Spider VS Spitfire? Which should I buy?

[Curly]

The GT6 is far more sought after over here than the Spitty. A mate of mine used to successfully race one, it had the 2.5 engine in it with triple Webers, was well prepared and always showed a clean set of heals to the Datsun 240Zs.
If there wasn't that little ditch filled with water between us, Mike, I'd consider taking it off your hands. Not that I'd get rid of SPYDUH or any other of the toys mind you

[So Cal Mark]

I'll agree about the desireabilty of the GT6 model. I've seen them bought out of a junkyard for upwards of 2k

[mbouse]

well this could be a regional thing as well.

the hard top MG is not very popular in this area either, but i hear they are very desirable out on the east coast

[pippend]

The best answer is to buy them both.

You can afford it, which is one of the reasons both are currently attractive. After 5 years of owning them, report your findings to the forum. I suspect you will have continued difficulty determining which is best as both are classic representations from their era, though different in many respects, and quite a lot of fun to drive especially with the top pulled back.

[miragesmack]

I find it fascinating the way our two cultures differ regarding cars. In the UK, the spitfire is definately the poor relation. I'm not being sexist, but they are viewed as a bit girlie or a hairdressers car - very feminine. However, having said all that, I find they have much better ride quality than say an MGB, but not as good as the 124. Also the strange camber angle on the rear wheels means the tyres (sorry, tires to you) get scrubbed on the inside.

Personally, If I was to buy a Spit, it would have to be a GT6. Great looking car.

I love the GT6 as well, but it's not a rag top. That's why the hardtop option on Spits appeals to me, cuz it makes it like having a GT6 too!

As far as looking girly, most of my friends think all small convertibles do that, and they rag on me constantly. Miata, MGB, Spit, Spider, Z3, they're all the same to them - girls cars. Now my GTO looks very masculine, but I still like the looks of small cars. IF I were to buy Spit, I would definately go with the GT6 bonnet.

[miragesmack]

The best answer is to buy them both.

Actually, eventually I will. But I have to start with just one, and I am post divorce (not recent) and my diggs are considerably smaller than years ago. I used to have tons of room and more money, but not so much anymore.

Oddly, I just saw both cars on Friday while working. I have not seen an actual Spit since I began looking this year, though have seen a few Fiats. There are two Spiders on one of my routes, which is why I got attracted to them in the first place. Both are junk, but one is a bumperless (that look I love) parts car, and even junky one's look great with out a bumper. They look the way a sports car is meant to look, IMO. Anyway, the Spider was exactly like my old girlfriends, the common red with tan interior, bone stock. The Spit was burgundy, sounded modified (saw the ansa exhaust too) with modern wheels.

Curly, if I could go down under and see your cars, I'm sure I would be sold. Your cars look amazingly the way I picture my Spider in my mind. Decisions, decisions.

[miragesmack]

I believe the Spider aftermarket will continue to improve. Reason being is that there is increasing demand for resto items. In the last year I've seen a large increase in interest of the Spider. Many new owners, and they want to repair and improve the cars.

Know any good sites (like your personal site) that deal with the more performance related stuff? When I think aftermarket, I don't think the resto stuff, or like Moss which you mentioned earlier. That stuff is available for most cars. I'm thinking of the lightweight suspension parts, big brakes (like whoa) alluminum gas tanks and wheel hubs. Stuff like that. Spit has many (like prirace.com, Canley, etc), but they're hard to find for Spiders. Maybe they're out there in Italian and I haven't translated them yet.

A funny story: I remember first thinking of the Spider, thinking of some tastefull mods. I remebered the turn signals on that Dino years ago, small round dots on the fenders. How cool, I could use those, and it would even be in the Italian family. I thought I was being original, then I get here and find out that all european (and now a few USA) Spiders have them. That's what sucks about being new to something, most of my ideas are probably already taken. Oh well!

[pope]

I looked at a Spitfire before I bought a Spider. The Spitfire reminds me of a small motorcycle engine with a thin metal body wrapped around it, The Spider was more of a real car and less of a toy. I would rather get hit in a Spider than a Spit.

