355 Spyder or Berlinetta

Still debating if I should go for the Spider or Berlinetta. I'm just wondering what would be better for the Houston weather. As you know it gets freaking hot during our summer here and driving at 3:00 PM with top down might not be fun. On the other hand the fall, spring and even some winter time will make up for the hot days, and a Spider could be the best choice and probably the most fun. So what is your experience driving with the top up when too hot (or too cold for some you) ? AC works enough in the 355 (Had a some 348's and TR's where the AC was never enough for a Houston Summer) ? Too much wind noise ? Anything else to be considered when driving with top closed vs. open ?
It most likely will be a '98-'99 F1 355 (if that matters).

Thanks

Ulf

 

Ulf

I have a 355 Spider and actually the wind noise is pretty insignificant with the top down.
I think the Ferrari people have the aerodynamics down pretty well on the Spiders...........

 

+1

The 355 Spider is absolutely fantastic. I love mine and in Atlanta (also very hot) it's a whole lot of fun!!! Wind noise is minimal.

 

+1

I have a Spyder as well and the wind noise is nominal.

Most likely it will come down to personal choice.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the input. We are talking wind noise with top CLOSED right ? And how about the AC when closed ? Enough ?
I do love the looks of an open spider too

Ulf

 

I was talking wind noise with top down (open cockpit) air noise is minimal.
AC and heat are both good enough with the top down also.

Air sound is also minimul with the top up..........mines never up though

 

A good Spider is much easier to find than a GTB in today's market

 

What do you spider guys do when you park it while you're out? Do you always put the top back up? My previous weekend toy was an open top car and I find that I tend to drive my current coupe more since I don't have to mess with the top when I leave it out (at work, out to dinner, etc).

 

GTS.... perfect compromise

 

I leave the top down. Cover with the Ricambi style spider cover. As secure as the cloth top! I try to avoid at all costs operating that wonder of human engineering, the 355 spider top mechanism!

 

The spider gives one the most aural excitement of all .................... can you say 'F1 howl' with the top down..... ???

 

I have owned and lived with both Spider and Berlinetta, the Berlinetta is a better looking car in my opinion. The spider is more fun to own, it has the best of both worlds, with the top up its a GTB, the air-con works just like in the GTB the noise is very similar but a touch noisier. Drop the top and the whole experience changes, the sound from the exhaust is out of this world, you simply cannot beat the top down-tunnel-8000rpm experience, I think God just shouted at me! So if it were my money, having owned both I would get a (please check my profile photo) Spider! It ticks more boxes!

Oh, and make sure you drive it lots

 

Plenty of spiders for sale, you ought to have lots of choices. Just make sure the top operates correctly otherwise, it can be costly to get it fixed.

I looked at both before buying my GTB and I like it. I felt to "exposed" to the world when driving a spider.

 

BING POW DONE
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Berlinetta -- lighter, stronger, and in my opinion better looking and aging a bit more gracefully.

 

Very cool!!

 

Not to make your life tougher but there is also the TS version - a happy compromise between the coupe and convertible.

There are arguments for all these types of car. In the end it boils down to what you like.

 

+1

 

All Ferraris made age gracefully. Its a Ferrari.

 

I'm a big a fan of Ferrari as anyone, but blindly accepting every car produced as art that will stand the test of time is rather silly. I'd list a few examples, but I wouldn't want to offend anyone as I fully respect that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

Id go with the Berlinetta, but thats just my opinion.

Spiders look great too.

 

If Pap says it has to be a Berlinetta, then that is what it has to be. Paps the man!

 

I love both versions but I do not like the way a spyder looks with the top on. Top off I love it. Im not sure what way I would go...

 

Thanks for your wise words of wisdom. I never knew that, seems you learn something every day

 

He sure is.....