1975 Spider - Is it worth it?

[rlux4]

Assuming no rust issues, if this car sounds smooth and shifts well I'd jump on it. 100,000 miles ain't no thing but a chicken wing!
I'm a little prejudiced though, it's a twin to my first Spider.
Ron

[archer50]

I'm thinking of buying a 1975 Fiat spider as my first car that hasn't run in five years, because of uncaring owners. It has a camshaft problem but the rest of the car, just glancing over the vitals, looked ok. Just ballparking how much should it be worth? Answers ending in "ish" please. Thanks!

[baltobernie]

$500 for anything other than a very early or very late Spider that's not running.

[fiat218]

I agree 500 or less

[supplyguy]

You are where I was two years ago. Read the Spider buyers guide (excellent doc) and asked lots of questions here. Wanted later model fuel injection because I thought it would be more reliable. I'm not terribly mechanically inclined. Headed to NJ with a backpack full of cash to meet four Spider sellers from Craigslist. Had planned to spend $6500 on the finest car I could afford, and leave $1500 in the kitty for repairs and rehab. Three sellers no showed and the fourth wrecked his car backing it out of the driveway. On the train ride home I decided, inexplicably, to go for the earliest most original carbed model I could find. Bought a rust free mechanically sound but coyote ugly 1971 on ebay for $3000. Seller misrepresented the car and I was to much of a noob to know that, despite great advice here. I wanted the car to catch fire and burn to the ground on the way home I was so embarrassed. Two years of spending more than I planned, doing more of my own work than I had planned (and finding it rewarding), and soaking up the wisdom here and from the DC Fiat club gurus, and I absolutely love my car. That said, if I had to do it all over again, I would buy a car from a seller on this forum - provided they had been here a while posting, and didn't sign up just to sell their car. I can't imagine anyone here would risk their Fiat reputation by swindling a fellow forum member. Last piece of wisdom, all are right in saying buy as much car as you can afford, but I also have a theory that the $500 car and the $5000 car for sale are likely both in need of a surprise $1000 repair. Not having a reserve to tackle the unexpected can sour any purchase.

[fiat218]

If I ever bought another one, it would be cherry . Less work more road time

[narfire]

If I ever bought another one, it would be cherry . Less work more road time

Yeup I'll second that recommendation.
I think I have 4-5 parts cars in mine... doors are from different cars and consequently the gaps are not just right ect... few rattles when I go over bigger bumps. If I would do it again , a nice 4-5000$ car would be a good start.
Goes and handles just great though

[archer50]

Okay, thanks guys. Are camshafts for these cars easy to come by?

[Fi8spider]

Pretty much all mechanical parts for these cars are still widely available.
Damage to the camshaft itself is highly unlikely. "Uncaring owners" I would be hedging my bet towards poor maintenance, hence cam belt failure.

If the rest of the car seems to be in good shape and the price is what you would consider a bargain (if you've been doing your homework on prices) then having associated parts replaced is no real big deal.

Good luck with the purchase of your first car, whatever it may be! Exciting times..

[fredguaz]

I guess I have a slightly different take on these cars. For me, I looked for a cheap initial purchase (1100. for a driver.) knowing I was going to put money into it but it would be spread out over several years and ultimately have what I want in it. And although I do enjoy driving these cars my primary objective is to educate/wrench along with my 16 yr. old son. It makes for quality time with the boy while we learn mig welding, problem solving, etc. The bonus is that one day wel'll have a cool car to drive!

[Fi8spider]

priceless.