Keep my 82 Spider or replace it with a 2013 Miata

[yap123]

I've had my 82 Spider since 2006. I'm not mechanical, so most of the upgrades and work have been by Mark at Allison Automotive. To name a few major items: cylinder rebuilt with oversize valves, front/rear sway bars, front/rear shocks, alum flywheel, big front brakes, etc. It's in great condition and fun to drive.

My main concern is safety. On the freeway here in Southern California, drivers are normally at 70 MPH. I'm at 65 and cars are passing me up. So, I often drive at 70-75 and I have gone up to 80 and my Fiat is humming along. No mechanical issues. No shaking. But, I'm a bit anxious because it is a 37 year old car with none of today's safety features. So, if I were to get into an accident, I would be badly maimed or dead. I'm so alert to my surroundings that I'm not fully relaxed.

Even driving around town, I'm extra careful when driving through intersections. I think you know what I mean.

Today, I test drove a 2013 Miata. There's no comparison in terms of performance. It's a tight, quick and nimble.

However, I kind of prefer or I'm just more use to my Spider. I do wish my Spider had the power, but I like the interior's roominess and softer ride.

Anyone else with these concerns and thoughts?

[tima01864]

I would consider a Miata bu tThe price is out of my range. Like a Smartphone I can not justify it right now. Over here in the Northeast I can really only enjoy driving a Sports car a good five months(?). I like the Spider for one that it is a car I can work on, Seems very basic in design mechanically without the added features.

[Zoofly]

I live in LA and I just drove my 78 Spider home from Allison's today. I understand your apprehension while on the freeways. I have a 2017 Spider as well. It really is the best of both worlds. I love them equally but for different reasons.

[Jimb]

My spider will easily outperform even the turbo MX5 Miata.
And, it's got far more character and gets way more attention than the Miata.
And, it's appreciating while the Miata is depreciating.
And, golf clubs fit in the trunk but won't in a Miata.
And, I qualify for collector insurance with the Volumex but wouldn't with a Miata...about an eight the price.

I hope I don't sound biased.
Jim

[DieselSpider]

At 80 MPH it probably won't matter so much Miata or older Spider if you get into an accident so I would not sweat about that one way too much. I get asked by Miata owners for rides and the first comment they make about the Spider is how much nicer it is to ride in with the top down because you can have a conversation and do not get as much wind buffeting, actually have room behind the seats for a back pack, etc and most leave with a big smile.

I also ride a motorcycle so the old Spider to me is a more relaxed ride with no helmet or body armor.

Regardless of the vehicle you still have to be aware of Texters, Cell Phone Talkers and PokyMon Go Players along with Drunks, Cannabis Users, People off their Meds or taking too much of their Meds. Sometimes its people who stay up too late watching the Late Shows and not getting enough sleep who are more dangerous than drunks, drug addicts, etc.

[ORFORD2004]

In a Spider you can take the wife and the dog. In a Miata, you have to choose.

[RRoller123]

That can be a tough choice.... and lead to great hardship.

[toyfiats]

Do you use your Spider as a daily driver or a 'fun' car? If I had to rely on mine as a daily driver I would sell it and get something newer but still fun.

Depending on where you live an older Fiat can still be a viable daily, but in LA (or SF Bay Area where I live) it's completely impractical, and bordering on unsafe. 25+ years ago a Spider (and before that 124 Coupe) was my only car, and I drove it everywhere. That was then, this is now. Big trucks and SUV's are the norm rather than exception, and together with generally unattentive drivers (which have always been with us, but now more dangerous with cell phone distractions) there's no way I would do it. It would completely take the enjoyment out owning one. Plus, in the past 15 years I've been rear-ended three times in my commute home that in each cause only caused superficial damage, but all of which would have caused moderate to significant damage in my Fiat.

This is of course just my opinion. If you daily your Fiat more power to you. I wish I saw more out on the road doing "normal" stuff like the old days.

[DieselSpider]

I rode with someone who regularly got rear ended and found it was his driving style when I was a passenger in his vehicle. He waited until he was way too close to the stop light/sign/car in front of him before he started braking so people behind him only had a very limited amount of time to react. He also liked to customize his vehicles with minimalist tail lights, chrome, etc further increasing his chances of getting hit.

Being a motorcycle rider with MSF training we know that you can make yourself prone to getting rear ended by driving that way without looking ahead and reacting well in advance giving people behind you extra time to also react.

He now has got a full sized pickup truck but still gets rear ended driving the same roads where I have not in 30 years have even had a close call.

My Spider is my daily driver when we are not having a serious Tropical Downpour and has been for several years now.

[toyfiats]

Sadly we aren't all as well-trained as you are.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Yap123, I hear you. I lived in the LA area for six years back in the 1980s, and in the SF Bay Area since then. I was younger and more foolish back then, and driving my '69 spider around LA didn't bother me. However, these days, some drivers are just flat out crazy, and I stay off the freeways with my Fiat if at all possible. I drove my Fiat for the first time in a while on a long freeway trip, and yes, I did feel vulnerable what with the low profile, aforementioned crazies, and trucks all around.

It's your call, but for me, the Fiat is for pleasure trips on less-traveled roads.

-Bryan

[DieselSpider]

I drove my Fiat for the first time in a while on a long freeway trip, and yes, I did feel vulnerable what with the low profile, aforementioned crazies, and trucks all around.

It's your call, but for me, the Fiat is for pleasure trips on less-traveled roads.

-Bryan

If you allow the crazies to overwhelm you then you'll end up locking yourself up in a bunker and refusing to venture outside since they can get you walking on the sidewalk, in your own yard or even come crashing through the walls into your home.

Yes beach cruising, winding tree lined lanes, mountain roads and such are what the Spider excels at. Its really great when your daily commute includes a few of them especially when the Jacaranda, Citrus and such are blossoming and living in Florida something is usually blossoming or fragrant almost year round.

Typical stop for lunch or after a picking something up at the ice cream stand on the drive home from work:

[18Fiatsandcounting]

If you allow the crazies to overwhelm you then you'll end up locking yourself up in a bunker and refusing to venture outside since they can get you walking on the sidewalk, in your own yard or even come crashing through the walls into your home.

I totally agree. I was actually thinking more about damage to the car, which goes to show you where my priorities are, I guess...!

Without going into too much detail, my '69 124 is the only item I have from my distant past, all other things having been lost in various events. Perhaps why I am so careful with it these days.

-Bryan

[76was124]

In a Spider you can take the wife and the dog. In a Miata, you have to choose.

Hilarious!

[RRoller123]

I rode with someone who regularly got rear ended and found it was his driving style when I was a passenger in his vehicle. He waited until he was way too close to the stop light/sign/car in front of him before he started braking so people behind him only had a very limited amount of time to react. He also liked to customize his vehicles with minimalist tail lights, chrome, etc further increasing his chances of getting hit.

Amen to this. Upgrade the rear bulbs (all of them actually) and use the brake lightly early in the braking cycle!

I had a case years ago on the MA Pike in Allston with my 'ol X1/9. Traffic came to a sudden stop. I had no problem stopping, but I saw in my mirror that the clown behind me, pretty far back, was not paying attention and was not slowing down! I started tapping my brakes rapidly and quickly pulled as far to the left, right up close to the guard rail as I could.

He locked up his brakes and skidded right up alongside me when he finally came to rest, no contact with any of the cars. Bullet dodged. Good thing that X was small.....