355 Spider or GTS
Discussion
Having now got to position where the purchase of my first Ferrari is about to happen (96 /97 355)does anyone have any stong positives / negatives of gts v spider.
Having had 2 chimaera's for the last 3 years I wonder if I would miss the full soft top if I bought the GTS ? and I am not sure about the looks of the spider with the roof up ?
Now ultimatley the 355 is my ultimate car in any format apart from GTB !!!The paln is to keep the car long term and do about 6k p.a. but just need a bit of help making my mind up between GTs and Spider .
Thanks in advance
Phib
Having had 2 chimaera's for the last 3 years I wonder if I would miss the full soft top if I bought the GTS ? and I am not sure about the looks of the spider with the roof up ?
Now ultimatley the 355 is my ultimate car in any format apart from GTB !!!The paln is to keep the car long term and do about 6k p.a. but just need a bit of help making my mind up between GTs and Spider .
Thanks in advance
Phib
Phil
was it you I met yesterday? I've been happy with the GTS although the roof is a bit of a handful lifting in and out (easier with two people) not helped by the fact you have to rotate it 180 degrees to store it behind the seats. Must admit that on a recent trip to Maranello and stopping at several places around the town I was envious of a spyder owner who just had to press a button to put the roof up.
As for looks I love the look of the GTS with the roof painted keeps the nice lines of the GTB, the Spyder IMHO looks fantastic with the roof down, roof up it's not quite so pretty but hey it's still a 355!!
Not sure whether scuttle shake is an issue with the spyder?
there you go........ I've been no help at all
was it you I met yesterday? I've been happy with the GTS although the roof is a bit of a handful lifting in and out (easier with two people) not helped by the fact you have to rotate it 180 degrees to store it behind the seats. Must admit that on a recent trip to Maranello and stopping at several places around the town I was envious of a spyder owner who just had to press a button to put the roof up.
As for looks I love the look of the GTS with the roof painted keeps the nice lines of the GTB, the Spyder IMHO looks fantastic with the roof down, roof up it's not quite so pretty but hey it's still a 355!!
Not sure whether scuttle shake is an issue with the spyder?
there you go........ I've been no help at all
The GTS is referred to as the unloved one among the 355 range, not by me but by dealers. The flip side is that they are usually cheaper to get hold of too.
I went for the spider as it is less hassle to drop the roof, and put it up again, and leaks are less common. Plus, it looks relatively tatty unless the roof panel is colour coded too. Also, even with the roof up the sound is more audible in the spider. It also look much better with the roof down.
Personally, I think the spider looks fine with the roof up, the roof contrasts nicely with red, yellow, silver etc etc
.
Take both for a long drive and long deliberation and see which you prefer. I went for a blast in the 355GTB and Spider when I wanted to buy, but realised that I would not even get a 355 if it were to be a GTB, as I could not hear enough of the glorious sound. Whack on a tubi or some straight pipes, decatted of course, and well maybe I could be convinced
I went for the spider as it is less hassle to drop the roof, and put it up again, and leaks are less common. Plus, it looks relatively tatty unless the roof panel is colour coded too. Also, even with the roof up the sound is more audible in the spider. It also look much better with the roof down.
Personally, I think the spider looks fine with the roof up, the roof contrasts nicely with red, yellow, silver etc etc
. Take both for a long drive and long deliberation and see which you prefer. I went for a blast in the 355GTB and Spider when I wanted to buy, but realised that I would not even get a 355 if it were to be a GTB, as I could not hear enough of the glorious sound. Whack on a tubi or some straight pipes, decatted of course, and well maybe I could be convinced
Well thanks for the replys so far the plan is to get it de catted and tubi'd on purchase, I think at this stage the spider is winning as if the roof take two people to lift it and its awkward to store then that may help the descision, I couldn't bare to drop it on the car or damage !!!!
eli - why is the gts seen as the un loved 355 anything in particular ?
F355GTS no unfortunatly it wasn't me a the hangover from saturday did't lift until today.
And prior to purchase I am planning along test drive of both just haven't found the specialists that helpfull any recomendations i.e. in the south east near vw
Thanks
eli - why is the gts seen as the un loved 355 anything in particular ?
F355GTS no unfortunatly it wasn't me a the hangover from saturday did't lift until today.
And prior to purchase I am planning along test drive of both just haven't found the specialists that helpfull any recomendations i.e. in the south east near vw
Thanks
Ooh what a tricky one.
GTB ranks up there as one of the most beautiful cars of all time I reckon, theres just not an out of place line on it. So in that respect the GTS maintaining some of those lines has got real merit.
The Spider however, with the roof down is simply magic. The merest glance transports you to Monaco, trule evocative of everything that is right with the Ferrari brand.
On balance then I would have to go for the spider. Sure its a bit dumpier with the roof up than the GTS, but roof down its a holiday in itself.
Matt.
GTB ranks up there as one of the most beautiful cars of all time I reckon, theres just not an out of place line on it. So in that respect the GTS maintaining some of those lines has got real merit.
