GTB or Spider? suggestions? | FerrariChat

GTB or Spider? suggestions?

Discussion in '348/355' started by LeoExotic, Jan 27, 2008.

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  1. LeoExotic

    LeoExotic Karting

    Nov 29, 2003
    167
    Manalapan, NJ
    Full Name:
    Leonardo
    I am torn between a gtb or spider...My previous cars have been many convertibles..I love the lines of the 355 gtb but love the convertible aspect of the spider..can someone help me decide? pros cons?

    thanks.
    L.
     
  2. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,608
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    GTS. In black. ;)

    Seriously, have a 328 GTS and I love it. Looks great, open-air motoring, lots of Ferrari engine sounds behind you, easier to take care of than a ragtop, no plastic rear window, some privacy whilst driving, mechanically very simple.

    Only problem is the GTS is rarer than the others, so you might have a bit of a chase to find one you like.
     
  3. LeoExotic

    LeoExotic Karting

    Nov 29, 2003
    167
    Manalapan, NJ
    Full Name:
    Leonardo
    I stopped looking for a red with tan gts...cant find a good one..wish I could..
     
  4. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,974
    MD and NE
    Full Name:
    Robbie
    You can find Spiders everywhere for sale right now---GTB's are much more difficult to find. GTS's---ya right... If you want a car soon, go the Spider route because the ease of finding one---Although an Fchatter on here just recently listed his Yellow/Black GTB for sale--check Ferrariads above...
     
  5. KEL-J

    KEL-J Karting

    Oct 4, 2006
    54
    wouldn't giving pros/cons of each bring you back to square 1 since each model has them.
     
  6. Vegas-Guy

    Vegas-Guy Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2007
    1,828
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    Reg
    GTB...:D (IMO) they look better. I looked at both when I was in the market and had a hard time finding a GTB. So I started looking at the spider since there are so many of them to choose from. In the end it came down to to spider not being practical were I live. It's just to hot here in the summer. I would either have to put the top up every time I parked or find shade. And it's to cold here in the winter so really I had about 2mo. a year (If that) that I could have the top down. In the end I'm glad I waited for the GTB...:D
     
  7. Senna1994

    Senna1994 F1 World Champ

    Nov 11, 2003
    13,196
    Orange County
    Full Name:
    Anthony T
    Had a 355 GTB for 5 years and it was the worst mistake selling that car, the lines were so pure and although I bought a 360 Spider to replace it, the next F Car I buy will be a Coupe.
     
  8. LeoExotic

    LeoExotic Karting

    Nov 29, 2003
    167
    Manalapan, NJ
    Full Name:
    Leonardo
    I too love the gtb lines..personally I think the spider is not as attractive as the gtb..wish I wsnt spoiled by having a convertible. I presently have an 02 m3 cab which I use occasionaly in the winter and alot in the summer. not sure if I will sell it or not considering Im the original owner and it only has 28k miles. my other problem is owning 3 more cars...my wifes commuter civic, my volvo which I use to take to the park and ride and my 63 vw ragtop bug which I have had for years. I wish I had another garage...2 is not enogh.but dont tell that to my wife she will just tell me that she needs a bigger home!
     
  9. SGM

    SGM F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 27, 2006
    2,797
    Rockville, MD
    Full Name:
    Steve
    I owned a 348 & 355 spider and the only con I had is putting the top down. You cant put either one down while driving.
     
  10. rketex7

    rketex7 Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2004
    511
    Midwest
    Full Name:
    K.C.Y.
    Have you notice how the 360 and 430 try to maintain the C-pillar look in the Spyder, but not 355. For F355, GTB or GTS are more desireable to me!
     
  11. dougburhyte

    dougburhyte Karting

    Dec 28, 2005
    166
    Full Name:
    Douglas Burhyte
    I have the 355 GTS and feel it's the perfect compromise, targa roof stowage issues aside. Mine was Rosso Corsa over Crema, and I had the interior re-done in late-model Tan. Looks great!
     
  12. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,789
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    B-better handling, better air conditioning, better resale, better lines, more respect among other owners, more "solid" feel, easier to track, faster, safer
    S-girls like to be seen in them, better visibility, more accepted among "society", preferred by guys who hang out in the parking lot (no offense intended to any of my friends who have S's, although most of them will admit their next car will be a B)
     
  13. Gershwin

    Gershwin F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2005
    6,415
    Kentucky
    spider is much better for enjoying the sound of the engine. GTB looks a little better.

