A couple of questions

[cday119]

Hi Everybody!

Ihave a few questions. I've been looking at a few spiders. In my search I've come across many with miles around 80000. I want to keep this car FOREVER. So would you say that the maintence costs of a spider are average, high, low?

Also I'm looking throughout the midwest for a spider. Would you recommend shipping it home rather that driving it 4 hours to get home. I'm a little nervous about the trip. I would get it inspected my a mechanic before hand but still a little nervous.

Thanks
Chad

[Mathew26]

I would say costs on Fiats is Average. Not knowing a car or what the rust levels are in the floor boards I'm always scared to drive a car home for more than 1 hour. As long as you have a car following you I think you may be ok.

[ga.spyder]

I would agree with Matt,about having someone following you if you dont know the condition of the car. There are people here who routinely drive across the country in their cars,so it surely is doable.I have found the Fiat to be below average in maint,compared to other sports cars I have owned(MG,Triumph,Porsche).There is always a little sorting to do on any 20+ year old vehicle though.Good luck and post some pix after you purchase.
Craig

[mbouse]

average high low compared to what? compared to a Triumph or a MGB of the same era? pretty dang close to the same. Compared to a 1995 Mazda Miata? much higher due to the mere age of the vehicle. Compared to a Ferrari? Low, much much lower.

then there is the distinct difference between maintenance costs and restoration costs. the latter is always higher.

Maintenance costs will vary depending on what kind of condition the car you purchase arrives in. a well maintained car will cost you more to begin with, but should require lots lower maintenance costs over the next 5-10 years. YA git what YA pay for with honest sellers.

i promise that if you dunn know how to repair a Fiat, the mechanic you roll into in the middle of nowhere in a panic situation will know less. But, he will sense your fear and could take advantage of you. If you wanna save yourself the bucks, borrow a car dolly and tow it home. Else, do yourself a favor and have it shipped.

[kuhndg]

Also I'm looking throughout the midwest for a spider. Would you recommend shipping it home rather that driving it 4 hours to get home. I'm a little nervous about the trip. I would get it inspected my a mechanic before hand but still a little nervous.

Are you KIDDING me???? That was half the fun of buying my cars!! We drove one from Arizona, end of October back to Wisconsin through the Rockies in Colorado.....yes you guessed it, SNOWSTORM on Halloween, I-25 was shut down once we got onto it. Ended up stranded some cheesy hotel for the night in the middle of nowhere. My wife and I were reminiscing just the other day on how much fun that endeavor was. The other one came from Asheville earlier the same month in the rain with no working wipers. That one I parked in the driveway after driving straight through the night, shut the car off....and 3 and a half years later it was started for the first time since!

Off coarse knowing what I know now I would listen to Matt and Craig.

[katsi]

As far as costs, I think that could be relavent to how dirty you are willing to get. With the help of other enthusiast, I have been able to get mine up to speed and the cost has been extreemly minimal. Once it is going, regular maintenance is quite easy and you can learn to do that yourself. So, as far as maintenance costs, you need to evaluate your level of HANDS ON interaction you want with your car and go from there.

I would not say 80K miles is bad. These cars are 30 plus years old (yes some are a few years newer). Honestly, a spider sporting 33K is more likely to have 133K than 33k. But, that's just my opinion. As far as it lasting forever - that all depends on how much $ you want to throw at it and how much work you want to put into it. I honestly can't see myslef climbing in this car at 60+ years. Maybe but not likly.

As far as the where-abouts to purchase a spider, I would say it has more to do with RUST. My first spider ran awesome but it was so rusty it was falling apart. It's now parts for my current spider. So, check for rust. Check out the wheel wells and look for rust allong the shock towers. Look for rust in the engine bay where the steering box is bolted up. Look for rust in the cross member (the beam the engine is sitting on and where it connects to the body). If you can, jack up the front end and make sure the cross member does not move (or fall out). Look allong the underside just behind the metal ridge and feel for rust where the floor pans connect to the frame. Check out the where the rear torsion bars (or whatever their called) bolt to the rear crossbeam (can't miss them - big bars running from the body to the rear end). lift out the rear seat and check for rust. Lift up the carpet and check for rust allong the seat rails. Look in the trunk for rust. Get underneith and look for rust in the transitions to the transmission hump. If you find one with minimal rust, then consider how well it runs. If you can drive it, feel for structural problems. Make sure it shifts into gears easily. Lift up the floor mats and look for rust - cracks or loose areas in that gummy stuff ushally is an indicator of hidden rust.

As for pricing - I would personally not go aver 4K and that would be for a real beauty. Maybe 4,500 for a show stopper. But that is just my opinion.

[wachuko]

As far as costs, I think that could be relavent to how dirty you are willing to get. With the help of other enthusiast, I have been able to get mine up to speed and the cost has been extreemly minimal. Once it is going, regular maintenance is quite easy and you can learn to do that yourself. So, as far as maintenance costs, you need to evaluate your level of HANDS ON interaction you want with your car and go from there.

