I'm looking to buy. Can someone please answer

[Jimb]

I know very little about the spiders but than I have always wanted one and now I ma seriously looking to find the best one I can.
What is the main differences between earlier (70's) and later (80's) spiders other than bumpers?
And I realize this is likely very contentous but, is there a best model year?...or ones to stay away from?

Thanks,
Jim

[Leesfer]

I'm not the best guy, but hey I will tell you what I know

The later Spiders, in the 80s are fuel injected, the earlier spiders are carbed. The bumpers are different as you said, and the engine size is different. The more common engines are the 1800cc and the 2000cc. 1800 being the carbed version and the fuel injected are 2000. Besides the engines there aren't many comsetic differences, besides door handles and bumpers.

From what I hear, the fuel injected are more reliable, or at least take less tweaking, but the carbed versions are able to pump out more power if you are willing to mess around and put money into it.

Edit: as for best model, that is optinion. If you think the best model isdue to the bumpers then I'd go with a 73 but if you think the best model for reliability, then I'd go with an 82. Just my 2cents.

[rlux4]

I don't really think there's any question about this. Everybody pretty much agrees that '82 is far and away the best year Spider ever made. Not only is it fuel injected, but you would have bragging rights on owning the last year that Fiat made them.
Just my opinion though. Others may disagree, but I don't know how.
Ron

[Leesfer]

I don't really think there's any question about this. Everybody pretty much agrees that '82 is far and away the best year Spider ever made. Not only is it fuel injected, but you would have bragging rights on owning the last year that Fiat made them.
Just my opinion though. Others may disagree, but I don't know how.
Ron

Go '82!

Too bad CA is out to get us with their smog...

[ga.spyder]

As a member of the 82 club I say ....yeah baby! I havent had experience with any other year Fiat but its hard to hate walking out to the garage ,turning the key and driving away.I' m sure you will get a lot of different opinions ,everyone always thinks theirs is best!
Craig

[mdrburchette]

I'm afraid I disagree. Although the 82 is fuel injected, the early ones are more classic. Why else would so many people spend so much time and money to make their later models look like the early ones? Really, you should look for the best example and not worry too much about what year it is. They all have their good points and bad (although I can't think of any bad for a 72 ). Here are a few things you need to look for when buying:

Rust. Check the outside shell for any paint bubbling. Rust starts from the inside and goes out so bubbles means rust through damage. Also get under the car and use a screwdriver to test the floor pans. Also check the shock towers and crossmember to make sure they're solid.

Door hinges. Especially in the later model cars, open the doors and check the upper and lower hinge mount points on the door itself. If they are cracked, they're a bear to have repaired.

seatback frame. Especially on later models, the driver's side seatback can become bent from people leaning over and pulling the top up while sitting in the car. The fix isn't so bad if you can use a welder.

Electrical. Make sure everything works on the car. Nothing's more of a pain than trying to trace and repair wiring that someone else has tried to repair.

Transmission. Make sure the transmission operates smoothly and doesn't jump out of gear or grind. They can get expensive to repair.

Does anyone else have more to add?

[leemartin]

Hey does that mean i'm special too since mine is an 82? Sweet. Less maintenance is always cool with me.

I think Denise has some good points there. I hope you can find a really good one Jim.

[rlux4]

Do not be misled by Denise (mdrburchette)! What does she know? OK, she produced the car voted the #1 Spider in North America. But other than that.....
Seriously, you want to see how good a Spider can look? See hers.
Ron

[leemartin]

You know that would be a great thing to have on here, a place to display your cars.

[mbouse]

Hello, and welcome to the forum. Of course, this is nothing more than a debate on "my favorite" spider, with no winners and no losers. We each love a particular model year for one reason or another. we also shy away from one or more model years for some other reason.

there are subtle differences between nearly every year, and some even more subtle changes (and some not so subtle) from the beginning of a model year and the end of the same year. take 1980 for example....from carbureted to fuel injected.

all in what you want, how much you can afford, and what you are willing to do without.

[Gunsmith]

Of course the 82 is the best but any well cared for or properly restored Spider will give you delights every time you look at her. Denise is right on the money, just look for the possible issues and know what it would take to make it right if you fell in love with it. Other than that the ballistic coefficient and transfer of energy of the 82 is the best.

[mbouse]

Ballistic transfer of coefficient energy?

aren't your crossing lingo from one hobby to another, Gunsmith?

A properly carb'd and ported two litre will lick your fuelie any time.




Oh-oh! did we start a trash talk session?

[Leesfer]

Ballistic transfer of coefficient energy?

aren't your crossing lingo from one hobby to another, Gunsmith?

A properly carb'd and ported two litre will lick your fuelie any time.




Oh-oh! did we start a trash talk session?

We'll see about that when you come up on thos guys throwing turbos on their fuelies

[Jimb]

Wow, thanks everyone for your input. Very much appreciated!
I'm looking for a new toy and I'm trying to decide between an Alfa Giulia spider or a Fiat Spider. Whatever I get will eventually be brought up to concours if not already.
I guess it will boil down to which every one I can find the best example of first.
Cheers,
Jim

[mdrburchette]

Finding the best one to start with sounds like the right thing to do.

Now, boys. I'll put up my little ole 1608 against your 2L any time.