Speedster or Spyder?

Aloha,

I'm wondering if any of you Speedster owners ever considered purchasing a 550 Spyder replica. It appears that the vast majority of you aren't phased by only being able to drive on dry days, mostly. The 550 Spyder from Vintage Spyders comes with the same type of convertible top, side curtains, spartan interior, etc. So, I'm just wondering what the Speedster hold over the Spyder. Personally, I like the engine access that a Spyder provides.

Is it just a matter of aesthetics?

mahalo,
Joel

PS - I know...stupid question.

I'd like to have one of each, but I had wanted a speedster for a long time so that's what I bought. Since then, I've been thinking that if I retire in San Diego a spyder might be an option. I don't think they have options for heat but of course out there you wouldn't need it. A spyder just seems to fit the lifestyle out there and does the speedster. No crusin today. We just had 2 feet of snow in the last 24 hours here in sunny Northern Virginia. Gotta go man the shovel.
ed

I initially was interested in the Spyder and visited Chuck Beck to test drive a 2165cc model. It was awesome! So, it becomes a matter of taste. In my case, there was no way I was getting my wife in a car with no radio, heater, door handles, windows, etc., etc. I even tried to get her to look at it as if a motorcycle with four wheels, but she was having nothing to do with that. Vintage might offer some of those as options, but the Beck Spyder is very spartan as far as options go. But a great ride!

The Porsche 550 Spyder has always been my true "Dream Car".

This whole thing started when I started to research suppliers to start a new restoration of my 62 Beetle. I found the Spyder manufacturers and was starting to think seriously of purchasing one.

My wife will not ride on my motorcycles. I thought that maybe four wheels would be a great compromise. The Spyder did fit that Paradigm.

When I saw the price and checked my wallet... I soon realized that a good Spyder runs about $30,000. But, a good Speedster (my other dream)was in the $20,000 range. The reality of a better top, better ergonomics, comfort, heat,...

I bought a used Vintage Speedster with 500 miles on it. There is still time to fulfill my Spyder dream. Maybe my wife will take the Speedster and I can get the Spyder.

I was originally in the market for a Spyder when I bought my Speedster. I went over to Vintage and test drove both cars. The Spyder was far quicker and by far more fun to drive, I also loved the way the engine campartment was so easy to get to. I asked myself what I wanted to do with the car and that was to tour California in it with my wife.

The Spyder is less comfortable with less leg room, no heat and if it did have a top I'm sure it would be next to impossable to get in or out of. Also the Spyder seemed like you couldn't drive it in rain, no defrost and no heat. I'm sure I could have figured something out but that was not the idea. One other thing too, a Spyder looks really bad with the top on and yes after a while you do need to put the top up as your eyes will turn into dried up prunes.

Lastly the Spyder doesn't have much if any storage. Beleave it or not you can pack alot in the Speedster, I've gone camping in mine a couple of times. Bassically the Speedster is more practical but then again even a Speedster isn't very practical to begin with. My suggestion is humor yourself and drive both then think about it.

J-P

Aloha,

I agree, neither is practical in the first place, so I suppose the question is: which is MORE practical? ???Does that even make sense?

Anyway...

I was checking on Vintage Spyders and the McRae spyder (out of New Zealand) and it seems you can get heat. Its an electric unit, I'm guessing it is mounted up front somewhere. Also, I've seen a couple Spyders with the top up, and I don't think they look TOO bad. Looks kinda...cozy. There's a guy over on spyderowners, who has some pictures in his file that shows him driving everywhere in his spyder. Top up, in the rain, cruising with other sports cars sans real windows and tops. They come with the side curtains like a lot of Brit cars, you know...TR3's, Bugeye's, etc. When asked, Vintage Spyders says their car is 80% water-proof. ?? 80% of the time here in Hawai'i, its nice. The other 20, its rainin' like a cow peein' on a flat rock. I'm assuming Vintage spyders were tested in SoCal rain.

Everyone is correct in saying that it comes down to what you want to do with the car. I want to drive either one as a daily driver as often as possible. It CAN be done. However, there are a few things that really draw me to the Spyder. Here's a list:

1. My fiancee (wife in a month and a half) loves the Spyder over the Speedster. I know what I'm about to say is heretical, but she thinks the Speedster is boring looking. !!!

