F430 Spider vs Coupe - Chassis Rigidity
Discussion
I'm looking for a nice F430 at present; under 20k miles, red, and ideally tan leather. I have my eye on the Spider version as I think it would be a great car for some of the continental trips I have planned, but the previous soft tops I've owned have been a bit of a disappointment due to lack of rigidity. I appreciate the Ferrari is a totally different prospect - purpose built - but is there anything to worry about?
Never had an issue with mine on normal road driving at enthusiastic speeds. You might notice a small difference on a track if you were driving like the STIG but that's a very small compromise, most people wouldn't notice, for open top motoring.
You will get folding creases in the side buttress panel so watch out for wear on older cars because it wouldn't be a cheap fix. Plastic rear screen is also prone to light scratching but regular cleaning/maintenance keeps it at bay
Enjoy the summer !
You will get folding creases in the side buttress panel so watch out for wear on older cars because it wouldn't be a cheap fix. Plastic rear screen is also prone to light scratching but regular cleaning/maintenance keeps it at bay
Enjoy the summer !
I read similar things about chassis rigidity and comments from some (i.e. certain tv presenters) about the coupe being a purer drivers car and in the end bought a 430 coupe. After two years I fancied a change and in December changed it for a 430 spider.
My experience is that there is essentially no difference in the real world. Those who say differently are either fibbing and trotting out the 'perceived wisdom' or are infinitely better drivers than I am. Even if there was a difference the benefits from open top motoring would far outweigh any negatives from a rigidity or increased weight perspective.
My experience with the two cars has convinced me that from now I will only be buying convertibles for my fun cars.
If you are planning continental trips then for me it would be a no brainer to buy the spider. If you didn't you would regret it every time you saw someone with the roof down.
My experience is that there is essentially no difference in the real world. Those who say differently are either fibbing and trotting out the 'perceived wisdom' or are infinitely better drivers than I am. Even if there was a difference the benefits from open top motoring would far outweigh any negatives from a rigidity or increased weight perspective.
My experience with the two cars has convinced me that from now I will only be buying convertibles for my fun cars.
If you are planning continental trips then for me it would be a no brainer to buy the spider. If you didn't you would regret it every time you saw someone with the roof down.
The chassis was designed with the spider in mind. As said above, there's not much in it in the real world (I've had both coupe and spiders, albeit 360 but same chassis).
The spider does offer fantastic open top motoring and for euro tours it is a lot better than the coupe. However, the coupe weighs less and has a lot easier access for maintenance. Also, the spider roof is fairly complex and whilst it has proven to be fairly reliable I think the coupe offers a much better long term ownership proposition - which is why I have a 430 F1 coupe now.
The spider does offer fantastic open top motoring and for euro tours it is a lot better than the coupe. However, the coupe weighs less and has a lot easier access for maintenance. Also, the spider roof is fairly complex and whilst it has proven to be fairly reliable I think the coupe offers a much better long term ownership proposition - which is why I have a 430 F1 coupe now.
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