Ferrari 458 Speciale vs Porsche 911 GT3 (2014) twin test review 

"The Ferrari 458 is one of the all time greats. It's really is absolutely, unbelievably, mesmerizingly brilliant" J.C.

Now let's hear all the Porsche fanboys cry out about "when the gt3 rs comes out, it'll kick the Ferrari's ass" but ever since the very beginning the rs is only ever so slightly better than the normal gt3, so in truth instead of kicking the Ferraris ass, it'll be licking the Ferraris ass!

I'm a "porsche fanboy" but there's no arguing with the way he was smiling the the 458.... hard to argue with that.

The format of this video is so much more enjoyable and immersive than most RU-vid car reviews. The bits where you get to see (and hear) the driving from cockpit without any cuts or interruptions is really great. Nicely done!

i don't agree on the Ferrari being the winner and i am not talking bad about it, but Porsche has always been on top of everybody on track and more and with smaller engines, that is called perfection

Both extremely track-focused cars, but I don't think paying twice as much for the Ferrari is worth it. I've test driven a 911 GT3 and it is spectacular. I love the way they have made it so that pulling both paddles back at the same time is like putting the clutch in, and letting go is like dropping the clutch, for a little Hooligan fun, when on other paddle shift cars doing so would just put the car into neutral. I'm surprised other car makers haven't adopted such a feature. And they fixed the stick so it operates like an actual sequential 'box, pull back for an upshift and push forward for a downshift. I think the Ferrari is for those with a little more expendable income and who want to be able to have fun during a track day, then clean the thing up, and have the valet choose to park it at the front of a fancy restaurant. I've amassed quite a bit of disposable income to treat myself to a nice machine after 30 years in the aerospace biz, and the new Porsche 911 GT3 is definitely on my short list.

For me the winner is in the blue corner the amazing 911 GT3.

This video should win best car video of the year, just for those first 30 seconds if anything! Driving ecstasy!! Good job team!

Wow I feel exhausted after watching that 😂, like i was actually driving them, that 458 engine is glorious 💥

luv porsche but i also respect ferrari! both manufacturers produce the greatest sports cars and both made history for motor sports... when i was young and somebody was talking about sports cars i was thinking of PORSCHE and FERRARI! now i own a 911 and im so greatful for this!

A GT3 RS would have been a more appropriate rival to the Speciale, but when time comes, Ferrari would probably pull another "no show" like they did with the LaFerrari lol

That Porsche is a very good sports car and good value. But as with everything in life there is a TOP version of everything. When it comes to sports cars the best ones are always Ferrari. Hence the price. You can argue why a suit costs $3000 and if it's so much better than a $1000 suit. People who can afford the expensive version of things will tell you it's worth it. The ones who can't afford it will always tell you no, it's not, and they got thousands of reasons why :)

lol is this some kind of joke? the 911 gt3 has 470hp and the speciale has almost 600, there is no question which one is going to win around the track, however do i think the gt3 is better tuned? you fuckin bet, i'd put my money in porsche anyday over ferrari

FERRARI cars worth every single penny they cost...That's all !!! The Speciale is so amazing

Ferrari cannot hold a candle to Porsche. The 911 GT3 has 125hp less and is heavier than the 458 Speciale but is only 0.2 seconds slower on the Sachsenring. The 911 Turbo S has 45hp less and is much heavier than the 458 Speciale but is 0.3 faster on the Sachsenring. So, Ferraris track weapon cannot even beat Porsches plush gran turismo. A GT2 let alone a GT2 RS would just rape the Speciale.

I love this review. The way the reviewer laughed when he got on the gas on the Speciale was the same way I reacted when I stepped on it after picking up my 458.

Let's wait until the new GT3 RS shows it's tail pipes !

Him reading off the revs while starting in second gear at 8:18 was honestly extremely exciting just for me to watch.

Yeah it performs better, but is it better value, with double the price I don't think so.

Wow! He is the first person who at least tried to pronounce "speciale" correctly. Thanks!

One thing about 911 that it would never come close to Ferrari : THE LOOK. It looks like a racing version of VW Bettle.

