I hear from friends that the 360 spider can not go above ~70mph with the top on? This is labeled on the car somewhere also? Is that true??
I know that is true with the 550 Barchetta. Could be true for the 360. They pretty much weren't made for riding with the top up.
Sounds like BS to me. I have not driven a 360 spider with the top up but I've had a 348 spider well over 100mph many times with the top up with no problems. I can't imagine they are making worse tops now.
thanks for the responses, I am wondering if there is any 360 Spider owners that care to confirm this?
I'm not a 360 spider owner, nor have I ever driven or even been in one. But, I seriously doubt this is true or we would have definately heard many complaints about this on the board by now. As was mentioned earlier, this is true for the 550 Barchetta, and I've heard it on this board and read about it in many magazines as a big deal was made about this. The 550 Barchetta does not have a fully functional top, and this is apparently the reason for this craziness. The 360 Spider does have a fully functional automatic top and I have not once read about this problem in any publication. So, I very much doubt any speed limitations with the top up, or at least not at 70 mph. That is what I believe though and cannot confirm it 100%. I'm sure an owner will chime in soon. -Eric
This sounds like someone getting confused. The only one with the top limitation is the 550 Barchetta. I've ridden in Dr. Shelbee's 360 spider with the top up before. I can confirm it could go WELL ABOVE 75 MPH.
I got track time in a Spider a few weeks ago. We only hit 125mph on the straightaway, but there were 0 problems. There were probably 9 360/355/348 Spiders on the track. Barchetta was the one you heard of, probably.
Well, I have taken my 360 Spider up to 175mph on an empty highway in the middle of the night and besides the top sounding like it wanted to rip out of the hinges it was pretty much uneventful. So, it is not true.
You're confusing it with the 550 Barchetta top. 360s kick ass. Those tops are functional. Saw one the other day and it was pretty cool to see the thing go up and down. Owner said he drove mostly top up due to heat. So it apparently does a good job of insulating too given how he doesn't blast his A/C either. Cheers
also had mine around 150 and thought nothing of it/no problems........ maybe I shouldn't shift out of 3rd anymore with the top up
Yep, me too. Broad daylight in hill country though. Night + deer=problem Barchettta had Jeep bikini top thingy, useless for anywhere it actually rains, or in TX, where it is too damn hot to put top down in summer. convertibles are fall winter spring cars here.
it is not true.. the 550 barchetta has the speed retriction for the top...the 360 spider can go to top speed with the top on , no problem...in the fact the top is very well lined and very sturdy and quiet ....