Fiat 124 Spider purchase; 2 good options

[Moody]

I'm ready to purchase an European Fiat 124 Spider. There are 2 near perfect cars for sale in my country:

Option 1: '72 with 1600 engine with an asking price of €7.500,- (about USD 10,000)
http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/auto-s/fiat ... -geel.html



Option 2: '72 with 1800 engine with an asking price of €12.500,- (about USD 17,000)
http://www.autoscout24.nl/details.aspx? ... =222719671



The second one is very difficult to find with its 1800 engine. I don't know the price tag is too high. What do you think of these 2 cars? Would really appreciate your opinions. Thanks a lot! (please click on the links for lots of pictures of the cars)

Please note that I know that US models can be found for less money, but I think an European Fiat 124 Spider is the way to go for fun and resale value. If you disagree, please let me know. Thanks.

[Daniel]

Is the family included with the first car? if so you might want to consider refueling cost of the humans too...

[azruss]

If the cars are in the same condition, i would buy the 72. From the picture, the door gaps look very good.

[Moody]

Is the family included with the first car? if so you might want to consider refueling cost of the humans too...

OMG

No further opinion about the cars?

[Moody]

If the cars are in the same condition, i would buy the 72. From the picture, the door gaps look very good.

Both are '72. Which one would you prefer? Thanks!

[DanD]

Usually, if you drive two cars, one of them will be significantly better than the other. If not, then each will have a distinctive personality. If I recall correctly, European models came with several variations around the spec of the engines. A normal spec and an uprated version. Are these single carb engines ? is there something you like about the 1800 ?

[Daniel]

If the cars are in the same condition, i would buy the 72. From the picture, the door gaps look very good.

Both are '72. Which one would you prefer? Thanks!

I think they both look the same condition wise but that can be very hard to tell by some photos I would go for the
first 1 based on what i see and price.

[perthling]

The 1600 is still a good engine and correct for the year, plus based on the colour and the CD30 rims I would go for the first one.

[SunnySideUp]

+1 on perthling's response.

[81SPIDERMATT]

I likie the first one .... gotta wonder if price difference is worth it if the only difference is engine and color .... also you stated resale value .... sounds like the 1800 engine is pretty close to the point where you would not be able to beat up on it much before that resale value is out the door .... (uneducated guess on my part)

any idea on upgrades or aftermarket this or that's on either of them ... that may sway your decision ... does one have better maintenance records ???

but I do like the stance of the second one ..with the back a little lower than the front ... might be just the angle of the picture ..or could be tired suspension ... any way of driving them both? ... not sure I could drop that kind of coin on a car that I have not seen in person ..inspected and driven ...

I have an 81 so I am sorry I can not speak for any other year than that ..

[mscafide]

The first one is better and has a hardtop too.

Mike

[johndemar]

About 40 thousand less Km on the first one as well.

[narfire]

First one.
If you can source an 1800 engine, you can build that over time to your satisfaction and swap the engines later.
Chris

[Redline]

If that is an original European 1608, it will be twin IDFs and a very nice car. You can rev the nuts off it. I would definitely prefer that. If you find someone competent to set them up, you will get surprisingly good fuel economy as well. My BC easily dips under 8.0L/100km. The CD30s instead of generic alloys, hardtop, lighter colour and no oddball steering wheel just sweeten the deal for me.

[sptcoupe]

I agree with Redline. If that is indeed an original car, you will love the engine and know what you are getting. With the 1800, you have no idea what was done to the 1800, and unless it was done (built) really well, the 1600 will run with it all day long.