84 alfa spyder vs. 81 fiat spider

[launieg]

Friend is looking at an 84 alfa spyder, California car, rough appearance but very sound, for $1500. He likes my 81 Fiat spider. Is the Alfa a good choice? Comparable? Same FI it seems, similar in many ways - and both Italian Seems to me that maybe the Alfa will hold value or increase in value better. (I love my Fiat, so value is not an issue to me.)

As easy/hard to work on? Similar ride and handling? Power? Reliabilitiy?

I've looked through the past posts on this subject. Any quick advice is appreciated. Will be looking at the Afa seriously this weekend. Thanks in advance to all who have advice.

[CarNut]

Don't know much about Alfas but my gut says the Fiat is the better collector car. Although there don't seem to be as many cheap Alfas, really good Fiats seem to bring more money than really good Alfas. It's the same with many collector cars. A car's popularity when new is often more important than it's rarity. Unless you're trading up in condition, it doesn't seem worth it.

[mbouse]

no personal experience, but i have heard that wear and maintenance items for the alfa are more expensive than the similar parts for Fiats.

might wanna check into common repair and replacement items.
timing belt
brake pads
shocks
seat vinyl
convertible tops
ujoints
etcetera
do alfas have guibos?

[Jazgeek]

finding a good alfa mechanic is much harder than finding a good fiat mechanic.... it's odd.

I find that most fiat mechanics are also ferrari mechanics.

I personally don't like the styling of the alfa... that nose just bothers me and I don't like the side "dents" but I must admit, the cockpit is a better than the fiat.

later model alfa's are much better than early in my opinion. 87's or above

[So Cal Mark]

Alfas cost more initially, and generally are worth more throughout their life. Parts are more expensive, and many things on the car are more labor intensive to repair. In stock form, the Alfa has more power than the Fiat.
IMHO, the two cars define a different class of people. Not that I'm trying to ignite a class discussion or appear socially bigoted, but it's an observation that the Fiats were aimed more at blue-collar people while Alfas were aimed at a different social level when both cars were new

[bradartigue]

I've owned both. Several of both, in fact. I intend to own both again shortly. Just have to find a 1970 Alfa to match my FIAT. I love both cars.

My opinion - the Alfa is made with higher quality parts. If you stick with Alfa parts (and they are plentiful) the longevity, fit, etc., of the parts is slightly superior to the OE FIAT stuff and makes the aftermarket FIAT stuff look like garbage (which much of it is).

Alfas have a stronger following and are more plentiful, they have more HP, and it is very easy to find a mechanic, especially in California. The only FIAT I know of only mechanic I trust within about 1,000 miles is me. Expand the search to 2,000 miles and you have KD in Napa. That's pretty much it. KD is an actual mechanic, I'm just a poseur.

However, the 83-89 Alfa Spider is probably the least loved. I think it is the ugliest one they made. The rubber fin is prone to being nasty and the single pod console of the 84-94 is kind of junky compared to the old dual pod. Some of the parts are crippling in terms of expensive - especially the exterior lights and body parts. A spark plug wire set for the 83-89 Alfa is $125.00 or more and you have to use it to get the resistance right. The Motronic injection is rock solid, just like the L-Jetronic on the 81-82 Spider and the FIAT Spider. They do not seem to suffer as much from the electrical issues but aren't immune, and by 81 had cool things like Variable Valve Timing.

The FIAT Spider is a much more attractive car and I personally think it handles better, especially when you compare the late model cars. I find the Alfa more comfortable on a long trip but the FIAT has a bigger trunk. I find the Alfa easier to work on for tune ups but a bitch for major overhauls due to the wet liner design. The FIAT DOHC is a generation more advanced than the Alfa motor, but like the FIAT if properly maintained they are both reliable motors.

FIATs are wider inside.

Alfas have a cool shifter in the dashboard. A riot to drive.

Alfas have a smooth hydraulic clutch.

FIATs FI system is easier to work with, the Alfa one has intermediate hoses and other parts prone to rotting much faster than the FIAT.

I could go on and on....

[miragesmack]

I just saw a beuatiful early Alfa spider. I never liked the round tail models, series 1 I think, until I saw one last week. All stock except modern tires and fat tires. It was stunning in person. I love that early model now that I've seen it in person.

