possible new owner - Page 3

yvesmontreal · #31 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmitch

As for Alfa Stu's advice and comments, my work schedule would not allow me to be out in the garage every night keeping the Alfa tuned, either. As long as I do regular maintenance and periodic tune ups...am I gonna be happy?

**vf31rhill** · #32 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 05:36 PM

Leaking in the rain has mostly to do with what kind of top was installed last and by whom. High quality top correctly installed by competent tech equals little to no leakage. Cheap top badly installed equals leaking a lot of water during a rain storm. Look for the wires connected at the front on each side, running through the top material and exiting over the tensioners located alongside each rear upright. If these wires are absent, then the top was installed by poor tech and you will likely have water leakage around windows as well as problem with glass rising inside the top if you raise the windows with the door closed. If the window rises inside the top, you have a bad fit, plus you have to lower the window 1/2 way to open the door. You may find an example with its original factory top still installed, but since the youngest of these spiders will be 15 years old, that isn't likely. Plus if you did accidently luck into such a car, it will be you doing the next top replacement, likely sooner than later.
The last big issue is rubber seals, particularly the one under the front bow which seals the top to the windshield headder. Again, 15 years old or more equals deteriation as rubber does not last forever. Take a hard look at this seal with the top down and check if it is fully connected along it's entie length. If not, you can expect some leakage at the point(s) of detachment. Best to figure a replacement of this seal unless it is in above average condition. Over compressing a deteriated seal does not make it leak any less.

Sounds like you are "spider bitten" in any case, so might as well just jump on in and test the water. But cannot be stressed enough, be patient, find a premo example and pay a little more for quality/condition. You will be far ahead in the long run rather than playing catch up on a poor/junky example.
Welcome aboard the ship of fools.
Robert

drmitch · #33 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 06:49 AM

Re-reading from the start of all this...does the Spider really require PREMIUM fuel???

**ghnl** · #34 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 07:14 AM

The S4 Spider (90-94) does require higher octane fuel as it has higher compression pistons.

The S3 (82-89) does NOT need premium (unless the engine has been modified - high compression pistons &/or shaved cylinder head).

One reason this gets confusing is because there are two methods of rating a fuel's octane content - PON (Pump Octane Number) and RON (Research Octane Number). In the USA 'regular' is ~ 87 octane PON. In Europe 'regular' is ~ 92 octane RON.

I am not sure about the earlier models.

from the S3's Owner's Manual:

drmitch · #35 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 05:24 PM

Thank you. I"m hoping to look at an '84 Spider Veloce tomorrow. I'm a little jittery about a vintage sports car...I've had two Miatas and 2 Z3's, with no reliability issues. I've read many posts and reviews, here and elsewhere, that are 180 degrees apart. some say the Alfa is super reliable, others say it's constant upkeep and parts and repairs. I'm kinda leaning towards another Z3 but I've always wanted a vintage sports car. I salivate at the chrome and the wood steering wheels and the sounds and smell...it's so much more visceral than the modern stuff, to me. But thanks for the clarification on the gas...now I know the '84 would run on 87.

**vf31rhill** · #36 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 05:43 PM

drmitch,
Are you looking at craigslist? There are always Alfas on this listing and since the weather started improving there are twice as many as last Dec. I saw several last night which looked very nice. I bought in Dec to take advantags of the "off season" pricing. I located my black 88 Veloce on craigslist, but had to travel 980 miles to pick it up. I like to make fun of the Alfa syndrone and my car is far from perfect. But I bought it and immediately drove it 980 miles home with few problems. In all honesty, any 20 year old car would have been far from perfect, regardless of make. Even though I make light of it, I actually am very proud and happy with it and don't plan on ever parting with it. At 64 YOA, I realize that the Alfa will outlive me.
Robert

drmitch · #37 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 05:46 PM

Yes, looking at craigslist. Unfortunately, I don't have the time or resources to travel that far to see one. I'm having a heck of a time just coordinating seeing this 84 and it's maybe 20 miles away! Anyway...hopefully I'll drive the Alfa tomorrow (my first time in one) and the Z3 and make an intelligent choice.

**vf31rhill** · #38 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 06:08 PM

Time is a problem. Resources can be juggled a little. I only paid $3,000 for my car, so I could not justify the expense of an airline ticket against such an investment. So I rode the bus instead. This became the bus ride from hell, but kept travel expenses in line with the price of the car. And the bus ride is a funny tale to tell over a few beers, now that it is behind me. If I had it to do over, I would do exactly the same.
Robert

**kunzman** · #39 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 06:49 PM

1990 S3s require premium! Mine is a 1990 S3 (MY'89). These were S3 bodies and interiors with S4 mechanics and electronics. No airbags though.

irishal · #40 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmitch

Thank you. I"m hoping to look at an '84 Spider Veloce tomorrow. I'm a little jittery about a vintage sports car...I've had two Miatas and 2 Z3's, with no reliability issues. I've read many posts and reviews, here and elsewhere, that are 180 degrees apart. some say the Alfa is super reliable, others say it's constant upkeep and parts and repairs. I'm kinda leaning towards another Z3 but I've always wanted a vintage sports car. I salivate at the chrome and the wood steering wheels and the sounds and smell...it's so much more visceral than the modern stuff, to me. But thanks for the clarification on the gas...now I know the '84 would run on 87.

**lgbalfa** · #41 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 03:20 PM

did you ever find one?

drmitch · #42 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 06:22 PM

Thank you all for your input. I got spooked on using the Alfa as a daily driver. I wound up getting a 1.9L 4 cyl BMW Z3 and so far am very happy. Getting 35 mpg frwy so, that's what I was looking for, and got to stay in a hot looking roadster and didn't have to resort to a Yaris! Thank you all so very much!