Tell me why old Alfa Romeo Spider is better than an MX5
Discussion
Before I start, I want to make clear that this isn't supposed to be inflammatory or trolling.
In the next year or so I may be in a position to spend some money (€5000 in Italian car prices, so realistically about £2000 if you were buying here) on a fun car. You know the sort, evenings and when I can't be arsed to get the train to work. I would automatically say MX5, but if there are alternatives I'd consider them.
So! Give me the hard sell. Go on, tell me why I should get a spider (1993 and older). Also, I'm probably looking at the ones with the black rubbery arse. Is there a way to get rid of that? I don't like it. Do the 1980's ones turn to rusty pies if you use them over winter? What should I look out for, etc.
Cheers,
Dan
In the next year or so I may be in a position to spend some money (€5000 in Italian car prices, so realistically about £2000 if you were buying here) on a fun car. You know the sort, evenings and when I can't be arsed to get the train to work. I would automatically say MX5, but if there are alternatives I'd consider them.
So! Give me the hard sell. Go on, tell me why I should get a spider (1993 and older). Also, I'm probably looking at the ones with the black rubbery arse. Is there a way to get rid of that? I don't like it. Do the 1980's ones turn to rusty pies if you use them over winter? What should I look out for, etc.
Cheers,
Dan
It's only "better" in all those unquantifiable ways we get dewy eyed about - looks, noise, character, blah dee blah - so really it's up to you which you choose. If you want to just jump in and drive it an MX5 will be more reliable I am sure.
Rubbery arse is Series 3 and I think you used to be able to get a smaller rear spolier to make it look less rubbery. Series 3 still rust like all old cars - Series 4 tends to be much better from that respect but prices are much higher.
All are 5 speed and disks all round so go and stop well but they are a live rear axle so can crash about a bit! Remember it's a 1960s design and they drive incredibly well. Stack them up next to an MX5, and well...
Rubbery arse is Series 3 and I think you used to be able to get a smaller rear spolier to make it look less rubbery. Series 3 still rust like all old cars - Series 4 tends to be much better from that respect but prices are much higher.
All are 5 speed and disks all round so go and stop well but they are a live rear axle so can crash about a bit! Remember it's a 1960s design and they drive incredibly well. Stack them up next to an MX5, and well...
I think for your £2k budget you will only be able to get a pretty rough Spider. At that money I think only an S3 would actually be roadworthy and even that would be tatty and require major spending on it for the next MOT.
With that budget you would be better off looking at an MX5....
If you really want an Alfa (and who doesn't!) then for £2k I would look at an early 916 Spider. These can be had in quite reasonable condition for £2k e.g.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1166617.htm
With that budget you would be better off looking at an MX5....
If you really want an Alfa (and who doesn't!) then for £2k I would look at an early 916 Spider. These can be had in quite reasonable condition for £2k e.g.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1166617.htm
I've never had an MX5, but I've had 2 1990 S4 spiders. I think the S4 looks much better than the S3. If you could stretch your budget a little bit, you should be able to find a S4 Spider (I paid €5500 for mine 2 months ago).
I absolutely love the Spider. It's comfortable, great fun to drive, and has a great engine sound when you get the revs above 4000.
Reliability has never been a problem, and they're still simple enough that you can work on them yourself with fairly basic tools.
One thing you need to be aware of is that some parts for the Spider are getting difficult to find (I mean original Alfa Romeo parts).
I bought my first Spider in 1998 and had it for 6 years. It was stolen and wrecked, and I searched a long time to find a good one to replace it. During my search I saw a lot of rubbish, bodged repairs etc.
I don't know where you are, but this one was on my list to visit -
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showDetails.html...
I saw it when I was looking for mine, but found a very good example a bit closer to home. It's on at €5250, but has been on the site for a few months now, so they should take a lower offer.
The one I bought was on for €6500 and I paid €5500.
Enjoy!
I absolutely love the Spider. It's comfortable, great fun to drive, and has a great engine sound when you get the revs above 4000.
Reliability has never been a problem, and they're still simple enough that you can work on them yourself with fairly basic tools.
One thing you need to be aware of is that some parts for the Spider are getting difficult to find (I mean original Alfa Romeo parts).
