488 GTB vs 488 Spider

If the Spider has 95% of the torsional rigidity of the GTB, and loses only .3 seconds on the 1/4 mile, then what is the selling point for getting the GTB over the Spider? Normally, the coupe will have a materially better performance and the spider will have flex issues. But apparently that is not the case with this model. Not flame, just curious.

 

I have had both iterations of the 458, and both have their own pros and cons. For many the roof line on the coupe is far superior than the spider (plus getting to see the engine) . Some people just don't like convertibles. and there's also the additional cost of the spider.

Not to mention for most you can get your hands on a coupe 1.5-2 years before a spider.

 

Thanks for the response. Historically, and even with the 458, it seems there were performance and structural reasons to go with the coupe over the spider. I agree that IMHO a coupe will have better lines than a spider, and as you say, you can see the engine in the back. It seems Ferrari engineering has really advanced to the point where the spider versions are pretty much equal to the coupe versions. And given that it is a hardtop, I am having a hard time understanding why not just go for the spider, unless you absolutely have to see the engine in the back.

Thanks!

 

I have the choice of driving a Testarossa, a 328GTB, or a 458 Spider. I've driven the TR and the 328 ONE time this year, but the 458 comes out, the top goes down and it's my choice 99% of the time.

The argument of the GTB over the spider has been a continual one with most of the Ferrari models, but the bottom line is unless you're just totally into taking a car to the limits on a track, cars with a solid top don't compare to a spider. Cars PRIOR to the 458 you could argue how the convertible top is kind of ugly, but they knocked it out of the park on the 458 Spider. That top is WORTH the wait. It's a hardtop when it's up, watching it come down OR go back up is a mechanical marvel. It's pretty cool to see the engine in the coupes, but having the ability to go topless in 14 seconds, outweighs being able to look at the engine, when you're NOT driving the car. Don't forget with the spider version you also get a rear window that can be lowered even when the top is up, if you want to listen to the music that's going on behind you. With the top down and the windows up, this car is so well designed you can talk with your passenger without even raising your voice. The wind that typically whips around in a convertible, is almost NON-existent. Given a choice of spider to coupe, for me it's not even close.

There is the significant premium in price for the Spider, and the wait that only you can justify.

 

Top down motoring seems faster to the senses. I can hear the exhaust music better. Plus you get much needed vitamin D when the sun shines. So it's healthier as well.

Seeing that little engine back there may not be such a good thing.

 

Staj, I owned a 430 coupe and placed a deposit on the 488 GTB because I love seeing the engine from both inside the car and the rear. Such an amazing design element.

I do agree that convertible drawbacks have diminished in recent years with the cool folding hardtop, although some reviews suggest that even the 458 spider still suffers from more flex than the coupe. I loved the pano roof in my 612 OTO so maybe a truly open top would be even more amazing.

 

Coupe looks better in general but top down is one experience you shouldn't miss given the choice

 

A lot of this depends on the kind of roads you will drive on and how you are with chassis flex. In my area, the roads are all somewhat poor. The roads frequently are choppy and even in the 458 spider I could feel a noticeable amount of flex- and that is something that really bothers me. So I went with the coupe and I love it.

If its true that the 488 spider is so much closer then I will be very curious to try it out one day. However, I have come to learn that given my area and my preferences I would go with the coupe until proven wrong.

 

I forgot to mention:

Driving with the top up and the rear window down is heaven.

 

While you can tell the sharpness takes a slight hit if you drive them back to back, the difference is irrelevant to most drivers given that they rarely go anywhere near the envelope.

 

I think the 488 Spider is even more compelling. With 95% of the tortional ridigity of the GTB and only 0.4 seconds off the 1/4 mile, I am not sure what the selling point for the coupe is (except the absence of the visible engine in the rear - which is admittedly a very sweet design feature).

 

Anyone know the interior spec difference? I drove the Spider yesterday and the interior felt cramped compared to my coupe.

 

I hope not...ordered a 488 spider.
If I recall in the 458 the seat didn't go back as far/recline in the spider.

I like the lines of the spider better in 458.
488 both look good, maybe coupe better.

 

Yeah, I find the coupe just comfortable for my 6'3" frame. The Spider felt noticeably tighter.

 

To me the data regarding structural rigidity is rather negligible, and plays little role in choosing a GTB over a spider. I'm personally more of a fan of the design flow of the GTB, and I've always preferred coupes over spiders. So, it really just comes down to taste and little to do with the integrity and soundness of its frame.

 

As mentioned prior, some drivers just don't like convertibles. They are hot (or cold), breezy and ultimately the roof mechanisms leak and fail. If you really want to feel the open outdoors, two wheels are the way to go. Coups are comfortable with a reassuring feel and you don't need a hat (age thing!). Love it with the windows up and the AC on. If you have a big enough motor you don't need a gaping hole in the roof to hear it! Just an opposing opinion to ponder.

 

Very noticeable differnce in rigidity and ride quality 458 coupe vs spider. Jiggles and wiggles and shimmies.

Almost enough to stop me from wanting a 458 spider....but I do think one day I'll go back and get one.

 

Fwiw in terms of the 488 line of cars this is one of the
only series of cars ever in which I prefer the spider over the coupe,
and I am not a spiderman myself..

 

LMAO! Thanks Batman.

 

I love my Spider if you are even slightly considering; just jump in. Love top down feeling...amazing. Used to ride too.

 

Not to mention its noticeably heavier. Which means slower and less agile.

 

for those talking about the lines of the coupe, hard to beat the lines of the 458 spider when the top is down - which it often is. sound is also magnified in the spider - F1 cars are also de facto spiders .

 

Well, the point is that it is 5% more rigid, 0.4s quicker to the 1/4 mile, better to drive and also many people don't fancy getting sunburns or headache from the screaming air.

 

As was said, if you aren't actually racing, then the performance difference is not noticeable. The choice between a spider and a coupe is a matter of taste. I have driven soft tops since 1978 (having had a Triumph Stag and its 3 engines, 5 gearboxes etc ect for 25 years, a Maserati BiTurbo Spyuder from 1988 to 2003 and a Maserati Spyder CambioCorsa from 2003 to 2015). So when graduating to a Ferrari last year, it was obvious to move to a Ferrari spider. With the 458's hardtop, you have (in one sense) both a spider and a coupe. Yes, I know that one can't see the engine, but it has a modified engine note that is oh so perfect.
There is nothing like having the wind through your hair and the sun on your face on the open road, with an engine note like a 1000 wailing banshees.
I won't try to convince those who prefer coupes to spiders, but what you're missing out on .....

 

+458 spider.