I would not say 80K miles is bad. These cars are 30 plus years old (yes some are a few years newer). Honestly, a spider sporting 33K is more likely to have 133K than 33k. But, that's just my opinion. As far as it lasting forever - that all depends on how much $ you want to throw at it and how much work you want to put into it. I honestly can't see myslef climbing in this car at 60+ years. Maybe but not likly.

As far as the where-abouts to purchase a spider, I would say it has more to do with RUST. My first spider ran awesome but it was so rusty it was falling apart. It's now parts for my current spider. So, check for rust. Check out the wheel wells and look for rust allong the shock towers. Look for rust in the engine bay where the steering box is bolted up. Look for rust in the cross member (the beam the engine is sitting on and where it connects to the body). If you can, jack up the front end and make sure the cross member does not move (or fall out). Look allong the underside just behind the metal ridge and feel for rust where the floor pans connect to the frame. Check out the where the rear torsion bars (or whatever their called) bolt to the rear crossbeam (can't miss them - big bars running from the body to the rear end). lift out the rear seat and check for rust. Lift up the carpet and check for rust allong the seat rails. Look in the trunk for rust. Get underneith and look for rust in the transitions to the transmission hump. If you find one with minimal rust, then consider how well it runs. If you can drive it, feel for structural problems. Make sure it shifts into gears easily. Lift up the floor mats and look for rust - cracks or loose areas in that gummy stuff ushally is an indicator of hidden rust.

As for pricing - I would personally not go aver 4K and that would be for a real beauty. Maybe 4,500 for a show stopper. But that is just my opinion.

I also have seen a lot of cars with the area above the front wheel, cracked, not the shock towers themselves but the area right next to them (on both sides of the shock tower).

[cday119]

Holly crap, I gotta say I am suprised at the number of responses I got. One of the reasons I want to get a spider is I want to learn how to fix it up myself. It seems like with this forum and my want to learn Ill be able to do it.

I'm looking at this spider:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-Fia ... 439d988091

They want 5000 for it so I'll probably look somewhere else. Ill keep you guys posted. Thanks for the comments!

[katsi]

I actually checked out that one on the net the other day. Judging by the pics, that would be a show stopper. But, you should check it out first hand. It looks like it's priced right minus the commission tacked on because it's some kind of dealership. A fresh coat of paint can hide a lot of damage. Yet, that SEEMS like one of those rare gems. The downside is that it's a 79 and depending on your state laws, a 79 might not be the best choice as it is laidened with performance steeling smog equipment. I have a 79 but I live in TX and we can strip off all that crap and run it using less restrictive set-ups and not have any problems getting it inspected ( On old cars as long as it has working lights, brakes, horn and a decent set of tiers - yer good to go in TX). By the way, I really love the crappy rims on that car. They are crappy but true to the year and they are in great shape. Could be an indicator of the rest of the car. The only other 79 rim I have seen that nice is the untoutched spare in my car.

[mbouse]

well, i looked at the car as well.. it photographs very nice. most cars do. good advice given... go see it in person if you can.

here are some bargaining chips to help reduce the cost...
door panels have been modestly and tastefully redone... but are decidedly not original or original looking
center console has been painted...and photographs shiny...decidedly not original
can you get a peek at the spare tire area? how about the undercarriage (rust)

best of luck to you

[mdrburchette]

I guess I live life on the edge because every Fiat I've bought got driven home. My 71 was driven from NJ to NC, the X19 I just bought was driven from OH to NC...I'm starting to see a pattern here. What am I doing buying cars from the Great White North?
Like everyone said, make sure you check it all out or have someone close by that is willing to. Find out what the most recent maintenance was done, like the timing belt, brakes, etc...the stuff needing to be in good condition to drive it, then make your decision. Good luck!

[cday119]

If you look close at those pictures it looks like it has a lot of rust. Definitely will check this one out before hand. Also thanks for the emails and pm's too.

[azygoustoyou]

Everyone is suggesting the costs to be average. If your not sure of the condition of the car and it's past history. Then I would say you would have to put some money into it at first just to insure you don't compound the cost by letting something go. Like the timing belt, water pump, flex joint and maybe all the rubber hoses. Replace the fluids too. I'm sure there is more. Others can chime in if you ask. So once you get your car. Expect to spend a small fortune to get you started. It will save you at least towing fees in the end.

[FiatJim]

Good news: The price has dropped to $2,275.00


"I'm looking at this spider:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-Fia ... 439d988091

They want 5000 for it so I'll probably look somewhere else. Ill keep you guys posted. Thanks for the comments![/quote]

[2ndwind]

How could that happen? Do you think that is because someone with an automatic bid in withdrew all bids after looking at the car personally?