Bought 1980 Spider 2000

[spiderrider]

http://s487.photobucket.com/albums/rr23 ... 2009/Fiat/

After 3 false starts and lots of browsing, I purchased this Spider. Odometer reads 30,771 and seller produced years of maintenannce records. Top is completely shot and is the first item I'll replace. Local car upholsterer quoted $750 for vinyl and $1,250 for cloth, including parts & labor. Tires are a bit oversized, not sure why. Engine is carbureted and starts up and runs perfectly. Today it passed Oregon's Emissions Test with flying colors. The interior is functional but seats need to be recovered. Estimate is $450 per seat, including parts and labor. After I replace the top, I'll replace the timing belt. Brakes feel good but I'll have them inspected. All electrical components work except for the clock. Heater is excellent (maybe too much on the feet). I cannot rotate the trip meter reset knob. The paint is passable with some blemishes so I'm going to budget $2,500 for a paint job. After reading many of these posts I'm nervous that I overpaid for the car. I paid $3,250. Any advice is welcome.

[mdrburchette]

It's looks good to me. If your car is free of rust and has a straight body, that's half the battle. I don't think you paid too much for it if you bought it to keep.

[adrians]

Good looking car and a great colour - I must say ! !

What size tyres are on it ?

Regards

[TulsaSpider]

I must have missed the interior and paint problems!! I don't see anything wrong. That's a very clean car my friend you did well!
Welcome!

[rlux4]

I agree that you paid a fair price for a nice car. A little over a year ago I paid $2850 for mine when it had 85m miles knowing it would need the tranny rebuilt. I never felt I paid too much for it. But then, my trip meter reset works though.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

those upholstery prices seem high to me, especially in this economy. You can install the top yourself, just allow all day to do it if it's your first one.

[mbouse]

http://s487.photobucket.com/albums/rr23 ... 2009/Fiat/

After 3 false starts and lots of browsing, I purchased this Spider. Odometer reads 30,771 and seller produced years of maintenannce records. Top is completely shot and is the first item I'll replace. Local car upholsterer quoted $750 for vinyl and $1,250 for cloth, including parts & labor. Tires are a bit oversized, not sure why. Engine is carbureted and starts up and runs perfectly. Today it passed Oregon's Emissions Test with flying colors. The interior is functional but seats need to be recovered. Estimate is $450 per seat, including parts and labor. After I replace the top, I'll replace the timing belt. Brakes feel good but I'll have them inspected. All electrical components work except for the clock. Heater is excellent (maybe too much on the feet). I cannot rotate the trip meter reset knob. The paint is passable with some blemishes so I'm going to budget $2,500 for a paint job. After reading many of these posts I'm nervous that I overpaid for the car. I paid $3,250. Any advice is welcome.

1. I think this is a very nice looking vehicle, and you definitely did NOT pay too much. Complete and stock engine. Nice addition of the replacement wheels and steering wheel.
2. If you aren't adventursome, leaving the vinyl to the upholsterer may be a good idea. However, i did not see deterioration to the point keeping you from driving the car. Can you hold up on that restoration a while?
3. used replacement clocks that work are easily obtainable. when you are ready, we can supply sources.
4. unless you know for sure the timing belt was replaced in the last 5 years, or in the last 30k miles, i'd replace that timing belt before you did any serious driving; meaning ANY driving. and, meaning before you replace the top.
5. does the heat shut off? a very common malady for these cars is for the heater control valve to freeze in the on position. replacing this valve is one of the best things you can do for your comfort and enjoyment.

congrats.

[spiderrider]

Thank you for the posts. It's nice to have reassurance on my project.

Timing Belt and Tensioner Belt will be replaced this week. I found a local Fiat mechanic that I'll try out for this job. He says 3.5 hours labor. Total estimate is $365, parts & labor. I can handle that.

The pictures don't adequately show the distressed top. The rear window is completely missing and the vinyl fabric is very brittle. I've looked at some of the posts for do-it-yourself top replacements, and it is definitely out my skill level. I'll get estimates from other upholsterers. Just wondering... Are there any functional differences between cloth and vinyl tops? Are cloth tops more durable than vinyl? I understand the factory installed vinyl for production tops. Is this what most owners use as replacements?

The tires are practically brand new, Pirelli P400 Touring, size P185/70R13.

I'll try moving the heat lever to the off position and see if the heater shuts off.

Bob Dragoon
Proud new owner of 1980 Fiat Spider 2000
Portlnd, OR
Can't wait for summer!!!

[mbouse]

The pictures don't adequately show the distressed top. The rear window is completely missing and the vinyl fabric is very brittle. I've looked at some of the posts for do-it-yourself top replacements, and it is definitely out my skill level. I'll get estimates from other upholsterers. Just wondering... Are there any functional differences between cloth and vinyl tops? Are cloth tops more durable than vinyl? I understand the factory installed vinyl for production tops. Is this what most owners use as replacements?

IMO - the achilles' heal of both the vinyl and cloth tops are the plastic window. the cloth top looks a lot better, on certain cars. functionally, they are the same. the window will wear out of either cloth or vinyl at the same rate. Learn how to protect the window from scratching to make it last as long as possible.

why pay for the cloth top when you bought the car BECAUSE it is a convertible? when will anyone really get to appreciate the extra money the cloth top cost you? when you are using the cloth top, you are inside the car and cannot see the top anyway...or you are getting ready to store the car overnight, or at the mall parking lot.

save the cash for spare parts, and buy the vinyl top, especially if you need to pay an expert to install it.

[So Cal Mark]

IMHO the cloth tops are far nicer than the vinyl. They look better, are quieter and last longer. World Upholstery will sell you a top with a zippered rear window for an extra fee. Keeping the top and window protected in all types of weather or sun will make it last alot longer

[mbouse]

now that is an option worth the extra price... a zippered rear window.

LBC owners know the advantage of that option lots better than we do....

[So Cal Mark]

kind of like having a trap door in your pj's

[rlux4]

Using long johns for PJs is sure sign of being really old.
Ron

[GOPAPA]

Welcome to the forum Spiderrider .I can tell you this ..Up to my post you have been chatting with a very talented group that that know these Spiders like the backs of their hands .. and if by chance one is not quite sure of something ,,then the other is .. I have been helped many times on here and will vouch for this forum as being friendly ,helpful and like family..
I too, live in Oregon and far as I know you and I are the only ones in our neck of the woods.. LD

[rlux4]

Nay, nay LD. There are several good folks in the Medford and Ashland area. They form part of the core group that have the Howard Prairie Lake camp out every year. Which I hope you are planning to attend this year.
Ron