[miragesmack]

I looked at a Spitfire before I bought a Spider. The Spitfire reminds me of a small motorcycle engine with a thin metal body wrapped around it, The Spider was more of a real car and less of a toy. I would rather get hit in a Spider than a Spit.

Well, that's one way to look at things. Driving behind one the other day, it was much smaller than I remembered. I'll know this weekend for sure as I will be attending a Brit car show here in Louisville. I'm still looking for an Italian show reasonably close, gas prices and all. It realy helps to speak to true fans of a particular marque to get the real perspective.

Speaking of getting hit, that was the one thing I worried about in the classic mini's after looking closely. The gas tank is 2 inches from the rear of the car, practically touching the trunk lid. I was thinking Pinto all over again...

[Daniel]

I think the details and lines of the spider stand out over the spit even over the alfa spiders these cars really
do look good when they are in good shape and paint . I get thumbs up on mine when i take out some people
ask me what kind of car it is others just give me the thumbs up i've noticed while driving with the top down .

I think the smoother ride will be one thing you would enjoy the 124 rides better then the brit car the spit
maybe easy to work on over the spider though more straight forward .


Daniel

[miragesmack]

Well, update time.

After the British car show, I was pretty sure I was sold on the Spitfire again. So I test drove a few for sale in the general area, which is a rarity. And...........eh. Neither were shining examples, but I was still disappointed in a few things. Both were super slow, my knuckles kept hitting the dash when shifting, and my feet barely fit in the well when shifting and braking. Tight!! Quirky was the best way to describe it I guess. Stuff I'd get used too and I still want one, but not right now. So, I'm leaning toward Fiat again.

Having said that, I still like the overall look of the Spit better, but when it comes to interior, useability, power, etc, I think the overall pkg leans toward Fiat. So now I'm looking a little harder in the Fiat area. Hopefully there is one for sale nearby so I can see what I'm dealing with. With gas prices what they are, i'm not stoked about driving 100 miles just to test drive a car I probably won't buy. FYI, I am $4,800 from being totally debt free, house and all. I'm kinda doing the Dave Ramsey thing, and I want to wipe that out before I purchase a car. Of course, Dave wouldn't approve of me getting into the losing proposition of restoring/rebuilding an old Italian car.

I know of one for sale here, but it is total junk with a flame paint job, asking $2,000. Everything appears to be wrong with it, plus I haven't seen it move in half a year, parked on the street. I may give it a spin, if it runs, but maybe I should hold out for a better example so I'm not bummed like I was with the Spit. What do ya think?

PS Sorry if I sound so wishy washy, but I really am trying to think this through.

[mdrburchette]

I don't think you sound wishy washy...just cautious. That's a good thing. Find a decent Spider to test drive and you won't look back at a Spitfire. Where are you exactly?

[rlux4]

My opinion about holding out for a car in better condition: No question about it. A lot of us here bought a Spider in very good condition and then put several thousand dollars into them. These cars are 25-30 years old, so even a very good one is going to need things unless you buy one that's been totally restored, which wouldn't make sense unless you've got money to burn.
If you get one that needs perhaps an engine, tranny, body work, paint job, upholstery, etc., you're talking major dollars.
A good one that may need a couple thousand more to make it very good can be found for $3000-4000. (Unless you want turbo, a la kristoj)
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

this discussion is starting to sound like blonde vs brunette. I've owned Spits, I've had friends with spits, and of course I'm pretty deep into Fiats. They both are fun cars. I suppose it could be a case of "love the one you're with"

[manoa matt]

How about this one: http://louisville.craigslist.org/rvs/722352958.html
Looks pretty good, and in your neighborhood. Seller seams motivated. Do you have a 20-30ft camper to trade?

Here is a similar one in Georgetown: http://lexington.craigslist.org/car/698948673.html
He's had that ad for a while now, high asking price? Could be a good car if its sorted out.

Another one in Cincinnati: http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/car/676814782.html
It's white... yuck.

I've seen several of these ads for a few weeks, (been looking for a friend in Winchester KY). The top one is new and could be the best deal depending on what he is asking. Got any old baby stuff to sweeten the deal?

Matt