Anything I should know about specific advantages / disadvantages re the coupe vs spider versions of the 360? I read somewhere about someone having to replace a hinge on a spider for like $2700. Is that common? I already asked about chassis rigidity and that doesn't seem to be a significant issue. How about driving the spider in traffic? Seems like it has a huge blindspot when the top is up. I guess I'm thinking partly about the future-- for Dinos, Porsche 356, and Jag E-type the open cars are much more respected in their old age than the closed cars.
Two completely different cars. Get a Spider if you love convertibles. If you want a track car get a Modena. - The coupe is MUCH more rigid than the Spider - Top mechanism adds complexity & potential cost - The top gets in the way of some service, increasing cost - Spider has much more exhaust noise in the cockpit - Modena has about 1" more head room All exotics have poor rear visibility. The Spider has good visibility with the top down and they both suck with the top up. Traffic isn't an issue in either car I would not buy based on "future value". If that is your goal buy stocks & bonds, not cars.
At signals, everyone is your new best friend and has a comment to make. I'm sure with a spider, it must be doubly so Early 360's had an issue with the sending unit for the fuel tank; it would read incorrectly and show the tank was only 3/4 full when in fact it was totally full. Fixing this on the coupe is a pain in the rear. Fixing it in the Spider is a nightmare - to the point that most people just live with it. I believe the issue was resolved by 2002 or so. So if the car is 2001 or before, I would check that. Personally, if I'm going 150 MPH+, I want metal over my head. Coupes look better if you ask me. The roof line is very nice on the 360. The spiders lack those clean flowing lines that came from the wind tunnel. Also, the rear window on the coupe shows off the motor compartment in a more natural way. The spider tends to just look like a car with a glass fish tank window cut into the back of it. Also, as noted, the volume of an after market exhaust must be really annoying with a spider. Even with a coupe, it can be a bit of an issue if you install an after market exhaust/cats. Ray
I read this good review, which I cannot find anymore It was not a puff piece. it said that normally the coup is the purer sports car and noted the spider weighed more and had slightly worse front rear weight distribution. Still it concluded the Spider was better because 1. suspension and engine were not detuned as many mfg do with the soft top 2. lack of insulation between occupents and car enhanced the driving experience. I know with the top down I can hear the induction system and exhaust notes better, the chirping of tires, feel the air rushing by. (how many cars have the engine air induction about 6 inches from your right ear?) I did have one of the hinges on the top cover break and I may have posted about it. If you watch the top opperate you can tell it is pretty complex and has things that could go wrong. I think the hinge was about $2000 plus install. I don;t think it is a recognized weak point of the car. Ferrari recommends cycling the top several times a month because I believe the hydo fluid is also a lubricant for the mechinism. When I bought there was a large premium demanded for the Spider. Oh, and you better not be shy because people are going to be looking at you and talking to you. I don't mind it at all even though the "how much does it cost" gets repetitive. Here's the review: http://www.bcautocentral.com/article.pl?id=3320
Top questions @ a signal: 1. Is that a kit car? 2. How much does that cost 3. Did you win the lottery? 4. How fast will it go 5. How fast have you gone 6. Wanna trade? 7. Why didn't you get a lambo?
It's pretty simple. You're either a coupe guy or a spider guy. Rear visibility is poor but I am used to looking over my shoulder any time I change lanes anyway.
In everyday driving situations (which has to be 99.99999% of the miles you put on a car), everything you can do in a spider, you can do in a coupe. But, there's one thing you can't do in a coupe that you can in a spider -- put the top down on a nice day. That, to me, says it all.
An interesting topic....I am normally a convertible guy for the weekend sports car, but wound up looking at the coupe since the spider was that much more money (in comparable condition to my coupe and comparable stick transmission), and would likely be more money to maintain. I also simply wanted to try something different- after 3 911s and a corvette, all of which were open-top, I wanted to go with a coupe to see how I'd like it. So far I don't miss the convertible top, BUT I just got the car and haven't had it in the spring/summer yet. It is nice to take it out in the cold with the windows cracked and have good heat...with the convertibles I'd always want to drive with the top down and hated driving them with the top up (probably a psychological thing-ha!) Anyway, as the years go on I can always switch to a convertible if I want something different. I will say this, in my opinion in addition to the increased sports-car attributes of the coupe (tighter body, top over the head, decreased weight and complexity, etc), the coupe is the better looking car. In fact, yes I'd take a 430 over a 360 but I really think the lines of the 360 are the better of the two....and the lines of the coupe is better than the spyder. Like I said some day maybe I'll get a spyder for the obvious difference of being able to drop the top, but the 360 coupe is the best looking ferrari of the past 35 or so years to my eye. At the end of the day it's a great question and I simply don't think you could go wrong with either car. By the way, the coupe has the air intake a few inches from your ear so you do get to enjoy that in either form! (That was one of many pleasant surprises when I first got my car, other surprises including the amazing quality of the interior leatherwork and amazing seat of the pants feedback of the mid-engined configuration!)
