New Member in Charlotte, NC

[AlanNC]

Hello,

After seeing a red Fiat Spider 2000 in Columbia, SC, I've decided it will be a necessary purchase as soon as I get a job and save some money. There is also a black and red abarth model I see driving my neighborhood too.

I want to find out more about them, I've still haven't driven one either. I joined to find out more about these cars.

Thanks

[mdrburchette]

Welcome to the forum! Anything you want to know is just a question away. We love our cars but we also realize they have their weaknesses, like any other vintage sports car. You'll get truthful information, such as the early models being the very best and most desired of all.

[rmalicki]

Welcome to the site. I will say these are very fun little cars not crazy fast but quick and so much fun to cruise and enjoy the sun. They have great space to carry stuff and have fun trips too. Good luck with finder your own Fiat that you can enjoy for a very long time with the timeless beauty.

[Exit98]

Hey Alan,

I just got back to New Jersey from a week in Charlotte. My son, daughter-in-law and grandson live there. We visit often, but not often enough.

So anyway, I recently aquired my Spider after about a seven month search. Remember finding the right one for you is a big part of the fun. I ended up finding mine in California and shipping it back east.

My advice is to look at as many as you can, but don't settle for any particular one until you really know what you are looking for and what you really want. Spend time on the forum, learn what to look for, but in the end, buy the one that tickles your prsonal fancy.

Good luck, and let us know how its going.

[kristoj]

One great way to learn a lot about any model of car before taking the plunge is to join the marque car club. You should consider checking out Fiat-Lancia Unlimited (http://www.flu.org). And the annual national FLU get together (Fiat Freakout) happens to be in North Carolina this year. Usually a couple hundred or so Fiat experts/enthusiasts turn up, so it's a great opportunity to learn.

Just like joining this forum, which has many more experts/enthusiasts who are here to help you every day! It's a great forum with really friendly folks.

[AlanNC]

Thanks for all the help! I think I'll mainly be reading posts more than posting for awhile. I sort of want to buy one on the west coast and drive it back to the east, but I don't think one in good enough running order would be in my price range.

Thanks for the Fiat-Lanica info! I'm definitely going to try to make that.

[ga.spyder]

Hey Alan,welcome to the forum.What is the general price range you are looking in? I know of a couple for sale now in the S.E. There are a lot of really good ,rust free cars here in NC,GA,SC,VA area.Really no need to have to go west to find a solid car. Good luck,and we are here to help.
Craig

[rlux4]

Hi Alan, welcome to the forum. Don't listen to Denise (mdrburchette), she just thinks the early models are the best because her 72 was voted best Spider in North America. I can see that you are very discerning by the fact that you are looking at the 2000 models. Those would be 79 thru 82. My contention is that after the 82 run Fiat said "That's it, we can't improve them any more" and turned the brand over to Pininfarina for the 83 thru 85-1/2s. So you should really get an 82 to get the best of the best.
My second bit of advice would be, don't take me too seriously.
Ron (Charter member of the 82 ITBYFSEM* club)

*82 Is the best year Fiat Spider ever made.