My friend is a mechanic and specializes in super cars . He would chose Porche anytime Because as he says 'Ferraris hangs more on the lift than they are out driving'

I would take the Porsche (pronounce the E please!) The Ferrari will perform for a year, then be burdened for years with electrical, and mechanical problems.

Love when he blasts down the straights and yells the revs, really exciting!

I'll take the GT3 all day!!

Beautifully filmed, engine notes nicely captured. Not specifically a Ferrari or Porsche fan, but both beautiful cars.

Porsche for me please. And I will keep the £100,000 change and put it towards a 991 GT3 RS deposit and have just as much fun as any 458 driver whilst waiting for the RS to arrive. And all in a more comfortable, quieter and, in my opinion, a better sounding car.....

Love both cars but also love the enthusiasm of the reporter which makes it fun to watch!

IMHO mismatched. GT3RS or wait until GT2 to compare to the Speciale.

Porsche fans need to get some things straight here. The 458 Speciale is the last NA V8 Ferrari so prices will go sky high within the next 10 years. That makes this car better value for your money in any situation. Apart from that, all that Porsche fans seem to care about are times. The main reason I got into cars as a kid was of the driving thrill which Ferrari obviously cares more about than Porsche (Cayenne, Macan besides 911). Plus the Ferrari is better looking and overal more emotional. You just need to invest a 100.000 pounds more to be able to get one, doesn't seem like such a bad deal after all. Maintain the car with the right care and you'll even make money eventually.

You have to put this in perspective. I have driven 911's for years and currently own three: 1984 Carrera which I bought new in May 1984; 2011 GT3 RS4 which I bought new for 215K$ three years ago and consider myself fortunate to have found it; and 2013 911 turbo which I bought new two years ago for 155K$. The 458 Especiale is very difficult to find. I did find one at a dealer here in Houston that is being driven by another customer who is awaiting delivery of a La Ferrari. The dealer will sell this one to me for MSRP of 368K$ Plus a 10% premium for a total cost of about 405 K$. There is no reduction in price to reflect the fact that this is a used, even if lightly, car. The car has almost 100 K$ worth of options some of which I have not the foggiest of their purpose. I am having a lot of trouble justifying the purchase of the Especialle. To compare the GT3 to the 458 Especiale is absurd. When and if a 991 GT3 RS is introduced, it will most likely compare more favorably with the Especiale. But most people who purchase Ferraris (of which only about 7000 are produced each year) do not purchase them for their performance; they purchase them because they are Ferraris.

I would much rather have the GT3 (preferably an RS). Its movements are so clinical and efficient while the 458's are so elongated and drawn out. The 911 is clearly a better engineered vehicle. And I don't want to hear anything about how rear engine cars are inherently worse than mid engined ones. Tell that to an F1 driver. More mass and proportionally wider tires in the rear make the force of friction and resulting centripetal acceleration (how many lateral Gs it can pull) the rear of the car can produce astronomically high.

Two supercars incomparable. Ferrari unrivaled

I am sure the Speciale is an amazing supercar but not too long ago this guy on youtube compare it to the Porsche GT3 RS and to everyone's suprise the Porsche came up on top. This goes to show you that Ferrari sends ringer cars to magazines for testing while Porsche always delivers the same set up that is offer to costumers. This does 't take anything away from the speciale which to me it's one of my all time favorite supercars of all times. in a perfect world I would love to own both.

Ive owned a 458, 911 991 4s and other cars, having driven the 991 GT3 at the weekend I simply couldn't believe just how good that car is. Yes the 458 has the noise and the excitement, but £100K for the privilege over the GT3, I can't drive the 458 harder than the GT3 to warrant that cash.

I love both cars, I never really cared for the 360 Stradale or 430 Scuderia, but the 458 just the basic drew my attention since day one, the lines the curves the way it sits was beautiful and still is. With the Speciale I kinda got disappointed when I saw they split the front end ( its grown on me ) and adding a lot of gills but stll the car is gorgeous with that being said I will still take the 911 over it. I just love the Porsche so much in general and wouldn't take no car over it. Its a drivers car period.

