355 GTS too soft and squeaky due to targa roof?

The Spider is very reinforced adding about 280lbs over the coupe, but my soft top is solid as a rock, no wind noise or vibration when up even at above 55MPH speeds (or 130+ ). Some tracks might have issues with u using a spider without a rollbar though.

 

I drove a GTS with the top in and thought it was about the same as my GTB from a rigidity standpoint. I don't think any of the 355's are super stiff chassis though. I would really recommend spending as much time as you can in each version so you can see how much shake an shudder there is. I love my 355GTB but I am surprised how "creaky" it is at 9K miles.

 

I tracked my GTS just this past Saturday. Chasis rigidity is a non-issue, I would not worry about it. The GTS is plenty stiff enough for the track unless you're racing professionally. Most tracks won't let you run a spider without a roll-bar so I don' think thats a great option. (Personally, forget what the tracks regulations call for, I don't think I would want to track any convertible without roll-over protection).

The top does squeak a little bit on the street when the car is cold. As things warm up its largely a non-issue as the noise goes away. Treating the rubber with Gummi Phledge goes a long way in reducing the sqeaks.

 

I can confirm this per 100%.
The idea to have an accident with only the spider softtop scares me to much on the track and on public roads. The certitude having a "Targa" roll-bar at least - just in case - makes me faster.

cinque

 

I own a 355gts and agree that the roof can squeak but there are many products that can easily fix this. Simple thing is to ensure the windscreen clips are adjusted correctly and then attack all rubber surfaces with a suitable rubber lubricant or a lube. The ferrari mech uses a special spray on stuff that actually dries and lasts about 3 months. i have recently used an english plumbing product used for of all things toilet seals at the esss bend rubber seal and it has worked very well and is made for use with rubber and guaranteed not to harm the rubber and no doubt as it is for toilet use should be good for leaks (joke).
I have tracked my car with roof on and whilst there will always be a little more flex in an open top car the amount is however more, from what I have been told, in the spider than the gts and logic would tend to point that way.
I thoroughly love my car and even more than the 360 fi coupe i had. There is nothing greater than roof off motoring particularly in narrow valleys where the wail of the engine is superb.

 

Not sure how someone finding a GTS too soft can recommend a spider instead. To me, unless you buy your 355 as a pure track day car (in which case there are probably better ways to spend your money), the possible loss of rigidity of the GTS is a non-issue. Sure, dry seals squeak, but it's not that bad and nothing that cannot be avoided with some maintenance. Bear in mind the loss of legroom with the roof behind the seats, can be a real issue if you're really tall.

On the plus side, as already expressed by some, the engine noise is absolutely superb with the roof off, something a GTB does not even come close to, even with the windows down. Take a drive and make up your mind.
Another benefit is that a GTS retains a metal roof with simple latches, much less vulnerable and prone to failure than a spider.

If I had to do it again, I'd take a GTS in a heartbeat.

 

Good choice Johan. I bought a GTS for the exact reason you mention. I want an open top car which is rigid enough for the track. I own a Lotus convertible but I put a roll bar in that. I feel like the GTS is a lot more "rigid" than even my Lotus with the roll bar. Its easy (one person) to take off the roof and store it (make sure someone isn't in the car though as you have to turn it around and upside down. I am now sort of used to putting it back in although its not dirt simple. Still, doesn't take more than a couple of minutes to do. The fact that its effectively got a built in wind blocker is definitely a plus compared to the venturi effect you get on some convertibles (definitely my Lotus). My legs are long and I fit just fine with the top behind the seats. My big issue is that that the darn steering wheel is too far away! Guess my arms aren't in proportion to my legs. Or, I don't like the (ahem) Italian driving position. Well, I got a solution to that. I replaced my steering wheel with a Momo and I am getting a hub extension. Its pretty expensive to do this as I bought a hub adapter that was pretty expensive. I understand others have Ferrari/Momo hub adapters that are more reasonable (wish I had known) but I'm happy with the look of mine. Now I just have to get the hub extension (pretty inexpensive) and I'll be, er, sitting pretty. The only downside though is that now the shifter is a tad far for me. Ugh! Well, on the track I'll be sitting closer anyway so its only a little reach when driving on the street.

One thing I am not quite used to though is the clutch. I haven't yet taken my car on the track but I'm worried that my knee is going to hurt from using the clutch. The darn thing is really heavy. I have a patella alignment issue and it hasn't acted up in some time but now I'm getting it almost every time I drive. Anyone else have this problem? Looks like I have to go back to physical therapy in order to drive my car! Oh well, worse things have happened. Its probably something I should do anyway...

Scott

 

I think you must have a few issues with your clutch workings as I have now driven a few 355's and all clutch workings are sweet to use and not heavy at all. you may need to check out why you are experiencing a heavy clutch. regards Tony

 

Clutch effort is a lot heavier than most other cars. It makes my Porsches feel like a Honda. You get used to it and it feels normal to me now, but if I drive back to back with something else I really notice how light the othe car feels.

 

Good, I was beginning to think I was crazy about the clutch feeling. I sat in a Porsche GT3 and its clutch is heavy too but the regular 911 isn't. Go figure.