italia or spyder

I have read most people in the forum are upgrading from italia to a spyder. My question is aside from the obvious feature of convertible. Is there other advantages of a spyder vs italia. I don't plan to use the top down because of hot and rainy weather here in Singapore. Should i still get a spyder?

 

Due to the hard top convertible I would,as well the values are moving to the spiders

 

Hmm the spyder is approx usd50k more. Also youcant see the engine with a spyder?

 

"Upgrading?" Hmmm. More a matter of preference and climate... and whether you want to spend the extra dollars/pounds/Euros. I can afford either but will stick to the Berlinetta; I am not a convertible person. Each to his own.

 

As long as you can see out the windshield that's all that matters,I too wish the engine was visible.But I think they did a great job with the spider and you have the option of top up or down,if it was a rag top I wouldn't have bought it and would have kept my 458 Coupe and you are correct it's 50k more ,the most expensive car I have ever bought

 

You should buy a Spider if you want one.

You don't sound like you want one.

 

Why own a Spider? The answer is personal preference. There really is no other justification in my opinion. I do not drive with the top down so a "convertible" is of no value to me. Even if the Spider holds its value, you "invested" more at the outset, so it seems difficult to justify spending more in the hopes of making more (there are better and more profitable investments). I like seeing the motor through the glass, it is one of the unique but not exclusive Ferrari features. In my opinion the Italia has uncompromising lines , not so with the top up Spider. I presently own a 458 Italia, truly enjoy the car, and can afford to buy a Spider, but it is not my cup of tea. The 458 is a great car so whether you prefer a Spider or Italia, you will enjoy it. Best

 

I've been to Singapore. I don't see the purpose of owning a spider there either.

 

I can't stand the look of soft top spiders (like the 430). It totally ruins the lines of the coupe (this holds for 911 cabs as well IMO). In the case of the 458 the spider is almost as pretty as the coupe. They did a magnificant job of designing both. Since the spider is of no practical value to you I would say get whichever is prettier to your eye (assuming you can comfortably afford either one). As for myself I would never buy another convertible (I had an SL500 in the past). Can't stand driving with the top down especially during the day and the limited summer we have here in the midwest.

 

Ok guys tx so i guess there is no extra benefit of buying a spyder? I heard spyder has softer ride and quiter engine noise than the italia? Is this true?

 

Totally depends what you consider a benefit...ie what you from the car. There is one benefit of the spider - the spiders went into production approx 2 years after the italia - so it will be replaced later as well.

The other benefits are subjective. Some prefer the look of the spider, others like myself prefer the italia. I doubt the ride is softer on the spider - can not confirm because not driven myself - there are plenty on here who have driven both, and driven both in same production years. Same with the exhaust.

Good luck with your order and enjoy the car!

 

In Singapore I see absolutely no advantage to a spider over a coupe. In warm and sunny Southern France, California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida, I do.

No, the ride is not softer. The gearbox is a bit smoother shifting than a 2012 coupe but on par with the 2010 and 11 coupes. The exhaust noise is slightly lower but with the top down it's actually much more louder than the coupe.

But, you buy a spider because of the riding experience. In hot, humid, rainy Singapore I don't see why it would be worth that $30K more USD for the few days and miles you can put on it.

Personally, I like my spider way more than the coupe that I traded for it.

 

+1 I love my Spider but were I in Singapore, I would have a two tone Coupe. Simply way too humid.

 

As mentioned your location might decide this for you. For the extra cost I would go for the Spider. It offers everything the coupe does and you can lower the roof when you want, even if that means limited times throughout the year.

If it was still a soft top convertible I'd be siding with the coupe.

 

Ya know, this is a kind of an upgrade though. It's not a performance upgrade but a driving experience upgrade.

Top up, it performs just about the same as a coupe.

But the coupe can never drop the top on a sunny day and enjoy the experience of topless driving.

That, to me, is an upgrade --- having the ability of a dual personality driving experience with one car.

 

Here's a side-by-side. Like most have already said, its a matter of preference. The Italia does have a few more miles on top speed than the Spyder, however its marginal at best.

If I had a blank cheque and given this option, I would get a Spyder as its a coupe in disguise. Just looks alot cooler as well in top down mode. But if you have to ask, you are probably not a convertible person so may want to stick with the Italia -already an awesome car as is ! Of course, why not have both types in your collection -just don't tell the wife! lol

Bottom line, can't go wrong with either one IMO.

Best
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At a recent dealer function I was discussing Italia v Spider with the head mechanic, he mentioned he was suprised by the amount of body flex the 458 spider has compared to the 430 spider.

I haven't read such comments on Fchat and was wondering if this would be just an isolated trait with this particular car (demo ) or are other spider owners experiencing someting similar.

 

I was wondering when someone would mention this. The only Spider I'd buy would be the McLaren which apparently is as stiff as the coupe. I hate scuttle shake.

 

I have not noticed this and I owned both.

 

do you plan on tracking it or not?

if you do not want to track it, then get the spider since its the best of both worlds.

 

A spider has a little more cool factor. Some people enjoy a convertible. I do about 12 days a year in Atlanta. (SL65) my 458 is a coupe. A hard top convertible really does not have a downside other than the money.

 

I have a coupe, prefer the coupe for many reasons, but have driven a spider more than a few times. They are great...

They do have noticeable cowl shake, which is to be expected given the structural strength of the roof is missing. Regardless of how much reinforcement (and weight) is added, hard to overcome that. Most noticeable on slightly rough pavement, bumpy road button reduces but does not eliminate. Also noticeable in fast/hard turns and transitions, as the suspension loads and the tub itself takes load. If you drive "normally" on smooth roads, you'd likely not notice it unless you actively look for it. You can also see/feel it under hard acceleration, as the torque of the engine actually twists the tub; again, very mild.

If you want a spider, unless you are very sensitive to it, IMHO cowl shake should not be a reason to go coupe. Last, purely observational, but having seen a few pics here on Fchat of that trashed spider in China, seems like the cars retain their shape well, at least with the roof in place.

 

I think it depends how often you plan on having the top off the car. I had a F355 GTS and I only had the top off 2 times during my 5 years of ownership. I found out that I don't like driving with the top off so I don't plan on ever purchasing a spyder.

 

Agree...my Spider does have slight cowl shake under certain rough road conditions particularly with the top down. No stability issues whatsoever. 80% of my driving is top down so I wouldn't change my Spider for an Italia, but no doubt an Italia is stiffer and you'd appreciate it if you are a committed track day driver.