Is the McLaren 650S Spider worth the extra $25,000 over its Coupe compatriot? Yes.

By Joe Mahan March 5, 2014

If you’re worried the McLaren 650S Spider will be less rigid and handle more poorly without a roof, or if the convertible version will be heavier and slower; don’t. McLaren is way ahead of you. The 650s Spider is only slower than its 650S Coupe compatriot by two milliseconds.

The 650S Spider is for those who want even more of a thrill from the 204-mph supercar.

The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 641 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. These are almost the exact same specs as the coupe, which shares a 3.0-second 0 to 60 mph time .

Torsional rigidity is the same with the carbon fiber MonoCell chassis. Weight does increase ever so slightly, though. The Spider weighs in at 3,020 pounds – 88 pounds heavier than the coupe.

88 pounds might sounds like a lot, but it’s really just the difference between having a scantily-clad supermodel riding along versus flying solo. Oh and trust me; if you don’t have a supermodel in the passenger seat, you are bound to pick one up in this topless beauty.

The additional weight simply comes from the retractable hardtop and locking mechanism. The roof can be moved up and down at speeds up to 20 mph. I’m not sure I would want to take my hands off the wheel while driving this roofless Spider at any time. At least you don’t have to stop entirely to pull down the roof.

Another distinctive feature that the 650S Spider shares with the coupe is a heated glass rear window. It acts as a wind buffer when the top is down, or you can lower it like I would and listen to the dual turbochargers spooling up an onramp.

Both of the 650S models are due later this spring, with the coupe at a $270,000 value versus the Spider’s $295,000. I know I would definitely pay the extra $25k for the Spider. The option to hear that Ferrari-killing engine in all of its glory and enjoy a sunny day in the process would be well worth the extra investment.

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Joe Mahan is an intern at Digital Trends working in the Cars section. He is currently a Junior at the University of Portland…

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