Spyder Advice

[conaero]

Guys, I have my heart set on a 4200 Spyder as a bit of fun whilst I am inbetween cars.

The story goes back to 1998 when I bought a Renault Megane Cab new and if the truth be told I hated it and ended my loyalty to the brand and put me off cabs. On the up side, it made me look elsewhere and I ended up in a TS Alfa GTV and the rest as they say is history.

Now last year, Mike Roberts was doing some routine work on my car. The sun was blazing down so I cheeked him to borrow his Alfa Spyder 3L V6, and TBH it blew me away. Sure it was tatty and it flopped and wallowed all over the place but the combination of Italian flair and a glorious V6 charmed me.

So I find myself with £10k burning a hole in my pocket and a desire to burn the top of my head. Keith's car at Ace last week pretty much sold the idea to me.

So what I am after is owners opinions on wether I should go for a £10-11k 02/03 Spyder or wait till I have more money and go for the revised and stiffened 04 onwards cars?

I won't be doing the boomerang conversion on this car, that will be saved for a GS.

I would also appreciate someone listing the models by years, their revisions and upgrades.

2 things are a given.

1. I will be putting a Benny'esqu exhaust on it.
2. I will be replacing the front bumper and grill to the later GS style.

I invite your opinions (from owners who have had both and give an objective opinion of how they compare would be most helpful)...

 

[MAF260]

Matt, I reckon the first issue will be finding a Spyder for £10-11k. Cheapest around seems to be c.£15k and that hasn't changed for quite a while. At your budget you will be scraping the very bottom of the market & have little or no choice on colour/spec etc. and that's assuming you dig out anything at all.

 

[BennyD]

I say Go for it and enjoy. A post 04 car will have the glass back window, updated gearbox electronics, 7 spoke wheels and stiffer chassis. Whatever spyder you get, accept what it gives you, drive through its short comings and enjoy it. I do, every time I drive mine. An outrageously loud exhaust is a must and will make you giggle every time you floor it. Welcome to the club!

 

[NickP]

I'm thinking of doing the same next year, love rag tops.

 

[conaero]

Matt, I reckon the first issue will be finding a Spyder for £10-11k. Cheapest around seems to be c.£15k and that hasn't changed for quite a while. At your budget you will be scraping the very bottom of the market & have little or no choice own colour/spec etc.

I am looking at 2 at the moment via the trade. One with 25k mikes and the other with 31k miles. It won't be a dog, well if it is I ain't buying it. I am going armed with SD2 also.

You will be surprised what deals are going on behind closed doors.

 

[lozcb]

Thats ma boy that is , way to go Matty , if you need a 2nd tyre kickers opinion just shout , well you have and i will , really ought to get that flying cap and goggles at the ready mate , dont want you burning that ever increasing 50 pence piece of yours do we



regards loz

 

[Mr.Cambio]

I prefer the interior of the 2002/3 models (dash etc), but i slightly like more the exterior of the facelift, rims exluded. So, i think it's a combination of money and taste. There are no more differences.. I believe that if i wanted to wait, i would wait to have the cash for a GS spyder.
So, you're coming to Italy with the roof down??