Ferrari 488 pista vs Emira V6

[hagen111]

The MC20 is the only modern sports car that competes with the Emira on looks, both exterior and interior remind me of the Emira. The weird thing about the MC20 is that you are paying for that carbon tub for weight saving - yet the car in fact weights over 1500kg as quoted by Maserati (actually on reviews has been found to be up to 1700kg esp. for the Cielo version).

The carbon tub is not intended to save weight. The problem with sports cars is that the part of the car where the driver and passenger sit is like a ‘box’, you can’t easily place triangular structure to reinforce torsion stiffness.. A carbon tub can solve that issue, and even though it can have the same weight as a normal steel structure it will be much stiffer, when designed well. This allows for more precise suspension setup. Part of the qualities of MC20 are derived from it.

 

[geoffbland]

The carbon tub is not intended to save weight. The problem with sports cars is that the part of the car where the driver and passenger sit is like a ‘box’, you can’t easily place triangular structure to reinforce torsion stiffness.. A carbon tub can solve that issue, and even though it can have the same weight as a normal steel structure it will be much stiffer, when designed well. This allows for more precise suspension setup. Part of the qualities of MC20 are derived from it.

I realise this and maybe my point was missed.

There's various ways to build a chassis. Space frame or a tub being two ways often used for sports cars. A tub structure is often cited as providing torsion stiffness as one of the advantages, especially for soft-top cars - whether that be a aluminium tub like the Emira (or Elise) or a carbon one like the MC20 or McLaren. The advantage of the carbon tub over a aluminium tub is for similar rigidity you should get a lighter structure - the disadvantage is carbon is it a lot harder to manufacture (currently) and so you pay a lot more for it. Carbon can also be harder to repair.

If you had the choice between a aluminium and carbon tub with the same rigidity and if the carbon tub was heavier - would you pay more for it? It looks and sounds cool - and that is a good enough reason.

Of course, there may be something special on the MC20 that means a aluminium tub would weight even more but at this point you are wondering why the car is just so heavy? For reference, the McLaren 720S with a carbon tub is ~1250kg.

 

[hagen111]

Yes spot on! Irrespective of the reasoning, getting a carbon tub at that price point makes the car feel more special for me (even though an Alfa 4C came with carbon tub, which may be the basis of MC20?). Butterfly doors opening...carbon exposed tub...just the start of your weekend ride makes sense. The weight doesn't bother me, instead you get a lot of car and I may even prefer the weight as it provides a very stable ride. Please mind, one of my other cars is a Donkervoort GTO Individual at 700kg and 450hp.... with an F22 750k and 500hp arriving in Feb '26. So I love the light weight game, but have better cars for that purpose.

 

[geoffbland]

Please mind, one of my other cars is a Donkervoort GTO Individual at 700kg and 450hp.... with an F22 750k and 500hp arriving in Feb '26. So I love the light weight game, but have better cars for that purpose.

Wow, I've never been a fan of the looks of the newer Donkervoort cars - but yours looks stunning! 700kg and 450hp - very nice indeed.

 

[TomAce]

2. What else can money buy… a GT3… I just sold my 991.2 GT3 Manual… 7000kms on it. Could not sell it for 2 years, in the end parted with little money in my hand, that market is dead! Unbelievable good car, may be even the best car money can buy a GT3…yet it didn’t feel THAT special lookswise, just another porsche. Emira won over GT3 for now. However I promised myself to get a daily 992.2 GT3 Touring manual in 2027, to replace the daily 991.1 that I still own.

Why did you get rid of the 991.2 GT3? Was it only the looks?

I had the chance to be passenger in a 991.2 GT3 6speed manual this year in the Dolomites and it was mental.

This mechanical sound symphony cannot be matched when you rev it out, but even in low revs this 4.0 flat-engine is the business.

The only thing that struck my mind was it‘s really loud in there. I am wondering if it makes fun on the Autobahn as I need to drive nearly 800km to get to the Dolomites. Twice a year I travel that distance with my Emira.

I really adore the 991.2 GT3 touring and one day this could be the reason for parting with my Emira.

 

[hagen111]

Why did you get rid of the 991.2 GT3? Was it only the looks?

I had the chance to be passenger in a 991.2 GT3 6speed manual this year in the Dolomites and it was mental.

This mechanical sound symphony cannot be matched when you rev it out, but even in low revs this 4.0 flat-engine is the business.

The only thing that struck my mind was it‘s really loud in there. I am wondering if it makes fun on the Autobahn as I need to drive nearly 800km to get to the Dolomites. Twice a year I travel that distance with my Emira.

I really adore the 991.2 GT3 touring and one day this could be the reason for parting with my Emira.

It didn’t get used that much, less than 1000kms per year. Seats sit very forward leaning, high revs on motorway, lots of noise, harsh ride, so not the best car for a long trip. Just taking it out for fun in the weekend on twisties…what a car! But GT3’s are produced in high numbers…if I want one in the future, easy to buy the next and choose from all sorts of specifications.

