Topic: Find of the Week: 1997 Alfa Romeo Spider

[AutoTrader.ca]

An approachable Italian goes topless
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[Great_Big_Abyss]

So,  this Alfa seems a little wrong.  First of all, it's front wheel drive, second of all, it's a  4 cylinder, not a V6.  Isn't Alfa known for their amazing sounding V6's?

[Gurgie]

   can't find an attractive trait about that car at all... sorry to our local Alfista in advance 

[Railton]

So,  this Alfa seems a little wrong.  First of all, it's front wheel drive, second of all, it's a  4 cylinder, not a V6.  Isn't Alfa known for their amazing sounding V6's?

For a 4 cylinder, this one sounded (and looked) great.
Railton
https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=26765.msg1050381#msg1050381

[ChaosphereIX]

Of course I have to weigh in as the resident Alfisti...this certainly would not be the 916 Spider I would get. Wrong colour, wrong engine, wrong rims. Nope.

I am sorry, but unattractive? It is gorgeous. Pininfarina designed, come on! Causes Jeremy Clarkson to become "sexually excited." Me too.

Oh and despite the FWD, these things handle amazing - you have to give one a try to feel it. I am talking Integra levels of FWD goodness.

Here is what a proper V6 one sounds like racing at full chat - skip to 2:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNecq0fVVAA

Oh and one revving. Now tell me that is not amazing sounding!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joFbS6LXD8I

Here is one doing some drivebys:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZYD4vYZkEU

Yes the best one is in Alfa Red with the glorious 3.0L V6 and "telephone dial" rims. End.

This one is at least the right colour:

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Alfa+Romeo/Unspecified/Victoria/British+Columbia/5_29345432_20160216143711007/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=10_15_11

Here is a V6 GTV [coupe version] with a long list of mods. Would give it a serious look if they seem to be done right.

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Alfa+Romeo/GTV/Montreal+-+Ouest/Quebec/5_29360053_20100818101119801/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=4_15_11

[Fobroader]

  can't find an attractive trait about that car at all... sorry to our local Alfista in advance 

Yup, wrong wheel drive, doesn't look good at all and not enough cylinders.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

[ChaosphereIX]

oh and before the inevitable "terrible reliability" comment, here is a pic a fellow Alfa 155 owner posted to our FB group today. The V6 engines are monsters - like LS engines, old tech that doesn't go wrong. Heh.

[OliverD]

The coupe looks so much better. There was one always parked on my parents' street in Bremen, it turned my head every time I walked by.

[ChaosphereIX]

 

very pretty

The ultimate 916, looks and engine / suspension wise, is the limited edition "Cup" version. I am going to get one if my importer can ever find one. Don't care about the money, will take out a loan.

[84im]

Would there be any problem getting parts for this car?

Personally, I'd buy the MX5 over this.

[CanuckS2K]

  can't find an attractive trait about that car at all... sorry to our local Alfista in advance 

Me neither, I don't find it a good looking car whatsoever.......from any angle. 

[johngenx]

The Alfa Spider I'd consider buying...

[ChaosphereIX]

Would there be any problem getting parts for this car?

Personally, I'd buy the MX5 over this.

no, it was a fairly popular car and has shared many parts with other 90s Alfa models. My 155, except some body parts [wing mirrors are hen's teeth], I could rebuild part for part if I wanted to I think. The parts are there, but the cars are getting rarer and rarer by the day. So you have to jump on opportunities if one is breaking for parts. From suppliers, you just have to be willing to order from Europe and wait for the shipping.

Oh and an Mx5 doesnt sound like this car at all. Nor does it have the capability of roughly 300hp on the stock engine. See my above post with links 

[lebowski]

The Alfa Spider I'd consider buying...

 

What a beauty!

I've got a bit of a nostalgic soft spot for the bumper-tacular 80's version. Kinda like Lindsay Vonn wearing one of those dorky slalom helmets

[ChaosphereIX]

never was a huge fan of the iconic Spider. Maybe because it is the only Alfa that everyone seems to have at a meet, or the fact that it looks too 'dainty' for my tastes...it is cute and svelte, but I prefer its successor for its sonorous V6 and [IMO] pretty looks.

[KD]

The coupe looks so much better. There was one always parked on my parents' street in Bremen, it turned my head every time I walked by.

I agree!  That looks great!  It just looks weird as a vert. 

With a few exceptions, the only convertibles that look right to me are purpose built roadsters. 

[OliverD]

With a few exceptions, the only convertibles that look right to me are purpose built roadsters.

Agreed. S2000, MX-5, Z3, Boxster look great as a convertible. 911, Corvette, Mercedes SLS/GT, Audi R8... Not so much.

[johngenx]

I like the C7 Corvette topless car, but I understand it was penned from the start to be both coupe and roadster.  Other after-though cars are the 350Z Roadster - yuck, and how could we forget the Murano abomination?

One of the nicest after-thought top removal jobs was the one Mercedes did on the W124 E-Class coupe.  That turned out very classy.

[ChaosphereIX]

one of the prettiest IMO

[84im]

The Alfa Spider I'd consider buying...

That green Spider is NICE!