2. I am nuts about the split-body access to the engine. I have just about had it with my Bug and the contortion acts I have to do just to change spark plugs. A speedster has got to have even less space than a Bug back there.

3. Mid engine.

4. A nice Spyder is less than the IM Speedster I want. Which is what I'd have to go with if plans for moving back to Portland stay on track. Then again, what's the point of considering a Spyder and not any other make of Speedster, if I'm living in Portland? I'm a glutton for punishment.

5. Color choice is already made for me, so I don't have to stress over it like I'm doing right now over the cars.

Of course, I have a similar list for why I like a Speedster, but I won't bore you guys any longer.

mahalo,
Joel

Hi there,
I'm lucky enough to have both the Speedster and the Spyder.
The Speedster was also a dream car that took many years before I had a chance to get one.
My Speedster currently has a stock 1600 so the performace is average but better than the VW sedan. (i'm fitting a new 1916 in the coming week...can't wait!). The handling is fantastic due to the low C of G and very nice on the road. I hope to do some social circuit racing once the new engine is sorted.
The two cockpit areas a quite different with the Spyder having no centre tunnel it feels as though there is more room in the foot well area, my girlfriend agrees with this...so she must be right OK!
I use the Speedster most days as a daily driver and have been caught out in the rain a couple of times which makes for a damp ride home (no side curtains). The top flaps about a bit when you get over 100km/hr so I lower it on the highway, this might just be the way mine is set up though. (Platinum Speedsters NZ)
The Spyder on the other hand is a weapon, it's powered by a turbo Subaru engine and Subaru 5 speed. The handling is awesome with the 914 rear end but a tad harsh on the road as it was set up for racing.
As for which one I like driving the most.......love em both.
I would say that the Speedster is more suited for daily of frequent driving due to the ride & folding top(not to say that you can't set up a Spyder like that). If you want a weekend rocket or some racing time...go the Spyder. But don't put a top on it!!!!!!!
good luck.
[url]www.speednet.com.au/~petermc/petesrides.html[/url]

If your future wife says she prefers the Spyder... get the Spyder and get used to gettin' what she likes. Simple.

I looked at three and drove two before I decided to go with my first IM. They are cute and fun for short jaunts and can be very quick with only moderate power due to their light weight. However, I found them to be noisier, more uncomfortable, lousy to no weather protection, and a kami-kaze in the event of an accident. If you want a Sunday driver that gets a lot of attention the Spyder is a good idea; if you want a more practical car that you could actually drive somewhere on an extended trip get a Speedster or convetible "D". Just my opinion, you might love a Spyder to death.

Your right George, the Spyder is a pretty raw vehicle. But then again that's what the attraction of the thing is for me. The IM appears to be a good choice for a daily driver as it has the luxury of wind up windows, not sure? Sounds like the go for a climate were there is a chance of rain every now and then.

Aloha,

Actually, my fiancee told me this the other night: "Get whatever you want. Just make sure its as safe as possible. Talk to me about what color the car is."

I agree with everyone so far. The Spyder is a banzai type car. I've been looking at the McRae version out of NZ, which is nice. Sorry Peter, I'd have to put a top on it...and a rollbar. The reason I'm attracted to the Spyder is that its more affordable than the IM that I want. I find the Spyder to be similar in ammenities to a VS or other Speedster. So, for my taste I'd rather just buy the Spyder if I can't have an IM.

I really want an IM, but like most folks...its a little outta reach.

aloha,
Joel

Can you race a replica Speedster/Spyder in SCCA or VARA events? If so, I'm assuming the tube-chassis cars are a "no-go."

aloha,
Joel

I think you can race either car in an SCCA race if the car will pass tech inspection and you have a current competition license, but you might not like the class they put you in.

What class would that be?

BTW - I was speaking with an importer of the McRae spyder and was told that you either get a soft-top or a rollbar (an effective one, not a vanity bar) on the spyders. One won't fit with the other.

So...looks like I'll be saving my pennies for an IM.

aloha,
Joel

Just quitely, I know of a rolling Spyder for sale in NZ at about $8.5K NZ pasos. That is quite a good deal once the dollar conversion is done. It's RHD and a new uncompleted project.

Class would be "modified" and which one would depend on your engine displacement.

I