Discussion
I've previously had a 145 (brilliant) and a 146 (wiped out by an Italian in Cambridge, but also pretty good). I've also had 2 different series Punto and a Bravo (one of the best cars I've ever had). However, the time has come that if I don't get a Spider now, I'll never experience one. I want a 916 series Spider, with that beautiful styling - would love a V6 but can't really afford to run one, so it's a 2.0 TS.
So - tell me why I shouldn't have one as an everyday car (it'll have to get me to work, 12m each way every day), and purely for fun - by the way, my wife wants one too! Convince me.
So - tell me why I shouldn't have one as an everyday car (it'll have to get me to work, 12m each way every day), and purely for fun - by the way, my wife wants one too! Convince me.
Edited by rupert the dog on Saturday 15th January 21:42
Topless motoring.
In an ALFA!
Its frigging awesome, you just can not beat it.
I think things to look for are the usual 2.0 GTV issues, such as the rear suspension knocks etc, but if it has been polybushed in the past it should be ok.
Make sure and check the oil levels weekly, as some of the T Spark engines like to drink it.
Obviously check the hood is in good condition with no tears, or splits in the rear screen etc.
Not sure what else to look for other than the usual second hand car buying stuff. Its been so long since I was in the market for a GTV that I have forgotten most of what to look out for.
Just get one bought
In an ALFA!
Its frigging awesome, you just can not beat it.
I think things to look for are the usual 2.0 GTV issues, such as the rear suspension knocks etc, but if it has been polybushed in the past it should be ok.
Make sure and check the oil levels weekly, as some of the T Spark engines like to drink it.
Obviously check the hood is in good condition with no tears, or splits in the rear screen etc.
Not sure what else to look for other than the usual second hand car buying stuff. Its been so long since I was in the market for a GTV that I have forgotten most of what to look out for.
Just get one bought
Owned mine for 3 1/2 years now. Far more attractive interior than the other options like MG F / MX5 and far more of a head turner. 30 mpg regardless of how I treat it - can nudge it up to about 35mpg if I'm very gentle.
Cost wise - it's been pretty brilliant to be honest. I bought the 5th spider I saw, and it had been well looked after in terms of servicing, although being a London car originally, nearly every body panel has been supermarket car parked. Both sets of disks have been replaced (the front ones twice after putting on some shoddy drilled and vented ones). I've also had to replace the thermostat (£45) and the original mild steel exhaust fell off last year (replaced with £400 Ragazzon unit). Apart from a couple of pairs of new tyres, it's cost sweet FA.
Reliability wise - it's never been recovered and it's always started, even when I left it in the dockyard for 3 weeks. However - electrics! The electric aerial didn't work when I got the car. I replaced it with a maplin unit which failed after a year. It's a discontinued line number now, so I've put a bog standard bee sting aerial on now. The remote boot unlocker interferes with the alarm, so I don't use it (the handle is inconveniently placed in the glove box anyway.) The front fog light / side light unit has broken its mounting and actually melted its way down through the bottom of the bumper / front valance.
Dislikes - it's designed for the Italian / French riviera not for Scotland. The heater takes a long time to get hot. The doors and their locks freeze up in winter, despite loads of grease / wd 40. The windscreen washers look really gucci, as they sit on the top of the blades and provide a really good scoosh. Except they're exposed to the elements and therefore freeze solid in winter. The seats look gorgeous, but don't hold you in very well, especially on fast corners. Tracking - very sensitive and will eat tyres if it's wrong. It has taken 3 garages to get it right and you can instantly feel the difference. Windows - as the side windows age, they have a habit of not aligning properly meaning they catch the edge of the hood as you shut the doors. Apart from gradually wearing the edge of the hood away, it also bends the winder mechanism and sounds dreadful. I got in the habit of dropping the window a 1/2" before I stop the engine, but I've now sorted the windows out by adjusting them, but it's a pain in the arse to fix.
