What are alfa spiders like?
Discussion
euroboy said:
alfa-chris said:
just like the other alfa 105,
what is the "r"-word?
chris
what is the "r"-word?
chris
Alfa Romeo, from the 60/70/80's - hmmmmmm, R U S T
That was the suggestion yeah
Have to be honest all I know about them is they come from a great marque and are dipping into my price range. Just wondered how much of a sportscar they were as opposed to a convertible if that makes sense? Does anybody have any performance figures to hand?
I'm looking for something with reasonable in gear acceleration to get past the sunday drivers and chuckable, throttle-adjustable handling. In short, do they drive as good as they look?
Presume they're all 4 cylinders? Like I said, really don't know much about them, figured here would be a good place to ask.
Have you thought about the Fiat Spider also?
Not as many around, more exclusive, fantastic engines and great parts support from Germany and USA.
www.sportspider.co.uk/history.php
http://fiat124spider.mysite.wanadoo-m
They all rust, just like all cars from that time.
My advise is to go for a pre 1978 and one with the small chrome bumpers .
Not as many around, more exclusive, fantastic engines and great parts support from Germany and USA.
www.sportspider.co.uk/history.php
http://fiat124spider.mysite.wanadoo-m
They all rust, just like all cars from that time.
My advise is to go for a pre 1978 and one with the small chrome bumpers .
I have a 1992 S4 Spider, the last incarnation of the classic shape. It has a 2.0i engine which is reasonably quick but not blistering, its more about the fun factor! 0-60 is 9.5 secs, cruises happily at 90 and have got 105 out of her. The best thing is the engine is very torquey and revs high, so it howls beautifully at low revs. Because of this and that you are low down with the roof off it gives the impression of being much quicker. The handling is a little boat like at the rear, as its rear wheel drive then its easy to kick the back out which is great. I had lower stiffer suspension fitted which makes a world of difference. I drove mine everyday as a commuter for 3 years with no major problems. It is fun and beautiful to look at and the ladies love it! As with all Italian cars, rust is a problem, it is less likely in the later models like mine but you still have to look out for it.
Go on....you won't regret it!
Go on....you won't regret it!
The thing that slightly worries me (it being a work of thouroughbred automotive sculpture aside!!) is that the other cars I'm lookig at tend to be rather quicker (6 to 8 sec 0-60) sort of range and although I'm not too worried about outright performance as a road car I really want something with a fast 50-70 time to get past the sunday drivers.
Hmmm.... did you say the handling was a little floaty? Still throttle adjustable is good
The idea is to have it (or something) as a daily driver but with a sensible car as a kind of back up (and to carry large loads etc) in which case a certain ammount of Italian temprementality could be totlerated for a red alfa I suppose!
Hmmm.... did you say the handling was a little floaty? Still throttle adjustable is good
The idea is to have it (or something) as a daily driver but with a sensible car as a kind of back up (and to carry large loads etc) in which case a certain ammount of Italian temprementality could be totlerated for a red alfa I suppose!
euroboy said:
Have you considered the later (GTV based Spiders)?
No rust problems (front end is platic composite, rest is either Alu or galvanised).
The 2.0 is reasonably quick (8.5 secs to 60) and the 3.0V6 even quicker.
A well looked after one will go on forever, they look good, handle well and are generally a fun car.
No rust problems (front end is platic composite, rest is either Alu or galvanised).
The 2.0 is reasonably quick (8.5 secs to 60) and the 3.0V6 even quicker.
A well looked after one will go on forever, they look good, handle well and are generally a fun car.
Briefly. I'm a rear wheel drive convert (read: hooligan) and can't shake the mental image of Clarkson driving round in one trying everything he knew (admittedly maybe not a lot..) and still not getting anything other than plough on oversteer.
I like the way the later GTV and spider look and I love the way they sound, but not sure they offer the driving experience. I've got a rapid, entertaining FWD saloon as it is and kind of looking for something a bti different.
I have however considered an ealier (1980s) RWD alfa GTV6...
Chris71 said:
Briefly. I'm a rear wheel drive convert (read: hooligan) and can't shake the mental image of Clarkson driving round in one trying everything he knew (admittedly maybe not a lot..) and still not getting anything other than plough on oversteer.
I like the way the later GTV and spider look and I love the way they sound, but not sure they offer the driving experience. I've got a rapid, entertaining FWD saloon as it is and kind of looking for something a bti different.
I have however considered an ealier (1980s) RWD alfa GTV6...
I like the way the later GTV and spider look and I love the way they sound, but not sure they offer the driving experience. I've got a rapid, entertaining FWD saloon as it is and kind of looking for something a bti different.
I have however considered an ealier (1980s) RWD alfa GTV6...
Think you mean understeer, but yes - driven badly a GTV V6 will understeer. Pretty much any fwd car with a (relatively) heavy V6 in the front will do the same. If you're actually driving the car to it's strengths (as opposed to making a show for the cameras) then it's not that understeery, helped by the fancy rear suspension.
The GTV V6 and the GTV6 are really chalk and cheese.
Based solely on the ones I've owned, the GTV V6 is a much easier to car to drive fast (or even very fast) but the GTV6 gives you a lot more enjoyment even though you're travelling that much slower.
If you've already got a fast fwd car and are looking for something entertaining to have as well as that, then you should get the GTV6. If you're looking for something instead of the car you've already got, then the GTV V6 is a much better all-rounder.
Edited by jamieboy on Friday 20th October 17:28
chris71 said:
I'm sure the GTV V6 doesn't desrve its rather harsh reputation, but don't think it's quite what I'm looking for. Did get me thinking for a second though....
The GTV V6 has a reputation for being one of the best-handling fwd cars of its day, which I think it entirely deserves. I agree that it doesn't sound like it's the car for you, though. Have a look through the classifieds on www.auto-italia.co.uk - always something tempting in there.
I've had a 1976 Veloce 2000 (S2) about a year now and it's great fun, handles really well and is still really quick, i've got a 2 Litre one with twin weber carbs, and the chrome bumpers as mentioned earlier. I've had a few problems with electrics but thats about it. Most of the decent ones have been resprayed and treated now but check around the sills and the wheel arches.
As for decent forums try ... www.alfabb.com for advice, www.alfaholics.com, www.ebspares.com
As for decent forums try ... www.alfabb.com for advice, www.alfaholics.com, www.ebspares.com
Before you turn your nose up at a FWD spider, give one a shot. IMO most journos can't drive FWD cars for toffee.
Brake late-ish in a GTV, turn it in smoothly and balance it on the throttle, and it will corner in a doggedly neutral manner.
Slam on the brakes, hoik the wheel over and you'll go straight on.
I agree about getting the cambelts done (get the tensioners and balance shaft belt done too).
Have fun whatever you get. I recommend an Alfa of some sort though.
Matt
Brake late-ish in a GTV, turn it in smoothly and balance it on the throttle, and it will corner in a doggedly neutral manner.
Slam on the brakes, hoik the wheel over and you'll go straight on.
I agree about getting the cambelts done (get the tensioners and balance shaft belt done too).
Have fun whatever you get. I recommend an Alfa of some sort though.
Matt
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