[noalfa(yet)]

This one is on ebay: 280169806191
It is local, seems to be in reasonable condition and at $3000.00 seems reasonably priced. Any opinions?
How is a '72 to work on?
Any predictable problem areas I should be aware of?
Thanks,
Rick

 

[Art Vandelay]

Same rules apply as always - look for rust, or have someone that knows what they're doing look for rust.

A '72 Spider is a piece of cake to repair, parts are easy to find, and it's a blast to drive. Also one of the prettiest of the square tails.

 

[Duke58]

Buy it!

Drive it.

 

[silverspider]

I am always suspect of a "buy it now option", especially for Alfas. Never rush a car purchase and always inspect in person.

 

[Duke58]

Opinions are like a-holes, everyone has one.

Other option is to be cheap, act like your stuff is worth its weight in gold, everyone else has junk, wait for the old man to die so you can rip-off his widow. Spend time on this BB giving useless info about spending a lousy $3000, which isn't much but a few months payment on a new car.

Drive an Alfa. Pay some money to the vendors who carry parts/supplies. I don't want to hear about someone paying $25 for an Alfa and painting it with a paint brush, because these cars may never be worth a foutune in our life time. I bought my $2500 to drive it. That's what I do, and the last place I'll go to sell or buy one is here. This BB is to keep the car running, find some vendors. My a-hole opinion.

 

[silverspider]

Opinions

"Opinions are like a-holes, everyone has one."

At least you got that right. Then again, you would.

 

[lowmileage]

Based on what the owner says here would make it a keeper in my book.

"Have driven this car and it still holds the road well"

 

[Duke58]

At least you got that right. Then again, you would.

You know me?

Go park yer Spider in yer junky house.

 

[silverspider]

Look, notwithstanding any earlier posts, evidently one can buy a spider for 3K (or less, evidently) and be perfectly content with it with some judicious purchases from some vendors. Good for them. I mean it.

But in nearly twenty-five years of continuous Spider ownership, I have learned a thing or two (sometimes the hard way), about these cars; that you can spend 7 grand on a 3 grand Spider and still have a problem car. Noises from the rear-end, loss of power at higher revs, strange noises from the driveshaft, soaring temperatures in traffic, taillights go out when the high beams or fan are switched on, spluttering under acceleration or transmission slipping from second to third? You won’t catch any of these things buying a car sight unseen. And even the most honest seller may be wrong, or willfully ignorant, about how rusty their car really is.

So, hear of a 3 grand, thirty-five year old Spider? Certainly go check it out, I have a number of times. But why would someone sell perhaps the most desirable and rare version of the Kamm tail for that kind of money. If you see an Alfa with a buy-it-now proposition on EBay, you can be almost certain about two things, it is either over-priced or under-priced. Ask yourself why.

Just my opinion, natch.

 

[Peter]

now c'mon, play nice guys! You are both right, just different personalities.
Silverspider is right in that you can easily dump a multiple of the purchase price into a cheap car (can do that in an expensive one too, BTW). Silverspider is a more cautious type, and wants to check it out, it's a good idea, and there's nothing wrong with that. Sound advice!
Duke58 is little a more impulsive, and buys a car more on a whim, bc it looks a good deal. With a buy it now, you have to act fast sometimes, and 3K for a running, pretty decent looking 72 is not bad at all. As long as you count on spending some money, which you should expect if you buy a 3K Spider. With the value of the early kamm tails on the rise, it can work out fine. So that advice is good in it's own right too, sometimes you need to go for it and seize the opportunity.

I must admit I'm more like Duke, but sometimes wish I was more like Silverspider....makes me a double a-hole I guess

 

[Duke58]

I appreciate all the good humor!

Honestly, I remember admiring the Spiders when I was young and couldn't afford one, or had other priorities in my life.

The previous owner of my Spider drove it to my house one summer day with the top down, and it brought back many memories of my youth. I nearly drooled on the car as I admired it. Before Dave died, he called me and asked me if I wanted to buy the Spider. My first comment was that I couldn't afford it. When he told me he only wanted $2500, I nearly ran to the bank. Maybe impulsive to some, but I saw it as an opportunity to buy a great looking fun car for what some people pay in auto insurance per year.

The PO did mention that the car needed a clutch slave and perhaps a master brake cylinder. I took the car to the local Alfa specialist (a great one Alfa mechanic by the way). The Alfa mechanic installed a new master brake cylinder, clutch slave, and repaired the radiator. I haven't had to make a major repair yet, but have to do weird things like clean the fuses, clean all the grounds, replaced a wire to the alternator, things I really consider maintenance like no other vehicle I've owned.

What I got for aound $3000 is the sexiest looking, fun car I've ever owned. I know it may never be worth a fortune, but I really enjoy driving the car more than any other car I've owned. Its just plain fun, for only $3000. Considering taking $3000 to a new car dealer, using it for a down payment on a Porsche, Corvette, or any other car that would be as fun as my Spider, it would make enough difference on my payment and insurance to buy a six pack of beer.

 

[BAMAALFA]

Sold American!!

 

[lowmileage]

I appreciate good humor!

I agree with you on that point.