Alfa Romeo Spider JTD - used bargain and great all rounder
Discussion
Ladies, gentlemen, esteemed PHers, dudes,
As a part time business user with a love of all things PH I needed a compromise car. Something comfortable and relatively frugal, but with a bit of leftfield appeal, driver focus and ability to put a smile on my face.
I am no Alfa fanboy, but have owned two previously and enjoyed them, so I treated myself to an Alfa Spider JTD 200bhp recently. Mine is on a 57 plate with 30k from a main dealer. I paid £12k for it.
These cars got trashed by the critics when they were launched, as their price point put them in contention with Boxsters and Z4s. As we all know, Boxsters and Z4s are relatively light with RWD and sharp handling. Alfa Spiders are front wheel drive and heavy. The idea of 2.4 diesel in a convertible is sacriledge to many petrol heads and should be the final nail in the coffin.
However, the more I drive mine, the more I enjoy it and appreciate it as a brilliant all rounder. Yes in standard guise the 2.4 is ridiculously laggy below 2,000 rpm. Yes the DPF regens are incredily annoying and yes the economy is rather worrying for a derv, albeit a five cylinder one.
However, a remap and DPF delete has sorted that out nicely. The car now puts out around 250bhp and 420 ft lb, lag is vastly reduced and long term MPG has improved by around 5 mpg on average.
Due to the gearing the car is still not ideal for the traffic light GP, but in-gear pace is mega with huge waves of relentless torque that pin you to the seat. As my girlfriend put it, in second and third gear it feels like my stomach is being crushed by my spine! And we tend to like that sort of thing round here don't we?
The handling lacks finesse and the springs prove a little soft in tight fast corners, but the car feels very planted and doesn't spin the wheels up in spite of the torque. Whereas previous roadsters (our present MX% included) thread their way up a good B road, the Spider bludgeons its way along with enthusiasm and a bit of torque steer, which I find a refreshingly fun in a crude sort of way. The FWD set up also means that rain and snow become much less of a concern than when you are running a high power RWD car.
The cabin is nicely finished, the seats are very comfortable and it has a few nice goodies as standard. Noice and heat insultation is great and with the roof up it is easy to forget you are driving a soft top.
Visually it turns a lot of heads and since buying it I have only seen one other on the road. Even the engine note is pretty nice for a diesel, giving a chracterful thrum as you work through the range.
All in all then, for me this car is a great all rounder, made significantly better with a good remap. If anyone is in the market for something fun, frugal (ish) and different around this price point, I would recommend giving a diesel Spider a closer look...
Seems like a hell of a lot of car for the money to me.
As a part time business user with a love of all things PH I needed a compromise car. Something comfortable and relatively frugal, but with a bit of leftfield appeal, driver focus and ability to put a smile on my face.
I am no Alfa fanboy, but have owned two previously and enjoyed them, so I treated myself to an Alfa Spider JTD 200bhp recently. Mine is on a 57 plate with 30k from a main dealer. I paid £12k for it.
These cars got trashed by the critics when they were launched, as their price point put them in contention with Boxsters and Z4s. As we all know, Boxsters and Z4s are relatively light with RWD and sharp handling. Alfa Spiders are front wheel drive and heavy. The idea of 2.4 diesel in a convertible is sacriledge to many petrol heads and should be the final nail in the coffin.
However, the more I drive mine, the more I enjoy it and appreciate it as a brilliant all rounder. Yes in standard guise the 2.4 is ridiculously laggy below 2,000 rpm. Yes the DPF regens are incredily annoying and yes the economy is rather worrying for a derv, albeit a five cylinder one.
However, a remap and DPF delete has sorted that out nicely. The car now puts out around 250bhp and 420 ft lb, lag is vastly reduced and long term MPG has improved by around 5 mpg on average.
Due to the gearing the car is still not ideal for the traffic light GP, but in-gear pace is mega with huge waves of relentless torque that pin you to the seat. As my girlfriend put it, in second and third gear it feels like my stomach is being crushed by my spine! And we tend to like that sort of thing round here don't we?
The handling lacks finesse and the springs prove a little soft in tight fast corners, but the car feels very planted and doesn't spin the wheels up in spite of the torque. Whereas previous roadsters (our present MX% included) thread their way up a good B road, the Spider bludgeons its way along with enthusiasm and a bit of torque steer, which I find a refreshingly fun in a crude sort of way. The FWD set up also means that rain and snow become much less of a concern than when you are running a high power RWD car.
The cabin is nicely finished, the seats are very comfortable and it has a few nice goodies as standard. Noice and heat insultation is great and with the roof up it is easy to forget you are driving a soft top.
Visually it turns a lot of heads and since buying it I have only seen one other on the road. Even the engine note is pretty nice for a diesel, giving a chracterful thrum as you work through the range.
All in all then, for me this car is a great all rounder, made significantly better with a good remap. If anyone is in the market for something fun, frugal (ish) and different around this price point, I would recommend giving a diesel Spider a closer look...
Seems like a hell of a lot of car for the money to me.
I admire your enthusiasm, and i too have had several alfas in the past, so i know how they can get under your skin. (i even bought one new!!)
The Spider, sadly, isnt a great car, really only having looks in its favour.
Irrespective, you're happy with it thats the main thing - i'm sure it looks gorgeous!
Any pics?
