Alfa Spider S2 2000 Veloce
Author
Discussion

DocArbathnot

Original Poster:

28,489 posts

204 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
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Hi Alfa guys,

What are thse like to live with day to day? It will be a second high days and holidays car but I would really like some comfort on long runs so thinking about noise levels with the hood up boot size etc. The car is likely to do 2-3k per annum and I will carry a smallish dog so imagine the rear bench would be okay?

Link below

www.gsbclassics.co.uk

george123

467 posts

203 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
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Hi. Post on alfaowner as try have a dedicated section for vintage Alfas also AROC is worth a look (although you need to join to search the forum). They also have dedicated model reps who would be happy to assist also may I know history about this actual car.

I e been looking at these for a while, 10k looks like a fair price for something is good condition. From what I've read body work is everything....panels all fitting well, not full of filler, rust etc if not could cost £1000s to fix. Mechanical issues are generally cheaper to fix.


Squadrone Rosso

3,536 posts

168 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
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I really wanted a S2 from 1970 but settled for a 1990 S4 due to wife friendly power steering & better steel smile

Mound Dawg

1,925 posts

195 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
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It's a 70s convertible so it's not going to win any prizes for refinement but it's light years ahead of an MGB in every respect.

Mechanically simple and bullet proof, parts when you need them are not expensive, comparable to modern stuff and it's all available except for brightwork so don't buy one with duff bumpers thinking you can buy a new one...

If it's right hand drive then the brake master cylinder and TWO servos are expensive if they go wrong, in this respect a hookey hander is a better bet.

And they RUST so get a good inspection. Buy the cleanest car you can find even if it's expensive and you'll love it so much they'll bury you in it.

They're lovely to drive and one of the all time prettiest cars of evar too.

And your dog will fit in the back unless he's Scooby Doo.

Alfachick

1,639 posts

218 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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I have owned my S2 spider for about 4 years now. Its excellent. Testament to this is the fact that it is the only car that I have owned and kept for more than a couple of years.

In answer to your questions:
It is noisy at motorway speeds - wind noise especially.
The boot is quite accommodating. Although it is a shallow boot it is still practical. I can fit two peoples camping gear for a weekend in it, with space to spare for beer/wine/gin, and for other cars overflow. Tall items are a problem but that's what the back seat is for.
Heat sink is a problem on my car, my feet get quite toasty on a hot day.
The rear bench will be ok for a dog although I would be worried about it jumping out of the car.
My roof leaks so if its raining when I am out then the passenger will get a wet leg and perhaps wet feet if the rain is really really bad.
If you are over 6" then you probably wont find it a very comfortable car to drive due to the pedal / steering wheel interface.

Maintenance costs have been astronomical, see my profile. Although I am putting this down to it being at the cheaper end of the spectrum when I bought it (please god let all the big bills be out of her now!), she wasn't rusty its all been mechanical, it had not been used much in the last decade. Also I have bad luck with cars in general. She has left me stranded on the side of the road on at least 3 occasions.

I know I am not painting a great picture here but honestly when she is running well and the sun is out there is NOTHING better than blatting about the back roads with the roof down. It never fails to put a smile on my face. Its also a surprisingly quick car for its age.

As a second car its such fun. It really is something special.
Buy the best you can afford and enjoy. thumbup

DocArbathnot

Original Poster:

28,489 posts

204 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Alfachick said:
I have owned my S2 spider for about 4 years now. Its excellent. Testament to this is the fact that it is the only car that I have owned and kept for more than a couple of years.

In answer to your questions:
It is noisy at motorway speeds - wind noise especially.
The boot is quite accommodating. Although it is a shallow boot it is still practical. I can fit two peoples camping gear for a weekend in it, with space to spare for beer/wine/gin, and for other cars overflow. Tall items are a problem but that's what the back seat is for.
Heat sink is a problem on my car, my feet get quite toasty on a hot day.
The rear bench will be ok for a dog although I would be worried about it jumping out of the car.
My roof leaks so if its raining when I am out then the passenger will get a wet leg and perhaps wet feet if the rain is really really bad.
If you are over 6" then you probably wont find it a very comfortable car to drive due to the pedal / steering wheel interface.

Maintenance costs have been astronomical, see my profile. Although I am putting this down to it being at the cheaper end of the spectrum when I bought it (please god let all the big bills be out of her now!), she wasn't rusty its all been mechanical, it had not been used much in the last decade. Also I have bad luck with cars in general. She has left me stranded on the side of the road on at least 3 occasions.

I know I am not painting a great picture here but honestly when she is running well and the sun is out there is NOTHING better than blatting about the back roads with the roof down. It never fails to put a smile on my face. Its also a surprisingly quick car for its age.

As a second car its such fun. It really is something special.
Buy the best you can afford and enjoy. thumbup
Thanks for the comments. I have rigged up a harness fitting thingy in the back of my Sunbeam Alpine to prevent the dog jumping out. Not sure about the Alfa, the reason I'm swapping my Sunbeam is Mrs Doc tolerates rather than embraces foibles and character therefor the Sunbeam gets used less than it should. The Alfa will be steets ahead of the Sunbeam dynamically and I love the looks but maybe not quite a step far enough.

JimmyJam

2,420 posts

240 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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My dog fitted in the back...he never bloody stayed there though!

Alfachick

1,639 posts

218 months

Wednesday 31st July 2013
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Here's a pic of mine just cos I can wink


george123

467 posts

203 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
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DocArbathnot said:
Hi Alfa guys,

What are thse like to live with day to day? It will be a second high days and holidays car but I would really like some comfort on long runs so thinking about noise levels with the hood up boot size etc. The car is likely to do 2-3k per annum and I will carry a smallish dog so imagine the rear bench would be okay?

Link below

www.gsbclassics.co.uk
Did you buy this one?? Saw it went for £8.5k on the ebay auction......

Says its under offer on the website now

velocemitch

4,019 posts

241 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
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