Such amazing weather is SoCal today. Decided to go for a lil spin with the lady. No where in mind, just a drive. Hours, 160mph on trip computer, and 130+ miles later, top down, still cruising. If only all my gopro accessories had come in. If not for a good friend's bday we had to get ready for, i'd still be driving. I've had or driven some amazing cars and none quite do it for me like this. For all the threads goin back n forth, punch for punch, this is my answer. Not the fastest, not the loudest, maybe not the best looking, but the absolutely pure EXPERIENCE. I have no questions, not seeking a debate, not hoping for 50pg thread. I was just so impressed and blown away today, i had to share.
Temp is perfect out for an evening drive. This is when i miss the FF since im one of the Desig Driv tonight.
Temp almost 70 in NorCal today so I went out for a ride to the Pacific and back. Wonderful. Not quite as nice as yesterday when I did the same loop and had almost no one on the road in the afternoon. But that was top down in the spider... SV
very jealous. it is 11 degrees here in michigan. by the time i get my 458 (hopefully this may), the weather should be improving.
Went skiing today. Sunny and 35F. No wind. Sat outside and soaked up the sun apres' ski. No Problem. Sun shines 300+ days a year. Life is good.
I am truly glad you enjoyed your spin. I cannot say the same about driving my spider. The degree to which the steering wheel has extraneous movements over anything but a billiard table smooth road is both disconcerting and annoying. I don't think my 1970 442 had as much movement. The 458 spider when driven with the roof is down is not nearly as solid as it should be. My coupe had zero wheel movement. My spider dances over bumps. Feels anything but like a 300k car. I cannot believe no one acknowledges this or comments on it. I posted a thread last week about this and no one commented either that theirs did or did not do this. I have to wonder if everyone is oblivious to it. Or, is everyone afraid that their spiders will be hard to sell if everyone starts to comment about it. Best
Sorry to hear. I havent seen thread. But i can assure, mine does not feel to me as u describe yours. Have u gotten it checked out? Bent rim/s? Tire pressure? Are all 4 securely fastened? No way it should feel that way imo. As for compared to coupe, slight differences that i might question had i not known of differences.
Actually I have. Car was brought back to dealer and master tech (> 20 years) went with me. He knew I was crazy until he drove car. Confirmed all my reports about changing with roof up/down and being LESS in race/CT-off than softer settings. Horrible rainy spell here in Atlanta so tech cannot compare to others. Tech never bothers to drive with top down during PDI so he never felt it before. Plus, he said he is in so many Californias that he has gotten used to "soft" so doesn't feel spiders inferiority unless someone like me brings to his attention. Hoping it is something fixable. Tires, rims, alignment all check out. Arnie, another Fchatter has had lots of convertible Porsches so waiting for his take once snow in NJ clears. Thanks for response. Prettiest car I have ever owned and want this to be a keeper. I will save so much money if I can! Best
Oh yea the looks are top notch. Im so surprised still. Hope it gets figured out and worked out. Difference is ok BUT as much to how u describe it, thats not cool. Especially with $$ tag.
I have not driven my car for almost 3 weeks. As soon as the salt clears from the rain I will take the car out but it is still too cold to put the top down. The owners manual says not to put the top down below 40 degrees. The roads are awful here in NJ so many pot holes. Once it gets above 45 I will put the top down and check it out. What is unusual is it is just your steering wheel in a conv they call it cowl shake for a reason. So it does not make sense it is just your steering wheel. Once the rain stops there you will need to drive another Spider to compare them. My 89 930 with a cloth top with sport suspension is solid as a rock. I once drove Chrysler Conv on a trip and that had unbelievable cowl shake. It is possible the mounting point for the steering column is loose. Does the dashboard shake also? Hope for the best Arnie
My 458 coupe is solid. Haven't driven spider yet. I think with any topless car there is bound to be some cowl shake. My 430 spider has a little, but I expected that. Still worth it for topless driving. Your 458 shouldn't be that loose though. Then again I have never driven one. So don't know.
First and foremost, thanks for the valuable feedback. Secondly, let me be the first to say I hope this thread goes back to Scude's topic of great driving. Sorry for the digression/rant. I hate when others hijack a thread for something else. If any additional thoughts occur to anyone, my initial thread is on "steering sensations in spider". To everyone on this section/thread, glad you are enjoying your car - be it Italia or Spider! Best
Randy none of my Spiders were ever as solid as a coupe. That being said the 458 is way tighter then either of my 360's or 430's. If cowl shake is a deal breaker for you trade it back for a coupe, my 2011 was tight as a drum. The little cowl shake I get over rough roads is forgotten as soon as I hit the gas. I just find the Spider top down much more exhilarating to drive then my coupe.
I haven't driven a Spider yet but I know 458 Italia owners that have said it felt as solid as the Italia with the top down. So I have a feeling yours shouldn't be like that. Back on-topic: nice to read you enjoyed your drive. Me, on the other hand.... can't get to my 458 as the lift at my storage is not working. And the weather was lovely today. Onno
Thanks. Yea i cant wait for the next days we get 70 deg temp in SoCal. Should have GoPro ready and wanna hit some driver's roads. Scary, lift malfunctions that is. Sorry to hear.
