I saw a spider a while ago...

Ribs · Post by **Ribs** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:50 pm

My brother was was getting picked up by some friends when I still lived back home so I had to go and lock the door for him. It turns out his friend was driving some really cool red convertible. Later when he got backed I asked him what it was and he told me it was some FIAT.

Go forward two years, now I am shopping around for a car and I remembered this car, so after a bit of searching around on google I found out it was a FIAT Spyder.

Now I have some questions. First off, I have never bought or know anyone that bought a very old car. I have no idea what you have to do to fix them up or how reliable they would be ect. Also I do NOT have a garage where I live now, so it would be sitting outside in the summer and winter, which I can guess would probobly not be to good for an old car.

So could anyone explain what kind of reliability these cars would have if you fixed them up good, also what kind of responsibility it be to take care of it right? I really would LOVE to have this car but I know very little about vintage cars. What do you guys think?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:56 pm

well, not knowing your location, I'd say if you have harsh winters you might want to either purchase a car with a hardtop or plan to get one after buying a car. And, since you're not a Fiat fanatic or an old car fanatic, buy a car that's either been restored or is in very good condition ( good enough to be a daily driver).
Fiats in general were fairly high maintenance, add to the fact that you're now looking at a 20+ yr old car, and they need attention. In looking at any car that old, get proof of maintenance and service records. That will give you an idea of how often the car needed attention.
All that being said, these cars are a blast to drive, and if you're willing to learn about the car, they are addictive. Good performance for the money compared to almost any other car of the era. Parts are still available as are perf parts

Ribs · Post by **Ribs** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:17 am

I live in Southern Indana right now for school, but my permanent home is in Chicago. I was looking around on some websites, mostly this one, http://ww2.collectorcartraderonline.com/

===
1980 FIAT SPYDER 2000, CONVERTIBLE - Red w.tan lthr, 44K org miles, AT, excellent condition, all documentation, always garaged, 2nd owner of 16yrs, $5, 800.
===

This one sounds good to me and from the single picture there looks good, only thing I don't like about it is that it is an AT, I was really hoping for a manual. It is also less than 200 miles from where I am now.

There is another one that looks like what I would like, but it has over 90k miles, and I just dont know but a 26 year old car with 90k miles doesnt really seem like it would be reliable enough for a daily driver.

And I would be willing to learn about the car. I like working on mechanical stuff and understand it pretty well. Whenever I have a problem with something I just research it a ton untill I understand and can fix it.

One more thing. The real reason I want this car is whenever I take a car out in the summer, I just play the music, roll down the windows, stick my hand out, and cruise, and it feels so euphoric. This car seems perfect to me for that.

[edit] I heard that switching from AT->MT is not really viable financially/work required, especially if the parts are no longer manufactured. Is this correct?

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:38 am

Ribs-
I like this one:
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline ... 797340.htm

Thanks for the website, I had never seen it. I might have to buy a certain '72 on there.
T

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:48 am

I don't think 90k is high mileage for a Fiat. Like any car, if it has been properly maintained, they can go on forever. being an old car, they have their quirks and things you should look out for. The one thing I would be concerned about is rust, since you live where winters can be harsh and you have no shelter to park it in.

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:50 am

Next time you are goin thru indpls, I would be more than happy to take you for a drive, point out a few things Dave

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:33 pm

There is another one that looks like what I would like, but it has over 90k miles, and I just dont know but a 26 year old car with 90k miles doesnt really seem like it would be reliable enough for a daily driver.

Harumph --- my 1980 has 101,000+ miles, and I literally drive it everyday I drive during the "grace" period we call summer in Michigan. Yes, I spend time wrenching each month; but, if you take care of your car, your car will take care of you.

I would not recommend using a Spider as a 12 month car in any snow climate.....nor would any Miata owner. And, neither would any real vintage car owner, of any make. So, getcher self a winter beater if you want to own your Spider more than two summers.

Ribs · Post by **Ribs** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:28 pm

Thanks for the advise. I wouldn't mind working on the car, I think it would be fun as long as it isn't breaking all the time. Somone else also advised me about getting a winter beater. My parents have a huge garage so I was thinking I would just drop it off over there in the winter and use some cheap honda for the winter time. I would feel terrible if the winter destroyed a one of a kind car like this.

And racydave I might not be able to stop by Indy for a while. Only transportation is my roommate and he doesn't like driving long distance yet. If I do plan on going up there I'll drop you a line.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:49 pm

as for the "high mileage" i would invite you over to http://www.MiraFiori.com for a discussion on what exactly "high" is for a fiat.

Good luck in your decision.

"Well it happened this evening. Turned 200000 miles on the X celebrated with 2 scoops of icecream at the local icecream emporium. Only 50 K to go for a quarter of a million."