I'm looking to buy. Can someone please answer

[spiderrey]

you people in florida are very lucky then, you have more options then us. i would imagine your car would be pretty fast, but fast isnt fast enough for me. i ran with about a dozen fiats today, forgot to check if there were any 82,s. there was one very nice stock red one that could have been a dreaded 82, but i was having so much fun i forgot to ask.

[spiderrey]

what do you know, just checked it was an 82. and it had two very nice people in it. so maybe there is something to this 82 thing

[rlux4]

Well, thank you very much Rey, I'll pass this along to my wife. And thanks for the comment on my car.
I guess we didn't make it over to you to get introduced. At least now I'll know you when I see you again.
Ron

[mdrburchette]

Rey, is Ron the fellow you were talking about? He just called me to stoke the 82 vs early model debate.

[spiderrey]

denise, yes he is, he has a very nice 82. didnt really get to talk to him though. i still feel the earlier cars are a much better car, but if you want simpler more reiable transpotation, injection is the way togo. if you really like to play without limitations, early is way better.

[johndemar]

Just curious......when in everyone's opinion does earlier turn to later?
I think I may have a tweener

[miragesmack]

if you want a stock car to just drive, get an 80 or newer FI model. If you want one to modify, then get a 78 or earlier car. I'd steer clear of the 80 and 79 carb models unless it's very cheap and you want to make some mods and can afford the mods.

Okay, I'll bite, cause I know the OP wants to know as well.

What's wrong with these two years? Is that when they changed the carbs?

[Leesfer]

As for later cars turning to newer cars, I believe everyone is refering to bumpers which changed in 74 and again in 75... 73 was the last year to have the small chrome bumpers, 74 was in between and 75 was the first year for the tube bumpers

[rlux4]

Miragesmack, My first Spider was a '79 back in 1980. And a California smogged one at that. '79 they went to the 2.0 litre, but the aspiration was so restrictive, carb so small, so loaded down with smog crap that they really were slugs. It was still a pretty car, but the perfomance was dismal. Spiders imported for sale in California in 1980 had FI, and all Spiders had it from '81 on. I wouldn't be suprised if most '79s have been sold out of state by the California owners by now.
Ron

[spiderrey]

your right, 79,s were so choked off by smog equipment that they could be mistaken for m g,s. i had a 79 auto car, bought it real cheap. it was a good commuter. but thats all it was. when the oil pump finally gave out , i set that two liter free and installed it in my 70.

[miragesmack]

Thanks rlux for the reply, I figured as much. Since I will not live in CA and will desmog and modify etc, I guess those few years don't need to be off limits for me as I search for a Spyder.

So much to learn Skywalker, so much to learn.

[rlux4]

quote miagesmack:

Since I will not live in CA

I like how you said "will not" instead of "do not", already shows an advanced level of wisdom.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

you will find several things unique to 79, some of those parts are difficult to find if you want to keep the car original and stock

[Jimb]

Well....it's pretty clear then which is the best one to get.
But let's be honest here, even a concours example, (if you could find one) is still pocket change by collector car standards.
If a guy was to buy a good one and throw another 10 - 12k at it, you'd still only be into it for around 20k. And presumably you'd have a pretty fun, reliable little toy that hsould last for quite a while.
Thanks for all the input guys.
Jim

[ga.spyder]

Depending on what you want out of the car you can have a really fun,reliable car for way less than 10,000.I have 6000 in mine ,no issues, and it has won a couple trophies in local shows.Obviously ,if you are after a concourse type show car the price goes way up.IMHO ,I dont think the Fiats are great candidates for concourse(trailer queen) cars.Way too much fun to drive!
Craig