I bought my first Spider in 1998 and had it for 6 years. It was stolen and wrecked, and I searched a long time to find a good one to replace it. During my search I saw a lot of rubbish, bodged repairs etc.
I don't know where you are, but this one was on my list to visit -
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showDetails.html...
I saw it when I was looking for mine, but found a very good example a bit closer to home. It's on at €5250, but has been on the site for a few months now, so they should take a lower offer.
The one I bought was on for €6500 and I paid €5500.
Enjoy!
Thanks for your advice everyone. I think I'm going to stick with the MX5, and get a little classic project (Fiat 600 or something) to tinker with. In response to some of the suggestions:
New fiat spider: I know I'm going to contradict myself in the next point, but as good a drive as it may be, I think it looks hateful
Barchetta: I'd really prefer a RWD car
Newest S4 I'd still consider it if a good one popped up cheap (i.e. in my price range)
What's also on my mind is that there's a million billion aftermarket things for the MX5, whereas I think there'll be less for the Alfa. My brother had a very nice Moto Guzzi Brera at one point and was always frustrated that you can't easily put your own stamp on it like many harley owners do. I'll probably go the FI route eventually.
Enjoy your alfas though, they are beautiful!
New fiat spider: I know I'm going to contradict myself in the next point, but as good a drive as it may be, I think it looks hateful
Barchetta: I'd really prefer a RWD car
Newest S4 I'd still consider it if a good one popped up cheap (i.e. in my price range)
What's also on my mind is that there's a million billion aftermarket things for the MX5, whereas I think there'll be less for the Alfa. My brother had a very nice Moto Guzzi Brera at one point and was always frustrated that you can't easily put your own stamp on it like many harley owners do. I'll probably go the FI route eventually.
Enjoy your alfas though, they are beautiful!
MX5 is a Lotus Elan replica (pop up headlight model) always a modern interpritation of an out dated design (the new one looks like a Ginetta). The front (weedy 1.6 or barely capable 1.8) engine rear wheel drive lay out is the only thing going for it. For what they are they are bloody expensive. Imports have flooded the market and it's impossible to trace the history. Due to misguided demand for the MX5 there are some apsolute shockers on the road (made up of two write offs, an import and some filler). The MX5/Eunos is the type of car people who've been on the Jeremy Kyle show aspire to (and will try to steal). The Alfa has it's faults (don't they all) but is much more entertaining to drive and just put one next to an MX5 and say it doesn't look a hundred times better.
You'll be needing this if you don't agree withg that last point.......
http://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores
You'll be needing this if you don't agree withg that last point.......
http://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores
Edited by Robert060379 on Sunday 18th October 18:36
Robert060379 said:
MX5 is a Lotus Elan replica (pop up headlight model) always a modern interpritation of an out dated design (the new one looks like a Ginetta). The front (weedy 1.6 or barely capable 1.8) engine rear wheel drive lay out is the only thing going for it. For what they are they are bloody expensive. Imports have flooded the market and it's impossible to trace the history. Due to misguided demand for the MX5 there are some apsolute shockers on the road (made up of two write offs, an import and some filler). The MX5/Eunos is the type of car people who've been on the Jeremy Kyle show aspire to (and will try to steal). The Alfa has it's faults (don't they all) but is much more entertaining to drive and just put one next to an MX5 and say it doesn't look a hundred times better.
You'll be needing this if you don't agree withg that last point.......
http://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores
I hope that entire post was tongue in cheek. Otherwise you really do not understand the spirit of the MX5. As for all mx5s being cut n shuts ... oh dear....You'll be needing this if you don't agree withg that last point.......
http://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores
Edited by Robert060379 on Sunday 18th October 18:36
Yes I do own an MX5 (mk1 with the 'weedy' engine)but also own a 156 SW 2.4! The MX5 made it into Evos top 10 all time best drivers cars - I dont remember seeing any Alfa in the top 100!
As to the OPs question - you can buy a decentMX5 for under £1500 (mine was £1300 in June) and then spend the rest on track days. So far (touch wood) there have been no problems and no sign of rust. I have no experience of the Alfa Spider so cant comment.....
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