Evoking, If you get to drive a GTS, I would be interested in your thoughts. I've had a targa NSX and didn't like the shake through the body with the roof off (U.K.roads). I'm now looking at the GTS but have only, so far, been out in one with the roof on. Please post up your findings. Regards, Doggydog33.
My GTS does make some noise on when the roof is on, none with the roof off and the flexing while there would never constitute a wiggle or shudder.
The chassis stiffness of the targa models is not altered top on versus top off excepting by amounts too little to mater.
I think the OP had a very reasonable question and the responses were very informative. Not sure I understand some of the replies that seemed to negate his question. I'm in the same situation so I valued the thread. For me, I think I will get a GTB also because I love the look of a hard top.
Im not saying the ops question isn't valuable I'm just saying that it doesn't really matter what 355 you choose just pick the one your most fond of. These arent hondas that someone chopped the top off of. YES the GTS makes some noise when the top is in but I bet at the track it would run just as fast as the berlinta. This topic reminds me of a license plate frame I've seen. "Get in Sit down Shut up and Hold on"
If you think that your S2000 don't flex, you will notice that the 355 will flex even less. I own a S2000 too (one of the best cabrio frames ever) and I can feel my 348 ts flexing less than the Honda, altough the 348 makes a little more noises from the roof (the roof is more rigid than the S2000) When I decided to buy my 348 I was looking for a TB, because I own 3 convertible cars and I was cuestioning the same as you about flexing. I wanted a pure Ferrari rock-solid, but when I drived my actually Ts I couldn't believe such a really stiff chassis has this car. Drive both cars and choose with your heart, It's a Ferrari.
buy the GTS if you like that FERRARI, keep it for a while, if it don't work out SELL IT get another FERRARI, I am 66/33 years of owning & driving FERRARIS most of my life & still is you can't go thru life wishing & hoping, just do it young man, you have your whole life ahead of you, good luck hunting that's all I have to say j
When you jack or raise your car by the lift points for each corner/wheel, the sounds caused by the flexing of frame and body are enough to bring tears to your eyes. So, yes, all cars flex to some degree, targa and convertables more so than hardtops. I made an assist tool for lifting my ts which eliminates this flexing and creaking sound and is better for the car and my ears. If anyone is interested I can describe dimensions and materials used and possibly a photo
I have the same experience with my GTS. I have driven it extremely hard on FCA drives and never noticed flex or shudders.
I used a piece of steel chanel, 3" x 1 1/2" 38" long. Mounted on each end of chanel are aluminum blocks 2 1/2" x1 1/2" x 3/4" that align with lift slots on the 348 frame sides. In the middle of the chanel, I mounted a block 2" x4" to prevent bowing of the chanel when lifting. Using a low profile floor jack placed in the middle of the chanel, you can lift one side of the vehicle ..2 wheels at the same time and doing so without the horrible flexing noise of frame and body you hear when lifting each corner of the car individually Image Unavailable, Please Login