Nice review but in all honesty, a differential of 130hp will make the difference. Porsche would most likely have the faster car given similar hp.

This test is 6/10,he do 2 sideways 4 times in redline and declare the winner of these two magnificent machines,you need track my friend for these rockets,and i think he is not enough experienced driver to judge the winner,he is impressed with Ferrari's acceeration that is obivious

Imagine what the GT3RS will do. Whose speciale now!?!?!?!?

I am very glad, I found this video. I haven’t been following new Sports Cars for a while. That Porsche GT3 is amazing. I wouldn’t be able to extract the performace from it for a long time. Maybe, one day though. (:

Ferrari has bigger engine, more hp, lighter weight, lower centre of gravity la la la. in term of which one would you buy definitely the porche then spend the remaining 100,000 you save and make it fuck loads faster than the Ferrari. i seriously dont see how the Ferrari wins in a practical sense if you were to buy one.

You can never really compare these two cars, but what you can say is that they do exactly what they were designed to do to perfection. Neither car misses the mark, and you really can't say a a single dollar would be wasted when purchasing either of these two cars.... but thats just my opinion

Still the United Staters cant spell the name Porsche right huh ? Its not Porsh........... Its Pό-rsee with the e sounds like EEEEEEEE got damn it !

Not much of a Ferrari person, but hearing the Pillsbury Doughboy laughter from 8:28 to 8:38 helps me to know that this is definitely a wonderful car... lol

Can either of these circle the Nurburgring in under 7:12? No matter, on a serious note, the new ACR is coming, lights out for both of these. BTW, I'll take the GT3 all day. A gigantic ugly stick smacked that 458 in the face.

Speciale for me over every 901. Thanks.

Better reliability, resale value, usability, better economy, lower service costs, half the price - GT3. I love Ferrari, but that is a track car and would be a pain to use everyday on roads. If I was lucky enough to be able to afford a 911 it would be a 4S.

With almost 130hp less, Porsche 911 GT3 for the win! ;-)

first off, i really love the 911, but i'm not a ferrari "hater". these cars are simply not my cup of tea. well, one thing that's been said very often is, that the 911 design is boring, not innovative and antiquated, but this exactly is the point, the big plus for the 911! this car has an identity, a special aura, it will always be recognized among other sportscars. for me the 911 is one of the most beautiful sportscars ever built and i love how porsche keep their tradition alive and stay with the basic design that only gets slighty improved from series to series. take all these plastic cars like mclaren, ferrari, pagani and stuff like that and remove the emblems from their bodies...they're all replaceable and would only be recognized by nerds/fans. they're like an (italian) macho, it's all about gettin attention and catchin eyes, it's all about the outside, the cover. a 911 doesn't need this spectacle. everbyody knows what is slumbering within. i bet a 911 will be recognized by almost everyone, it's unique. understatement par excellence! and c'mon guys, the bettle comparison is so damn lame and worn out, get over it! a 911 is fair-priced and a real winner compared to it's (mostly overpriced) competitors. you got plenty of variations from a track racer (gt series) to a daily-driver with sheer power (turbo series), a convertible and many many more. they may have the same design/shape, but each of them is quite different and absolutely special. and porsche knows exactly how to built an over the top sportscar with all its elements perfectly synchronized/balanced. simply great engineering based on decades of experience. a 911 doesn't need massive horsepower to compete with -on paper- much stronger cars. it's the entire package that's much respected by sportscars lovers worldwide.

GT3 every single day of the year.

That rev counting.. man i love Gt3 but this type of rev counting, that feel in the speciale.. You feel like youre in the edge of car motorsport. And that is priceless.

Damn all those rocks hitting the car !!! AHhhhhhhHHHhhh !!! :'(

I was sold , so got a 458 italia and a Gt3, love em both and can't stop driving them

Id take that Porsche any day. DAT BUILD QUALITY

I agree with earlier comments about to fully test both cars it takes more than winding the engine out to 9k. Let's see there ultimate balance at 10/10's on the track. Both machines have track dna. Do a follow up comparo.