I'm a coupe guy myself for the following reasons: 1. purer form and better looking 2. slightly better performance though you will never notice on the road 3. I am overly sensitive to chassis flexing 4. I like to track my cars on occasion and many clubs/tracks do not allow spiders 5. I really don't like open cars 6. Cost less to buy and maintain is icing on the cake 7. better security 8. you feel like you are in a fish bowl in any Ferrari but less in a coupe However, many people love wind in the hair motoring, in fact most people obviously prefer spiders so I say just get what you want. Dave
Actually it was my experience in the last market crash that made me feel better about getting a 360-- if I am going to lose net worth periodically I may as well do it doing something I enjoy.
That's my vote because that's what I have. If I had to pay a 40k premium for it, I probably would have gotten a coupe. I am glad I got it. It is an absolute thrill. I love to listen to the clanking of the F1 changing gears. It really is amazing aerodynamics when you can have a conversation with a passenger at 100mph with the top down! I think the glass over the engine looks beautiful in the spider form. Regarding chirping the tires-can you do that in the 360? I am sure it is with a 3 pedal car. The last time I was able to do that was in my '71 Stingray. It really is a personal choice. BUT, as somebody once told me-"There is nothing like top down in a Ferrari." The best option is to have a hardtop convertible!!! Hmm, let me think about that for a moment! ;-D
You got that right. Plus the wife loves to ride with the top down. As a matter of fact, we rarely drive it if we can't put it down. The same went for our last Porsches.
Much of it depends on the weather where you live. If you have good weather most part of the year, you may like the open air feeling. People that like motorcycle, drive with windows / sunroof open, or even bicycle will most likely enjoy a convertible. The 360-430 spiders are very nicely built open cars. To me, top down more of a fun and relaxed experience. You can track spiders in most DE events that are NOT competitive or timed.
Funny you say that- I think my wife will like the coupe better, especially on the highway (her hair was always flying around, and she's only in the car when we have the rare opportunity to have in-laws or parents watch the kids and we go out to dinner). Regarding Hardtop's comment of "being in a fishbowl" in a ferrari, I agree- I'm not one to want attention, and in a coupe it's a little easier to not be looked at personally- people are just looking at the car. Both of those things said, I'd probably want the spider more but given the cost and new experience of having a coupe sportscar, I went with the coupe. Just getting a Ferrari has been an amazing experience- by getting a coupe I've left something on the table to get in the future- ha! Blackbolt I think your car is the next car I want , so please take care of her for me
I have a spider, but I think coupes are the prettier cars, at least compared to a spider with the top up. I also think coupes will handle better and perform slightly better. But I bought a spider because I will never go to the track with my Ferrari and because I live in a place where it is sunny 300 days a year and no cooler than 60 in the dead of winter. I want to hear the exhaust in all its glory and get a tan whilst I drive around. To me there is nothing like open air driving at 150mph. Spiders also hold their value better, but I did not buy my Ferrari as an investment.
I love the spider myself, but it's hard to get over the price difference. Here's the best spider I've found in my colors and its a 6 speed. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-Ferrari-360-Spider-6-SPD-MANUAL-PERFECT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ180460096027QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2a04428a1b Here's the best coupe I've found, and its an F1, and has lower miles. http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/ferrari-360_modena-pictures-cars332772144?sortcol=price&sortdir=up&askpriceub=any&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=any&deliverymileagelb=any&location=West+Palm+Beach%2C+FL+33401&listingtype=used&model=360_modena&make=ferrari&distance=200 That's $40k difference right there and makes the decision a lot easier.
Im most cars I have found the coupe to be the better looking machine.. that said the spider has its moments.. however open both windows on the coupe and you feel pretty good also.. It's really a tough choice..
