458 Spider

I've heard over and over the spyder is going to be a hard top however this month's automobile mag. said they were awaiting the 458 soft top spyder at the Frankfort auto show.

 

Automobilemag is incorrect.

 

I'm no expert, but because the Merc SLS convertible was just revealed with a soft top, I expect the 458 Italia to have a soft top as well. Having a soft top would further differentiate the 458 from the California.

Just my opinion.

 

Also my info. I've heard my dealer describe a hard top with a clever folding arrangement, different from traditional folding methods (such as the California).


Onno

 

Do you have some more details on the folding system Onno? I don't suspect it's done like Ferrari did with the Super America, also it won't be the system used in the F430 Spider with the softtop rectangle system. Is it a system like the F430 spider yet than with a hardtop which folds between the seats and the engine?

 

All I can really say is, let the ordering and long wait begin......

 

What is the status of this car?
Where are the spy-pics?

Gr.
Xander

 

What happens to the value of the 430 spyder when this comes out? Same or accelerated depreciation curve? I assume the Cali isn't affected more than it would be since different markets.

But the 430 would now look "dated" or at least not the latest and greatest whereas it was harder for non enthusiasts to tell between the 360 and 430 spyders.

 

What happens to the value of the 430 spyder when this comes out? Same or accelerated depreciation curve? I assume the Cali isn't affected more than it would be since different markets.

But the 430 would now look "dated" or at least not the latest and greatest whereas it was harder for non enthusiasts to tell between the 360 and 430 spyders.

 

I can tell you right now that waiting lists for the 458 spider are very long. Dealers are going to ask people who come in looking for them to buy a 430 spider and try to "move them up the list".

430 prices in general have been dropping a lot in the past 2 years. I don't think this is going to make much difference in at least 3 more years (the first ones won't even get here until fall 2012)

And... to be honest... depreciation on all these cars is bad. This shouldn't be a factor in your buying decision or just keep the money in the bank.

 

Talking to my dealer today he seems convinced that it's a hard top a la California. I'm not sure how that would work on the current shape of the 458. In any event - put a deposit down and am apparently 8th on the list so wouldn't expect to see it in the garage before the end of next year or early 2013.

 

Rainforest, it will be a hardtop and you will have to finally give in to one. No more excuse about the foldable top anymore. This one is the ONE. If it's a soft top, then it's an excuse for you to keep the Cali more but let's line up!

 

It's supposed to be a hard top that folds and fits behind the seats vertically. My guess is no roll bars (like the CA has pop ups). How they treat the air intakes is another matter though.

 

The $24k question. I cannot wait to see how they do this.

 

I was told that the hard top weighs less than the soft top which, sounds unlikely to me after you add in stiffening requirements. In any event, going to the Ferrari driving school in Maranello at the end of September and then can hopefully go to the Atelier and spec my spider although I won't see it for at least 9 months!!

 

A GTS would be fine with me. No mech probs and a built in roll bar. Missing my F355 F1 GTS. Sigh.

 

Ferrari filed a patent for a unique folding hardtop with a picture depicting a 2 seat sports car.

The hardtop is shown as a two piece structure having an anterior and a posterior section, which is rotated and stored in a horizontal space and covered by a capote.

It also appears that the posterior section of the hardtop containing the rear window rotates 180 degrees like the superamerica. In this way the rear window serves as a windscreen in either top open or closed mode.

 

I was told today that the spider will have a GTS look to it. It has been shown to certain persons and there is a dealer conference next week so senior staff in dealerships should see it in the next few days.

 

I gave my dealer a deposit 5 years ago to be on the top of the list for the successor to the 430 spider. I traded my 355 spider for the 430 spider. The 355 was great fun. The 430 spider is fantastic. I love the displays, controls, and the fit and finish. The 360 was not interesting enough for me to trade but the 430 stands tough with it's large air dams in front, side front fenders and over the rear tires. Beautiful rear pulled off Enzo with classic smile.
It has beautiful curves which are somewhat subdued by the large air intakes.

Most people who have 458 love it on the track. For me a spider on the road. Do I need the extra speed on the road if I feel it less until I reach speed that are not safe when driving winding hilly roads? Not sold on 458 styling concept and I think any gt oor less than pure spider will be hard sell for me...just might have to wait a while for the successor of 458 spider.

 

I am perceiving this as the A and C pillars, and pitted air intakes will stay in place and the automated top will function between these. This would answer the design question of what they are going to do about the air intakes.

 

Keep us in the loop pleeze!

 

Interesting, a very probably if you look at the shape of the 458, a full convertible may be quite difficult from a packaging point of view.

 

Correct, that's how they explained it to me.

 

Yes please.

 

I want a proper spider with a fabric top