Coupes vs. Spiders which do you like

I think its pretty funny that so many think they are such professional drivers that any extra body flex or wind resistance the spider may have will impair performance. Oh no, you just may get to the mall 1/2 second later! And others that think a spider is a poser car to be seen in(as if a ferrari coupe just moves through traffic anonymously). They are all street cars, not race cars and if you don't like convertibles or the looks of them that is fine but some of the reasoning is too funny.

 

Different strokes for different folks. Plus different strokes for the same folks at different times:

Berlinetta for me. I drive fast, and the realities are that the wind buffeting at high-speeds becomes irritating very quickly. Plus I agree with PSk's comments. Coupes are:

Nonetheless, there is nothing more fun during a night out on the town then a Spider. A GTS is a happy medium, but with most Targa tops, and certainly with Ferrari 355's, there is often creaking and rattling with the GTS top on, which is highly irritating.

 

What is the origin of the term "spider"? Are all convertibles spiders? or just F and P cars? or what? Some cars just look better as coupes, imho.

 

My 1st 2 Fcars were a 84 GTS and then 87 GTS. Then I happened to buy a 77 GTB because it was too cheap to pass up. I liked the way it drove much better and looked better, too. So...I sold the 77 and 87 and bought a 94 TB, then an 85 GTB (very rare in US) and finally my current 89 GTB.

308's and 328's are not particularly stiff cars to begin with, even GTB's and I really don't like the flex. I think, performance wise, the difference is negligible, they just drive better. Newer cars are stiffer to begin with, so flex is not as big an issue. A 360 spider is probably more stiff than my 328 GTB. IMO, coupes are the purest form, and with rare exceptions (like a 275 NART spider) better looking. That's why my handle is "Hardtop".

Lastly, I know I am in the minority, the market says so. 360 spider sales outnumbr coupes about 3-1 in the US.

Dave

 

I've always preferred coupes. They look better, they drive better, and I can drive around without constantly being gawked at.

fwiw, I think the 355 Spider looks great and the 360 Spider looks awkward. Clearly a minority viewpoint!

 

While riding top-down in the Miata seals it label as a “fun car”, I don’t do it as often as I’d like because it’s a manual top. If I had the luxury of lowering it w/ the touch of a button, I would enjoy it more. I know, how lazy of me. I like the lines of a coupe MUCH better & therefore prefer a hardtop.
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I prefer targa.

 

Can I say all three? Kuzi's got it down... but a painted targa top gives you the best of both worlds. In the 355, berlinetta looks best.

--Dan

 

Interesting.

It seems that spider owners are more outspoken than coupe owners. Which seems to fit with the reasons some people own spiders (recognition) and some own coupes (low profile, if any ferrari classifies as such).

Yet coupe seems to be winning at this time.

Personally I like the styling on the coupe much better than the spider especially for the 348 and 355. The 360 spider is a better design and more integrated IMO.

Kuzi,

You're a rockstar! some people just can't carry it off the way you do. When's the next time you're back in the bay area?

 

I just like sitting outside in the sunshine - couldn't care less who sees me. Well, except for those breast flashing women every one seems to have seen but me.....

I generally agree with you, especially the 355 - it is a beautiful car in the berlinetta. I haven't warmed to the 360 styling generally, and the in particular the spider.

But I like to sit outside in the sunshine........

Cheers
Kevin

 

I always love the idea of a cabrio - my friends usually go for cabrio models of their cars (Merc, BMW etc) and I do enjoy being a passenger in them... however when I buy my cars I always end up going for the hard tops.... maybe partly to do with our weather in the UK?? I don't know. Perhaps if we had slightly more favourable weather I would go with the drop top.

With regards to the 355 I love the Berlinetta shape, Spider roof up doesn't look good to me, roof down is a different story though.

 

Mario,

Good to hear from you. It's been a while. the corvette comment almost made water come out of my nose.

I was referring to the number of spider posts vs. the actual voting.

You definitely have the right color, IMO.

Are you going to the ALMS race at infineon on the 18th. There will be a corral for the ferraris through the FCA. I'm pretty sure spiders are welcome.

 

so true , jeff.. i was thinking the same thing.... my friend in cali. races a lot and he has driven both 360 coupes and spiders and even at track speeds, he says the difference only minimally noticalbe... certainly on the road it is not.. on a nice day, i do not like conv. because i am a poser but because i enjoy the sun and wind and fresh air...if i am a poser, then coupe drivers are socially stunted hermitts with a phobia to the outside world!!! hows that for name calling,lol!!!!!

 

Wow, I wasn't expecting a poser vs. non poser thread.

Also was not expecting coupes to be leading the way, as it seems that spiders are so popular.

interesting.

 

if im at a track then coupe at the way aerodynamically but im a stunter i love to have the top down and just haulin ass in the spyder!...... f1 spyder all the way

 

I drive a 360 coupe but the 360 spider is the hottest car on the road when the top is down.... The coupe is the second best looking car out..imo

 

Hell, to tell you the truth, I'd drive anything with a Ferrari stamped on the hood.

Thanks Vincent.............Next trip to SF is probably sometime in early september...............of course I might have to cancel at the last minute.........if you know what I mean (DAN!).

 

I've always been a coupe man myself, but cannot deny that the 360 spider (with top-down) is just dead dead sexy. The problem, however, is that the 360 spider with the top UP is awkward-looking and just plain ugly. So if I lived in an area with year-round awesome weather (i.e. not NYC), then I'd get the spider, but for general usefulness, the coupe is the way to go.

But I do have to add -- In the summer, on a nice 70-degree day, at dusk, there is nothing better in the world than driving a spider.

nlh

 

except driving a coupe!

 

i would hardly call a 360 spider with the top up plain ugly!!!!in fact as far as conv . go,it looks less awkward than most and still is a nice looking with the top upthe 550 b is ugly with the top up, as is the 3 series bmw, the clk mb, etc....

 

I love the lines on those coupes... Can't get enough!

 

Personally there is nothing better in the world than driving a spider - full stop.

I have only just bought my first Fcar and it had to be a convertible, when the weathers good or bad nothing beats the 'wind in your hair' feeling - a/c is no substitute.