Poll - 458 Spider - Which do you want, Soft Top or Folding Hard Top?

If they can make a retractable hard top out of carbon or something else very light and keep the stiffness of the coupe and not add weight it would be nice. If they can't keep the weight down for a retractable hard top (which are usually very heavy) then give me the lighter option of the cloth top.

 

I really don't care as long as it's not some kind of bastardized targa. It has to be a true spider with no window or part of the roof behind you when the top is down.

 

Bob, I think you will be very happy with the results.

 

Darn. I guess I'll have to buy one then!

I'm going to drive a 458 this weekend in Vegas.

 

Bob, you will love it, really an incredible car.

 

Don't tell me things like that!

I'm leaving the F430 home. I don't want it to be jealous.

 

I drove the 458 and right after my 430, when I say the driving experience is a huge improvement on the newer car, it is an understatement. Everything feels faster with much tighter tolerances. It feels faster the more you push it, with that incredible gearbox and steering that almost seems too quick. In all respects a huge jump.

 

Where's a poll when you need one?

 

According to the 458 coupe manual there's an unused fuse for hard top node pump F-03 - I wonder what that means !

 

So if the 458 gets a retractable hardtop, does this mean it will only come way in the future, like a Mercedes SL?

 

My understanding is that it will be at the Frankfurt motorshow in September, delivers mid 2012? And it will be a hardtop for sure, countless times it has been reported by people "in the know"

 

I know we've beaten this topic to death but my question is, where do we surmise the hardtop will retract to? Behind seats?

 

It's a hardtop with no more window for the engine, period.

 

Skip the folding hard top or soft top, I want a targa top. Lose the complexity, you dont add unnecessary weight, and it looks great.

 

Was gonna make the same statement. Glad i checked all post first.

Just add a gate shifter and lose a few pounds and this thing may become a real Ferrari one day.

 

It amazes me that they have been so successful keeping a lid( no pun intended ) on the way they plan to open this thing up.I plan to get one no matter, but I sure am getting tired of waiting for the car. I'm afraid the spy photo's will be out on the 458 replacement by the time I get mine home.

You have to think they are testing a prototype some place. How can they keep this such a secret?

 

A targa is just an overgrown sunroof. In fact, it's worse because it's a hassle to put on, take off, and store.

A true convertible removes the roof, windows, and C pillars. People who want targa's really want coupes with a hole in the roof. I'm fine with that... but its not a convertible. I've owned a 308 GTSi and an X 1/9. Neither did anything for me that my Alfa and Fiat spiders did when it comes to excitment with the roofs off.

If they want me to buy one, it has to be a convertible. I want to hear that engine, intake, and exhaust right behind me while the wind blows through and the sun shines on my face. I want the profile of the car to change completely to be sleek, slim, and sexy.

If you want to run the car on the track and squeeze every last of perfomance out of it, buy a coupe. For those who have other ideas on how to enjoy it, give us our convertibles.

 

Normally perhaps. But in the case of the 458 there's a fair chance you'd be compromising, or possibly even losing, just about the best part of the design which is where the roof sweeps down into the back end.

 

I don't think any type of Targa design is in the works otherwise the car would be out by now since the engineering would be so much easier. On the other hand so would the abillity to keep it a secret.

I had the 308,328 and 430 and I liked them all.The 430 was the best since you had the roll over humps both protecting you and keeping the wind off the back of your head. This is also a sleek design and has the open air feeling of a convertible. Ihave always been a convertible fan but you get beat up pretty good if it's flat behind the seats all the way to the rear.I don't think a pop- up roll bar is the answer either.They don't have to reinvent the wheel here just get it done so we can get out there before we get too old.

 

And that's why I haven't decided on one yet. I could also make the same argument about the 360/430 coupe conversion to a spider.

I want to see what they come up with. The F430 spider is such a great car, it has to be a great design for me to spend that much money to get the 458. There is no way I would trade a F430 spider for a 458 coupe or 458 targa. They made too good a car in the F430 for me to make that jump.

 

Not to stress about it you will be getting one. Bye the way, on another matter, I sent you a PM. I hope you got it as computers are not my strong suit.

 

As long as the chapeau is compact and light, I wouldn't care what material it is made up of,
the 458 Spyder MUST stay faithful to the beautiful lines of its ancestors (360 & 430)

Main thing it wouldn't get a similar High A** to that of a Peugeot 308 CC & Spinsters

Greetz,


Joseph