Am I unique, or what?

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Spiddy

Am I unique, or what?

Post by Spiddy »

Apart from a leaky injector hose which I've now sorted, I don't have any problems with my car.

I log on most days to see what you peple are up to, and it may be my imagination, but, you lucky people (especially Tappy), problems seem to abound. Now, I know that is what the forum is all about, helping one another, and it's brilliant; it really is. And I had hoped that you would be able to help me sort any machanical mishaps that I was sure to encounter with a spider. BUT THE DAMN THING JUST KEEPS ON GOING AND GOING AND GOING :oops:

What am I doing wrong? If I had wanted a reliable car which doesn't need the hood lifting every week, I'd have bought another BMW or a Merc. or another of the countless number of cars I've owned over the last 42 years from a Silver Cloud to a Frogeye Sprite :?

All my mates told me I was heading for trouble if I buy a Fix It Again Tony. "You'll spend all your spare time under the damn thing. Christine will become a spider widow! And boy, will it ever rust!! There will be nothing left of it in a month or two."

Oh how I longed for the challenge. I dreamt of painting the inside of the garage white and installing Operating Theatre lighting. I'd steralise my meagre collection of tools and have them ready in little stainless steel trays placed on a little stainless steel trolley. I could even go so far as to wear latex gloves!

But no. Dream on. Every day I go out to it and remove it's tight fitting light grey cover, climb inside, and turn the ignition key; it fires up immediately and sits there gently purring.

WHAT'S GOING ON? THIS IS NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING. Where are all the electrical faults I've heard so much about? Where are all the oil leaks? What happened to the noisy rear axle? Why are all the gears present and correct? AND WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE RUST! HAS IT GOT LOST? 'CAUSE IT SURE AINT WHERE IT'S MEANT TO BE!!!

So, untill it eventually mis-behaves, I'll just keep adding the odd little remark to your posts so as not to feel left out - and to reassure you that I'm still alive and haven't died of bordom or disappointment.

Ahh well, think... I'll... just... go... and... look... at... it... again........

Anyone want to buy some stainless steel trays :cry:
baltobernie
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:00 pm
Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by baltobernie »

Ever heard of a lady by the name of Murphy? I suspect her reach is worldwide, as I've met her aquaintance several times while far from home.

Bernie
(now sprinkling Lucky Charms over his computer, so the bitch don't get me)
Spiddy

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by Spiddy »

Dear Mrs Murphy,

Please come and visit my little spider and make me one of the gang. If you can't make it then send your mate, Sod.
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by mdrburchette »

Maybe you're one of those unlucky fools that bought one from a PO that actually maintained it. :shock: Heaven forbid. :mrgreen:
1972 124 Spider (Don)
1971 124 Spider (Juan)
1986 Bertone X19 (Blue)
1978 124 Spider Lemons racer
1974 X19 SCCA racer (Paul)
2012 500 Prima Edizione #19 (Mini Rossa)
Ever changing count of parts cars....It's a disease!
rlux4
Patron 2022
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Posts: 4211
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:32 pm
Your car is a: 1982 2000 Spider
Location: Granite Falls, Wa

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by rlux4 »

This topic was just discussed a couple of weeks ago. Ga.Spider said about the same thing, and I answered that I was going to post that my car is totally dependable. I was only hearing about the problems people were having and it was great to hear that there are Spiders out there that are not constantly needing work. Having said this, I did have to replace the transmission, ball joints and work on the wiring when I first got it, but now it's pretty much normal maintenance that it needs.
Don't feel bad. You're in good company.
Ron
Ron Luxmore
rlux2n2@gmail.com
'82 2000 Spider: after 26 years between Spiders.
Spiddy

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by Spiddy »

mdrburchette wrote:Maybe you're one of those unlucky fools that bought one from a PO that actually maintained it. :shock: Heaven forbid. :mrgreen:
Yeah, that's about it Denise. The PO was A VERY German German - if you see what I mean. Klause got quite emotional when he waved it goodby - he had, after all, owned it from new. Oh lucky me! :D
Spiddy

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by Spiddy »

rlux4 wrote: Don't feel bad. You're in good company.
Ron

Thanks Ron, I feel better already.
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by mdrburchette »

Spiddy wrote: Yeah, that's about it Denise. The PO was A VERY German German - if you see what I mean. Klause got quite emotional when he waved it goodby - he had, after all, owned it from new. Oh lucky me! :D
Those Germans can be quite meticulous and exact! I should know...my mother is from Germany. 8)
1972 124 Spider (Don)
1971 124 Spider (Juan)
1986 Bertone X19 (Blue)
1978 124 Spider Lemons racer
1974 X19 SCCA racer (Paul)
2012 500 Prima Edizione #19 (Mini Rossa)
Ever changing count of parts cars....It's a disease!
Spiddy

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by Spiddy »

Those Germans can be quite meticulous and exact! I should know...my mother is from Germany. 8)[/quote]


Lovely people the Germans.
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stefhahn
Posts: 269
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:57 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: Stuttgart / Germany

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by stefhahn »

Thanks :D
JeremyB

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by JeremyB »

Spiddy, be careful what you wish for brother!
I have been somwhat lucky too. I bought mine last october. Spent a good amount of time working on it over the winter. Replaced teh front end, did a few other things. Gave ti a tuneup, and it is running great. I still spend alot of time working on it, but at this point, I'm trying to improve things.
I will have to eventually, address soem oil leaks and such, but Im hoping to postpone that until next fall/winter.
Spiddy

Re: Am I unique, or what?

Post by Spiddy »

Yeah, you're right of course, my luck is bound to run out sooner or later. There are no oil leaks but under the bonnet (hood) it is a bit grimey from years of use, so I could drag a rag across that to clean it up a little. So that's today sorted, what am I going to do tomorrow?
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