F430 Coupe Vs Spider? Better Drive???

Does the F430 Spider drive dynamically as well as the coupe?

I am thinking in regard to body flex and rigidity?

I had a F355 spider and it was definately a much inferior drive to the F355 coupe...one would expect that 2 generations on that this is not a problem with the F430.

Can anyone who has owned both the coupe and the spider make any informed comments please?

 

That's a valid and interesting question/concept.. One would automatically think, convertible/roof chopped off = inferior chassis rigidity, while that very well can be tru in older car's, hell even an F430 for all I know the new 997TT Cab in all of the reviews say the car is way stiffer and flat opposed to the coupe, so much more precise turn in and so on, I was shocked as hell!

I'm a coupe guy though, all preference!

 

the coupe will always have a more rigid chassis compared to the spider but regardless of all that, the sensation of driving a spider is much greater IMO. Furthermore, if 'performance' and torsional rigidity is what you're looking for, get a GT3 RS for MUCH cheaper and cop a F430 spider for the "ferrari".

 

Again in most cases you are right, pick up or go to Barnes and Nobles and check out the new Porsche Excellence review on the 997TT Cab, they said it's way stiffer then the coupe and more precise!

 

I currently own both an F430 spider and an F430 coupe so this is from real experience. I have posted some of this before - Bottom line - there is a noticeable difference between the F430 spider and F430 coupe. (Note that the rigidity of the spider is perhaps better than any Other manufacturer's coupe, but when compared to Ferrari's own coupe, there is no comparison).

They are quite different. They possess different dynamics and one's senses are piqued differently in each. The contrast in rigidity is immediately noticable. And handling is surely different -that being sharper in the coupe, more compliant in the spider. Same goes for road feel, feedback and ride.

If you look at the hard numbers, both cars are nearly identical (on the track) performance wise on the skid pad and in acceleration (other than .1 second perhaps because of the spider's added weight). In 7 or 8/10th driving + or tracking the car, the Coupe is quite inspiriational.

Hope that helps.

 

fyi......the 997tt convert is not more ridgid than the coupe. the dynamic handing was judged to be superior by excellence mag due to management of engine mounts, suspension....they actually stated the chassis flex allowed the wheels to follow the road better vs the coupe........

 

if you want to cruise enjoying the weather get the spider
but if you want to be amazed with everything else then get the coupe its way much better...i drove both and bought the coupe based on that

 

If so, Porsche should launch the GT2 cab instead of the coupe and achieve better performance/timings??? LOL
I will go for conventional wisdom.

 

Some people (like me) are very sensitive to chassis flex, others seem to not notice or care. Your choice should be dictated by which group you are in.

Dave

 

Quite appropriate that you should commenting on this thread, Flex...pardon the pun!

 

one more thing...I recall theh EVO mag test of the F430 spider commenting on the high degree of flex in the chassis...what the Brits call scuttleshake. When I traded by F348 Spider for the my F360 Spider I noticed more scuttle shake in it. Rigidity is better with the soft top up but not nearly as tight as the coupe. Porsche seems to do a better job at achieving coomparable levels of rigidity between its coupes and cabs. Those reviews of the 997TT Cab are having an effect....with the launch on September 8 , allocation seem old out for quite a while, coupes are available.

 

To me an important part of the Fcar driving experience is the sound of the engine and exhaust. The sound of my 360 spider with Tubi is so fantastic with the top down that I hate putting the top up except in dire conditions. There is just no comparison. My pit babe likes the top down so that's the way it is.

Also, the resale on a spider will be much better than the coupe.

 

i have never got a ride or driven the F430 but in my opinion

The F430 coupe looks better

but the F430 (spider) is more fun to drive..

 

Phil,
I don't know about that. If he can get a spider at list, then it would be stupid not to, but if he has to buy in the aftermarket, the coupe may hold up better. Since 430's came out, 360 spiders have fallen much more than coupes. Personally, I thought coupes would drop more since there are so many owing to the fact that they didn't make spiders until 2001, but it's the other way around.

On a side note, at the track event Sunday a couple of non Ferrari guys mentioned to me that they never see spiders, only coupes and thought your car must be really rare. I got to thinking and realized almost all the 360's and 430's I see on the road are in fact coupes. We know there are far more spiders. Do people with the spiders not drive them or did they all go to California and Florida? What do you think?

Dave

 

This question was just raised today. I am only 16 and I was riding in a jeep rag top with the top down (I know no comparision to a F430) and I was wondering if I would buy my Ferrari in Spider form or Coupe form. I ultimately decided that there is nothing like having the wind in your hair on a beautiful sunny day. But I guess it really comes down to personal opinion, if you like getting the best thrill on the road I would go with the spider(IMO), or if you like the best thrill out of track driving I would go for a coupe(IMO)