Hello to all, I have been mostly lurking here for a couple of years, and have enjoyed all the good information. I will be looking at a 2006 430 spider this weekend. I have read numerous threads, some of which contained painful stories about the 430 soft tops. Its seems they are often hard/impossible to repair and very expensive to replace (bad pumps, material shrinkage, bad cables, malalignment, magnesium parts that are no longer made and can't be welded... on and on it goes). I have read some people quote $70k to replace and some quote $10k, so I am confused about the worst case scenario if a replacement is needed (does Ferrari even still manufacture these tops or parts?). Also, how often do these things really fail? Two of the 430s that I have rented in the past leaked water through the roof in the rain... is this common? Also since the car is 2006 it will have the older defective headers (only about 4k miles so they have not had a chance to fail). Do most people just buy these and hope for the best? or should I try to negotiate some provision to replace the headers? clutch is new, not sure about the breaks, anything else that I should check? All input appreciated, Thanks
I would ask why does a car with 4K miles have a new clutch? My soft top does not leak Do you have service records, I believe headers can be replaced under warranty up to 8 Years from in service date. Check out the Ferrari CPO cars for a few bucks more you can buy a one or two owner car inspected with a Power Warranty My best advice is check it out, if it checks out buy it and enjoy the ride! You will love it!
+1. no issues with my top. very easy to use. I haven't heard the main issue with the spider is the top. More with headers but they are covered for 8 years. My car is 2008MY so have free replacement until MY 2016. Enjoy car and get one that has all records. Cant believe you have been lurking for 2 years...torture.
no issues with mine at all and its essentially new and still under warranty till august, check it out, its a great car https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/448533-08-430-spider-likely-available.html
If the header fails and trashes the engine is that covered under the 9 year emission warranty? I would most certainly read the warranty fine print to see if collateral damage is covered. Alan
Fortunately my top is still working well at almost `16000 miles; 2007 model. My headers were replaced with the second generation units a few years ago. Mine has been mostly trouble free. If out of warranty or the 8 years are up, you can always replace with Fabspeed headers or equivalent. I'm going to get the capristo exhaust brackets soon and change them at my next service next month. The brackets are a known problem and break all the time. Do a search on it.
Any dealer can run the VIN # and see if all the campaigns (recalls) are done and tell you if the headers have been replaced.
