The manual Spider: open-air F355 with the open gate
Roughly 3,717 F355 Spiders were built between 1995 and 1999, and the manual share of that population is meaningfully smaller than the F1 share once you reach mid-1997. The combination of full convertible body and gated 6-speed transmission is one of the more sought-after F355 specs — it adds the open-top tax to the manual premium and the live market rewards both.
Mechanically the manual Spider is the same 3.5-litre V8 with the same 8,500 rpm redline as every other F355. What changes is the experience: no glass between the engine and your ears, and the deliberate mechanical action of the gated lever between the seats. For an enthusiast who wants the most visceral expression of the F355, this is the spec.
Spider-specific and manual-specific buying checks
The fabric hood is the obvious Spider item — check it raises and lowers smoothly through its full electric cycle, look for tears or shrinkage at the edges and around the rear window, and inspect the boot area underneath for signs of historic water ingress.
On top of the standard F355 inspection list (cambelts, exhaust manifolds, full service history), confirm clutch wear and the gated-lever feel. A well-documented manual Spider with a recent major service is worth real money over an equivalent car without paperwork.