Let’s make things abundantly clear: if you’re having to think about them, the chances are you’ll find Ferrari 458 Spider running costs prohibitively expensive.

There’s an inevitability that this is the kind of sports car that’s going to be driven enthusiastically whenever the opportunity presents itself, so the official claim of 23.9mpg when the 458 was tested in lab conditions is likely only ever to be a figure presented in brochures as a legal requirement rather than in the real world economy metric. Some exuberance with the right foot is more likely to have you hovering around 18mpg, even if you opt for HELE with stop/start function for city driving.

It’s not just about the 458 Spider’s insatiable thirst for super unleaded petrol, though. Those tyres aren’t going to come cheaply and given the power the rear ones have to deal with, they’re going to need replacing frequently.

That’s before you take into account specialist servicing and insurance costs. Running a Ferrari isn’t something you should remotely attempt to do on a shoestring, particularly if you want to preserve its resale value.

Ferrari 458 Spider emissions are likely to be significantly less of a concern for drivers who buy them than they are for the company that makes them.

In these enlightened times where even Formula 1 racing cars are designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and with EU legislators on its corporate back, Ferrari has to make efforts to curb CO2 output.

Hence HELE, with stop/start function to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption is available, but as an option.

With the HELE option, CO2 emissions are pegged at 275g/km, without it shoots up to 307g/km.

Given how relatively few examples there are on the road, it’s difficult to independently judge Ferrari 458 Spider reliability, but there are signs that it’s a very positive outlook.

Overall the general fit and finish of the 458 is excellent. It uses high quality materials; an impressive level of build quality and craftsmanship; combined with mechanical and electronic components which have proven relatively issue-free when seeing service in other models.

Given too that Ferrari shows confidence in its products with a warranty that covers expensive mechanical components for up to 12 years, it’s safe to assume the 458 Spider should prove to be a soundly reliable sports car purchase.