Why The Spider Purge? | FerrariChat

Why The Spider Purge?

Discussion in '348/355' started by wazie7262, Mar 29, 2013.

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  1. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
    2,357
    Temecula, CA
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    Scott
    Man...it seems like spiders are for sale everywhere. Why? I know the tops can be a problem, but...jeez...
     
  2. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,954
    Vegas baby
    Spring. Harder to move them in Fall/Winter.
     
  3. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
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    #3 bobzdar, Mar 29, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2013
    There's usually a 4:1 or 5:1 ratio of spiders to GTB's and GTS's for sale, doesn't matter the time of year.
     
  4. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2004
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    Redondo Beach, CA
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    Bruce Bogart
    Different market.
     
  5. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    12,059
    Wayne, NJ
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    Clyde E. McMurdy
    Mayor is spot-on.

    What better time to sell a car that is a convertible?
    Fresh air, chirping birds, sun shining down on you and no roof to block warmth.
    I've read in multiple places Americans love their open-air motoring and is the largest consumer of convertibles.

    And quite frankly, I am brimming with anticipation as I'm taking the 355 Spyder out tomorrow for a nice long drive after a long winter absence. Hopefully, top down!
     
  6. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 14, 2011
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    Tim Dee
    Besides being on a bike a drop top is next best thing. I just hate being in a cage.
    Maybe that will change when I am really really old at heart, maybe not :)
     
  7. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
    2,357
    Temecula, CA
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    Scott
    I understand the desire for the cars :) But WHY are so many selling??
     
  8. switchcars

    switchcars Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2005
    2,223
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    Doug
    +1

    The demand from the collectors and majority of the enthusiasts is for the GTB and GTS (and to get even more specific, 6spd manual).
    The coupe is lighter and stiffer with far better torsional rigidity.
    Not to mention the spider tops are seemingly plagued with issues.
     
  9. brian.s

    brian.s F1 Rookie
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,809
    Midwest
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    Brian
    The issues become a 'plaque' because of incorrect maintenance/adjustments and/or operation. When working the are fine, many threadds adequately cover suitable fixes on here. IMO
     
  10. rllucero

    rllucero Formula Junior

    Jul 11, 2006
    559
    Santa Fe/San Diego
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    richontravel
    I have to agree, before buying my GTB I looked at several spiders and probably half of them had issues with the top. Not saying anything bad about the spiders (I sure do like them) but there are enough issues to deal with owning a Ferrari without adding one more.
     
  11. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 26, 2012
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    Bob Ferraris
    #11 drbob101, Mar 30, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Nothing better than open air motoring and even better with the sweet sound of a Ferrari right behind your ear.

    First day of acceptable top down weather here at the Jersey Shore and the first time for me putting the top down. Incredible experience.

    I am an enthusiast and its the right car for me. I am sure that there are sellers who wait for the spring to put their spiders on the market. I did my shopping in the dead of winter. Those sellers missed this buyer but I am very pleased with what I found.

    The good ones are out there...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  12. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Bob, your car looks great!
     
  13. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 14, 2011
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    Tim Dee
    I did have someone purge right after a spirited ride a few weeks back hehehe
     
  14. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    Since I have been in the market for e F355s for the last 3 years, looking for the right car, I ca say that there are fewer spiders for sale now than at any time during the last 3 years. If anything there seem to be a greater number of "B"s offered.
     
  15. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    Apr 3, 2006
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    Really?

    There are 15 spiders on eBay right now, and only 4 coupes.
     
  16. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    In proportion to the past. Not absolute numbers. Last year at this time there are approximately 60 cars for sale of cars.com. Right now there are less than 40 and a greater proportion of them seem to be Bs compared to this time last year. prices are running about the same. Haven't seen many move though.
     
  17. Big Lebowski

    Big Lebowski Formula Junior

    Jan 24, 2013
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    Peach state
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    Brownie
    An almost 4 to 1 ratio (15 spiders vs 4 B's) when there were roughly equal numbers built is still pretty meaningful even if the ratio might be down from last year based upon your anecdotal observation. It's hard to argue with the fact that there is a certain degree of arachnophobia among 355 aficionados.

    Plus everyone knows that the GTS is faster and attracts more beautiful women than either the spider or the Berlinetta....:)
     
  18. GerryD

    GerryD Formula 3

    May 5, 2010
    2,444
    North of TO
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    Guido
    Correct, there have been more spiders for sale than Bs for a few years now. And yes swithcars is right. The purists or enthusiast are mostly looking for Bs and 6 speeds. I know that the spider owners don't want to here it but most (not all) spider owners are mostly "want to be seen" owners and don't really care much about the history or pedigree of Ferrari.
     
  19. MitchG

    MitchG Karting

    Feb 13, 2011
    68
    Central Illinois USA
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    Mitch Griffin
    I just like driving with the top down! I have other cars that are not convertibles, but when the weather is nice I want to drive something with the top down.

    I guess GTB buyers are just afraid of getting their hairs messed up.....or their bald heads sunburned :)
     
  20. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

    Apr 1, 2011
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    Montreal
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    355 looks better as a Berlinetta looking at it from the outside.

    Spider version is just so much more enjoyable when you're sitting inside.

    I love them both but ended up buying a spider.

    The fact that there are more spiders for sale does not give me an inferiority complex, I don't really care.
     
  21. FerMaz

    FerMaz Formula Junior

    Feb 11, 2007
    355
    So Cal
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    Mel
    The TBs and TSs are great but there is nothing like top town motoring and the sound of the exhaust. Cant beat it.
     
  22. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
    2,357
    Temecula, CA
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    Scott
    With a Capristo Exhaust, the 355 is the best sounding sports car (not just Ferrari) ever built; seems the spider version would really allow one to enjoy that more than a coupe. Even a GTS has a good amount of "interference" between the driver and the engine/exhaust. As far as the "purist/drivers" thing is concerned...I doubt there are many on this forum who can even come close to reaching a 355's limits, in any version, so I don't really get that. I do, however, agree that the coupe has better lines, though the spider is still gorgeous.
     
  23. fullmonty

    fullmonty Formula Junior

    Sep 17, 2007
    264
    LALAland
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    Mel
    Seriously GerryD, I have a very strong suspicion that you have not undertaken a statistically valid poll to make such a conclusion. So given your casual statement, I would be hard pressed in my experience to agree with you. Especially with the many knowledgeable and passionate Ferrari spider ( of many different vintages) owners I have met here in So. Cal over the years. A lot of us live in a region that gives us weather more agreeable for year round top down enjoyment. And yes, I as well think the Berlinetta is more pure in design, but I still chose a spider. If I really wanted to be seen down here in LaLaland I'd have to be driving something more like the LaFerrari.
     
  24. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    It's really not worth a debate...buy and drive the model YOU love and don't give a second of thought to what others think...
     
  25. Turbo Ron

    Turbo Ron Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    262
    West Los Angeles, CA
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    Ron Stavis
    Mel you have a PM.
     

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