03-01-2008, 07:32 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Denver Co
Posts: 435
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This time for real I bought it '84 Spider!
Thanks everyone for putting up with my banter up to this point!
So I passed on the red '83 with salvage title, I made a deal on an '88 Quad in SD after that but today JUST as I was about to transfer the money the owner tells me his wife will no longer let him sell the car! I was bummed!
...Until I found this one  Its an '84 Spider ORIGINAL OWNER!!! 110k miles. Silver on Blue. Its in wine country outside SF - zero rust. Top is faded - thats ALL that seems to be wrong with it. Im buying it for a steal. Interior was redone 6 years ago and looks flawless - no cracks in the dash. Only thing it doesnt have which doesnt much matter to me (I know it does to Enrique!) is A/C - but it just means less weight and resistance on the engine!
I was even able to transfer my flight for no additional cost! I will be flying to SF next saturday morning, driving down the CA coast and then through Phoenix then up through NM to bring the car home to Denver.
Here are some pics: |
03-01-2008, 07:36 PM
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Weaving a Spider's web
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: BC
Posts: 575
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Congrats, your Spider is a beauty. 
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93 and 94 Ce Spider
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03-01-2008, 07:37 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Mebane, NC
Posts: 3,472
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Good things come to he who waits (or something like that).
Nice looking car! If the top is otherwise in good condition you may be able to re-dye it.
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03-01-2008, 07:41 PM
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Slacker
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Northern NY, USA
Posts: 6,485
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Better send a deposit now so it doesn't fall through on you by next week
I see someone put bump/ding gaurd thingies along the lower edge of the blood groove.
There's some threads 'round here somewhere discussing whether they were a dealer item or not. (if you actually even care)
Seems pretty sharp, but what's the left side of the car look like? |
03-01-2008, 07:44 PM
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but this one goes to 11..
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Alfaville
Posts: 2,215
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I think you'll be hapier with this one since it'll most likely be quicker than the quad due to the weight difference. I'd be glad to look at this one for you too but you'll have to buy me ticket to SF. Only $49 one way on Virgin America
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currently: 1984 GTV6 (Sabrina) 1992 164L (Jill) 1992 164S (Kelly) 1989 Spider Veloce (Julie)
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03-01-2008, 08:04 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 2,908
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congratulations. very nice spider.
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1992 alfa romeo spider veloce, 19k miles
2000 saab 9-3 coupe, 20k miles
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03-01-2008, 08:10 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 313
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Congrats on the Spider purchase. You waited, and got a good one. I know waiting is tough, its killing me. 
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[COLOR="Green"]When cornering hard.... It's not the tires screaming...[/COLOR] [COLOR="Red"]It's the road begging for mercy. [/COLOR]
[COLOR="Red"]1985 Maserati[/COLOR][COLOR="Green"] Biturbo, 5spd. A work in progress. [/COLOR]
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03-01-2008, 08:15 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Denver Co
Posts: 435
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Thanks everyone. The owner's wife said she was going to cry when I pick it up! Other than the seats being redone 6-7 years ago the car is 100% original inside and out - does have new tires and battery but everything else is original.
Im making a list now of things I need to bring with me for the trip
So far I have:
1. Change of pants for when I first see the car 
2. Those little things that go on the throttle arms in case it snaps on the trip
3. I want to change the oil - I want to use Amsoil - what weight should I get? My dad keeps swearing by 20w/50 But Im not sold on that weight...
4. I thought about bringing an extra thermostat in case - the factory one is a 185 degree one correct? Can I use a lower temp one?
5. Tools? What tools should I bring in the car with me?
6. My trusty V1 Radar detector - its saved me so many times already!
What else should I bring?? |
03-01-2008, 08:30 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: AZ - but it's a dry heat!
Posts: 181
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Nice Wheels, body looks in good shape. Top looks faded but structurally sound, and as Eric stated might be able to re-dye it.
Like the wood steering wheel and shifter knob. |
03-01-2008, 08:31 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Denver Co
Posts: 435
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Im not too worried about the top being faded honestly - If it keeps water out Im happy!
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03-01-2008, 08:39 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Mebane, NC
Posts: 3,472
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3. I use Castrol 20W/50
4. 185F is the correct T-stat rating. If you do swap it, note there is a procedure to bleed the coolant system. 185F works fine for me. If you use too cool a T-stat the computer may never sense the engine is up to temp and thus keep it slightly rich - bad for economy & the catalytic converter.
5. Cell phone?
The wrenches I tend to use the most are 10mm, 13mm, 14mm and occasionally 15mm. Plus a phllips and slotted screw driver. And a volt/ohm meter.
How about a copy of the L-jet diagnosis page? (see my signature block for the link) Clean electrical connections and grounds & battery terminals. Check that the air intake ducts and hoses attached to the intake are all in good condition.
Last edited by ghnl; 03-01-2008 at 08:41 PM.
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03-01-2008, 08:45 PM
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Slacker
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Northern NY, USA
Posts: 6,485
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by sgtpeper
1. Change of pants for when I first see the car |
Quote:
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2. Those little things that go on the throttle arms in case it snaps on the trip
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Very low probability of that being an issue
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3. I want to change the oil - I want to use Amsoil - what weight should I get? My dad keeps swearing by 20w/50 But Im not sold on that weight.
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20/50 is the shizznit
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4. I thought about bringing an extra thermostat in case - the factory one is a 185 degree one correct?
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Why?
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Can I use a lower temp one?
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You could, but getting what the engine calls for is much more sensible
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5. Tools? What tools should I bring in the car with me?
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Flat tip and phillips screwdrivers, pliers and/or vicegrips, socket set that goes as small as 7mm and up to around 14mm (any larger and you'll be looking at stuff you ain't gonna mess with on the roadside), jack, spare tire, lug wrench that actually fits, mabe a can of fix-a-flat, flares and/or warning triangles, cell phone.
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6. My trusty V1 Radar detector - its saved me so many times already!
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Might want to spend a bit of time actually getting used to the thing before considering any kind of sporty type driving.
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What else should I bring??
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Cash, credit card, food, water, gun.
LOL Hi Eric :wave:
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03-01-2008, 08:53 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: AZ - but it's a dry heat!
Posts: 181
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tifosi
gun?
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Ok I can say that 'cause I live in the valley!
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03-01-2008, 08:54 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Denver Co
Posts: 435
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Haha Im staying at my roommates house that night in Phoenix - her company has her there for 3 months so it works out perfectly.
Jeff
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03-01-2008, 08:59 PM
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Slacker
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Northern NY, USA
Posts: 6,485
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Oh, to add to the 'take along' list:
Bulbs for the par | |
'84 manufacture ~ '85 MY Spider Graduate 