Alfa Spyder 1998 2.0?

RodTungsten

RodTungsten

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My son is looking at one on eBay. Any pointers?
We are tempted (as always) to have another one in the family; I even have a set of new discs to fit.
Has a manual hood which surprises as a 1750 we had was electric using the same parts bin switch as in our Maserati Spyder.
 
Nayf

Nayf

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Check when the cam belt was done – they need doing every 3 years/30,000 miles and is not cheap.
They were well galvanised when new but it's 24 years old so check the floorpan, arches, etc. Have a look at www.alfaworkshop.com as there's a buying guide on there.
Great little cars, and the engine is a gem. Handles so well for front-driver.
 
RodTungsten

RodTungsten

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586
Already on the belts issue - first thing we did on our 1750.
If he goes for it then it’s a remote punt as he is in Venice just now.
Somehow I get the feeling we’re maybe getting a visitor to the workshop……
 
GeoffCapes

GeoffCapes

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RodTungsten said:
My son is looking at one on eBay. Any pointers?
We are tempted (as always) to have another one in the family; I even have a set of new discs to fit.
Has a manual hood which surprises as a 1750 we had was electric using the same parts bin switch as in our Maserati Spyder.
Click to expand...

I know the one you are looking at. Looks in decent nick, but as you say. Manual roof. At least there's less to go wrong.
Although somehow they feel a little less special with a manual roof.

As Nayf says, cam belts, drop links, suspension bushes (cheaper to replace the whole arm) standard Alfa stuff for the era.
Keep an eye on oil levels as some like a drink. Others don't. No rhyme nor reason to either.
 
Oneball

Oneball

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The electric green was the colour of the first batch of demonstrators given to the dealers.
 
GTVGEOFF

GTVGEOFF

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391
Here is mine, they are a great drive and good fun. It's only done 23k, as above plus rear brakes can be weak. Yes have a chat with Alfa workshop, Ben knows these cars well. These and the GTV are underestimated and a great bargain is you get a good one
 

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zagatoes30

zagatoes30

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20,991
Manual roofs were normally on the earlier cars, it harks back to the 105 Spiders in the fact it is quick to drop and put back up.

Normal things to check, cam belts, water pump, rear suspension bushes on TS versions, wishbone bushes and floor pan rot (bizarrely this seems worse in Phase 2 & 3 cars)
 
conaero

conaero

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34,643
Spiders as GTV's, 2.0TS, as mentioned watch the cam belt and variation history.

They also like to burn oil and a lot of TS engines die due to it dropping too low and trashing the crank, hot and cold rev and let it fall to idle and listen for a low rattle.

Trim can be a bit iffy, door cards get punctured by the seat belt, early immobilisers are a massive pain and on a spider the nylon hood gear goes but you can buy a metal replacement.

Suspension seems ok, rear spring pans rust through and are NLA I believe, 2.0 (not V6) worn rear suspension can eat into the Ali cross member.

Exhaust rust but are cheap and loads of aftermarket options.

Wiper motors suffer the same fate as 4200 where they judder due to dirty contacts in the motor

Rear handbrake is rubbish, you need to strip the calliper and grease the pins.
 
RodTungsten

RodTungsten

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586
Oh dear… The Architect now owns the 1998 Spider. I fear that it will lodge here for checking etc on its way to Sutton. He regrets selling the Fiat Barchetta so the IT itch is scratched for now. Under a grand and a similar pot ought to see a useful summer car. All useful points above noted, thanks.

BTW our Busso Lusso needed a spring pan after a few years (same as the 156 if I recall) then nothing much else until the oil cooler piping went.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

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20,991
RodTungsten said:
Oh dear… The Architect now owns the 1998 Spider. I fear that it will lodge here for checking etc on its way to Sutton. He regrets selling the Fiat Barchetta so the IT itch is scratched for now. Under a grand and a similar pot ought to see a useful summer car. All useful points above noted, thanks.

BTW our Busso Lusso needed a spring pan after a few years (same as the 156 if I recall) then nothing much else until the oil cooler piping went.
Click to expand...

Still fancy a Barchetta but finding one that hasn't rusted is a challenge
 
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