Wish me luck?

[baltobernie]

... May join you Sunday...although I feel like a poser as the only guy on this forum without a Fiat!

I probably won't be in a Fiat, either - weather forecast is for t'storms and rain.

[ga.spyder]

I wouldnt sweat the no-start one in Jersey.7500 or even 6500 should get you a well sorted car with no real issues.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/2904176375.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/2918021641.html (Very nice car...negotiate price?)

[narfire]

I like the second one...fuel injection to boot

[ga.spyder]

The second one is a very nice car,he had it at Italian Car Day a few years back.

[dmwhiteoak]

The second one gets my vote.

[spidernut]

If you're in a no-smog test area, either one would be fine. Since the 79 doesn't meet emissions where he lives, he might have done a nice carb/intake swap...it would be worth checking out both. There's quite a price difference. I think the 82 looks nicer all in all.

[supplyguy]

I wouldnt sweat the no-start one in Jersey.7500 or even 6500 should get you a well sorted car with no real issues.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/2904176375.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/2918021641.html (Very nice car...negotiate price?)

Love the second car...but out of my price range. First one is a possible - no emissions requirement for 25+ year old car here in VA. Have you seen the first one Craig?

[supplyguy]

As expected, the fourth seller in Sayreville NJ returned no calls or emails and our 5pm rendezvous Friday was a bust. Three out of four no shows and the only meeting resulted in a Fiat casualty. Hopped a train back to Washington DC Saturday, and walked a mile plus in the rain to pickup my old SUV. Fitting end to the trip. Think I dropped $250 on this wasted effort. Conclusions: This is not the way for me to buy a Fiat. My choices are three....buy one within a two hour drive of DC, buy one that one of you trusted folks have eyeballed (thanks for the postings here and the pm's on this), or roll the dice and buy off of eBay. No more coordinating multiple cars at a great distance. I am also pondering a new strategy....not dropping my whole budget on the nicest car I can find, because I am not qualified to identify a car that is so nice it won't need another $2000 investment in repairs within weeks of driving it home. Instead, I think I should pursue a $3000 car with as much known mechanical soundness and as little rust as possible to simply get into this game, and leave another $3000 reserve to handle those unknowns without convulsing. And, based on Georgeramos' inspiring tale of buying a 1971 and doing his own work, maybe I just man up and actually attempt turning some wrenches myself. Who knows where this will lead? Thanks to all of you for your advice and counsel as I continue this quest!

[4uall]

my heart goes out to you. If it is any consolation, I too went through a similar situation when looking for mine. The most important thing I learned was that the db's that couldn't be bothered to show up, or lie about what they had etc let me know that the car was probably treated in the same manner these owners treated people. That being said, I finally found an owner that actually sold it to me over another guy who had offered more because he felt like I was passionate about the car and that I would give her a good home. Stay positive and your car will come. You'll know it when you look at her and you feel something.

Good luck

[ga.spyder]

Sorry,I have not seen the first car.If you decide to contact them,and get the info on location,etc...I am sure we can probably get some eyes on it for you.I think I can safely speak for the Atl. guys here(kmac,digitech,leftfield,elial,etc..)we would be glad help any way we can.

[RRoller123]

I second what 4Uall just said. I found my car 100 miles away, and it was sold to me at a slightly lower price than he wanted or was earlier offered because it was going to an enthusiastic home. Owner had bought it 12 years earlier for his wife and it had gotten very little use, but was always garaged and had oil changed, etc. Absolutely no rust. It was on Craigslist. I wouldn't be too down on that website. It is like the "1st amendment for individual commerce", and there is a lot of good with the bad. I have bought and sold piles of stuff to great people, including musical equipment in the thousands of dollars and attic junk for a couple of bucks. Your car will come along!

[SunnySideUp]

Your expedition wasn't a bust. You gained a lot of experience whether you realized at the time it or not. If you talk with folks who chase after Triumphs, Datsun Z-cars, or even Alfas you'll find that they have similar experiences trying to find a good car.

Spiders are a passion! You'll know "the one" when you see it. Things will pop up on your radar when you talk with owners, trust your gut. I traveled out of state to see a few and would scan the local Craigslist whenever I traveled on business to see what was available in the area. I often questioned what I was doing. Took me about a year and half before I found one I was comfortable with. Keep reading the forum and all the tech and repair sections. It will help you determine what's salvageable and what's not along with knowing what you are looking at when you see the car. Many of us have had to dig and scrape and dig some more to find our Spider. You're in good company. Don't give up!