    I've never had any problems w/ my top!
     
  14. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    When you live in Ohio you take all the sunshine you can get. I think also it has a lot to do with demographics.
     
  15. UConn Husky

    UConn Husky F1 Rookie

    Nov 11, 2006
    4,425
    CT
    Full Name:
    Jay
  16. blkdiablo33

    blkdiablo33 F1 Rookie

    Jul 12, 2004
    4,480
    get a blk coupe but the hard thing is finding one
     
  17. Elliott

    Elliott Karting

    Jun 28, 2007
    141
    Bay Area
    Full Name:
    Elliott
    You can hear the engine just fine in a GTB!
    Look I cant tell you to get one or the other because it is a decision that needs to be based on the experience you are looking to get. I would get the GTB, I have a GTS and if I was to do it again I would spend the extra time searching for a clean GTB. My warning to you is Do Not expect a spider to have the refinement as a convertible that you BMW does! And Do Not expect the top on your spider to keep out any rain. I would not buy a Ferrari in order to own a convertible, I have my Ferrari in order to drive and the GTB is a lot more "Solid" in performance and function. Your M3 is a great convertible and does the job of being one better than a 348/355 can.
    If you keep the M3 then my advice is hands down get the GTB! That way you can always drive your M3 when you want to be seen, and you will still have a Real Ferrari for when you want to drive!
     
  18. Gershwin

    Gershwin F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2005
    6,415
    Kentucky
    I don't altogether agree w/ these observations. While no one would doubt the 355's spider top isn't a 21st century design. It does however serve it's purpose. It isn't as robust as a mass produced BMW top but such are the idiosyncrasies of an Italian drop top. It does however allow the open air into the cockpit and allow you to enjoy the beautiful sounds emanating over your shoulders that a BMW M3 will never achieve. Yes, a GTB mitigates those that are looking for a more of a purist experience without the potential for worry. But, don't be so quick to dismiss that many spider owners drop the tops in the spring and only roll them up in the fall, so they can take it to a whole-noth'r-level.
     
  19. Elliott

    Elliott Karting

    Jun 28, 2007
    141
    Bay Area
    Full Name:
    Elliott
    I was out of place in what I said, I am coming from a bias/ignorant opinion because I have never ridden or driven a 348 or 355 spider. But owning a GTS I can say that there are instances when I wish I had purchased the GTB. If I push my GTS it can feel slightly less rigid than GTB's I have driven in similar situations. And yes I can think of many times that a spider would be very nice to own and I do take the top off my GTS when the weather is nice. It can be very nice listening to the symphony behind you while basking in the sun. Look if I could afford both a Spider and GTB that would obviously be best, but as long as I have to choose, my choice would be the GTB. My experience with Italian convertibles is that they can be a hassle when the top isn't down. I am sure that so long as the weather is nice the Spider is great! But for me living in the SF bay area where there is almost always a cold breeze in the air, the GTB is better suited to my needs.
     
  20. rllucero

    rllucero Formula Junior

    Jul 11, 2006
    559
    Santa Fe/San Diego
    Full Name:
    richontravel
    Spider, GTS, GTB, at the end of the day they are all so much fun to drive and own. More important is that you buy a car that has been well maintained and taken care of. You buy a bad car and it doesn't matter what kind of top, you'll end up hating the car.
     
  21. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
    5,559
    TX
    Full Name:
    Sameer
    I think it is a personal choice really. Go with what appeals to you. The coupe or GTS may be more suitable if you want to track the car. Otherwise all three options would be fine on the road.
     
  22. JSL

    JSL Formula 3

    Jan 5, 2002
    2,212
    California
    Full Name:
    J.S. Leonard
    #22 JSL, Jan 27, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Just reading this thread made me go out and wipe down my lovely 355B! Either way, beautiful, but for my taste, it is the B all the way!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  23. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,974
    MD and NE
    Full Name:
    Robbie
    Are those real CH wheels?
     
  24. JSL

    JSL Formula 3

    Jan 5, 2002
    2,212
    California
    Full Name:
    J.S. Leonard
  25. JudJop

    JudJop Karting

    Aug 30, 2006
    155
    McKinney, TX
    Full Name:
    Judson Joplin
    Very nice!! Love the B.
     

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