When Ferrari introduced the 488 GTB, it was revealed alongside the 488 Spider. This broke the long tradition of offering the convertible after the coupe. Now that the F8 Tributo has arrived, it seems they are back to their old ways. If you have been considering a Ferrari convertible, allow us to save you a few dollars. There is nothing wrong with the 488 Spider or the 458 Spider. But summer will be here soon, and a pre-owned Spider won’t break the bank.
So what about the 360 Spider and the 430 Spider? They are traditional soft-tops without the heavy roof, and they were the last Ferrari models to offer a manual transmission. The reason we grouped both models together is because the 360 and 430 share a majority of their parts, the engine is the major difference. Introduced in 2000, the 360 Spider was the 20th Ferrari convertible. Unlike its predecessors, the aluminum chassis was significantly upgraded to offer predictable handling and a smooth ride.
Engineers at ALCOA used computer modeling to determine what needed reinforcements. By the time it was ready for launch, they had changed the rocker panels, floor pans, firewall, and shock towers. This made the Spider stronger than any Ferrari convertible, it beats the 996 series Porsche 911 in torsional rigidity. The 3.6L V8 offers 395 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. It has a redline of 8,700 rpm and a top speed of 175 mph. It is a consistent 13-second car at the dragstrip. The timing belts require regular maintenance, but oil changes are easy.
Subtle improvements to the aerodynamics and more power arrived with the F430 Spider in 2006. Interior and exterior changes were few, but the engine was all new. Despite displacing 4.3 liters, it is physically smaller and only 8 lbs heavier. It offers 343 lb-ft of torque across a wide rpm range. You will have 483 horsepower at 8,500 rpm thanks to the heads and intake from the Formula 1 cars. For many, the single most important innovation was the use of timing chains instead of belts.
The F430 Spider ended with the 2009 Scuderia Spider 16M. It was built to commemorate winning 16 Formula 1 Constructor Championships. It used the engine and interior from the F430 Scuderia, along with unique exterior styling. It offers 503 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque for a 0-60 run under 3.7 seconds. It is 176 lbs lighter than the F430 Spider, with a curb weight of 3,175 lbs. Tell us which one you prefer in the comments below, and have a great weekend.
