1st Ferrari, 2015 458 Coupe or Spider?

Congratulations on your first ferrari! I have no experience owning a 458 or ferrari for that matter but I do have an opinion as far as looks go.

The coupe is going to look a little bit more sleek like you said and personally Id like having that nice big widow at the back to look at the engine.

As far as the spider goes, having the aluminum folding roof makes the 458 look amazing top up or down so you're definatly not losing any points there.
For those nice warm days though I think you'll be thanking yourself for getting the spider, especially when you hear the engine roaring behind you. Being that you are probably going to be driving this mostly on beautiful days I think you'll be happy with the spider. I also don't see many of them around, mostly coupes.

Its all down to what you want from your 458, no matter the choice you are going love the car.

Hope this helped some!

 

I don't feel the difference in for example rigidity warrant the Coupé 95% of the time. Some think so, not me. To me, the ability to have a 5 million meter high ceiling is much more attractive than anything else. I like an open top car and would never be without one. To me, the sensation gets much more visceral in an open car. Seeing that the Spider is a "hardtop", unless the looks of the Coupé is much more attractive to you, I think the Spider is the car. I didn't feel claustrophobic in a Coupé, I just missed the airy feeling the Spider gives me. In terms of practicality, to me, it's the same.
I used to have an R230 SL55, I have a 991 cab, wife has an E cab, I've had a CL, a GT3 and others, but I always come back to the drop tops. Considering the fact that you often drive your SL top down, it would seem that you like an open top car. You can close the Spider but keep the back window open. The coupé, is just, well, a Coupé. Find a place where you can drive both, this is a 100% subjective thing, and some may argue that you don't need the "softer" Spider because you already have to SL. There are many reasons to get either.
One thing though. These cars get attention, and when you're in a Spider with the top down, you are VERY exposed. I find it funny, but my wife hates the attention when she drives it alone. But then again, she gets twice as much attention as me if not more.

Happy new year, you're going to love either one.

 

Both are great but that back in the Italia is just beautiful.

 

Coupe!

See below why.
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Coupe. No question.

I had both. Coupe won easily.

Anyone buying a spider, don't own a coupe first. That's the mistake I made.

 

+1

 

How about a Speciale?

 

I love the Spider. Sounds so much better...even with the top up you can put the rear window down and hear that gorgeous exhaust/engine music.

The spider feels faster with that wind rushing overhead. Plus the view of the mountains is much better.

Drive with the top down 99% of the time. 40F and sunny the top is down. It's like having two cars in one.

Best

 

Spider....wishing I had gone that route.

 

I am awaiting delivery of my first ferrari. I have a jan production of a 2015 spider. I went through whether i should buy a coupe or spider. What color, interior and options to get. I never had a convertible or a red car. Living in Maryland, having a convertible isn't that important. Making a long story short, this video answered all my questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NGpDmWNqh4

With the hardtop convertible it was no brainer to me. You have the both of best worlds. The opening and closing of the top is a piece of art. If you are ordering new, its less than 20k more. You'll get that back on resale more so that buying a coupe. By ordering what I wanted, i was paying less than a used 2014 spider. So buying new with a longer warranty was a logical choice. I never had a red car, but the I feel it brings out the lines of the car and has the best contrast. I ordered the speciale black wheels so its a nice color combo. I wasn't going to get the racing seats/CF racing package , but the more you see (go to dealers to see diff color combos) them, the more you have to have them.
The video sold me on a lot. Lots of fun in your journey ordering your dream!

 

+1

 

Agree with Mayor. The spider doesn't feel as solid.

 

As a work of art and as a "drivers car", I prefer the coupe.
For added theatre, and to be seen, I prefer the Spyder.
I ended up getting the Speciale coupe.

 

+458. Came from a California so obviously wanted to maintain the droptop. Cheaper for me to get a 2014 new Spider than a 2012 used one at the time I placed the order (summer 2013). Love driving with the top down at night and seeing all the stars with the wind rushing through my hair and the engine wailing behind me. For hot midday driving, keep the top up and lower the rear window to hear the engine. I live in year round warm weather so Spider is practical 52 weeks a year. Spiders are still maintaining their residual value on the secondary market to a greater extent than coupes, at least until the 458M Spider is announced.

 

If pure drive ability is your priority, the coupe will be stiffer and more solid. If you are prepared to slightly compromise that fact for the pleasure of open air driving, then the convertible will provide an experience that enhances the driving thrill. You are either a convertible guy or not. If you are, the slight compromise inherent in the chassis rigidity is definitely worth it. If you question which you favor, then get the coupe.

 

I really really love my Italia Coupe but I think if I had the means, I would have likely purchased a Spider as I love convertibles and you can hear the beautiful engine music that much better. As PhilNotHill says, on the Spider the rear window goes down even with the top up (wish the Italia did that) and you get the best of all worlds.

I agree with the comments and I think the Italia looks a better in the rear and I love the glass engine canopy view. Bottom line, can't go wrong either way.

 

Your question can only be answered by you. Weather (how often will you have top down), use (spirited drives on a track where rigidity can be felt), crime (having to put top up when parking to avoid anyone stealing contents), aesthetics (looks of one over other) etc etc. We all have opinions, but it is when you open your garage, what happens to you is the important thing. Best

 

One consideration - Its been raining constantly here in Seattle and does for most of the winter. When I took delivery of my 2015 458 Spider - the dealer showed me I could put the top up in the rain and DROP THE REAR WINDOW TO LISTEN TO THE ENGINE. THE EFFECT WAS HUGE!!!

My understanding is the window up position in the Spider gives the same sound isolation from the engine compartment as does the firewall on the coupe.

I love the sound of this engine and to hear it with the top up in the pouring down rain in the Spider with the rear window rolled down is awesome!!!

 

Yes. It is beautiful. But you cannot see the engine while you are driving...however, you can certainly HEAR it.

Only time you can really SEE it is when parked.

Suggestion: buy a spider. make a copy of this picture. You can glance at it while you are driving while hearing the engine music...and stare at it any other time day or night no matter where the car is.

BTW the 458 Italia and Spider engine gets dirty. Do you really want people to see that dirty engine through that window?...and the window gets dirty from the inside and is a pain to clean.

Best
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Everything being equal and unless you live in an area where you won't put the top down...get the spider.

 

/thread

 

June delivery will be perfect for some top down driving. My wife loves convertibles as well.

Congratulations.

 

you took the right decision....

Mine is Spider....