 

[NJemira85]

I have a vivid Red Emira V6 with now 8000 miles on it. I've finally gotten to the point in my life where I can buy a Ferrari, which has been a lifetime goal. I've been going to dealerships and driving cars and trying to make myself want one. I started out looking at 430s, but it seems like it's really not that much more power than the Amira and actually I think it looks dated compared to the Emira. Next stop, and a big bump in price, the 488. Drove one for a pretty long time at a dealership where the young salesman obviously just wanted to be in it as much as possible. It's definitely fast. That said, the way the power is delivered with the paddle shifters is not as satisfying as I had hoped. I'm also trying to get past the way the 488 looks from the back. I'm just not a big fan of it. It's very squared off and boxy. got to see my Emira right next to the 488, and actually I like a lot of things about the Amira better than the 488. The front of the 488 actually isn't that thrilling either. Even though I can afford it now, I still have to really love the way everything looks about a car to get on board, and the 488 front and back angles just don't make it for me. Also started looking at the 296. That car I just can't do for the following reasons: I'm only 6 feet tall but with the seat all the way back, it's still tight in that car and it just feels kind of claustrophobic. Also, have been hearing a lot of different problems with that car with all the technology. Many people are afraid to talk about what's really going on with their cars and why they're giving back so many 296s for fear of repercussions from the Almighty Ferrari establishment. So now I've worked myself up to the point where the Ferrari that really makes it for me aesthetically is the F8 Tributo. That car is like a 488 Pista in performance and has a much better front and back look than the 488. I can get a F8 used for about 350, and that might be the way I go. All these thoughts and considerations boil down to one thing that's kind of cool though, which is that the Emira, at $125,000, at least in my world is being compared to some of the most desired sports cars in the world.

F8 and pista do not perform similarly. It’s the same engine but the chassis feels v diff.

Ferrari, sadly, isn’t about driving. If you want a fancier car and are in it for the drive, get an LT McLaren. Just be aware that it will depreciate like crazy and be broken a lot.

F8 is an 488 w a facelift. The engine power difference you really won’t notice on road

Ymmv but I say this all w love

 

[hagen111]

F8 and pista do not perform similarly. It’s the same engine but the chassis feels v diff.

Ferrari, sadly, isn’t about driving. If you want a fancier car and are in it for the drive, get an LT McLaren. Just be aware that it will depreciate like crazy and be broken a lot.

F8 is an 488 w a facelift. The engine power difference you really won’t notice on road

Ymmv but I say this all w love

I have driven and owned quite a few modern Ferraris, including frontend v12's. Most I didn't like that much, except for my FF, which I still regret selling. I thought, I researched, I compared models and prices, decided on a non hybrid rear engine V8... and got myself an F8 Spider, as I think it offers most for the money spend compared to all other models.

The F8 Spider is a fantastic car to drive. It is ride is very comfortable with the top down, the misses next to me, driving in the mountains to a place for lunch. In my eyes it's beautiful and It's blindingly fast and GOOD when you push it. Most of the reviews on this car are extremely positive. Also important... it's less than half the price of a Pista Aperta. Maybe for the right reason, and Pista probably the much better car. But for me it's the F-car that stays, don't need the next or another one.

Emira however at 1/3 new of the used F8 price, is truly the best value for money out there, provided it's lowered and has better seats (TIllett).

Again all opinions... and personal preference... and my few cents to the conversation, but next to typing...I put my hard earned money where my mouth is ;-)

 

[NicolasB]

That is an unexpected color for the F8!

 

[NJemira85]

I have driven and owned quite a few modern Ferraris, including frontend v12's. Most I didn't like that much, except for my FF, which I still regret selling. I thought, I researched, I compared models and prices, decided on a non hybrid rear engine V8... and got myself an F8 Spider, as I think it offers most for the money spend compared to all other models.

The F8 Spider is a fantastic car to drive. It is ride is very comfortable with the top down, the misses next to me, driving in the mountains to a place for lunch. In my eyes it's beautiful and It's blindingly fast and GOOD when you push it. Most of the reviews on this car are extremely positive. Also important... it's less than half the price of a Pista Aperta. Maybe for the right reason, and Pista probably the much better car. But for me it's the F-car that stays, don't need the next or another one.

Emira however at 1/3 new of the used F8 price, is truly the best value for money out there, provided it's lowered and has better seats (TIllett).

Again all opinions... and personal preference... and my few cents to the conversation, but next to typing...I put my hard earned money where my mouth is ;-)


View attachment 75104

I owned a 488 for a year. It’s a lovely fast luxury car and very pretty.
I hope you enjoy !! Love the color

I too have a soft spot for the ff & gtc4.

If only my wife would agree to daily one as our family car…