Ferrari F8 Tributo vs 488 GTB: Which Twin-Turbo V8 Should You Buy in Australia?

Short answer: the F8 Tributo is the better car – more power, sharper aero and the status of being the last non-hybrid mid-engine Ferrari V8. The 488 GTB is the better value, offering roughly 90 per cent of the experience for meaningfully less on the used market. Buy the F8 if you want the definitive version and plan to keep it; buy the 488 if running cost and value matter most.

These two Ferraris are closer than almost any other pairing in the range, because one is a direct evolution of the other. The 488 GTB arrived in 2015 as Ferrari committed fully to turbocharged V8 power. The F8 Tributo replaced it in 2019, keeping the same fundamental recipe and refining nearly every part of it. Choosing between them is not about which car is better on paper – that question has a clear answer – but about whether the F8’s improvements are worth the premium over an excellent used 488.

The Numbers Side by Side

The Shared Engine

Both cars use Ferrari’s 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8, an engine that won International Engine of the Year multiple times. In the 488 GTB it makes 492 kW (670 hp) at 8,000 rpm and 760 Nm from 3,000 rpm. The F8 takes the same block to 530 kW (720 hp), a lift of roughly 38 kW, along with revised aerodynamics, better cooling and a reduction in weight. What made this engine significant in the 488 was how well Ferrari managed turbo lag: the flat-plane crank spins to a high redline and the twin-scroll turbos respond quickly, so it feels far closer to a naturally aspirated car than most turbocharged rivals. The F8 keeps that character and sharpens it.

Where the F8 Pulls Ahead

The F8 is the more resolved car in every measurable way. The reintroduced S-Duct at the front, the revised underbody and the retuned steering make it feel sharper and more planted at speed. The cabin is a generational step up in materials and layout. And it holds a specific place in history that the 488 does not: the F8 Tributo is the last mid-engine Ferrari V8 built without any hybrid assistance, because its successor, the 296, moved to a turbo V6 plug-in hybrid. That “last of its kind” status is real, and it underpins long-term desirability.

Where the 488 GTB Wins

Value, and it is not close. A clean 488 GTB with sensible history and under 15,000 km can be found from around $350,000, with higher-kilometre cars falling to roughly $280,000 to $320,000. F8 Tributo coupes sit closer to $320,000 to $380,000, and Spider versions of either car command a premium of $50,000 to $80,000 over the coupe. For a buyer chasing the essential Ferrari twin-turbo V8 experience for the least money, the 488 delivers the overwhelming majority of what the F8 offers for a smaller outlay.

Running Costs to Budget For

Ownership costs are broadly similar, which is unsurprising given the shared architecture. Expect annual servicing in the range of $3,500 to $6,500 depending on what is due, tyres (Michelin Pilot Sport 4S) at roughly $3,500 to $5,500 a set, and agreed-value insurance from around $12,000 to $20,000 a year depending on your profile and storage. Both drink 98 RON premium at 12 to 16 litres per 100 km in real-world use. The one number that can catch buyers out is carbon ceramic brakes: a full replacement set runs $25,000 to $40,000, so on any used example inspect the discs for cracking or heavy wear before you commit.

The Question to Ask Yourself

Do you want the definitive, most-refined car of this generation, or the smartest value in it? If you plan to hold the car for years and want the last-non-hybrid-V8 badge, the F8 justifies its premium comfortably. If you are buying on driving feel and running cost, and you are relaxed about owning the slightly older car, the 488 GTB is the sharper financial move. Neither is a compromise you will regret.

Verdict

The F8 Tributo is the better car. The 488 GTB is the better buy. Both are among the most rewarding V8 Ferraris ever made, and the right answer comes down to whether “definitive” or “value” matters more to you. For most first-time Ferrari buyers, a well-kept 488 GTB is the smart entry – read our guide to Ferrari ownership in Australia before you commit either way. For the enthusiast who wants the final, most-honed version of this bloodline, the F8 is worth stretching for. Want to see the two side by side on your own criteria? Try our F8 Tributo vs 488 GTB compare page.