[SportBikeMike]

I've had a couple Italian roadsters come up for sale locally- a 1980 Fiat Spider and a 1982 Alfa Romeo Spider.

I've enjoyed my X1/9 so much, I'm considering purchasing one of these. (I obviously don't care about speed anymore lol)

I've looked at the Fiat, it was a little rough, will need some rust/body repair. Also ran a little rough, probably from non-use. An old guy has it, and simply can't drive it.

The Alfa appears to be in better condition per the Craigslist pics. I might go have a look this afternoon.

Has anyone had any experience with these cars? Any input is appreciated!

 

[italia]

http://www.mvagusta.net/forum/showpost.php?p=735265&postcount=67

The '82 Spider Veloce is the first year of Bosch electronic fuel injection. There are many areas of potential maintenance need on a 30+ year old Alfa, the least of which could be nearly every gasket and seal that retains any type of fluid. Have an Alfa mechanic (if you can find one) check it out first. Could be the best use of a couple of hundred bucks in your search for a good Spider.

 

[SportBikeMike]

http://www.mvagusta.net/forum/showpost.php?p=735265&postcount=67

The '82 Spider Veloce is the first year of Bosch electronic fuel injection. There are many areas of potential maintenance need on a 30+ year old Alfa, the least of which could be nearly every gasket and seal that retains any type of fluid. Have an Alfa mechanic (if you can find one) check it out first. Could be the best use of a couple of hundred bucks in your search for a good Spider.

Cruised over to Decatur and drove the Alfa. The car is in very good condition, has a recent paint job and I couldn't find any signs of rust, even underneath. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of room inside, and at 6'2" I got comfortable with no problem. Car ran very well, and braked well. The only problem was a grind in 2nd gear which I guess is a common Alfa problem, also the speedometer wasn't working. Of course, it had the usual Italian car quirks...for example it takes you a half hour or so to unscrew the gas cap lol.

He is asking $7K, and I offered $6,200, but he wanted to go home and think about it.

Here is the Craigslist ad:
http://chambana.craigslist.org/cto/4510850667.html

Any opinions on what this car is worth? His price seems reasonably fair considering the updates.

 

[italia]

Mike, how many miles does it have, and how can the mileage be verified if the speedo is broken?

"Rebuilt driveshaft" and replaced "steering suspension" would seem to indicate higher mileage.

Sounds like 2nd gear syncro needs to be replaced. Did you happen to notice if there was a different noise at idle when the clutch was in versus out? If there is a grinding kind of sound when the clutch is out, and then it goes away when you push the clutch in, the throw out bearing would likely need replacing. Tranny wear such as this would also indicate higher mileage.

Without verifiable mileage (from service records or State inspections), I would want a compression test on each cylinder.

New paint, carpet, seats and two year old top - does the owner have any pics of it before the work was done? It would be interesting to know how poor of condition it was in before refurb. Regardless, those four items would be a few thousand dollars.

You can look at completed auctions on eBay and find slightly to somewhat rougher 60-90,000 mile Alfa Spiders all day long for $3500-5000. I'm not saying it's not worth $6200, but indeterminate mileage on any car is a devaluation factor to me.

 

[italia]

BTW, it is the proper color. :smoking:

 

[SportBikeMike]

BTW, it is the proper color. :smoking:

The speedo says 75K miles, but like you said, with the broken speedometer, who knows what the actual mileage is.

He texted me a few minutes ago and said he was sticking at $7K.

I didn't noticed any differences in the sound between when the clutch was engaged and when it wasn't.

He said he just gets the revs up, and shifts from 1st to 3rd, thereby skipping 2nd gear!

I just need to look around on Ebay and see what comparable cars are going for. Although since we don't know the actual mileage, its a little hard to determine.

There is a nice one up in Chicago that looks like it might go for less.