[cdkhopkar]

Is anyone familiar with the workings of the 550 Barchetta's manual soft-top roof? I'm curious about a few things: how long it takes to put up/take down, storage issues, and visibility with roof up.

Thanks!

[JazzyO]

My advice is to forget about the roof. It looks, sorry to be blunt, idiotic and I can't imagine it being either easy to put up nor very good at keeping water out. Windnoise must be terrible too. Why this German guy had it up all day on a perfect day in Belgium I will never know.

A well-known member of the Dutch Ferrari Club takes his all over Europe but he never puts the roof up, even in torrential rain.


Onno

[Andrew]

I tend to agree with Onno, the car wasn't meant for it. If you however absolutely had to have it, the hardtop is the better choice in my opinion:



Then again, you could just get a Superamerica:

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Then again, you could just get a Superamerica:

The SA has quite a few issues with the photochromatic roof, and these are out of warranty now. Repairs are VERY expensive, I have been told. So be aware of that if you're considering that model.


Onno

[cdkhopkar]

Thanks for posting that pic of the Barchetta. The roof looks absolutely hideous, but the car is just so beautiful otherwise. One just became available at Ferrari of Denver in a stealthy black-on-black.

[cdkhopkar]

Hi Andrew,
Was the hardtop a factory option for the Barchetta? I haven't seen one advertised with anything but a softop.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by cdkhopkar

Hi Andrew,
Was the hardtop a factory option for the Barchetta? I haven't seen one advertised with anything but a softop.

No all the hardtops are aftermarket/3rd party items (and look terrible). Soft top is near useless and will take 10-15 minutes to set up (if you know what you are doing). With the soft top up, you are speed limited but visibility is ok. Net net, it is an open car designed to be used on sunny days.

[cdkhopkar]

Thanks for all the input. I decided to search for a 550 coupe instead, especially after seeing the results of the 550-575-599 poll. They're great value at their current price levels, and I'm looking forward to experiencing a manual V-12.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by cdkhopkar

Thanks for all the input. I decided to search for a 550 coupe instead, especially after seeing the results of the 550-575-599 poll. They're great value at their current price levels, and I'm looking forward to experiencing a manual V-12.

Great decision, although the Barchetta is lovely when it doesn't rain. Just watch the end of the Victory by Design Ferrari video, shows a gorgeous Barchetta in the streets of London.

The regular 550 is a great choice, though, and I love mine.


Onno

[Toggie]

Originally Posted by cdkhopkar

thanks for all the input. I decided to search for a 550 coupe instead, especially after seeing the results of the 550-575-599 poll. They're great value at their current price levels, and i'm looking forward to experiencing a manual v-12.

+550.

[wetpet]

Here is a book i came across. don't know what the shipping would be, but it's 70% off.

http://www.ewa1.com/cgi-bin/sshp/sho...itemid=ZZAUT39