Italy in a 916 Spider
Discussion
We use our 105 Spider as a holiday car every year.
It's been all over Europe - this year we're doing the Amalfi coast in September.
As yours is the more modern version I'm sure you'll be fine (and maybe a bit more comfortable!).
Bear in mind that in the peak of summer it can sometimes be too hot to drop the top, especially in Italy, but maybe yours has aircon?
I'm sure you'll be fine and have a great time.
It's been all over Europe - this year we're doing the Amalfi coast in September.
As yours is the more modern version I'm sure you'll be fine (and maybe a bit more comfortable!).
Bear in mind that in the peak of summer it can sometimes be too hot to drop the top, especially in Italy, but maybe yours has aircon?
I'm sure you'll be fine and have a great time.
I've driven to the Alps with 3 friends (also with 916's) 3 times over the last 4 years.
Which version do you have? 2.0 or V6?
Each time, none of us have suffered any problems (they are all around 60-70k mile cars, over 15 years old). They cope well on the Peage. A constant 80mph is fine, doing 90 and over can become tiresome in the 2.0 version but it will cope well mechanically, just a bit noisy doing 4 - 4.5k revs (with a Raggazon exhaust). The V6 is far better at cruising with its higher ratio gearbox.
In the mountains you'll have fun (if that's where you're heading). 2 litre is more chuckable in the bends, V6 catches on the straight.
All we do is make sure the cars are the best they can be. Service before, iron out any niggles, take a simple tool kit, get some European breakdown cover. Typical off the shelf breakdown cover can be an issue for a car over a certain age or mileage but I get mine added onto my classic car insurance.
It's something I love doing in the 916. Plenty of waves off other native Alfa drivers (I think the view of a right hand drive version surprises them). Not many cars at the price the 916's are get that sort of reaction. Forgetting the Italian connection, I can't imagine doing it in a TT or an MX-5 etc. It just wouldn't be the same.
Enjoy
Jamie
Which version do you have? 2.0 or V6?
Each time, none of us have suffered any problems (they are all around 60-70k mile cars, over 15 years old). They cope well on the Peage. A constant 80mph is fine, doing 90 and over can become tiresome in the 2.0 version but it will cope well mechanically, just a bit noisy doing 4 - 4.5k revs (with a Raggazon exhaust). The V6 is far better at cruising with its higher ratio gearbox.
In the mountains you'll have fun (if that's where you're heading). 2 litre is more chuckable in the bends, V6 catches on the straight.
All we do is make sure the cars are the best they can be. Service before, iron out any niggles, take a simple tool kit, get some European breakdown cover. Typical off the shelf breakdown cover can be an issue for a car over a certain age or mileage but I get mine added onto my classic car insurance.
It's something I love doing in the 916. Plenty of waves off other native Alfa drivers (I think the view of a right hand drive version surprises them). Not many cars at the price the 916's are get that sort of reaction. Forgetting the Italian connection, I can't imagine doing it in a TT or an MX-5 etc. It just wouldn't be the same.
Enjoy
Jamie
Edited by JamieH2304 on Thursday 16th April 10:44
I did a lot of camping in my 916! Take the space saver tyre out and replace it with a can of tyre weld and use squashy bags. Surprising how much space you can get in one then.
Always worth taking a foot pump and a can of oil with you, just in case you can't find a garage with an airline - fond memories of running around Normandy trying to pump a slow punctured tyre up.
Always worth taking a foot pump and a can of oil with you, just in case you can't find a garage with an airline - fond memories of running around Normandy trying to pump a slow punctured tyre up.
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