Choosing Spiders...

[darksider415]

So, I'm torn between two Spiders I've found, lately... I found a rust-free (according to the owner) '69 that's about an hour and a half south of me for $1500 or, for about the same money, a (mostly) rust-free '82 that I know the history on, because I've known the owner for years.

The '82, I haven't got a firm price on, because we haven't talked money. We've been too busy trying to get her running again, after 10 years of sitting in his shop.. On the other hand, $1500 ain't bad for a '69, provided the car is as decent as the ad pictures look.

Since I know it'll be a few weeks before the '82 will be ready to leave the shop, and if the '69 is as decent as it looks in the pictures... I could always get one, then the other, later in the spring... Thoughts?

[RoyBatty]

GO for the 69 unless you have need for a newer one for personal reasons.

[Exit98]

That's a very personal choice. They are very different cars. I'd go for the 69 since it represents the "pure" Spider as conceived. The 82 is much more "modern" and has all the changes (good & bad) that were mandated by the safety and emissions laws that swept the country during the 70's.

Parts for the 69 are harder to come by. The 1400 cc motor is sweet and fun to drive but has no torque to speak of. It's way lighter and much more "delicate".

The FI on the 82, once set up is quite reliable and the 2000 cc motor has plenty of grunt. But it won't rev like the little one.

Any rust issues on either one must be considered.

You should buy both of them. $1500 for a true rust free 69 is a steal, since mechanically they're easy to fix.

[TX82FIAT]

If the 69 is in the shape described than $1500.00 is a bargain. If you buy the 69 and find it is not for you I'm sure you can sell it for a nice gain and still have the 82 in the wings.

[spidernut]

If you plan on driving it regularly, go with the 82 mainly since it will generally be more trouble free and easier to find parts for in the event of a mechanical need.

If you just want a fun car and something unique, or live in a hell-hole like California that requires emissions testing back to 1976 and newer, go with the 69.

If in need of any restoration parts, the 69 will cost you way more to find what you need such as taillights, bumpers, turn signal indicators in the front, parts for the motor, etc. There's a ton of stuff for the 82 available.

[narfire]

Buy both...
69 with the 1438 is a classic while the 82 and the fuel injected engine has nice power....

My opinion regardless would be the one with the least rust as the mechanicals are for the most part easy to sort out. Bodywork requires another skill-set.

[AndyS]

I am going off my own experience here, having owned 4 different Spiders and driven many others over the years. a well tuned 69 is actually faster than the 82, and will handle better as well because it weights about 300 pounds less. Another problem with the FI cars is all that antiquated FI stuff is now getting really old, and its hard to find anyone to work on them when issues arrive. They may have been a bit more reliable than the older cars when they were new, but now they are over 30 years old. The tranny and difs were not as well built either. I'd never buy a FI car that had sat or was not in really good running condition.

If you like to work on your own car, the 69 is a much easier car to work on. some parts are harder to find though, and its much hard to find a good car to start with.

[BEEK]

i want a rust free 69!

[divace73]

buy both

[Holshot]

I have to agree with Andy as well... I would go '69 all the way! Once you get it running right with the carb setup properly it's like the TV slogan for those Ron Popiel ovens', set it and forget it! Easy to diagnose issues in the future and not having to deal with that FI setup is a big plus! If the thing doesn't start one day there are so many things that can be the issue and trying to track down that needle in the hay stack can be maddening. Then again, it also boils down to which is in better condition rust wise as well as that can get expensive if you decide on ever restoring it. In the end you are the only one that can make the decision but I'm sure when the time comes you'll do what's best for yourself.

[darksider415]

Well, went to look at the "rust-free" 69, and its a bit rustier than he said. There's a good bit of rust behind the bumpers, with painted-over rust on the rear fenders and rockers. :I'm just waiting to see what sort of deal I can cook up on the '82 since I know what's going to need to be done to it, already.

One plus about the '82 is that I know Bosch fuel injection like the back of my hand, due to years of driving ancient Volvos with LH-Jetronic. We'll see what happens.

[divace73]

I didn't have time this morning to write as much as I wanted to.
As others have mentioned they are 2 very different cars and I love both for their differences. The later FI cars are easy to get, start and drive. More Hollywood cruiser style. The FI as you mentioned is easy once it is understood. The earlier type especially the AS is prettier and much to the true from of the designer and is light and nimble.

Talk them both down on price and buy both....

[spiderrey]

69 0ver an 82 any day. Its a better example of what a spider is supposed to be. I drove a 71 daily for 5 years and it always got me where I was going. You can always put a bigger motor in later if you feel you need it. I currently drive a 70 with the bigger motor modified. The best of both worlds.

[fiat218]

i want a rust free 69!

how much do you want to pay for one

[bradartigue]

Buy both and put the fuel injection system from the 82 on the 69.