The Spider however, with the roof down is simply magic. The merest glance transports you to Monaco, trule evocative of everything that is right with the Ferrari brand.
On balance then I would have to go for the spider. Sure its a bit dumpier with the roof up than the GTS, but roof down its a holiday in itself.
Matt.
For me it is the spider and I am very very biased....and glad to see you will be going decat and tubi route (makes sense)....I am occasionally down that way seeing Manu the Pervert so I can always take you out in a decatted tubi spider.......also if you want a GTS but the times every sunday for a chance to win Clarkson's old one......you never know...
basher said: if you want a GTS the times every sunday for a chance to win Clarkson's old one......you never know...
basher Shhhhh!!! I was hoping to be the only PH'er going for that and as it seems to be the only way I'll ever be able to own my very own dancing donkey I'm gunna send in about 3000 entries
So Manu get me a Tubi ready as it will almost certainly be mine.................
phib,
not sure of the reasons behind their comments, but I did hear it from a couple of dealers, as well as reading the same thing in a magazine once, although those are always taken with a pinch of salt!
I would probably think the only reasons would be the fact that the roof is quite a mission to remove and refit. I've also heard that it is not as rigid as a GTB. This may not bother spider owners, as they are taking a compromise in terms of rigidity and performance anyway, although I understand the spider has been reinforced for extra stiffness.
I find the spider very stiff (don't even try Manu!!), and generally very pleased.
Depending on how quickly you want to buy, I'm sure you would be welcome to have a nose around this forum member's cars, mine included. Maranellos were quite accomodating when I went there and will show you whatever you want to see of the cars.
not sure of the reasons behind their comments, but I did hear it from a couple of dealers, as well as reading the same thing in a magazine once, although those are always taken with a pinch of salt!
I would probably think the only reasons would be the fact that the roof is quite a mission to remove and refit. I've also heard that it is not as rigid as a GTB. This may not bother spider owners, as they are taking a compromise in terms of rigidity and performance anyway, although I understand the spider has been reinforced for extra stiffness.
I find the spider very stiff (don't even try Manu!!), and generally very pleased.
Depending on how quickly you want to buy, I'm sure you would be welcome to have a nose around this forum member's cars, mine included. Maranellos were quite accomodating when I went there and will show you whatever you want to see of the cars.
Had to be a GTB for me (which doesn't help).
I already have a roofless car so wanted the stiffness and lack of hassle that a tin top represents. I also think the lines on a GTB are unbeatable - though having seen F355GTS' car I was impressed with how well the roof preserves the lines.
When I was looking there were far fewer GTBs for sale than the other two types. Similarly there were fewer manual transmission cars. Add the two and a few other criteria and the choice became quite limited. But then I only needed one
If I were restricted to GTS or Spider I think I'd probably go GTS. In this country it'll spend by far the most time with its roof up, and the extra solidity of the targa panel must count as a big plus.
I already have a roofless car so wanted the stiffness and lack of hassle that a tin top represents. I also think the lines on a GTB are unbeatable - though having seen F355GTS' car I was impressed with how well the roof preserves the lines.
When I was looking there were far fewer GTBs for sale than the other two types. Similarly there were fewer manual transmission cars. Add the two and a few other criteria and the choice became quite limited. But then I only needed one
If I were restricted to GTS or Spider I think I'd probably go GTS. In this country it'll spend by far the most time with its roof up, and the extra solidity of the targa panel must count as a big plus.
Thanks guys for all your replies, I live about 10 mins from egham so will be visiting maranelo and prob talcrest (if thats how you spell it).
Having sat ( now this is going to sound very very sad) with a picture of a 355 gts and a spider in front of me for the last two days on my pin board in the office, I think it will probably be the spider !!
I am in no mad rush to buy really and probably have a fair bit of research to do before commiting to a particular car.
Having spoken to my TVR dealer about the drop in value in my car in one year (and 2500 miles) its both scary and also motivating to make me get out and do something about it so watch this space.
And finally thanks for the kind offer of a look round the 355's I will probably be taking you up on that if any of you guys are around the egham area in the near future
Thanks
Phib
Having sat ( now this is going to sound very very sad) with a picture of a 355 gts and a spider in front of me for the last two days on my pin board in the office, I think it will probably be the spider !!
I am in no mad rush to buy really and probably have a fair bit of research to do before commiting to a particular car.
Having spoken to my TVR dealer about the drop in value in my car in one year (and 2500 miles) its both scary and also motivating to make me get out and do something about it so watch this space.
And finally thanks for the kind offer of a look round the 355's I will probably be taking you up on that if any of you guys are around the egham area in the near future
Thanks
Phib
Phib - you're welcome to visit us in Egham when you're down there!
Incidentally there appears to be a VERY VERY well priced 355 Spider at www.carrsmaserati.co.uk at the moment - worth a look.....
Incidentally there appears to be a VERY VERY well priced 355 Spider at www.carrsmaserati.co.uk at the moment - worth a look.....
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