Beauty Contest: 458 coupe vs. spider | FerrariChat

Beauty Contest: 458 coupe vs. spider

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by MalibuGuy, Feb 24, 2010.

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  1. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,843
    Want to know what F-Chatters think about the 458 coupe vs. spider. Which do you think will be prettier?

    I know that no official images exist for the 458 spider. So you have to use your imagination.

    My vote is for the coupe based on how angular the rear end of the car looks. (I hope I am wrong though)
     
  2. Lesia44

    Lesia44 F1 World Champ
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    #2 Lesia44, Feb 24, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2010
    And the coupe always drives better (despite what some journalists might tell you).

    EDIT: Of course, I've not driven either version of the 458 so that statement is not definitive but based on extensive experience of the last few generations of Ferraris.
     
  3. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
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    As always, the coupe.
     
  4. 430rcks

    430rcks F1 Rookie

    Dec 26, 2009
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    +1.

    I never have been an open top guy.

    Always preferred the coupe.
     
  5. Driven1413

    Driven1413 Formula Junior

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  6. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    If they go the convertible hardtop way (which I think they are), the spider will have the advantage.
     
  7. Lesia44

    Lesia44 F1 World Champ
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    And there's a chance that this may well negate my comment about the spider not driving as well (at least when the hard top is up).
     
  8. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
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    Except for the weight added.
     
  9. Lone Wolf

    Lone Wolf Formula 3

    Oct 24, 2006
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    Highway to Hell
    spiders always look better than coupes......
     
  10. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    1) Since when does weight have anything to do with looks (aside from humans of course!)?

    2) How much do you want to bet that, like the F430, the difference in track times between the two is insigificant?
     
  11. Scuderia980

    Scuderia980 F1 Rookie

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    agreed on both counts. plus, in the case of 16m vs Scud, seems everyone says the 16m is even more of a sensory overload--the many pluses outweighing the slight negatives (such as less rigidity)... i should be so lucky as to quibble..to nit pick...over the tiny differences...someday perhaps:) going by those old patent drawings, the new folding '575 Superamerica style' top should allow neat lines for the spider.
     
  12. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,675
    Coupés always look better, drive better, and have fewer idiosyncrasies.
     
  13. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Im pretty sure I will prefer the spyder with the top down.

    The 430 and 360 looks much better as spyders to me.
     
  14. Scuderia980

    Scuderia980 F1 Rookie

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    ALWAYS??? hmm... and please define 'better'. as i said about the 16m vs Scud...is 'better' really 'better'???
     
  15. Hawkeye

    Hawkeye F1 Veteran
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    Sep 20, 2009
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    I'd bet the spider will be stunning. As far as performance differences between the two, I'm never testing my cars, no lab coat, no clip boards, just fun!
     
  16. ibesuc

    ibesuc Formula Junior

    Jun 16, 2009
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    I beg to differ. I don't think there will be enough room like there was on the front engined Cali. Aesthetically, I think the soft top would look better on this car in particular.

    What makes you think they are going to with a hardtop?

    Steve
     
  17. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
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    I missed the just looks part, my bad. But I still say coupe. Coupes always look better and most cars are designed as coupes.

    The track time difference may be small, but every little bit counts. Plus the coupe will always be more rigid.
     
  18. blackbolt22

    blackbolt22 F1 Veteran
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  19. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Coupe. These lines need a roof.
     
  20. photonut

    photonut F1 Rookie
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    if the top don't drop
    the car's a flop!
     
  21. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 TheMayor, Feb 24, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2010
    They've already filed for a patent for a hard top that folds in half, retracts, and fits vertically between the engine and cockpit of a mid engine car. If it's not for the 458, I can't see what the purpose is.
     
  22. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
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    Folding hardtop would be great! Can't wait to see that on the Italia!
     
  23. ylshih

    ylshih Shogun Assassin
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    Isn't this sort of like a beauty contest between two sisters? One you get to see, the other is behind a curtain and you're told to imagine the appearance. I still wouldn't vote until I saw them both, no curtain.
     
  24. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,843
    But what if they were identical twins?

    That is what a folding hardtop Italia would be. Or almost be?

    So what would the point be to offer the coupe? Maybe they will phase out the coupe when the folding hardtop is available?
     
  25. ylshih

    ylshih Shogun Assassin
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    #25 ylshih, Feb 24, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    That's why I said sisters. You know they're very similar and maybe almost identical; but there can still be significant differences in the whole package.

    Here you go - which one wins? I think most would pick the one they can see; if they were forced to make a choice.
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