I was just wondering which is more preferred by people who don't race them. My father absolutely despises convertibles so I have never been in one. If you are in a convertible, don't you get blinded if you are driving in the direction of the sun? And doesn't it get cold with the top down? Kevin
This has been discussed umpteen times before. My penny/cents worth: Coupe = For drivers with chest wigs. Spider = For Posers or Village People fans! ;-)
It doesn't really get cold when the top is down. Unless its really cold out, of course. It just gets really windy which I don't like cause it messes up my hair. Anyhow, I really prefer coupes over convertible. Coupe just have better curves and convertible looks ugly and cheap when the top cover is on. That's just me though.
My BMW dealer told me that one lady really wanted the last of the '06 M3 convertibles (even though the new ones are coming out soon) not because she likes the E46 better, but because she wants people to KNOW it's a convertible by the soft-top. (The M3 is supposed to have a retractable hard-top) So I guess it's prestige???
I recently bought a Spider after spending a couple of months of looking exclusively looking at coupes. I prefer the looks of the coupe but, after a ride in the Spider I felt that it was the only car for me. Strange, because I have a SL and have only had the top down once on it but now, when I drive the Spider, the top is always down. I love the fresh air and the enhanced sound, and I love the 360 degree visibility with the Spider. I was surprised to find that, because of the way the car is designed, you really get very little buffeting from the air at speeds up to 80, more or less. The Spider is a very comfortable and enjoyable car to drive and now I couldn't imagine having a coupe, at least a Ferrari coupe!
But doesn't the sun blind you when you're driving? And don't you get sunburned? I love how the 360 spider looks though.
For me, it was the lines of the Berlinetta, the spider is missing a large chunk of what the Berlinetta offers. Without doubt I would take a spider, but when its my money, its a hard top all the way. It all comes down to personal preference, this is why they make them in both coupe and spider.
roccoriley, Put the top down on the SL. I have 2 and rarely ever put their tops up or in my 308. They are all great rides with the wind in your hair. I also do not like AC.
Lets talk serious performance cars: McLaren F1 = coupe Bugattti Veyron = coupe Enzo = coupe 250 & 288 GTO = coupe etc, etc, etc Now I still think theres a place for a spyder: the Ferrari Daytona & 250 California, the Lambo 350GT, Toyota 3000GT, the Porsche Speedster & 550 spyders and many many more but serious racers have solid tops! ;-)
NO. The sun comes through the windscreen like on any normal car. If the sun is above you, when the top is down/off, it doesn't blind you. If you're bald, wear a cap. If you're an idiot and drive with the top down/off at noon in Phoenix in July, you will get sunburnt. Prime convertible weather is early morning and late afternoon/evening, and I usually leave the top on if I'm out mid-day. I bought the targa version of my car (328) because it looks better and I enjoy open cars. If you're worried about your hair getting mussed, get the coupe. Driving a Ferrari with the top down is magical -- it would be even better in a 250 GT California Spyder, or possibly a Daytona Spyder, but they're all fantastic. You get to hear the engine properly. If you've never been in a convertible, I'd suggest you go rent a Mazda MX5 for a day, or a Mustang convertible, and see how you like it.
I think it's more a modern thing. You can't really do 200mph with the top down, or a piece of cloth up there, and at Enzo or Veyron speeds the aerodynamics/safety of a coupe are essential. In the early days, I believe all of Ferrari's racing cars were topless, as all its F1 cars have been. The coupes were made for the rich customers who liked to tour in comfort. Open air motoring = sport. Closed cars = comfort. Obviously it's more complicated in the 500bhp, 200mph+, 1g era, where cars are capable of speeds that aren't enjoyable in an open car.
Nothing beats the sheer soul-stabbing terror of pedal to the floor, fifth gear, 165MPH winds ripping your hair out and piercing your eardrums. After that, a coupe is... sterile.