355 Berlinetta vs GTS vs Spider is there much difference

I have just weighed the entire panel, including latches, hardware and anything else attached.
It weighs 22 lb.
It'll take a hell of a lot of other stuff to make up the difference - and the only reason it'll be there is to add rigidity.

I don't doubt that with the roof out the GTS is less rigid than a B.
I never claimed otherwise.

To go back to the original question posed by the original poster;

All three variants are brilliant cars. All three have their pluses and minuses.
None have significant enough dynamic flaws that you should not consider them.
Buy the one you like the most.
The end.

 

Yes I got that, but front/rear weatherstrip, formed front and rear metal edge for weatherstrip, front latch engagement plates on the windshield frame, hardware for such, brackets/bushings/hardware on the rear roof section for the top pins. I believe that all stayed with the car and must weigh something?

I'm not saying there isn't any additional bracing, Tim mentioned that there is, but the GTS roof assembly certainly has substantial weight over a GTB.

What are the door pillar supports Tim mentioned? Maybe 4lbs. So 18lbs more for GTS roof and all components seems impossible?

 

This we agree on

 

So what, exactly, do we disagree on?

I cop a fair bit of flak on here, mainly because I have the gall to stick up for the "non traditional" versions of these cars.
ie. On here, anything other than a manual Berlinetta is apparently not for "real drivers".
I argue that point because I think it's utter crap.
But really, isn't it a bit ridiculous?

 

I thought we were disagreeing on-

-Weight of B vs GTS top

-Absolutely no noticeable difference in chassis stiffness with top in/out or GTS/B.


But in the end yes, they are all awesome. As I mentioned before, I did track my car with the roof out and I'm quite certain I wouldn't have been faster with a GTB. Even if it was to a small degree more capable I don't really have an interest in pushing a street car to the limits and finding them.

Spider from what I have read has the best exhaust sound experience as there is less between you and that sound. I'm not a fan of the looks however and could not own an F355 without that beautiful GTS/GTB roof.

GTS is great as well with the top out. In some weather (colder) I would notice some creaking/rattling of the roof which is a downside and removing/installing the panel isn't the most convenient thing as well but overall a nice compromise.

GTB isn't going to give you any open experience of course but the one upside of no removable roof is you will never hear it creak/rattle and you never have to bother with removing and installing it.

I'm searching for a car now and am indifferent to GTB/GTS as I like them both and have another convertible car. If I didn't I would be looking for a GTS again.

 

You think it's utter crap, others don't, that's the disagreement. Having a heavier, less stiff version of a car is not for "real drivers" as it's a less serious car and not as good when pushed hard, and that's fine for 95% of drivers - but not for me. As to the f1 argument, that's neither here nor there as it's a preference thing. The f1 adds a little weight and potential for failures but makes up for it by not having any potential for missed shifts.

 

I agree with all you have written.

 

Hmmm. I'm 50-200lb lighter than some drivers. Does that make my overall Ferrari 355 experience more "serious"?

Or someone who always fills up the fuel tank can't possibly be as much of a real driver as I am, given that I never fill mine up above 1/2?

If we're seriously going to argue over 22lb maybe we should all go on a diet, or conduct a weigh in, or just get real and accept it makes no ****ing difference.

 

Bingo.
What about the tool kit and the type of battery...remove the kit, buy a light weight battery and you got 22lbs there.

Steve...do you find your hardtop creaks and rattles?

 

22lbs is 22lbs. Lost stiffness is lost stiffness. I've dropped other weight from my car as well, so why start with a heavier, softer car? Like I said, for most people it doesn't matter. For me it does. That's why I didn't buy a GTS or spyder, I didn't want a compromise.

 

Ditto.

 

This!!!

It *IS* utter crap indeed.

Fortunately, the market/reality couldn't care less. In fact, manual GTBs are the laziest when it comes to regaining value, according to the Ferrari Market Letter which I subscribe.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

Haven't we been able to figure out how many angels are on the head of this pin yet?

 

Indeed

 

So why didn't you guys buy 355 Challenges?

 

Steve, I believe Gerry has a challenge car, but I could be wrong. I think he has two cars.

 

It does a little, but only after it hasn't been lubed for a while.
Funnily enough, that's a job I had planned for today, but since I ended up removing the roof panel last night and it's going to be a beautiful 78F day here today, I'll go for a drive through the hills first....

Does anyone have any recommendations of the best product to lube that heavy rubber seal?
At the moment I'm using some cheap-ass crap which works ok but I'm sure there must be something better.

 

Lucky bastard!

Actually, now that you mention it I think I've seen a pic of it.
Lovely car, and good on him.

 

If we ever work that out, there'll be no need to come back here!
What makes this place interesting is the different points of view.

I'm guessing on the North Korean version of this website, everyone drives a '95 B (red, of course), and any dissenters have long ago been dealt with.
Sounds boring as bat****, no?

 

You are correct and we all have the membership book and haircut.
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They're not road legal and I drive mine on the street.

 

It is impossible to say, for instance, the GTS is worth more than the GTB ... It's entirely up to each individual to decide.

I personally value a GTB higher than a GTS, a sports car should have a solid roof (= lighter, stiffer body) it is my opinion, but we are all different.

 

I agree.

The removable roof is just one more thing for a potential problem. (Rattles, Leaks) Especially on some of the roads that are in my area.

 

Take the roof off then.
You will never hear a 355 sing with a roof like you do without.
And the feeling of being open is wonderful.

As for scuttle shake in the GTS ...utter nonsense...you will never, ever notice the flex.

 

Well I talked to "my guy" today and this is what he said. YES the GTS roof does add to the overall integrity. He also told me that when they first introduced the GTS roof to the first 348 that the very first 348s had to be recalled because of this...driving the 348 in a very sporting mode and without the roof on, when returning the roof would no longer fit as the car would begin to collapse. The prototype 348 GTS collapsed so bad that the roof opening had reduced about 2 inches. The Ferrari factory had to recall many cars and do much work to correct the problem to the point that they had to shut down the factory for 15 days and lay everyone off without pay as it almost broke the company. The only thing that kept them alive at the time was the F40 and the Testa. Anyway the GTS and Spider have extra supports inside the middle section of the frame as well as in the doors and up the door mounts. The Spider also has a reinforced "A" pillar. So there you go, some of you were right and some of us were w w wrooooong.
This is a picture of Max below.....hes the one in the middle
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