Why so many spiders for sale? Where's the GTB's / GTS's?

I just counted all the 355's on eBay from '95-'99 and there are 28 Spiders and only 7 GTB's/GTS's....WOW they are hard to find in the market...

 

39 spiders
7 Berlinetta/GTS
On Dupont

 

Even the FML has similar porportions of GTBs and S'es to Spiders.

 

O.K. just my opinion but here goes:

Spyder (or convertible)

The Pros:

The Spyder looks great and YOU can look great IN a Spyder. Obviously YOU get more attention in a convertible (good and bad thing depending on the individual).

Nothing like an open cockpit to catch some rays and the breeze in your hair and get that feeling of freedom.

YOU are much more approachable in a Spyder to onlookers, girls,admirers, etc. again this is a good and a bad thing.


The Cons: Note!, many of these comments are not 'Spyder' specific and apply to any convertible.

After awhile you cook in a Spyder, the Sun can be intense and just down right uncomfortable, especially on a long cruise. I have a 'Cobra' as well and other than just a short cruise the convertible aspect wears thin after awhile, it's like driving a micro-wave.

Although you are more approachable in a Spyder (convertible) sometimes that extra added attention can be an invasive thing. For some reason the "I'm a Target Syndrome" pertains here two fold, one you are in a Ferrari and as we all know garner some negative attention from time to time, and two you are more accessible to negative comments, thrown milk shakes and trolls. Sometimes it's just better to be more low key and forget the extra added attention.

The top can be a pain to open and close and prone to mechanical fun and frustration. Wind leaks, etc. Plus wear and tear is a real possibility dependent on usage.

Even if the top is up it's not secure.

Some women hate convertibles, my hair, my hair!

Too much sun on the interior is not a good thing for obvious reasons.

Obviously the car is less rigid and flexes more than a Berlinetta.

The lines of a Berlinetta flow better and are not broken. ( this is just my humble opinion ) to each his own.

For some reason if you leave your car unattended for a short time it can become a trash receptacle for all sorts of surprises.

Maybe you don't feel as safe in a Spyder ? (convertible).

 

This has to be a joke.

 

This is the exact reason I didn't buy a spider. I saw plenty of them for sale and read on F-chat the expense on keeping the top soft top operating.

 

You guys forget an important thing. Back between 1995-1999 the economy was booming. Americans where the only ones in the world who where willing to pay close to $200,000 for a car. Most American's who went to buy F355 Ferraris wanted the Spider. The Spider was selling at close to $200,000 in those years. Just like the F430 and the F430 scuderia today back then Ferrari's where also selling 50,000-75,000 over MSRP. Most F355 Spiders that where produced, came to America. Very few produced for Europe or anywhere else in the world. That's why you find more Spiders for sale here in America then anywhere else in the world.

 

Good point!!

 

Great point! Never thought of that...

 

Interesting indeed!

 

"So if you're looking for a GTB or GTS, keep looking. It's worth the wait. You'll have the most beautiful 355 and certainly one of the rarest."

That is your opinion.....I think the lines of the Spider are much nicer top up and down. Also, living in SOCAL with the top down 90% of the time is the only way to go. Your everyday car or track car should have a roof. A fun track day is possible with the Spider as well. If you are an all out racer then you need a roof. Driving down PCH early Sunday morning top down smelling the Ocean = priceless!!

 

I have owned both GTB and Spider in 355 forms. I think the GTB is a better looking car; the lines on a 355GTB are in my opinion some of the very best on any car ever.

Some here may remember why I changed to the Spider, I have to say the I was not a fan of the Spider, IMO it looked like something was missing, but in reality I was missing something, I was missing the point, and that is that a Ferrari for me and I would guess for many here is a toy, its something we use to have some fun, maybe we tie that into running some errands or maybe we just head for the hills on a nice sunny day (or in my case, any day when I have the time) For this purpose a Spider is a better car, if its raining or if you feel like being more private (bad hair day Goth?) leave the top up and you have a GTB but when the sun or the stars are out put the roof down and you have an event, driving in a Ferrari with the top down allows so much more of the audio experience, the exhaust note is epic in a GTB now multiply that by 10 and you have a Spider. Also there is nothing like being on the open road with the roof down and the engine singing, the sun shining and the wind in your hair, it really is something special.

As far as looks go its the GTB as far as the driving experience goes its the Spider, perhaps a GTS is the best combo for me, and that is all that really maters, buy the best combo for you and enjoy the fact you own your dream.

 

+1........it is as much fun as riding one of my bikes, and I have them all

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