How does Porsche make a 3.8 straight V6 that produces 460 hp?

The Ferr wins looks and sound easily and maybe acceleration (straight line), the GT3 is slightly superior in every other way though, but hey, did you really think porsche would build a dissappointing car?

Its like compare the Toyota corolla with the BMW 335i and then said that the BMW is the better car one $100,000 and the other $200,000 and change. It like asking who is richer someone with $0.00 in their account or someone with a $100,000.00.🙀

The Ferrari looks great, sounds great, runs great, BUT the shop time and cost is scary. The maintenance (not just the recommended maintenance but what they actually require ) is extremely costly and there is a LOT of it. The Porsche is bloody well near maintenance free but for 10K checks and oil changes, and the record supports that!

The proper race would be a gt3 RS vs the ferrari and see the Ferrari be smashed...PORSCHE FOR LIFE

Fantastic video. Loved the footage of the Porsche, but my heart lies with Ferrari!

A very good presenter! Down to earth dude

The Speciale is the 'RS' version, so it should be compared to the upcoming GT3 RS. THAT is the track version of the GT3. The GT3 may be good on the track, but other then most people believe, it is NOT a trackday toy like the Speciale, it is intended to be a usable road (sports-) car. Compare the normal 458 to the GT3 and the GT3 would be faster.

GT3 even turned the sheep head lol

The 458 S is better. All wheel steering is an old version but the "slide angle control" is awesome and cutting edge

Porsche GT3 for me, it's a much more appealing car. I find the 458 Ferrari boring and rather ugly and doesn't sound very good. I know it's much more expensive but I'd rather get a Ferrari 599 GTO or FF. Only question is, which car caught on fire first?

They never discuss colour in these comparisons. It's sooo important and affects mood. I say retest but include colour in the conversation otherwise all those numbers about horsepower and acceleration are boooorrriing! Also, interiors!

Ferrari is better than Porsche. The name, the cars, the heritage and they have greater success on track. I used to hate 911s and Porsches but now i see them in a whole new light but they still aren't ferraris! How many ferraris do you see compared to a porsche? How many Porsches sound better than a Ferrari? How many Porsches make you feel as special as a Ferrari does. Exactly and don't bring prices and practicality into this because first, if your think about prices than your on a budget and probably can't afford these and secondly, you aren't going to be lugging the whole family around the country are you? Well not in one of these. They are for driving pleasure and Ferrari does it better. End of story.

This isn't a very good comparison rather compare normal 458 vs gt3 or wait till gt3 rs to come. Or better yet wait till gt2 rs to come out and then you have your self a comparison, this time around 458 won't stand a chance against 911 since gt3 is already so close in track times to 458 speciale, even beating it on shorter tracks.

GT3 couldn't even beat a regular 458...

Why are all these English car reviewers such nerds who can't drive and look scared shitless when they push the cars they're testing a little!?!... At least he made the right choice; nothing is better than the 458 Speciale in my opinion...my dream car! It looks, sounds and must feel like nothing else out; I want one so bad. I will have one someday...

2014 Gtr Nismo>Both these cars

You can pronounce Speciale correctly, but you cannot pronounce Porsche correctly? Apart from that, excellent review. Keep up the great work.

CARmagazineTV I love it Ferrari 458 SPECIALE!!!

Dat Ferrari V8 sound tho....Porsche is like mmmhhmmmmm, Ferrari is like ARRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

ferrari forever the best car!!!!!! porsche horrible car shit!!!

This looks to me like a rather biased review. There is no track test, no times, no nothing. It's basically the reviewer's opinion. He says the Ferrari is "definitely faster" without actually proving it. Faster how? In a straight line? It better be, it has a much bigger engine and it's lighter. He says it's louder... ok? And it's a more visceral experience... hmmm that doesn't make it better. The Ferrari might be faster in a straight line, but is it faster on the track? I doubt it.

Ferrari is just the best! Porsche is just an overpriced beetle..

