Alfa spider JTS possible purchase

[lee02]

Hi all I’m new to this forum. I recently sold my Tuscan and need a more affordable convertible that my wife can drive. The Tuscan scared her!
I’ve been looking at spiders for around 10-15k.
I need something mostly reliable, I don’t mind minor issues but am worried about buying a money pit. What are the obvious pit falls and red flags. I’ll be looking at 5-10k miles a year. Is an Alfa in this price point going to serve me well. It’s a itch I would love to scratch but next to
Nothing about the marque.
Second question, I need a rear parcel shelf for my dogs. I know there is space behind the seats and the rear bulkhead. How wide is it.

Any constructive comments gratefully received
Lee

[underwhelmist]

I had a 156 with the 2.0 JTS engine for 7 years until June last year.

The JTS was an early direct injection engine, prone to carbon buildup on the inlet valves. I think mine was suffering from this a bit but I never got it walnut blasted. It ate coil packs and towards the end of my ownership (about 120,000 miles) was using a lot of oil. It didn't seem to be burning it, the exhaust was quite clean, and there were no big leaks so I'm not sure where it was going!

The cambelt interval was reduced from 72000 miles to 36000 miles after a spate of failures, don't neglect this. This was the car I learnt to do a cambelt service on - don't forget to replace waterpump, idler pulleys, tensioners, balance and aux belts while you're at it. I still have the cam locking tools and the tensioner adjustment tools, PM me if you get the car and you want them - no charge but a donation to charity would be appreciated!

Front upper wishbones don't last long although this might be specific to the 156. Check rear shock spring pans, they rust through. One of mine collapsed and the spring wore a groove in a fairly new tyre. Speaking of which I always found Michelin tyres to be far better than Pirelli.

Expect electrical problems - dirty connectors can causes Motor Control System Failures (actually lots of things can cause MCSF failures) and weird behaviour - at one point my car insisted the outside temp was -45C, fixed by cleaning the big plug that goes to the passenger door (the temperature sensor is in the passenger door mirror). I wouldn't have cared except the AC doesn't work below a certain temperature.

Despite all the problems I really enjoyed the car, I've not been motivated to learn to work on cars before this one. Get some RIBE bits and Torx sockets/drivers and be prepared to tinker!

[StescoG66]

I assume the OP is referring to the 2.2JTS in the 939 (Brera) Spider?
Timing chains are their Achilles heel. The block is GM
Subframes
Hood motor though there are a few specialists can fix them)
Loads of help on line. The Alfa forums and fab groups are excellent generally

[underwhelmist]

Ah, I didn't realise it was a completely different engine. I agree about the community and forums, they're very helpful and a great resource.

[lee02]

Thanks for your comments. I would want something that doesn’t have too many miles on the clock so hopefully can avoid some of the costly repairs.
Was thinking 4 cylinder but not ruling out a V6.
Something like the link below, maybe.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025111178...

[wal 45]

lee02 said:

Thanks for your comments. I would want something that doesn t have too many miles on the clock so hopefully can avoid some of the costly repairs.
Was thinking 4 cylinder but not ruling out a V6.
Something like the link below, maybe.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025111178...

I thought you meant a 939 too, for your budget you'll still get a really good 916. I prefer the 4 cylinder in a Spider (I've got an early Phase 1 Spider Twin Spark) as it is just enough for the chassis, a V6 in a Spider is in my view too much due to the floppy chassis and engine mass. The Spider drives a lot lot better with the smaller engine.

Parts are becoming an issue and the JTS only comes in a Phase 3 (apart from a very few of the last Phase 2) which can be tricky for body parts plus suspension (it's got different shocks on the front). They don't rust as badly as people think but can rust in places not immediately obvious and hard to spot without removing things like sill covers.

Sweet spot really is a late Phase 1 (without 2Si ABS) or any of the Phase 2, I also prefer the Twin Spark over the JTS as alluded to in a post above it's just simpler with plenty of parts/tools availability. The early JTS doesn't have the greatest reputation.

Would highly recommend one, good modern classic.