Ferrari 458 Italia - driven - Buying and owning

The 458 will cost 'at least 10%' more than the equivalent F430, the car it replaces, and running costs will be astronomical, neither of which will deter the people who can afford a car such as this one jot – the waiting list is already at least 18 months.

There's a good environmental story – CO2 emissions are 113g/km lower than those of the F430 when it was launched. A four-year warranty is standard.

Buy an Italian supercar – expect trouble. Sorry, but it doesn't work like that any more. Ferraris are every bit as reliable as sports cars produced over the other side of the Alps, in southern Germany – and every bit as well-made and finished. The 458's interior is just lovely to look at and touch.

With what is arguably the most versatile traction and stability control system on offer in any supercar, you can tailor it precisely to your own abilities and where you are driving it – on-road or on-track. The car's aluminium skeleton should provide superb crashworthiness, and there are all the expected passive safety features. A NavTrak system is part of the security armoury.