Alfa 916 Spider?

[jyl]

Longshot. Anyone know about these cars? Inexpensive way to scratch Italian itch in a reasonably modern car with all mod cons? Or ticket to endless frustration?

[pavulon]

Certainly unusually styled cars! No experience here but there are forums for everything now. Not sure an Italian itch would get scratched by a front wheel driven car though. Giulia?

[jyl]

I don't think I care much RWD FWD AWD - not gonna be horsing it around.

Giulia is a pretty car, but RWD+sedan overlaps two other cars I have, and 2-3X as much $. Not a convertible.

Alfa 115 s4 Spider similar price, but much older design.

Basically I want to sell the Bugeye Sprite and get into another small convertible but a more modern one.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

You can get parts

https://www.alfaholics.com/parts/gtv-spider/

but I'd visit some dedicated forums. '93 to 2004 means it had a decent run, so there's got to be people out there who really know these cars. I like the 80s styling.

Decent numbers in sales

https://bringatrailer.com/alfa-romeo/gtv-spider-type-916/

Maybe go through a few auctions and see what people say

[jyl]

My readings suggests if willing to order from UK/Europe, parts are reasonably available, with the usual sprinkling of NLA and no repro. Definitely expertise out there - mostly in UK/Europe.

I had a bad experience with an "orphan" car (Merkur XR4Ti in the '80s). This is even more of an orphan (never officially imported) but the Merkur was a DD/only car and the Alfa would be an occasional drive.

[pavulon]

I understand. This seems quite unlikely to be real helpful but it does double check a few boxes at a price that you would likely be able to recover. I don't think it would be massively irresponsible at that number. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed to any of us and you could be an absolute legend with your kids!

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/746830456?city=Medford&listingType=USED&makeCode=FER&modelCode=F355&searchRadius=0&state=WI&clickType=listing

[jyl]

Originally Posted by pavulon

I understand. This seems quite unlikely to be real helpful but it does double check a few boxes at a price that you would likely be able to recover. I don't think it would be massively irresponsible at that number. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed to any of us and you could be an absolute legend with your kids!

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/746830456?city=Medford&listingType=USED&makeCode=FER&modelCode=F355&searchRadius=0&state=WI&clickType=listing

Err, helpful like a dope pusher . . .

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by jyl

My readings suggests if willing to order from UK/Europe, parts are reasonably available, with the usual sprinkling of NLA and no repro. Definitely expertise out there - mostly in UK/Europe.

I had a bad experience with an "orphan" car (Merkur XR4Ti in the '80s). This is even more of an orphan (never officially imported) but the Merkur was a DD/only car and the Alfa would be an occasional drive.

Car and Driver (and maybe R&T but for sure Car and Driver) made a big big deal out of the Merkur XR4ti when in was introduced. It was even a '10 Best' award winner, an accolade that the magazine later called embarrassing. So don't beat yourself up on that decision. It's not like you went into ownership with your eyes wide shut. The magazines heaped praise on that car.

[jyl]

I was working a lot for Ford then (litigation) and the Ford engineers were all hot on the Euro Fords and the SVO Fords. I got the Merkur, another lawyer got the SVO Mustang. Ford of Europe was pretty sporty then, the Cosworth XR4 was ripping it up.

The Merkur was a good car, except the Ford of US engine they put in it. That motor was the lemon.

I was stranded so many times. I put a cellphone in the car specifically to call AAA. Then the trans went, and my shop - the Ford dealer had washed its hands of the Merkur by then - said he’d have to get a replacement from Europe.

I was so sick of the car, I drove it to the local high school auto shop and donated it. I said I wanted the fancy Sony CD head unit. The shop teacher called “Ramon”, who ducked into the car and handed me the head unit in 30 seconds. I guess he’d done that before.

My next car was a 1961 Land Rover, which also broke down a lot but never stranded me. The thing could always drive. I spent months hand cranking it to start, driving in FWD with a broken half shaft, it was unstoppable.