[spiderrey]

they call those boattails. i like them, i dont like the later ones that look like they were chopped

[ga.spyder]

When I was looking for a car ,I was torn between the Alfa and the Fiat Spider.I drove both ,and having never been in either, I found things I liked in both.I ended up with my Fiat because the car I found for the money was better than similar Alfas.If I had found equal value in a Alfa there is a good chance I would have bought it. That being said,I love my Fiat and feel it was the better choice for me.
Craig

[CarNut]

Interesting to see the CA perspective on Alfa vs Fiat. I don't see as much interest in Alfas here in the midwest. I can't recall the last time I saw one at a car show and my street sightings of Fiats would probably outnumber Alfas 100 to 1. I've seen what appear to be pretty nice Alfas in the auto trader magazines for Fiat money or less. I've seen more Sunbeams, Morgans, and Ferraris than Fiats.

One of the things I like about the Fiat is the relative lack of wind buffeting up to 55 mph compared to other convertibles I've driven. I've always liked the looks of the Fiat but it was the opportunity to drive my uncle's car with the top down that peaked my interest enough to buy one. You could actually hold a converstation without yelling. How do the Alphas compare?

[Spiddy]

Exactly the same as ga.spider on this one. Ever since I nearly bought a boatail 30 years ago (it jumped out of reverse gear which I understand is not unusual) I've been attracted to Alfa Romeos. My wife had a Sud which was full of rust and back in 1981 I bought my first NEW car; an 1800 Guilietta. The road holding on both cars was absolutely phenominal. After 4 years I had to scrap the Guilietta as both the chassis and body simply rotted away

[kristoj]

I have to say that the '67-'69 boat tail Alfas are gorgeous, and I would love to own one some day. But bang for the buck, the Fiat prevails, IMO. And I really like the jump seat in the back for the kids (I installed seat bets back there for them). As for the '83-'89 Alfa Spiders, I don't think they are attractive at all -- especially the cheesy black rubber spoilers on the rear end. I think the Fiat is the better all arounder with an attractive, timeless Pininfarina design, easy to work on with cheap plentiful (mostly) parts, a 2+2 design and one of the trickest convertible soft tops ever designed. You won't see much financial appreciation with the Fiat, but I would bet over time they will do as good or better than any mid-80's Alfa Spider.

[launieg]

Thanks to everyone who has contributed on this topic. It has been enlightening.

Today I finally drove up island to look at the Alfa. I had not expected much from the photos he'd sent me. But it surprised me because it looked better than the photos. A very sound body, with essentially no rust and as far as I could tell the original body, not dinged up at all. Had been painted over (red over silver) but even that was a decent paint job, which is dull but serviceable even now. Good top, complete and passable interior although a little rough. Dual pod dash, which makes me wonder if it is actually an '84, but it is the Motronic FI, so that fits. I think it is all original, worn of course (110,000 miles) but not tampered with I think.

I had expected to dislike the shape, since I too love the look of the early "boattail" ones. But it was very pleasing, despite that silly foam fin. It sounded very good running (could not take it out because of other cars in the way), although oily on the front of the engine - leaking from the valve cover gasket it looks like. Also oily under the diff, but not dripping. Mechanically ready to drive, short of the obvious checks and changes.

In summary, I could probably get it for $1500 and am very, very tempted. We'll have to see. It could certainly not replace my Fiat, but a stablemate? Maybe...

On the way up looked at a Fiat Spider (white with red interior, 1800 engine?) in a junkyard. Some really good parts, and I think it is a runner (owned by a fellow who works there, but was at lunch at the time). $900 if I want it (or less if I can negotiate lower). I would take it for parts, because the body is reasonably rusty - inner fenders, etc.), but could I sell the engine for much? Was told it has been rebuilt.

Also saw another 124 in a field, but it is sad -ready for the crusher I think.

A nice day's outing. Next time I take photos!

[So Cal Mark]

the alfa at 1500 is not a bad deal at all, The Spider for 900 is risky as a money maker. If you need lots of parts it might pay, but that would be close

[launieg]

Good advice Mark. I would not buy the Fiat at that price, but the Alfa is very tempting. Nice pair in my yard Will have to see what the budget can bear.