I'm looking to buy. Can someone please answer

[CarNut]

I'll have to put in my plug for the 1800s. Although they don't have the early bumpers, they still have the smaller hood bulges and decent looking tail lights.

[mdrburchette]

I'll have to put in my plug for the 1800s. Although they don't have the early bumpers, they still have the smaller hood bulges and decent looking tail lights.

And the cool, old fashion door handles! The 1800 is a great little engine.

[ga.spyder]

Anybody out there who didnt think this post would stir up a little rivalry? I didnt think so!!! It is great that everyone has a passion for their car, and I am really suprised that everyone doesnt want to own an 82.....Go figure
Craig

[rlux4]

It did get responses, for sure.
Couldn't resist one last dig, eh Craig? (I've been biting my tongue.)
Ron ***Proud owner of the best year Fiat Spider ever built***

[spiderrey]

im with you on this one denise. ill put my 70 up against any late model spider out there. the later cars a good cruiser, but it has its limitations.i know i had a 79 2.0 , i enjoyed it. the advantage to the earlier car is no limitations on what you can do to it and still be legal.
i finally pulled my spider out today after letting it sit for months. took it to marks shop, so he could tweak on the big carb a bit. coming home, my son was following me in my silverado. when we got home he got out and told me i was freaking crazy. i just looked and smiled. he said he was at 110mph and i was still pulling away from him. i was pretty surprised the car could go that fast. i know, im a bad boy.

[bradartigue]

Note: I'm extremely sarcastic.

I've owned all of them. The early cars are true to the original design (up until 1972 or so). After that they started messing with the hood, motor size, added emission controls junk, weird bumpers, and the like.

Buy an early one. The paint is better.

Early cars don't have all of the annoying torque of the late cars.


Here is the real deal: the cars look different as they evolve. start by figuring out what you like, then drive a few. The late models especially drive differently - heavier, fuel injected, etc. Early cars are sportier.

[spiderrey]

i actually dont find the torque annoying. but basically, i agree with you.
earlier cars have a cleaner look, and they are lighter. later cars have more motor to compensate for them being overweight. so put that larger motor into that better looking lighter car, and you will find yourself smiling like an idiot as you drive that thing down the road.
i know because i do. now i just have to stuff more motor into my early x and ill have the best of both worlds.

[bradartigue]

i actually dont find the torque annoying. but basically, i agree with you.
earlier cars have a cleaner look, and they are lighter. later cars have more motor to compensate for them being overweight. so put that larger motor into that better looking lighter car, and you will find yourself smiling like an idiot as you drive that thing down the road.
i know because i do. now i just have to stuff more motor into my early x and ill have the best of both worlds.

I was being sarcastic about the torque. I like them all. I like the big bumpers and the little bumpers and the in between bumpers. Am I talking about cars? Same for boobs.

However I find this indisputable - earlier cars were better built. Some of this has been said - hinges, for example. Late cars seem thinner in the body and the paintwork was two coats and a clear (or about that thin). Many of the "little" parts, like the door jamb switches, the retainers, bushings, cable guides, brackets, grounds, etc., were more substantial on the early cars. The late model seats are weak and show laziness of the owner for not stepping out of the car to raise the top (leaning back and inward bends the frames).

They are all equally prone to rust and some folks say the late models rust more - but I disagree and say there are more late models left in the world to compare to the few early models. In either case there were a few thousand that didn't rust. Find one of those. Typically in California or the desert states.

The motors are all very good and the lower end solid as a rock. If you have to rebuild the motor it will likely be the last time ever since it isn't going to be used/abused as much by an enthusiast. Same with the suspension, transmission, etc. Train yourself how to drive them properly and not rest your hand on the shifter and everything will last a long, long time.

Stay away from heavily modified cars unless you are 100% sure what you are looking at/for. Many mechanical "revisions" are done by people who drive the cars to death, so that pretty engine might be crap inside. If you find one where the originality has been maintained you'll likely find a better car to start with.

[spiderrey]

brad i know your being sarcastic. i agree with most of what you say. very much so with that second line. i really dont like those huge bumpers though. they take away from the lines of the car. but i do appreciate a very well kept car of any year. ive even been impressed with a very clean pinto i saw a while back.

[mdrburchette]

It's about time you two showed up. I've been fighting this war all be my little self and being bombarded by "82" owners. Finally, people with as much sense as me!

[pope]

I hate to admit it, but the early 70's cars that Denise, Rey and Brad have are the perfect version of the Spider...to rip the chrome bumpers off and install on 80's versions and then sell off the rest of the car for parts.

Ooopppss...did I say that out loud? I dont know what got into me, I Iove these guys and their cars.

[Gunsmith]

This sour grapes thing for those that don't own an 82 is very obvious. Just keep looking and eventually you will all be able to find an 82 to make you happy. Then you will be able to sell your earlier models that you have used to temporarily satisfy your Fiat fix. Once everyone has "Upgraded" to the 82 then we can change the sites web address to 82fiatspider.com as it should be.

[mdrburchette]

Geez, you guys are cracking me up. There must be only one explanation to your early model bashing.....you guys are jealous!

[spiderrey]

well i gotta go, gonna take my pretty litte 70 and 74 x to a show rt now , you 82,s better hope i dont find you out on the road. later

[Gunsmith]

You're going to need a lot of time and gas to find me on the road Spiderrey but I welcome the challenge. In Florida we can make all the mods we want so my FI is pretty peppy.