At least 50% of a Ferrari's price is because of the hype and the fact they don't build many. It's not ACTUALLY a $100,000 better car.

Love the GT3, still the best car for the money hands down

Anyone claiming they'd pick the Porsche are simply compensating for the fact that they know that they'll never afford a Ferrari in their lifetime.

What is rattling away in both cars ? sounds like stones hitting the underside constantly ?

Can someone educate me about "the rear wheels doing some of the steering too" when they were talking about the GT3 in the beginning?

Thank you, it's good to see these 2 beasts head to head, i don't know how people can prefer one to another, F40 vs 959, come on guys, this is an eternal battle, I wish one day day i'll make enough money to buy them both

Ferrari and Porsche are compared, even with considerable price difference, because they are the only brand to build real sports cars, designed to be driven even going slowly! Are the feelings that count, not the speed or price!! :) Porsche is more livable, Ferrari is more exotic but they are two excellent!

I drove a lot of powerful cars and I can say first hand they are just terrifying! I rather go for the GT3 than anything else as you can feel absolute confidence in it's agility. Not to say others are bad. Just that I hate to be scared shitless just driving to a diner.

both are great cars, I actually don't see a clear winner. Got to love both of them!

I'll have the GT3 on a Saturday and the Ferrari on a Sunday. Beautiful looking cars and engines.

It's cool seeing the fans of both manufacturers go head to head, but I mean come on. Some of the cars are gonna be faster than others in both manufacturers. The 458 is slower than a Turbo S, the speciale and gt3 are basically even. But, when it comes to seeing cars fly down the track, that's all that REALLY matters. Just enjoy the racing people, don't let your differences between other manufacturers cloud your heads, when the true passion comes from racing its self.

Still love the 458 speciale it seems much so comfortable, as he dirves and the enjoyment it gives🙂 as well as its fast😍😍😍

nice cars, nice video, nice landscape. Gt3 still my favorite one.

458 Speciale is a great car and will become a classic in its own right. The GT3 is an awesome sports car and probably would be a bit better living day to day with though. Just the thought of parking the 458 somewhere and walking away.....gulp The Porsche would probably be ok and blend in a bit. Thanks for the upload.

I dont wanna sound like bitter or something and I do say this right away I prefer the 911 all day long and would not even consider the ferrari if I could buy the 911 which I could ....twice instead of the ferrari ,but 1 little thing makes me not even want to consider this car apart from the price and the fact that the 911 exists and that is the double emblem on the front ... I mean why ,why would they do that seriously it looks pompous ,but thats just my opinion obviously I still like the car but would never choose him.

Of course, the real comparison would be against the soon to be revealed 991 GT3 RS. That will be a much closer battle.

OMG - Speciale should be vs. GT3 RS!

I can just imagine getting a GT3 with heightened suspension, fatter wheels and have them pushed out a bit, roll cage and high beam lights on the hood and roof and take it bush bashing in the Australian outback. But I'm poor, so I'll just stick with Dirt and Forza on the XBox.

This is an unfair comparison. A 458 Italia and GT3 RS would have been more realistic.

I drove both these cars with ExoticsRacing in Las Vegas on their race track. The Ferrari is a dream car I had always wanted to drive and experience and the GT3 is maybe the best track day car you can get that also could be used every day. The Ferrari was spot on, but not magical. I mean it was very, very good, but not otherworldly. It was among the best performance cars I've driven. The GT3 was faster around their track (it's lighter). I own a Porsche Cayman S and honestly I came away from my test drive thinking that neither was quite as intuitive as the Cayman, though clearly the engines in the Ferrari and GT3 are in a completely different category from my Cayman. I think the GT3 would make the better track day car.

Love the Speciele, but don't think it justify more than double the price tag though. It's all about marginal cost... One thing for sure, I currently own a 991 CS, and I got a shot at owning the GT3 in near future, but the Ferrari, no chance for me at this point :(

i just dont understand why these automotive journalists compare the gt3 to the speciale, it is more apropriate to compare the gt3 to the normal 458(as if it is 'normal' ), and the speciale should be compared to the upcoming gt3 rs.