loving the Ferrari series James.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thankyou. No more episodes in this series but lots more Ferrari content in the back catalogue including a mini V12 week with 550, 599 and F12

[@drewmorg.]

Ferrari is genius... they give out the extended warranty encouraging people to drive and use their Ferrari's which in turn destroys the used re-sale value. This makes _new_ Ferrari's more appealing to their target buyer again. A Ferrari with 20k+ miles is treated as if it had leprosy.

[@JoJoJoker]

Mmmmhmm

[@jaysmartin]

Rough roads in the new forest?! They’re bad enough in my Sprinter never mind a blade like that 😍

[@johnholt829]

really fun what a motor. love mine