The short answer
Based on available data, the Ferrari 458 comes out ahead of the Ferrari 360 on power. Check the specs table and owner sentiment below for the full comparison before deciding between the two. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Overall
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on ownership perspective. The car is universally praised for its emotional, visceral driving experience, high-revving flat-plane crank V8 engine sound, and its status as a more analog, engaging Ferrari compared to later models. It is frequently described as a "toy" that provides immense fun and a raw, exciting feel, with a steering weight and feedback considered "al dente" and perfect for a sports car.
Best version to buy
Manual transmission (Modena) is strongly recommended over the F1 automated manual gearbox for driving engagement, fewer potential issues, and greater long-term durability. The Challenge Stradale (CS) is mentioned as a desirable, more track-focused variant.
Known issues
Overall
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with the 458 Italia widely regarded as a modern classic and one of the most desirable modern Ferraris. The consensus among owners and enthusiasts is that it represents a high point for the brand, celebrated for its naturally aspirated 4.5L V8 engine, which is praised for its intoxicating sound, high-revving character (up to 9,000 RPM), and exceptional reliability for a high-performance exotic. The driving experience is described as exhilarating, with sharp, nimble handling and a sense of special occasion.
Best version to buy
458 Speciale: The track-focused variant is mentioned as the ultimate, most collectible version. However, for most buyers, the standard 458 Italia is highly recommended.
Known issues
The verdict
The Ferrari 458 is the better choice for most buyers.
It has more power on its best-equipped version than the Ferrari 360, based on the data above. If efficiency matters more to you than outright power, the Ferrari 360 is worth a closer look instead.
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Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Ferrari 360 and the Ferrari 458. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Ferrari 360 is classed as a Coupe, the Ferrari 458 as a Cabriolet, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
The EPA rates the 2005 Ferrari 360 at 11 mpg combined and the 2015 Ferrari 458 at 14–15 mpg, depending on the version.
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Ferrari 360 than the Ferrari 458. See the known issues comparison above.