The Spider, sadly, isnt a great car, really only having looks in its favour.
Irrespective, you're happy with it thats the main thing - i'm sure it looks gorgeous!
Any pics?
They do flex like one of those instruments that Rolf Harris invented though don't they...
The thing is they look so damned good its difficult to care. We brought one in as a part exchange recently, in white with natural leather and it just looked heavenly. Never mind that it wasn't very good and it had the 1750TBi engine in it, nobody bothered asking about such trivialities.
The thing is they look so damned good its difficult to care. We brought one in as a part exchange recently, in white with natural leather and it just looked heavenly. Never mind that it wasn't very good and it had the 1750TBi engine in it, nobody bothered asking about such trivialities.
No pics yet I am afraid - will put some up when I get chance.
I guess whether or not it is a good car depends on what company and context you give it.
Compared to 'proper' roadsters (S2000, Z4, Boxster etc) and in the context of a pure performance car I totally agree it pales in comparison. Z4 coupe is next on the 'want' list and I am sure as a pure drivers car it will feel like a revalation.
As an everyday car however that has great all round ability, but is still fun to drive, it delivers in spades.
My back catalogue is peppered with quite an assortment of hot hatches, coupés, roadsters and a couple of banzai tuned Jap imports and yet it has been a long time since I have enjoyed owning a car as much as this one.
Next job: Konis, Eibachs and a strut brace which should sharpen the handling up no end. (Just don't tell the missus I am considering spending a grand on a suspension upgrade).
I guess whether or not it is a good car depends on what company and context you give it.
Compared to 'proper' roadsters (S2000, Z4, Boxster etc) and in the context of a pure performance car I totally agree it pales in comparison. Z4 coupe is next on the 'want' list and I am sure as a pure drivers car it will feel like a revalation.
As an everyday car however that has great all round ability, but is still fun to drive, it delivers in spades.
My back catalogue is peppered with quite an assortment of hot hatches, coupés, roadsters and a couple of banzai tuned Jap imports and yet it has been a long time since I have enjoyed owning a car as much as this one.
Next job: Konis, Eibachs and a strut brace which should sharpen the handling up no end. (Just don't tell the missus I am considering spending a grand on a suspension upgrade).
col2e said:
Nice report - thanks for taking the time to post this.
What sort of MPG do you get now? Been looking at these as a replacement to my somewhat dull Mondeo!
As standard:What sort of MPG do you get now? Been looking at these as a replacement to my somewhat dull Mondeo!
Rush hour city traffic - high 20's.
On a run - mid to high 30's.
Apparently the 210 bhp 2.4 they slotted into the 2008+ cars is slightly better on fuel. It is also less laggy out of the box as the turbo comes in at 1,500 revs, rather than 2,000 as in the 200bhp diesel.
Post remap mine is now averaging around 5 mpg more overall in mixed driving. A motorway run recently showed an indicated 45 mpg cruising at 80mph. As we know, the trip computers can sometimes be a little economical with the truth, but mine is definitely more frugal post-map.
If you are in the NW and fancy a nose you are welcome.
limpsfield said:
When someone's user name includes a car, I think you will always have a problem convincing people...
Ha ha fair point. I somehow got locked out of my old PH account so had to start a new one and that was my daily driver at the time.If I was a true Alfisti then i would not be able to admit my car has any weaknesses, would have made some comment about it being better than the 'bland Germans', and would ramble on about heritage and soul...
(prepares for backlash from the hardcore Alfa fans)
robsco said:
They do flex like one of those instruments that Rolf Harris invented though don't they...
The thing is they look so damned good its difficult to care. We brought one in as a part exchange recently, in white with natural leather and it just looked heavenly. Never mind that it wasn't very good and it had the 1750TBi engine in it, nobody bothered asking about such trivialities.
Apparently a strut brace makes a big difference to scuttle shake. Will soon find out anyway. Doesn't cost much and if I can have one delivered to work I can fit it myself and the missus will never know (I have been banned from spending any more money on car stuff). The thing is they look so damned good its difficult to care. We brought one in as a part exchange recently, in white with natural leather and it just looked heavenly. Never mind that it wasn't very good and it had the 1750TBi engine in it, nobody bothered asking about such trivialities.
I drove a remapped 159 TBi a few years back shortly after they were launched and liked how light it was in the nose and the smooth power delivery, but it was a pretty joyless unit I thought.
Spiders in white with tan leather and 19" wheels look incredible. One of the best looking cars on the road at any price point IMO. They can look a bit awkward with the roof up from certain angles though.
HorneyMX5 said:
My Dad drives a GT Blackline JTD and rates it as one of the best cars he's ever owned (past cars include a Lotus Elan S2, Lotus Cortina, Alfasud so he's had a rich avriety).
Nick
They are great. Asside from the 159 Ti my other Alfa was a GT JTD. Interior quality was pretty poor as it was scavenged from the 147 and 156 parts bin which were both getting on a bit by the time the GT was launched, but the seats were great and it handled brilliantly I thought for a front driver. Nick
A remap, decat downpipe and exhaust made it pretty potent, putting out about 200 bhp on the dyno and it still ran on fresh air. I was averaging nearly 40 mpg on the mixed cycle.
Does your dad ever sling you the keys?
Shame they had to make the Brera and Spider which followed after so heavy.
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