Buying 1990+ Spider

[tomsun91]

Hello every1 my first first post on forums. I am seriously considering buying a Alfa Spider for college (im gonna drive it as primary car). But I have a few questions for all my fellow BBers

1. how reliable are 4th Gen. Spiders? 1990-1994?

2. safety? (death trap or whitegoods?)

3. how much did you pay for it?

4. upkeep?

5. difference between veloce and non-veloce?

I posted this on wrong section.. so srry

[tamurphy67]

I've had mine 16 years and it has never broken down. Though I bought it twice. Once new, then again having it repaired and pieces restored. By this time, anyone selling one would have already done most of the initial repairs. 2nd gear syncros, and the list goes on. So you could definitely find a reliable one. Most people on this board are very optimistic and will tell you to get one. They are very expensive to fix, so I wouldn't get one in college unless you have a couple extra thousand to dump into it each year.

Safety.. I've been hit 3 times because the driver did not see me, and dodged at least a dozen other near hits.

A good series 4 will run you around 9-13K.

Upkeep? yeah you'll be doing that. Lots of stupid little things go wrong.

differences are vinyl top vs cloth, smaller wheels (14 or 15), vinyl seats vs leather and illuminated vanity mirror for passenger. Also vinyl wrapped steering wheel instead of leather.

These are fun cars to own, but save your money for beer and fun while in college, unless of course you have lots of it.