Would any of you trade for a spyder?

I bought a speedster and I'm sure I will love it once I get it back from the mechanic where it is getting a new motor. However, I've always wanted a spyder and I have found one reasonably price. I will probably stick with the speedster because it seems more practical and my wife adores it. I was just wondering if anyone else shared the longing for the spyder. My wife even said I could have both but I really don't have a place to park it. To me, the speedster is like a 911 GT2 and the spyder is like a Carrera GT. One is a little more sporty but one is still sporty but also practical.
Thoughts,
Scott

Scott I agree with you 100%; although I love Spyders (and 718 RSK's for that matter) the Speedster is a little more practical and its body lines are to die for.

You could park it at my house. Heck, I would even put in the garage for you.

As retarded as this will sound, I bought the Speedster for the lines before I ever even knew the Spyder existed. I've found a happy medium, I think.
I'd bet more than one at a time would be more than a handful, though. Maybe putting a Spyder on the list of possible "next" cars wouldn't be a bad idea?

Scott,
I have both a Spyder and a Speedster. Both are Beck cars: the Sppedster was built by Chaminox with a local driveline installed by me and the Spyder is a Phase III package from Thunder Ranch, essentially built by me. I see tham as two distinctly different vehicles even though I have nearly identical drivelines in both: 1914 cc Type I modded engines and 3.88 HD VW transaxles.
In the midwest, I believe the Speedster makes more sense since it offers some weather protection, room for cargo and a heater. You can drive a Speedster in winter if you wanted to. It would be an easier sell if you have a spouse who questions your sanity about buying one or the other.
BUT, the Spyder wins the beauty and performance contest hands down. While it's purely a toy -- I compare Spyder ownership to owning a motorcycle -- it's look and "charisma" are the greater of the two.
Bottom line, in my opinion, is buy a Spyder for sheer joy and performance; buy a Speedster if you want something more practical that still offers a lot of fun.
Jim
ProSpyder

Scott,

I have owned 2 Speedsters and one Spyder. The Speedsters are considerably more practical...more room, easier to get in and out of, you really can use the roof if you have too, etc. However, the Spyder handles considerably better than either of my Speedsters did. It is very hard to get in and out of, impossible for me to get out of with the top on it, and that is after I started going to the gym just to be able to do that.

There are days I would trade back, but all in all no, I will keep the Spyder. However, the new JPS coupe may well be another story

Yeah if it was Angela's...

Scott,

Yes; In fact as soon as I finish another project car in my shop, I'll build a Spyder.

I've driven, owned & raced a wide variety of exotic cars in my life and it has lead me to try new things & new challanges.

A 427SC Cobra (Real One), Porsche 911, De Temaso Mangusta, B-Production GT-350 Mustang, SCCA Formula Ford, SCCA H-Production Bug Eye Sprite, IMSA Radial Sedan Ford Pinto, SCCA GT-2 Datsun 510, NASCAR Late Model and an E-Production 1959 Porsche Speedster. These were some of my drives. Of all of them I remember the Cobra & the Speedster offering the most fun and adventure. This is why I have my Speedster.

So to answer your questions, "Yes I would if it were the correct example of a Spyder." The car would have to be at least 2+ Liters, 5-Speed, Good Disc Breaks, Rack & Pinion Steering & a STIFF SPACE FRAME/CHASSIS!"

My current car is close to this however the chassis isn't quite as stiff as I would prefer. It would take "Sub-Frame Stiffiners" and a "Cage" to put the "Pan" to satisfy my me. I live in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California and the majority of my driving is twisty roads, off camber decreasing radius turns and "S's". Steering, Breaking and "All Out Fun Driving" is my backyard.

Keep the Shinny Side Up!

Jack

Speaking of Spyders (and if this belongs in the Classified, please just shove it over there), if anyone ever runs into one of those Spyder-like bodies that fits an un-altered Beetle pan (Getty(?) PLEASE

Now here,s a wild Idea. A spider gull wing coupe. Is that to to much???? Think Benz 300sl type

The spyder you seek is a "Perry". They pop on ebay occasionally, set a search/notify for one.

In fact, here is one that did not sell. It is recent so you might try contacting the seller.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-based-Porsche-550-SPYDER-1955-replica-kit_W0QQitemZ190028312842QQihZ009QQcategoryZ6783QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I decided to pass on the spyder. I could of picked it up for $14,500 which I think is a really good price but for that price I would expect some problems and I'm already having enough of those with the speedster. Never cared for the perry speedster replicas. I don't like the proportions. Still wouldn't mind a strosek speedster if I ever get rid of the 356 speedster.
Scott

Barry, I'll do that before I die. You have my word on it.
What a splendid idea! I'm just the idiot to try it!

I got my Speedster first and I really like it. Drive it every day! Then I bought an early Beck Spyder because it looks great and I thought I really needed to add it to my garage. Driving and parking it in town brought more attention than my Ferrari. It had a 2200 engine and was really pretty quick and handled reasonably well in the mountains. But for practicality it sucked! Top was a nightmare to put up in the rain; sidecurtains are a joke; getting in and out is like putting on a pair of shorts while getting out is worse. All in all I have to judge that it is a great "show off" car but not a true driver to enjoy and look forward to a nice mountain drive. I ended up selling mine. The bottom line is ... put your money in a Speedster and make it perform better and you will get more enjoyment for your money.

Drive fast, drive safe and smile wide,
Dusty

Thank you! Cory.. Every now and then My head clears.

I have the itch for a coupe something small easy to manever, and good on gas as a work car you can lock up, I has to be Vw based.

When I read these post,It hit me.as a very practial solution.

You get your needed entry and egressing head room and if you plan it carfully a watertight and air tight car.

In one of the recent classified I saw a D top go for 3 times what I paid for my top frame. over $2,800 Time to be more careful in my speedster travels.

If some of the people around here knew that. the next time I went to the grocery I could come out the store to a topless car.