Hi guys! I'm a bit confused on what 430 should be my 1st Ferrari. Just want to listen and read some speculations about the versions of 430. I never sat or drive both of them. Anybody can tell me what are the advantages and disadvantages? Thanks in advance.
Just bought a 430 Spider about 2 months ago, and it has been great. I believe both cars are very similar in terms of performance and reliability, so mostly a matter of personal choice. I live in Southern California, so the weather is consistently pretty nice about 80% or more of the time, and great for a convertible. I would say that I generally prefer hardtop convertibles, and the 430 doesn't look its best with the top up. But I almost never drive with the top up anyway (never in the rain and rarely at night so far). In a Spider you are going to hear the engine a little bit more, especially if you have the valves open. Some like the sound, while others would prefer a more quiet ride. Other than that I think both are great cars.
The spider can do 99% of what the coupe can but the coupe cannot do one thing: Drop the top on a nice day. The disadvantage is that the spider costs more so how much do you want to pay for that feature and how often will you use it is the question. Personally, for me, it's spider all the way.
I have always bought cars because I liked them, not based on their performance and the F430 coupé is in my personal opinion one of the best looking Ferraris ever made. Unfortunately I cannot say the same thing for the spider, but it's my point of view. You should buy the one you like most.
Well, are you a coupe guy, or a convertible guy? Most people know this; kinda like knowing whether you're left-handed or right-handed. If you don't know, I'm not sure that reading other peoples' opinions will help. You need to go on a mission of self-discovery.
Buy the one you fall in love with, whatever her hair color, and top or topless. If you are not in love, dont buy either.
A bit more care is required for the soft top to keep it in good shape. Exhaust notes are slightly higher inside a cabin of a convertible. A small number of owners had issues with the top mechanism, but it seems very rare with the F430. IMO, in a good day, a convertible gives you that luxury exotic feeling a coupe can never deliver. Its all personal preference.
If you are in an area where you are able to enjoy a convertible then tha is your choice. In my case, I am looking for a spider. Nothing like being able to put the top down during beautiful California days.
Thanks for all of your advices. Well, actually my taste is the coupe but I wanted to know more about the Spider since many are into convertible. In my place, it always rain here and if it's hot, it is really2x hot. Even if it is sunny, it rains (i know its weird but it is really happening here) so I think having the convertible here is not a good choice and place to use it.
"When the top goes down, the price goes up". Spiders have more upside on resale. The F430 can generate alot of heat and noise. The coupe can get a little hot without a sunroof on a scorching day in the summer. I have owned a 360 spider and 550. Spider all day long
For the life of me, I have always been a soft top guy! I recently missed two wonderful spiders, so like a jilted lover, I spontaneously bought a friends coupe. I will get a spider again, but I love the coupe in a different way. 1. Air Conditioning 2. Stereo/Phone/Bluetooth (never turned either on in a spider) 3. Not as loud (on the inside) Maybe Im getting old, but the coupe seems like I can and do drive it more. I had the tendency to wait for the perfect soft top weather, which imho, wasnt that often, even in Southern Cal.
I like them topless, just like my women I know you said it rains there a lot, so a coupe might fit you better. But just like many have already said, go with what you fall in love with, your the one driving it at the end of the day. Good luck!
I can only speak for myself but I had an SL500 for 7 years. It was a great car but the top came down only at night. Too hot and uncomfortable during the day and I live in the midwest. At first I would drive to work with the top down but I needed a shower when I got there. When I was in Palm Springs and in Hawaii I saw virtually no convertibles. I wondered why at the time but now I know. Finally the F430 spider (like the 911 cab) just totally ruins the beautiful lines of the car when it is up.
I had my 430 coupe for 2 years and there wasn't one day I regretted not having a soft top. I had made the right decision IMHO. One thing you have to be aware of as a new owner of this wonderful marque and that is EVERYBODY looks at you and in the coupe you can hide a little which can be more reassuring and less confronting. With the rag top it only looks good down (and stunning at that) but up it is not so hot whereas the coupe has that typical Ferrari genre about it all the time. The coupe is more rigid as well with no skuttle shake, more secure and one other thing, a convertible gets incredibly dirty with the top off. Rob.
These cars are not usually used on a daily basis and not really the best in the rain so I say spider if you can only have one. Coupes do look better than spiders with tops up. Get what you like but don't settle. It is not easy to find the right car.
I still had my 355 Spider when I test drove a 430 Coupe ... no sale. I had to get a 430 Spider if I was going to replace my 355 Spider ... which is what I did. When the top goes down, everything comes alive ... you can hear more, see more and sense more. But then that's me and I'm in Hawaii. You really need to try both. Good luck on your search!
Thanks for all your thoughts guys. It's really helpful. Anyways, just want to ask if I can buy from a Ferrari dealer a Black paint 5 spoke rims? Or will it be cheap if I just let the rim painted to any local paint shop?
I find it hard to keep the f430 cabriolet top clean. The platic discolors and my dealer Doesn't really make it clear.
