355 Spider or Berlinetta?
Discussion
Probably been asked a zillion times, but I like to have the most up to date info.
Looking at a 355 as a keeper. As I will keep the car for a long time, I am thinking a Spider in manual.
This is because a) they don't have the buttress issues b) its nice to get the top down and c) it will be desirable in 30 years.
Does the great knowledge of PH agree?
Looking at a 355 as a keeper. As I will keep the car for a long time, I am thinking a Spider in manual.
This is because a) they don't have the buttress issues b) its nice to get the top down and c) it will be desirable in 30 years.
Does the great knowledge of PH agree?
When i was on the look out for a F355 i took a few trips to dealerships,
Both said that the easiest selling variant of the 355 was GTS ,then Berlinetta,then spider.
The cars they had in there showrooms ready for sale where spiders with F1 box, some being LHD too.
not sure if thats going to follow in many years to come.
kelly
Both said that the easiest selling variant of the 355 was GTS ,then Berlinetta,then spider.
The cars they had in there showrooms ready for sale where spiders with F1 box, some being LHD too.
not sure if thats going to follow in many years to come.
kelly
Don't get put off by roof stories! I have had my spider a few years and have never had an issue. Also know a few other spider owners and they have never had issues. You just need to take care raising and lowering the roof. Yes it will cost a bit to put right if it were to go wrong but the same is true of anything Ferrari!
Perhaps look at it a slightly different way: what do you want out of the car, what will you use it for?
For me, it wasn't going to have to be a car that I had to use whatever the weather; it wasn't going to have to live outside; it wasn't going to be a car that got used on track; it was going to be a car used to go cross country; it was going to be car that I wanted to hear; it was going to be a car that only got used in good weather. So I bought a spider, with those criteria I couldn't see the point of buying anything else.
Yes, the roof might make me cry at some point, but, so what, the berlinetta roof isn't without fault - as acknowledged above.
Yes, despite Ferrari's protestations at the time, it might be more wobbly than a berlinetta, but I'm not going to be trying to drive it so hard that that becomes an issue - although it is, for the record, quite acceptable.
Relative costs didn't come into it for me, not that cost was not a factor just that it didn't affect my decision - I don't, in any event, really understand the premium the GTS commands.
For me, it wasn't going to have to be a car that I had to use whatever the weather; it wasn't going to have to live outside; it wasn't going to be a car that got used on track; it was going to be a car used to go cross country; it was going to be car that I wanted to hear; it was going to be a car that only got used in good weather. So I bought a spider, with those criteria I couldn't see the point of buying anything else.
Yes, the roof might make me cry at some point, but, so what, the berlinetta roof isn't without fault - as acknowledged above.
Yes, despite Ferrari's protestations at the time, it might be more wobbly than a berlinetta, but I'm not going to be trying to drive it so hard that that becomes an issue - although it is, for the record, quite acceptable.
Relative costs didn't come into it for me, not that cost was not a factor just that it didn't affect my decision - I don't, in any event, really understand the premium the GTS commands.
Keep the Spider roof maintained i.e. lubricated and topped up with fluid and it should be fine,
One weak point are the bolts for the upper rams which shear and then if you operate the roof it can bend the frame, worth upgrading these to the Hill Engineering replacements, also seat potentiometers and need Factory diags to setup when replaced
One weak point are the bolts for the upper rams which shear and then if you operate the roof it can bend the frame, worth upgrading these to the Hill Engineering replacements, also seat potentiometers and need Factory diags to setup when replaced
Edited by F355GTS on Saturday 1st February 16:49
Bob, it will be a Sunday car really. Summer use only. No track, no long trips really.
I struggle to do more than 3000 miles a year in my tin top let alone a weekend play thing.
I am looking for the right car from the start because its the only one I will ever own I am pretty sure of that.
Cheers Mark - I like the looks of the spider - but some more research is needed I think into which will be best for me.
I also like the tan leather - which seems to be pretty rare - so might be hard to find - although I guess its possible to re trim?
I struggle to do more than 3000 miles a year in my tin top let alone a weekend play thing.
I am looking for the right car from the start because its the only one I will ever own I am pretty sure of that.
Cheers Mark - I like the looks of the spider - but some more research is needed I think into which will be best for me.
I also like the tan leather - which seems to be pretty rare - so might be hard to find - although I guess its possible to re trim?
The F355, with its 5 valves per cylinder creates a colossal sound that's not far off an F1, particularly where sports exhausts such as TUBI are fitted. So for us, for whom 'speed matters' - wouldn't we agree the sound of the F355 does too? Wouldn't the Spider give the driver a better soundtrack?
.Ha my 355 spider for 6 years and never had any roof problems. It can leak a touch in torrential rain, but that could be cured with some new seals. But as its more of a dry weather car I've not got round to doing them yet!
Unless you're wanting to do lots of track driving or using it every day then I'd say Spider. Makes the drive more of an event and its so nice to have the roof down to experience the noise of possibly the best sounding car ever produced.
Unless you're wanting to do lots of track driving or using it every day then I'd say Spider. Makes the drive more of an event and its so nice to have the roof down to experience the noise of possibly the best sounding car ever produced.
red_slr said:
Bob, it will be a Sunday car really. Summer use only. No track, no long trips really.
I struggle to do more than 3000 miles a year in my tin top let alone a weekend play thing.
I am looking for the right car from the start because its the only one I will ever own I am pretty sure of that.
Sounds, to me, like you want a spider. I struggle to do more than 3000 miles a year in my tin top let alone a weekend play thing.
I am looking for the right car from the start because its the only one I will ever own I am pretty sure of that.
In my opinion, the best looking 355 is the Berlinetta. Utterly gorgeous, timeless lines.
The Spider looks great with the roof down, but with the roof up? Mmmm... Not so good.
The GTS looks exactly like a Berlinetta, but you can also get re 80% of the goodness of the Spider by taking the roof panel off, without losing those lovely lines.
That is why the GTS is the most desirable variant.
The Spider looks great with the roof down, but with the roof up? Mmmm... Not so good.
The GTS looks exactly like a Berlinetta, but you can also get re 80% of the goodness of the Spider by taking the roof panel off, without losing those lovely lines.
That is why the GTS is the most desirable variant.
Edited by Steve12NG on Saturday 1st February 15:42
Edited by Steve12NG on Saturday 1st February 15:43
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