Has the new 3.2 Spider changed much since launch?

[RichB]

We went to a country house launch of the Brera and Spider a few years ago and were underwhelmed, the car felt heavy and slower than our current 2002 3.0 V6 Phase II Spider, indeed you could well have been sat in a 159 saloon. Now my wife is thinking of changing the Spider for a newer car and I wondered if these cars have improved much over the last few years? Are they any more powerful, quicker, lighter, more sporty? She's also looking at the Merc' SLK 320 but in her heart wants to stay with an Alfa Romeo.

I know there's a few Alfa experts on here so I'd be interested in your thoughts? Rich...

[RicksAlfas]

As far as I know they are now lighter, you can get FWD only and they have much better seats in them, but please check this for sure!

Also like all Alfas the engines do benefit from a lot of miles on them before they give of their best so often a short drive in a new demo car is not particularly flattering!

[angry jock]

RicksAlfas said:

As far as I know they are now lighter, you can get FWD only and they have much better seats in them, but please check this for sure!

Also like all Alfas the engines do benefit from a lot of miles on them before they give of their best so often a short drive in a new demo car is not particularly flattering!

New 3.2 Spiders are indeed only FWD and also all now come with electronic Q2. They are lighter than the orig 2007 cars and the dash is now dark as opposed to the bright aluminium on the 2007 car. Later cars dont get the visibility pack as standard(auto lights and wipers)Seats are far better on the newer cars too and it is a better quality of leather.
Hope that helps
James

[jamieboy]

angry jock said:

New 3.2 Spiders are indeed only FWD

Just to double-check that - with the original V6 cars you could only get 4wd, but I thought that after the early '08 facelift you got the option of either 4wd or fwd?

[RichB]

Thanks chaps, that's helpful, I might take myself to SGT and have a chat with Julian