3hcp
Member
- Messages
- 243
Picked up my Spyder gt manual a week ago, having owned a 4200 gt 15 years ago I thought I knew what to expect. It’s a 2002 Classico low mileage under 30k paid £20k. There’s only 65 RHD worldwide 40 UK of which 20 are still taxed so hopefully won’t depreciate too much. It’s last owner had it 15 years and was maintained by McGrath every other year which is fine by me and it’s had a new clutch but not heater matrix which worries me.
First impressions are that is still as raw, visceral and exciting as I remember, the engine is a peach and feels like a chained tiger waiting to be unleashed. The gearbox is fine once warm much easier to get into 2nd than some Ferrari’s I remember. Slightly disappointed with the high bite point of the clutch considering it was changed only a few thousand miles ago perhaps a little more use as they are self adjusting.
What I wasn’t expecting was the wallowy ride and terrible scuttle shake, it’s slightly better with the roof up but that defeats the point of a convertible. I now know the original ones had a softer setup so to remedy this I have bought some later model ARBs which are thicker (trying to keep things as stock as possible) being powder coated at present, and will lower the ride height to suit the later specs with new bushes. I’ve also ordered the cross brace for the transmission tunnel which the jury’s out on whether it helps but can’t do any harm.
I have also bought some larini sport cats but haven’t fitted yet as it’s got straight through tailpipes which I love the look of and tone but are a little too loud any recommendations without spending a fortune?
I have done the focal speaker upgrade which is worthwhile but the systems not great.
I have the sticky button issue and have done the air vents so far with goo gone but its quite a job, any advice on the buttons or replacement would be appreciated.
H
First impressions are that is still as raw, visceral and exciting as I remember, the engine is a peach and feels like a chained tiger waiting to be unleashed. The gearbox is fine once warm much easier to get into 2nd than some Ferrari’s I remember. Slightly disappointed with the high bite point of the clutch considering it was changed only a few thousand miles ago perhaps a little more use as they are self adjusting.
What I wasn’t expecting was the wallowy ride and terrible scuttle shake, it’s slightly better with the roof up but that defeats the point of a convertible. I now know the original ones had a softer setup so to remedy this I have bought some later model ARBs which are thicker (trying to keep things as stock as possible) being powder coated at present, and will lower the ride height to suit the later specs with new bushes. I’ve also ordered the cross brace for the transmission tunnel which the jury’s out on whether it helps but can’t do any harm.
I have also bought some larini sport cats but haven’t fitted yet as it’s got straight through tailpipes which I love the look of and tone but are a little too loud any recommendations without spending a fortune?
I have done the focal speaker upgrade which is worthwhile but the systems not great.
I have the sticky button issue and have done the air vents so far with goo gone but its quite a job, any advice on the buttons or replacement would be appreciated.
H
