1975 Spider - Is it worth it?

[spiderrider]

I am new to the Fiat Spider but have been dreaming about owning my first one. I have lots of desire but little mechancial knowledge. I don't yet have a local Fiat mechanic but am researching ones in the Portland, OR area. I have about $3,000 to invest in parts, paint, repairs. It isn't much but would begin year 1 of a multi-year passion and hobby.

I found a local example listed for $800 on Craigslist. The description reads, "I have a white, with a black hood, classic 1975 Fiat spider. I dont have the time to fix it. It needs a clutch as far as I know. It starts but wont go. If you fix this car with a few parts this car will be worth way more. Minor body damage."

I'd like to inspect the car with eyes wide open...rust, interior, mechanical, exterior, etc. Can anyone provide advice? What should I look for? What are the showstoppers? Is this a model year that is prone to engine or clutch failures? Is $3,000 enough to make the car driveable? Am I crazy to introduce myself to this passion with a car that starts but won't drive? Any advice is appreciated.

[So Cal Mark]

Unless the floors and shock towers are rusted out, I'd say it's a good buy. 75 is no more prone to problems than any other year. Clutch replacement is pretty straightforward. Even if you had the clutch replaced professionally it shouldn't cost over $600.

[adrians]

Spiderrider this might help !

Buying Guide Fiat 124 Spiders

http://home.people.net.au/~sandrin/Buyi ... piders.pdf

Thanks to 124spiderman for adding the pictures

[Spiddy]

OF COURSE YOU'RE CRAZY WE ALL ARE AT LEAST YOU'LL BE IN GOOD COMPANY
I'm not mechanically minded either, but the joy I get from driving it.........I prefer it to the fake 289 Cobra I once had.

[ga.spyder]

Just a thought,but buying an $800 car you generaly get what you pay for.It may be a diamond in the rough,but probably require a lot of work.If you are not mechanically inclined,this could eat up your remaining funds fast! With $3000 you can definitely find a good running, good looking car that you can tinker with while you enjoy it.Keep an eye out on ebay and Craigslist,and make sure you look her over carefully before buying.If the car is out of your area ,ask someone on this forum to look at it for you.We all love to critique other cars!
Good luck,Craig

check the Spokane craigslist in 'cars and trucks' and search Fiat.That is a beauty,best offer...ya never know!

[narfire]

My 2-bits worth---- maybe. I picked my restoration up in Eugene a couple of years ago. The rear window had a hole in it so the rear seats were pooched and after lifting the rear seat there were signs of rust and actual rust holes in the bottom. What ended up being critical was the rust around the mounts for the long bars from the rear axel, there had to be some re enforcing done with welding in some extra metal. Lift the carpets front and rear,new panels can be welded in but like everything,costs loot (time is the fun part).
As for mechanicals, a good manual ,some metric tools and the no shortage of expertise found here and your good to go. Parts can be found on E-bay and I have found one on Craigslist in the Seattle area(used). Auto Italia in Windsor Ca has many used spider parts as well. The other members have a long list of vendors for new parts.
Yeup the one on Craigslist Spokane looks great, wonder what they want for it,looks like a cherry example of a spider.
Good luck, but there are always spiders for sale.
When I do this again I'll be getting a driver(perhaps a few more bucks in the initial $ outlay) and do a rolling restoration.
Chris
B.C.

[kristoj]

I agree with Craig. You should seek the best condition car you can find within your budget. It's hard to offer advice about the specific car you reference as we don't have enough info. But my experience with many past cars is that you are always better off financially to buy a car that is already "done" as opposed to fixing one up yourself -- and that goes double if you are paying someone else to do the work. With time and effort, you can probably find a very clean example in the $3k to $4k range, in which the current owner may have 5, 6 or 7 grand invested. As Fiat enthusiasts, we are compelled to spend way more on our cars then they are worth. So why not take advantage of someone else's investments?

[spiderrider]

Thank you all for the sage advice!!

Although I will look at the $800 car my inclination is to avoid it. If I were a trained auto mechanic or body shop journeyman, it would be different. I sent a reply to the Craigslist owner of the car in Spokane but he/she has not returned my email. Same with 2 others on Craigslist...sent emails but no replies. This week, Craigslist produced a very nice looking 1979 Fiat Spider 2000 located in Gig Harbor, WA which is about 150 miles north of Portland. Sales price is $4,000 (obo) and the photos look fabulous with an odometer reading of just 30,040 miles. I'm trying to schedule a test drive for this Sunday. I will keep you posted.

Thanks again for all your support. Fabulous forum!!

Bob Dragoon
Fiat shopper in 2009

[So Cal Mark]

good luck with the car. I haven't had very good luck getting responses from craigslist advertisers either. It seems like only about 25% of them ever respond. I'm assuming the item sold and they are just too friggin lazy to remove the listing or respond to emails

[kristoj]

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[baltobernie]

with an odometer reading of just 30,040 miles. I'm trying to schedule a test drive for this Sunday. I will keep you posted.

Hello Bob, and good luck in finding your dream car. I urge you to inspect such things as pedal wear and other subtle clues as to the cars mileage, not the odometer. The instrument cluster is held in place by only four thumbscrews, and was likely removed at some point for cleaning, re-lamping, individual gauge repair, wood inserts, etc. The speedo/odometer itself is only secured with another two or three thumbscrews, and may not be the original unit.

Mileage is a relative term with these cars, anyway. At least here in the Northeast, most have succumbed to rust, so salvage mechanical parts are (were) plentiful and cheap. Most Spiders on the road around here are a mismash of parts, so its important to have a knowledgable look at the car. If you post some closeups on this forum, there are guys and gals that can spot clues to engine swaps, etc.

(donning his Nomex suit) You're probably also aware that the 1975-1979 cars are the "performance challenged" members of the family, with first-generation safety and smog equipment. Doesn't Oregon tailpipe test all the way back to '75 model year?

Don't let me discourage you; these are great cars, fun to drive even with 80 hp. "Buy Smart" and enjoy!

[spiderrider]

This afternoon I found http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/962091715.html. Odometer stoppped working about 5 months ago. Is a new odometer reason to suspect deeper issues? Are new odometers easily replaced? Expensive? I like the prospect of the 1980's larger engine and Fuel-Injection over the 1970's cars. But if I found any worthy Spider in my price range, I'd buy it.

Bob

[TulsaSpider]

It might just be the speedo cable broken. If not there are plenty of used ones out there. They are easily changed out.

[ga.spyder]

Seeing that he states that it has over 100000 miles,he doesnt seem to be hiding anything.That is a very nice looking car for the money! Drive it and look over the suspect areas for these cars.I have a f.i. car,and it has been extremely dependable.If it seems to run good and there is no rust,I would buy that car in a heartbeat,
Craig

[miragesmack]

That's my favorite color on a Spider, right now anyway. At least you'll be different, and it does look like a great deal. WOnder how much of a "make offer" he's willing to accept?