Likes - handling and levels of grip are just incredible. It was rated as being one of the best front wheel drive cars in the world in the 90s and it still holds its own on good tyres. The noise from the ragazzon is spine tingling at high revs. It's also a head turning car, especially in a bright colour (note that rosso red ones paint fades at different rates, depending on whether it's plastic or metal). Silver ones do look a bit bland in amongst all the other silver cars on the road, but you can get a red leather interior which is just lovely. The boot is big enough to handle most sensible amounts of luggage provided you remove the useless space saver wheel. The ride is acceptable, but don't as good as the GTV. The interior is gorgeous on the ph2, post 98 cars. Performance wise, it's swift but not ridiculously quick but picks up well from 3000rpm +.
General advice - don't worry about an electric hood, as the motors are notoriously rubbish and ££££ and it takes seconds to drop the hood. Wind deflectors make a huge difference on the motorway. Cambelts and tensioners are a must. Polybushing stops expensive repairs at the back end. Post 1998 cars have the best interiors.
Hope this helps. Ph me if you want further or more specific advice. If you're looking at cars in Scotland / far north at all, give me a shout.
Cost wise - it's been pretty brilliant to be honest. I bought the 5th spider I saw, and it had been well looked after in terms of servicing, although being a London car originally, nearly every body panel has been supermarket car parked. Both sets of disks have been replaced (the front ones twice after putting on some shoddy drilled and vented ones). I've also had to replace the thermostat (£45) and the original mild steel exhaust fell off last year (replaced with £400 Ragazzon unit). Apart from a couple of pairs of new tyres, it's cost sweet FA.
Reliability wise - it's never been recovered and it's always started, even when I left it in the dockyard for 3 weeks. However - electrics! The electric aerial didn't work when I got the car. I replaced it with a maplin unit which failed after a year. It's a discontinued line number now, so I've put a bog standard bee sting aerial on now. The remote boot unlocker interferes with the alarm, so I don't use it (the handle is inconveniently placed in the glove box anyway.) The front fog light / side light unit has broken its mounting and actually melted its way down through the bottom of the bumper / front valance.
Dislikes - it's designed for the Italian / French riviera not for Scotland. The heater takes a long time to get hot. The doors and their locks freeze up in winter, despite loads of grease / wd 40. The windscreen washers look really gucci, as they sit on the top of the blades and provide a really good scoosh. Except they're exposed to the elements and therefore freeze solid in winter. The seats look gorgeous, but don't hold you in very well, especially on fast corners. Tracking - very sensitive and will eat tyres if it's wrong. It has taken 3 garages to get it right and you can instantly feel the difference. Windows - as the side windows age, they have a habit of not aligning properly meaning they catch the edge of the hood as you shut the doors. Apart from gradually wearing the edge of the hood away, it also bends the winder mechanism and sounds dreadful. I got in the habit of dropping the window a 1/2" before I stop the engine, but I've now sorted the windows out by adjusting them, but it's a pain in the arse to fix.
Likes - handling and levels of grip are just incredible. It was rated as being one of the best front wheel drive cars in the world in the 90s and it still holds its own on good tyres. The noise from the ragazzon is spine tingling at high revs. It's also a head turning car, especially in a bright colour (note that rosso red ones paint fades at different rates, depending on whether it's plastic or metal). Silver ones do look a bit bland in amongst all the other silver cars on the road, but you can get a red leather interior which is just lovely. The boot is big enough to handle most sensible amounts of luggage provided you remove the useless space saver wheel. The ride is acceptable, but don't as good as the GTV. The interior is gorgeous on the ph2, post 98 cars. Performance wise, it's swift but not ridiculously quick but picks up well from 3000rpm +.
General advice - don't worry about an electric hood, as the motors are notoriously rubbish and ££££ and it takes seconds to drop the hood. Wind deflectors make a huge difference on the motorway. Cambelts and tensioners are a must. Polybushing stops expensive repairs at the back end. Post 1998 cars have the best interiors.
Hope this helps. Ph me if you want further or more specific advice. If you're looking at cars in Scotland / far north at all, give me a shout.
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