355 Spyder or Berlinetta | FerrariChat

355 Spyder or Berlinetta

Discussion in '348/355' started by Ulf, Jun 3, 2008.

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  1. Ulf

    Ulf Karting

    May 28, 2008
    74
    Houston, TX.
    Full Name:
    Ulf
    #1 Ulf, Jun 3, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2008
    Still debating if I should go for the Spider or Berlinetta. I'm just wondering what would be better for the Houston weather. As you know it gets freaking hot during our summer here and driving at 3:00 PM with top down might not be fun. On the other hand the fall, spring and even some winter time will make up for the hot days, and a Spider could be the best choice and probably the most fun. So what is your experience driving with the top up when too hot (or too cold for some you) ? AC works enough in the 355 (Had a some 348's and TR's where the AC was never enough for a Houston Summer) ? Too much wind noise ? Anything else to be considered when driving with top closed vs. open ?
    It most likely will be a '98-'99 F1 355 (if that matters).

    Thanks

    Ulf
     
  2. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Ulf

    I have a 355 Spider and actually the wind noise is pretty insignificant with the top down.
    I think the Ferrari people have the aerodynamics down pretty well on the Spiders...........
     
  3. CavalloRosso

    CavalloRosso Formula 3

    Jul 12, 2007
    1,423
    Atlanta, GA/Vail, CO
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    SVO
    +1

    The 355 Spider is absolutely fantastic. I love mine and in Atlanta (also very hot) it's a whole lot of fun!!! Wind noise is minimal.
     
  4. f355jimv

    f355jimv Formula Junior

    Jan 21, 2008
    685
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Jim
    +1

    I have a Spyder as well and the wind noise is nominal.

    Most likely it will come down to personal choice.

    Good luck!
     
  5. Ulf

    Ulf Karting

    May 28, 2008
    74
    Houston, TX.
    Full Name:
    Ulf
    Thanks for the input. We are talking wind noise with top CLOSED right ? And how about the AC when closed ? Enough ?
    I do love the looks of an open spider too ;)

    Ulf
     
  6. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed


    I was talking wind noise with top down (open cockpit) air noise is minimal.
    AC and heat are both good enough with the top down also.

    Air sound is also minimul with the top up..........mines never up though :) :)
     
  7. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
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    Robbie
    A good Spider is much easier to find than a GTB in today's market
     
  8. spdrcr

    spdrcr Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2004
    318
    San Jose, CA
    Full Name:
    Matt
    What do you spider guys do when you park it while you're out? Do you always put the top back up? My previous weekend toy was an open top car and I find that I tend to drive my current coupe more since I don't have to mess with the top when I leave it out (at work, out to dinner, etc).
     
  9. nsxnick

    nsxnick Formula 3

    Jul 24, 2001
    1,481
    Detroit
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    Nick
    GTS.... perfect compromise
     
  10. spider348

    spider348 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,273
    MA
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    John
    I leave the top down. Cover with the Ricambi style spider cover. As secure as the cloth top! I try to avoid at all costs operating that wonder of human engineering, the 355 spider top mechanism!
     
  11. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    goth
    The spider gives one the most aural excitement of all .................... can you say 'F1 howl' with the top down..... :D ???
     
  12. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    James
    I have owned and lived with both Spider and Berlinetta, the Berlinetta is a better looking car in my opinion. The spider is more fun to own, it has the best of both worlds, with the top up its a GTB, the air-con works just like in the GTB the noise is very similar but a touch noisier. Drop the top and the whole experience changes, the sound from the exhaust is out of this world, you simply cannot beat the top down-tunnel-8000rpm experience, I think God just shouted at me! ;) So if it were my money, having owned both I would get a (please check my profile photo) Spider! It ticks more boxes!

    Oh, and make sure you drive it lots :D
     
  13. rllucero

    rllucero Formula Junior

    Jul 11, 2006
    559
    Santa Fe/San Diego
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    richontravel

    Plenty of spiders for sale, you ought to have lots of choices. Just make sure the top operates correctly otherwise, it can be costly to get it fixed.

    I looked at both before buying my GTB and I like it. I felt to "exposed" to the world when driving a spider.
     
  14. Skipper

    Skipper Formula Junior

    Sep 24, 2006
    451
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    Frank Drebin
    #14 Skipper, Jun 3, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. Thunberg

    Thunberg Karting

    Jun 19, 2004
    65
    RI
    Berlinetta -- lighter, stronger, and in my opinion better looking and aging a bit more gracefully.
     
  16. Financialman

    Financialman Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2005
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    Dan Carpenter
    Very cool!!
     
  17. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
    5,559
    TX
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    Sameer
    Not to make your life tougher but there is also the TS version - a happy compromise between the coupe and convertible. :)

    There are arguments for all these types of car. In the end it boils down to what you like.
     
  18. Airborne RANGER

    Airborne RANGER Karting

    May 26, 2008
    204
    Lake Tapps
    Full Name:
    Tim
    +1
     
  19. tactical

    tactical Guest

    Jan 23, 2008
    857
    All Ferraris made age gracefully. Its a Ferrari.
     
  20. Thunberg

    Thunberg Karting

    Jun 19, 2004
    65
    RI
    I'm a big a fan of Ferrari as anyone, but blindly accepting every car produced as art that will stand the test of time is rather silly. I'd list a few examples, but I wouldn't want to offend anyone as I fully respect that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
     
  21. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,234
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Pap
    Id go with the Berlinetta, but thats just my opinion. :):)

    Spiders look great too. ;);)
     
  22. rllucero

    rllucero Formula Junior

    Jul 11, 2006
    559
    Santa Fe/San Diego
    Full Name:
    richontravel
    If Pap says it has to be a Berlinetta, then that is what it has to be. Paps the man!
     
  23. dlynes

    dlynes Formula 3

    Oct 16, 2004
    2,450
    Augusta, Ga
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    Dave
    I love both versions but I do not like the way a spyder looks with the top on. Top off I love it. Im not sure what way I would go...
     
  24. tactical

    tactical Guest

    Jan 23, 2008
    857
    Thanks for your wise words of wisdom. I never knew that, seems you learn something every day:rolleyes:
     
  25. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,234
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap


    He sure is.....:eek::eek:
     

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