Doesn't change the fact that it is the high ask currently on Mobile.de. (And most beautiful car.) Also, the lowest price car on mobile.de is an F1 spider. The nest 2 or 3 lowest are F1 Berlinettas. So, it swings both ways.
I have owned both Berlinetta and GTS. My dream spec was Berlinetta but I sold the B and kept my GTS it’s hard to beat with the targa panel removed.
In all honesty, I should have kept my very first GTS gated car. It was the one. I am sad I sold it. Cannot replace it now. The GTB has it advantages. Pulling the Targa top off was a nice way to enjoy the car. I cannot drive it well, with it stored behind the seat. That was a challenge. I made a few pennies on it, but what I had in it to now, was a mistake to sell. Oh well. My GTB is fine. Cheaper and more fun to drive, cause the ODO is irrelevant in that car. Cheers! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Never been in or drove a GTS. Does it drive the same as a GTB? Exiges are targas and it drove fine to me. Superb handling actually.
I haven't driven a GTS but I have driven a Spider. There is a noticeable difference in structural rigidity in my opinion when cornering / accelerating out of a corner. I'm sure the GTS is better but I prefer the Berlinetta regardless from an aesthetic standpoint. I wouldn't turn down a nice GTS...but it's not what I'd be shopping for.
Tres55. Do you know the story on the 355 spider sitting at Applewood in Langley? Its been there for a long time. It has too many modes for me. Iam surprised it hasn't moved. Must be a reason. Take away the seats, the rims, the steering wheel and I would consider it. It might need another $20K just to put it back looking right
GTS does “creak” some and you realize how ridged a GTB is after driving a GTS. GTB will pull a wheel off the ground on the right incline. Hence why they crack the buttress paint Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Agreed. Some say you can't feel it but I found it very noticeable. Better than many other convertibles but still there, I tracked mine once with the top off and it was fine. And yes I occasionally had some rattling from the top. Prefer the Berlinetta for sure but also wish I would have just kept my 99 GTS instead of selling it. With red deviated stitching and factory shields, I've not seen another like it.
Yes I have told you many times to message me and I can fill you in on that car. Cliff notes: I wouldn't pay their ask.
Top on. Top on you see and hear the seals and some moans, knocks and creaks. Nothing overly alarming or even annoying, but still present. None of that in a GTB. Top off you feel some flex - parking lots with rise or “ramps.” Having owned a 95’ 348 Spider, 96 GTS, 2 99 GTS, 99 GTB and my 95 GTB, I feel qualified to comment The GTB’s are more rewarding at speed, raw feedback for twisties and a “solid” experience of the 355 Chassis as designed for racing. The GTS is the best all around 355 for a mix of both open air and coupe weather protection, as well as no convertible drama (seats, mechanism, rattles) Top down on a spider with tonneau on is best for sound and really sexy Ferrari design - spectacular. GTB is pure automotive art in its own right - one of the best. But GTS adds that little bit practicality to all facets of Ferrari joy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I can't see it having a material impact on the rigidity. The solid structure of the Berlinetta has to add a significant advantage. The Spider I drove...I couldn't go back. Mostly because I don't really go for a "cruise" in my car I'm usually driving fairly spiritedly.
The Berlinetta is noticeable for its turn in response it feels stiffer under cornering load. For sure it’s the stiffer car that goes without saying but in all honesty that’s not why I bought the car. And my GTS doesn’t suffer from creaks or rattles from the targa panel. I have been in some GTS that squeak and rattle so bad I couldn’t live with it. You have to drive a straight and well looked after example to compare. Also my car doesn’t have any leaks even with pressure washing. My Berlinetta was a 98 and my GTS is a 95 non air bag so that was a huge factor in picking which one to keep. But I do enjoy a roof less car the open air experience is very nice.
Stiffness? We don't need no stinking stiffness. Seriously, how many of you chose which body style you bought based on chassis stiffness. And unless you on the track at 8/10 or above, how much difference does it make? When I first got my spider I was a little disappointed at the degree of cowl shake it had compared to more modern and stiffer roadsters I had owned (Z4, Boxster) but now I don't even notice it. The car is tight and has no rattles. I which I could have said that for my Boxster and my current Cayman.
I chose the berlinetta for body stiffness having bought it after the GTS. For me it wasn't about being 1/10 of a second faster on an off ramp but disliking the feel of flex and the noise from the roof. I adjusted the front latches (shimmed to be tighter), rear pins, and had everything lubricated. Wasn't bad most of the time but in certain scenarios would still creak and rattle which drove me nuts. Of course removing the panel removed the noise but wasn't always convenient to drive it with the top off.
I did - I wanted the fastest version. My ideal was a '95 gtb for maximum performance and luckily (maybe, the early cars have some issues) that's what I ended up with. The GTB's are also the lightest as they need less chassis reinforcement. It's the best of the breed imo, but I've never been a big open top guy, and if I want that I just take my jeep.
Also early GTB here. '94 build date. I didn't even care if it's the fastest version or not, like you said I just wanted to experience the purest version. Thankfully I had other open top cars before (targa + roadsters) before the 355 and got that out of my system. Just didn't want the compromise anymore. Less is more, a fixed roof saves you from having to to decide whether to take the top off today or leave it on. Just get in and drive it.
I love my GTB but also have an early 911 targa survivor and can report that there are few finer automotive experiences than cruising down a nice road on a sunny day in a targa.
