| Author | Message | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 75 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Jordan, I have a 1980 Spider that I bought back in 1985. It's just been through a bottom-up rebuild and I don't think I'll ever get rid of it. It's a fun car - get one! There's a picture of mine posted here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/174013/213097.html?1048022880 Cheers, MARK | ||
| Russ Turner (Snj5)
New member Username: Snj5 Post Number: 15 Registered: 2-2003 |
Have had a 67 Alfa 1300 GT Jr and a 1750 Spider - no car shifts better. The definition of ' a knife though butter'. I loved my Alfas, and had the spider as daily driver (would invest in the weber conversion - both were very reliable with webers). You are in for a treat. | ||
| David P. Smith (Dave330gtc)
Junior Member Username: Dave330gtc Post Number: 86 Registered: 3-2002 |
I have owned 3 Alfas and agree with PSk that the transmission is one of the nicest features of the car. The shift lever is in the exact position for your hand to naturally go to and the shifts are very smooth. I wish all my cars over the years shifted as well as the Alfas do. I drove one Spider as a daily driver through college even in the snow and it performed flawlessly. Good gas mileage too. | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Junior Member Username: Psk Post Number: 165 Registered: 11-2002 |
I own a 1750 GTV and the gear stick is located in the same place as a Spyder I believe. It is not uncomfortable at all and infact requires minimal hand movement from the steering wheel to make a change. I personally cannot understand why all cars are not like this, and do not have such a good gear change. I have never driven another car with as good-a gearbox and change. I believe if you are a tall person you might find the gear lever a stretch ... I am around 5'10" and it is perfect for me. Alfas rust and have Italian electrics, otherwise great fun. Buy one you will be hooked. Pete ps: I will never sell mine. | ||
| Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member Username: Craigfl Post Number: 521 Registered: 1-2001 |
I owned a 88 Spider Veloce for several years and had a geat time with it. Lots of places out there with mods to make it handle better and go faster. The first thing I did with mine was to lower it about 3" in front and 1-1/2" in the rear and install Konis(during the late '80s the front ends were high for bumper regulations). The next mod would have been the frame stiffener to lessen the dreaded cowl shake. Of course my first love Alfa is the '69 boattail Duetto... | ||
| Tazio Nuvolari (Nuvolari)
Junior Member Username: Nuvolari Post Number: 74 Registered: 9-2002 |
I dreamt of an Alfa Spider for years and in 1994 I pooled my money with my brother and bought a 1979 Spider. Over an 8 month period we performed a concours restotation and brought it to proper early 70's european carburetted specifications. I must say that I loved every second of ownership and even shed a tear the day we sold it in 1998 (nothing lasts forever). With regards to reliability, the car was perfect. We did over 25,000 miles with it and drove it everywhere. the shifter is magnificent and it is a shame that more cars do not have it there. Do yourself a favour and sit in a Spider. From the steering wheel, your hand naturally just falls onto the shifter. I will always love the shape of the Alfa. It it timeless and oozes style. Ownership was a privelege and I look forward to owning another in my lifetime. Drive it to the symphony and heads will turn. A more elegant chariot is difficult to fathom. | ||
| Bob Harris (Autobob)
New member Username: Autobob Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2003 |
Jordan, I have been hooked by the Alfa bug for years and own several. They are wonderfull machines and give much enjoyment. I have modified and stock cars both. The early spiders 69 to 72 are I believe emmisions exempt in California. These lighter early cars have a lot of soul and are very rewarding to drive. The Alfas are very reliable if properly maintained. It is very important to have an Alfa inspected by a knowledgable tech before you purchase one as many have been driven and not maintained. Once they are in a state of disrepair then they can be expensive to bring back to the proper level. As for the unusual shift lever you will find it falls readily to hand and a warmed up Alfa gearbox with good syncros is smooth as butter shifting. Ahhh a set of Webers, cams, header, custom exhaust and suspension work........I am going for a drive. | ||
| Jeff B. (Miltonian)
New member Username: Miltonian Post Number: 23 Registered: 12-2002 |
It's a pity that young people today don't have any "entry level" new Italian cars on the US market. A car like my old Lancia Fulvia coupe had a shift lever about two feet long sticking out of a bubble on the floor, and it shifted like a dream! Jordan, personally I'd advise against owning an old Alfa/Fiat unless you can do most of the repair work yourself - and it WILL require lots of repair and maintenance! And both are pretty much "orphans" in the US now. I hope you get your Ferrari someday. | ||
| Ken Ross (Kdross)
Junior Member Username: Kdross Post Number: 203 Registered: 2-2002 |
Having owned my 1990 Alfa Spider for two years, I feel that I am qualified to answer this question. I purchased my 1990 Alfa Romeo Spider two years ago from the original owner. The car was a garage queen and only had 12K miles. I had a PPI done by an Alfa mechanic, but the car quickly developed some problems that took about 8 months to solve and $6K. The problems were electrical and issues related to the car being unused. The $6K was probably over kill, but I had everything replaced and done right. While $2K would have resolved all of the issues with the car, I planned on driving the car every day and wanted everything perfect. In addition, I spent about $1,500 for new 15" Alfa wheels and tires. Once the car was sorted out, I started to use it on a daily basis. Being that I live in NJ, I experience all four seasons and drive the car everywhere. It has only failed me once (the clutch pivot pin broke in my parking lot - a known issue). I love the car and it is the best thing I have ever purchased. As to the location of the stick, it looks weird but is very natural to use. My Alfa Spider is actually easier to shift than my Ferrari 308QV because of the location of the shifter. I highly recommend that everyone purchase an Alfa Romeo Spider. The value that the car offers is just too much to pass up. Where else can you get a Pininfarina design Italian sport car convertible for under $10K? So the car only has 120hp. On a beautiful sunny day when you are driving around with the top down you feel like a million dollars. | ||
