The best "convertible/cabriolet" | FerrariChat

The best "convertible/cabriolet"

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Scude, Feb 16, 2013.

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  1. Scude

    Scude Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2010
    616
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Scuderia Ferrari
    Such amazing weather is SoCal today. Decided to go for a lil spin with the lady. No where in mind, just a drive.

    Hours, 160mph on trip computer, and 130+ miles later, top down, still cruising. If only all my gopro accessories had come in.

    If not for a good friend's bday we had to get ready for, i'd still be driving. I've had or driven some amazing cars and none quite do it for me like this.

    For all the threads goin back n forth, punch for punch, this is my answer. Not the fastest, not the loudest, maybe not the best looking, but the absolutely pure EXPERIENCE.

    I have no questions, not seeking a debate, not hoping for 50pg thread. I was just so impressed and blown away today, i had to share.
     
  2. Noblesse Oblige

    Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

    Nov 7, 2011
    6,114
    Three Places
    Good for you. The antidote for all kinds of foolishness.
     
  3. wang

    wang Formula 3

    Feb 23, 2004
    1,998
    Brunei
    Full Name:
    H. Wang
    Don't need the gopro... I can imagine the drive... Bloody Excellent...!! :)
     
  4. Scude

    Scude Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2010
    616
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Scuderia Ferrari
    Temp is perfect out for an evening drive. This is when i miss the FF since im one of the Desig Driv tonight.
     
  5. SVCalifornia

    SVCalifornia F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 28, 2011
    2,570
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Keith
    Temp almost 70 in NorCal today so I went out for a ride to the Pacific and back. Wonderful. Not quite as nice as yesterday when I did the same loop and had almost no one on the road in the afternoon. But that was top down in the spider...

    SV
     
  6. photonut

    photonut F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 16, 2007
    4,080
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Joel
    very jealous.
    it is 11 degrees here in michigan.
    by the time i get my 458 (hopefully this may), the weather should be improving.
     
  7. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
    Full Name:
    FelipeNotMassa
    #7 PhilNotHill, Feb 16, 2013
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2013
    Went skiing today. Sunny and 35F. No wind.

    Sat outside and soaked up the sun apres' ski. No Problem.

    Sun shines 300+ days a year.

    Life is good.
     
  8. Scude

    Scude Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2010
    616
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Scuderia Ferrari
    Wish some a short winter, and glad to hear others living it up too!
     
  9. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    19,184
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    :D
     
  10. Randyslovis

    Randyslovis Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2011
    897
    Atlanta, GA
    Full Name:
    Randall J Slovis
    I am truly glad you enjoyed your spin. I cannot say the same about driving my spider. The degree to which the steering wheel has extraneous movements over anything but a billiard table smooth road is both disconcerting and annoying. I don't think my 1970 442 had as much movement. The 458 spider when driven with the roof is down is not nearly as solid as it should be. My coupe had zero wheel movement. My spider dances over bumps. Feels anything but like a 300k car. I cannot believe no one acknowledges this or comments on it.
    I posted a thread last week about this and no one commented either that theirs did or did not do this. I have to wonder if everyone is oblivious to it. Or, is everyone afraid that their spiders will be hard to sell if everyone starts to comment about it.
    Best
     
  11. Scude

    Scude Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2010
    616
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Scuderia Ferrari
    Sorry to hear. I havent seen thread. But i can assure, mine does not feel to me as u describe yours. Have u gotten it checked out? Bent rim/s? Tire pressure? Are all 4 securely fastened? No way it should feel that way imo. As for compared to coupe, slight differences that i might question had i not known of differences.
     
  12. Randyslovis

    Randyslovis Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2011
    897
    Atlanta, GA
    Full Name:
    Randall J Slovis
    Actually I have. Car was brought back to dealer and master tech (> 20 years) went with me. He knew I was crazy until he drove car. Confirmed all my reports about changing with roof up/down and being LESS in race/CT-off than softer settings. Horrible rainy spell here in Atlanta so tech cannot compare to others. Tech never bothers to drive with top down during PDI so he never felt it before. Plus, he said he is in so many Californias that he has gotten used to "soft" so doesn't feel spiders inferiority unless someone like me brings to his attention. Hoping it is something fixable. Tires, rims, alignment all check out. Arnie, another Fchatter has had lots of convertible Porsches so waiting for his take once snow in NJ clears. Thanks for response. Prettiest car I have ever owned and want this to be a keeper. I will save so much money if I can!
    Best
     
  13. Scude

    Scude Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2010
    616
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Scuderia Ferrari
    Oh yea the looks are top notch. Im so surprised still. Hope it gets figured out and worked out. Difference is ok BUT as much to how u describe it, thats not cool. Especially with $$ tag.
     
  14. Arnie

    Arnie Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2011
    465
    New Jersey
    I have not driven my car for almost 3 weeks. As soon as the salt clears from the rain I will take the car out but it is still too cold to put the top down. The owners manual says not to put the top down below 40 degrees. The roads are awful here in NJ so many pot holes. Once it gets above 45 I will put the top down and check it out. What is unusual is it is just your steering wheel in a conv they call it cowl shake for a reason. So it does not make sense it is just your steering wheel. Once the rain stops there you will need to drive another Spider to compare them. My 89 930 with a cloth top with sport suspension is solid as a rock. I once drove Chrysler Conv on a trip and that had unbelievable cowl shake.

    It is possible the mounting point for the steering column is loose. Does the dashboard shake also?

    Hope for the best

    Arnie
     
  15. F430kenric

    F430kenric Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2011
    1,534

    My 458 coupe is solid. Haven't driven spider yet. I think with any topless car there is bound to be some cowl shake. My 430 spider has a little, but I expected that. Still worth it for topless driving. Your 458 shouldn't be that loose though. Then again I have never driven one. So don't know.
     
  16. Rcktrod

    Rcktrod F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2010
    3,946
    USA
    Great post. That's sounds like a wonderful drive and experience.
     
  17. Randyslovis

    Randyslovis Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2011
    897
    Atlanta, GA
    Full Name:
    Randall J Slovis
    First and foremost, thanks for the valuable feedback. Secondly, let me be the first to say I hope this thread goes back to Scude's topic of great driving. Sorry for the digression/rant. I hate when others hijack a thread for something else. If any additional thoughts occur to anyone, my initial thread is on "steering sensations in spider".
    To everyone on this section/thread, glad you are enjoying your car - be it Italia or Spider!
    Best
     
  18. jim g

    jim g Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2003
    887
    Waverly, Pa.
    Full Name:
    Jim Gress
    Randy none of my Spiders were ever as solid as a coupe. That being said the 458 is way tighter then either of my 360's or 430's. If cowl shake is a deal breaker for you trade it back for a coupe, my 2011 was tight as a drum. The little cowl shake I get over rough roads is forgotten as soon as I hit the gas. I just find the Spider top down much more exhilarating to drive then my coupe.
     
  19. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,156
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    I haven't driven a Spider yet but I know 458 Italia owners that have said it felt as solid as the Italia with the top down. So I have a feeling yours shouldn't be like that.

    Back on-topic: nice to read you enjoyed your drive. Me, on the other hand.... can't get to my 458 as the lift at my storage is not working. And the weather was lovely today. :(


    Onno
     
  20. Scude

    Scude Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2010
    616
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Scuderia Ferrari

    Thanks. Yea i cant wait for the next days we get 70 deg temp in SoCal. Should have GoPro ready and wanna hit some driver's roads.

    Scary, lift malfunctions that is. Sorry to hear.
     
  21. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
    Full Name:
    FelipeNotMassa
    Has the repairman been called? Sorry to hear.
     

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