Just got my Italia, offered a spider slot - what do I do???

I would go for it!

 

I traded in my California for a spider (should take delivery next month) and I struggled with the same decision. I thought the lines on the Italia looked better than the spider, with the roof up, but I really loved the look with the top down. Also, my idea of an ideal sports car is driving down the road with the top down and listening to that wonderful V-8.

It will come down to what your ideal happens to be. A nice "problem" to have.

 

Do you have any other weekend cars (convertibles)? Perhaps a lower budget convertible will provide you the fix you're missing and maybe even cover another niche, like a cruiser? The new BMW Z4 is gorgeous and a nice blend of sport/comfort.

Google some 458 Italia Spider pictures and browse this section as well. IMHO the Berlinetta looks 10-15% better, but the Spider is such a complete supercar and still looks no less fierce than the Berlinetta.

 

I too was struggling between a 458 coupe or spider and for the same reasons. I like the lines of the coupe and engine bay more than the spider and also enjoy the open air driving in a spider. Since I really couldn’t decide, I went with the coupe since it base price was about 28K less. Last Wednesday my car was at code 70.

 

I did what many do. I have a Boxster S for those times when I'm jonesing for the top-down experience and went with the coupe. Bonus: In the Boxster, I'm comfortable stopping by the restaurant on the coast on a whim or the hardware store on my way home. Keep the 458 option list down, and you can almost pay for the Boxster with the price difference. Great car with terrific driving dynamics, too. Very different experience from the 458.

But make no mistake, as the politicians say-- the 458 Italia is in a class all its own.

 

actually i think the spider looks better, looks a bit like the 355 but a used coupe is much cheaper in europe, you could get an used coupe and a used 997 turbo cabrio.

i think i will go for a 430 and also cant decide there, thinks the coupe looks better than the 430 spider

 

Had a Cali myself and went for the Spider for the very reason you mentioned...it's a convertible. I find that in warm weather I use the car more...not because it's an F car, but because it's a convertible...it causes me to use it more like (not quite) a daily driver for small errands, and I enjoy that. In fact I rarely have the top up...I also send the car to my winter place to enjoy it out of season...I wouldn't do that if I'd bought an Italia. Having said that an Italia looks great (IMO compared to top-up Spider) and it's a better track car if you're into that (Italia has a slightly harder edge and Spider has a bit of cowl shake when you're pushing it over an uneven surface.) Bottom line, to each his own, but I would enjoy your Italia over summer and then take the Spider.

 

steve:
the answer really depends upon the cost/value to you personally.
if your passion was the spider all along, think of the coupe as a necessary hurdle to get you onto the spider "list".
i had to purchase and sell two previously owned 430's through my dealer to get a slot the 458 spider list (i paid more than the original msrp on both 430's).
some sports car purists actually prefer coupes over drop tops.
if this includes you, there should be no further consideration.
that being said, my strong preference is the spider.

 

He, he, what a nice problem.

I would never change my Italia against the spider!!! I like much more the lines of the coupe. And most important, a real racer is closed. (All just my opinion!)

Therefore I bought a California too - for my wife. When I am nice to her she allows me to drive with it too.

Regards - Webber45

 

Enjoy your Italia coupe for a few years, get the spider of the 458 replacement.

 

I made the change. I had a 12 coupe and moved to a 13 spider.

It really depends on how much you like driving with the top down. The spider will set you back 30 grand a least. Do you drive enough with the top down to justify spending 30 grand? There's a lot of things you can do for 30 grand.

There's really very little downside for the spider. The performance to me is the same. Some say it shimmies more but I haven't seen anything ridiculous. The gearbox has a little smoother shifting (more like 10's and 11's) and the exhaust with the top up is a little quieter --- but much better than the coupe with the top down.

Remember that a September build is probably delivery in Dec/Jan.

For me, it was no question as I've always owned convertibles and I live in a year round sunny climate.

But only you can answer the question for yourself whether it's worth the money or not.

 

Was offered the same thing - I passed, not worth the $$$$ to trade up IMO. Agree that for the cost to trade up it is far preferable to keep the coupe and get something like a new Boxster S - same overall cost with 2 great cars vs. 1.

 

There is not much logic to any of this. I get my roadster fix with an SL65. For me the delta would be 100k plus or minus. My guess is your delta would be more than 30k. There will probably be a price increase and you will probably take some haircut trading in your 458. It will be 10 months old and have some mies on it.

 

That's why I kept my TDF F430 spider. Love the lines on my 430. So best of both worlds for me. Have the 458 Italia and my spider for top down fun. Just love Ferrari's!!!

 

I am envious. You must be a great customer. told me 4 yr wait a year ago.

Sell me your slot and buy a Boxster S.

of course you will never be able to buy a another new Fcar...

 

you should check again, don't think you have to wait that long

 

I agree with that... but a year to delivery I can see. Look at the OP... its about a year and he already has purchased a 458 that the dealer knows he can flip for a quick buck.

 

For me, the structural rigidity of the coupe is the first and the last consideration. I refuse to go roofless because it compromises the precision of the chassis. Lots of guys can't feel it, but I notice it the first time I drive over a set of railroad tracks or hit irregularities in the road while cornering. Cowl shake, as it is known, seems to always result when the roof is removed. It's just basic physics.

I wouldn't do a spider if it were $100,000 less than the coupe, let alone $30,000 more!

(you asked for opinions, so now you have mine )

 

+1

 

Can't remember the last time I drove over RR tracks.

However, I do remember when I drive on sunny days* with the top down, smelling the pines and aspens and see the 14,000 ft peaks all around. Priceless IMVHO.

*Substantially every time I drive the Spider. We get over 300 days of sunshine a year.

 

There's a reason why Ferrari convertibles are always more valuable than their coupe version.

People like them.

 

+1. Was recently offered #2 slot for spider and I purchased my California through private sale so this would be my first purchase through dealership. I'm on the fence on whether its worth the substantial price difference for a daily driver as I really enjoy the Cali.

 

I don't get it. You don't a car from the dealer and you get on the list? Where are you?

I am doing something wrong. Buying cars from dealers apparently does not help.

Does it?

 

Who is your closest dealer? There is a member here that works at Ferrari of Denver. I'd hit him up to see what you can work out. If not, the guys at Steve Harris are top notch.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/members/8940.html