| Rodney Haas (Icars)
Junior Member Username: Icars Post Number: 91 Registered: 3-2002 |
Yep I have also owed an ALFA Spider & a Milano. My observation is not that they have a problem shifting, just that overall the FIAT is more bang for the buck here in the states. A late model ALFA is going to be around 10K. A late model FIAT is going to be around 6K. The ALFA is likely to have a second gear that is a little crunchy. The FIAT is likely to have a third that is a little crunchy. The FIAT will cost about half of what the ALFA cost to keep on the road. Now would I turn down a 91 Spider, nope! It's just a matter of finding a late model car in good shape. Frankly if I were in Europe where I can purchase a new ALFA Spider, I would do so. | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 452 Registered: 10-2001 |
i own one ( look at my profile ) and i can assure you its not uncomfortable at all . I drive it everyday to university and to wherever i need to go. I traveled trice to Monaco with it without a single problem on the road , even did the trip with the top down , windows up at 100 mph ..was a blast  . | ||
| Rodney Haas (Icars)
Junior Member Username: Icars Post Number: 62 Registered: 3-2002 |
I have owned both FIAT Spiders & ALFAs... among other things. I find the shifting and power band better on a late model FIAT. The ALFA handles slightly better. The parts for the FIAT or almost exactly half the price across the board. If you are going to purchase a newer car, I would buy a 90s ALFA. If you are looking @ 80s the FIAT is a better buy for a knock around car. You can go from either to a Ferrari easily, you won't feel any discomfort. It is a little strange going from the FIAT or Ferrari to my Maserati Indy, since the shift pattern is backwards. Have fun. Rodney Haas [email protected] Plano, TX USA http://www.maffiacarclub.com Maserati, ALFA, Ferrari, FIAT, Italian Automobiles 72 Maserati Euro Indy 73 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 81 Fiat Spider 86 Maserati Spyder Looking for a nice Maserati Mexico | ||
| Bryan Phillips (Bryanp)
New member Username: Bryanp Post Number: 29 Registered: 8-2002 |
The shifter sticking out of the dash only took about a weekend to get used to (a friend's '90, I think it was). If you get it, get in touch w/ International Car Parts in Charlottesville, Va. for their catologue - very extensive for Alfas. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 468 Registered: 8-2002 |
Well, with any luck, you'll become a famous bass player and someone will bring it to your concerts for you, allowing you to go to and from in a bad ass sports car... | ||
| Warren Dodge (Spiderman)
New member Username: Spiderman Post Number: 34 Registered: 11-2001 |
Stay away from the earlier Spica injected cars, they tend to be troublesome. A later model with A/C is the way to go. | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Junior Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 53 Registered: 12-2002 |
Thanks Warren! Glad to hear parts are easy to find! That was another thing I have been worrying about. I'll be looking more seriously for one now DES, crazy story. I love PCH! When I get my first cool car, that is the first road im taking it on. I just wanna drive up and down the coast About my instrument, I have seriously considered just strapping it in hte passenger seat with the top down. The only thing is...even though I live in california...As soon as I gotta take my bass to a concert, IT WILL RAIN! LOL, anything that can go wrong will go wrong So I think i'll keep the van forever just to be safe | ||
| Warren Dodge (Spiderman)
New member Username: Spiderman Post Number: 33 Registered: 11-2001 |
I have an '83 Spider Veloce that I drive about 7K per year. Nice ride that is easy to get parts for. The shifter placement is not as odd as you would think. Buy one, have fun. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 463 Registered: 8-2002 |
Dude, if you're looking for something where the top can come off, then you don't need a minivan for your instrument- just take the top off and put the instrument in the passenger's seat...! Strap that bad boy right in and take yourself a ride...! i went to visit a friend in northern California, earlier this year and he rented a car... he had never been in a car with me driving, before, so he pulled over and let me have control of the wheel, on our way down to L.A.... WHOOOOO, he was in for a treat...! The speed limit out here is 55, but i take it up to 80-85 just about every time i get in the car... Out there, it's 70mph so you can just imagine what i was doing...! When i got in and put my seat belt on, i took my driving gloves out of my pocket and he just looked at me like, "oh, s--t"... Anyway, i'm babbling, my point is PCH is awesome- the view, the ride, everything... and it might be just me, but the lanes actually seem a bit wider out there... In any case, keep us posted on what you come across... | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Junior Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 52 Registered: 12-2002 |
HAh thanks DES...I probably wont get one, just thinking about one to fill my dreams for a nice Italian Car until I can get my Ferrari. Ive seen some really inexpensive ones for sale in local magazines for about 10k! Thats not too bad! I just want to have fun with something, a Porsche 914/older 911, or an Alfa Romeo...something to take the top off of and just cruise down PCH in I don't have a cool car yet...just a minivan for my instrument to fit in...so I need something! I'll of course give them a test drive though, I dont want to buy it if it feels uncomfortable to drive! | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 447 Registered: 8-2002 |
Buying one for fun...? That's awesome... Jordan, i've never driven one, nor can i answer any of your questions regarding reliability or maintenance, but i can tell you this: Never- and i mean NEVER buy a car without test driving it, first... (unless someone's giving it to you, for free! ) Dude, i wish you the best of luck, post pics when you get it, i wanna see it, Alfas are small and DES likes small cars... | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
New member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 49 Registered: 12-2002 |
Im thinking about buying one for fun, but the placement of the stick just looks kind of...uncomfortable. Has anyone ever driven one here? Are they hard to get used to because of the weid placement of the stick? Has anyone here ever owned an Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce? Are they good everyday driver cars? What about maintenance? |