I decided to join up here because I was hoping to get some help. I'm really getting to like fiats every since my friend got a 1980 spider and am thinking about getting one. Right now I'm in school and only have a max of about 1250 to spend but I should have more soon and I'm capable of working on cars. I hope you guys can teach me a bit about fiats and where to find/restore them their beautiful cars. I live in Michigan and haven't had much like finding anything.
Thanks, Mike
Found this on ebay any thoughts? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Super-bu ... otohosting
Young...
-
spidernut
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Read through the forum and look for topics on what to look out for when buying. There are many great tips.
Because these are old cars, they require a great deal of work to get them up and running properly. They also take extensive maintenance compared to a newer Japanese vehicle. Cars back then weren't designed to last as long or run as long without maintenance. Make sure you have enough money in reserve for repairs. Parts are plentiful, but fixing an old car can get expensive.
These are really fun cars and easy to work on. You'll get great advice on this forum from many of us who have been there before. You should be able to find a restorable car under $2K.
I don't recall who gave me this advice, but it was great advice looking back on it. Most people can reasonably afford to fix two of the following three things:
1. Bodywork/Paint
2. Interior
3. Mechanics
If you have to fix all three, it can break your budget quickly.
Take your time, find the right vehicle and have a really good mechanic who knows Fiats look it over from bumper to bumper. You'll know with some certainty if it is a good buy or not.
Happy hunting!
Because these are old cars, they require a great deal of work to get them up and running properly. They also take extensive maintenance compared to a newer Japanese vehicle. Cars back then weren't designed to last as long or run as long without maintenance. Make sure you have enough money in reserve for repairs. Parts are plentiful, but fixing an old car can get expensive.
These are really fun cars and easy to work on. You'll get great advice on this forum from many of us who have been there before. You should be able to find a restorable car under $2K.
I don't recall who gave me this advice, but it was great advice looking back on it. Most people can reasonably afford to fix two of the following three things:
1. Bodywork/Paint
2. Interior
3. Mechanics
If you have to fix all three, it can break your budget quickly.
Take your time, find the right vehicle and have a really good mechanic who knows Fiats look it over from bumper to bumper. You'll know with some certainty if it is a good buy or not.
Happy hunting!
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
-
spidernut
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Here ya go! This is the photo saga of my Fiat ownership
My first Fiat. This was taken in 1981 on my first long trip to Lake Tahoe, CA. I bought it new and just loved it. When the kids came, the Fiat went bye bye.
My second (and current) Fiat when I purchased it about 4-5 years ago with 31,000 original miles
The interior as I was tearing it out for cleaning and restoration:
This is my bodywork in progress. I did all the work myself.
I kept the original interior that only needed some freshening up other than a new console and carpeting. Everything else is original refurbished. I will have to replace the seat upholstery. It is starting to crack from age. I think it came out pretty nice! BTW, the Dr Pepper can is not a permanent fixture.
I was very pleased with my bodywork once I had it painted professionally.
My concept rendering of a new Fiat Spider
My rendering of a Fiat in action
Not my Fiat, but this is the craziest car name I've found in Okinawa, Japan, where I now live.
Being so far from home, I miss my car. I'm longing for my vacation next summer when I can visit the U.S.A., change the fluids and take it for a drive! I'm now driving a $800 Toyota Corolla II. Not too sporty or fast, but perfect for Okinawa.
My first Fiat. This was taken in 1981 on my first long trip to Lake Tahoe, CA. I bought it new and just loved it. When the kids came, the Fiat went bye bye.
My second (and current) Fiat when I purchased it about 4-5 years ago with 31,000 original miles
The interior as I was tearing it out for cleaning and restoration:
This is my bodywork in progress. I did all the work myself.
I kept the original interior that only needed some freshening up other than a new console and carpeting. Everything else is original refurbished. I will have to replace the seat upholstery. It is starting to crack from age. I think it came out pretty nice! BTW, the Dr Pepper can is not a permanent fixture.
I was very pleased with my bodywork once I had it painted professionally.
My concept rendering of a new Fiat Spider
My rendering of a Fiat in action
Not my Fiat, but this is the craziest car name I've found in Okinawa, Japan, where I now live.
Being so far from home, I miss my car. I'm longing for my vacation next summer when I can visit the U.S.A., change the fluids and take it for a drive! I'm now driving a $800 Toyota Corolla II. Not too sporty or fast, but perfect for Okinawa.
Last edited by spidernut on Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
-
mbouse
Prohaska,
Where in Michigan are you located? we need to hook up
I know where you can get a 1978 Fiat X 1/9 for $750.00, in running condition. the seller is a personal friend of mine, and wants to get out of it what he has into it.
my advice on Ebay car purchases - - if you cannot see the car in person, best to pass. way too much moaning and groaning is found on this forum, and others about guys who bought less than what they were lead to believe.
Where in Michigan are you located? we need to hook up
I know where you can get a 1978 Fiat X 1/9 for $750.00, in running condition. the seller is a personal friend of mine, and wants to get out of it what he has into it.
my advice on Ebay car purchases - - if you cannot see the car in person, best to pass. way too much moaning and groaning is found on this forum, and others about guys who bought less than what they were lead to believe.
-
prohaska
-
Gerard Del Monte