spyder v speedster

OK For those who saw, I posted this on speedsterowner.com also

Basically, what made yall get the spyder instead of the speedster??

what are some of the pros of each

Thanks all for your input!!

Cachet. 1530 lbs wet, with driver. 160 hp. Engine in the middle. Don't have to use the doors. Only pan Speedsters available then.

I just really liked the look of the Spyder.

I'd debated the same thing, trying to decide between the added practicality of a Speedster vs. the sexier looks and superior handling of the Spyder (IMHO). Since I have a daily driver, the practicality of the Speedster is less important. In my mind, the Spyder is a somewhat safer, two-seated replacement for my race motorcycles which I'm no longer allowed to ride (fiancee).

My custom shop mechanic said it best: "If you're going to have a replica, wouldn't you rather have a replica of a $500K car over a $70K car?"

I like that

I'd seen a picture of a Spyder when I was 18 and decided that it was the best looking car ever. 10 years later I had the money to buy one, and the more practical speedster didn't win me over - the Spyder's looks were just too good!!!!!!!!!!!!

a real speedster is something one could buy(if they really wanted to)
a real spyder is another story

Harry, I don't think you'd want the maintenance problems that go with a real Spyder, even if you could afford one.

Spyder is a "Hey, look at me!" Sunday fair weather driver. Speedster or convertible "D" is a real car - I've done several 130 mile round trip commutes to work in my "D" summer, winter, and once in the rain.

They are toys that appeal to emotions (at least in my case). Although I have tried, I simple can not rationalize why I have a spyder. It isn't practical and it requires tinkering skills (and the patience to go with it). It can be most frustrating at times. But on a day like yesterday, blasting throught the gears and listening to the growl, it sure puts a big smile on my face. I have owned mine for about 12 years, and sometimes I still find myself just looking at it.

Now I am thinking of getting a Speedster as well. I personally don't think you can go wrong either way.

Thanks George, You certainly have a way with words. And all this time I truly believed that a Spyder was a real car. I guess all one needs is to get the "real" expert opinion.

(Message Edited 5/20/2003 3:01:33 PM)

Hey George,
On SpeedsterOwners, you said that you have owned Ferraris. If that's not a "hey look at me" car I don't know what is. Personally, I plan to own a spyder and a speedster at once. Just seems like I end up with one at a time. I consider both great fun cars, but for different reasons. BTW my 67 mini gets more attention than any car I have ever driven, does that make it a "hey look at me" car?
-=theron

Theron, a '67 330GT can pass almost unnoticed in commuter traffic unless someone knows what to look for - V12's don't look like the Fiat V8 Ferraris (308 GTS from "Magnum, P. I.") and mine wasn't RED.

I had wanted a V12 Ferrari ever since I was 16 and saw Jim Kimberly racing his "red #5" 4.9 liter at Bergstrom Air Force Base in the mid '50s. There is absolutely nothing like the sound of a V12 Ferrari running up the RPM.

Yes there is George...a RR Merlin on a fly by.

Mike, I thought this was a car forum. The Confederate Air Force had a Spit with RR Merlin that they sold to a Dr. that lived in Oklahoma. It had a landing gear problem that needed to be fixed but he insisted on picking up the plane and flying it home. Natch they told him not to raise the gear but to fly it home with the gear down.

He took off, and sure enough, gear up. When he got to OK he tried lowering the gear but one side wouldn't lock so he bellied it in on the grass, gear up.

I think he earned the international dumb-a@@ award that year.