Wanted '91 To '94 Alfa Spider - Low Miles
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Don't know where you're located, but there are a couple of East Coast S4 Spiders advertised in The Owner for more reasonable asking prices than the $20K you mentioned for the 7800 mile car.
Personally, I would prefer a car with some miles one it - indicative that the previous owner has used and enjoyed it. Few miles could indicate that it has been underutilized and under-exercised and who knows what problems could be associated with that?
Just my opinion.
Personally, I would prefer a car with some miles one it - indicative that the previous owner has used and enjoyed it. Few miles could indicate that it has been underutilized and under-exercised and who knows what problems could be associated with that?
Just my opinion.
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Alex,
It would be good for you to post where you are located... Certainly there are plenty of s4 Spiders for sale, in varying degrees of conditions. For example, take a look at www.autoextra.com. Also, the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (no affiliation to this BB, although many of us are members of the AROC) is a great source for seeing cars in person. You could join your local chapter and get to know the cars before you decide on which one to buy. The web site is www.aroc-usa.org. The AROC monthly publication is the "Alfa Owner".
If you need help evaluating a car, then don't hesitate to ask. Many of us can help you there, as well.
Best regards,
It would be good for you to post where you are located... Certainly there are plenty of s4 Spiders for sale, in varying degrees of conditions. For example, take a look at www.autoextra.com. Also, the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (no affiliation to this BB, although many of us are members of the AROC) is a great source for seeing cars in person. You could join your local chapter and get to know the cars before you decide on which one to buy. The web site is www.aroc-usa.org. The AROC monthly publication is the "Alfa Owner".
If you need help evaluating a car, then don't hesitate to ask. Many of us can help you there, as well.
Best regards,
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3,268 Posts
Where are you located?
Alex -
Before I bought my first Spider (a 1987 Veloce with "low mileage" - 50k) in 1996, I joined the AROC and got acquainted with some members in my local chapter. Of course this was before this forum became available, and maybe preceeded the Alfa Digest as well. Nonetheless, those local Alfisti were invaluable in pointing toward a vehicle, and referred me to owners of Spiders such as I thought I wanted. The club (and the people on this forum) are an excellent source of information for those who are yet to be initiated to Alfa ownership. The best advice I heard before buying, which proved to be only partly tongue-in-cheek, is that "the purchase price of an Alfa is only the downpayment on the maintenance costs." This can become a truism if you catch the disease and become an Alfaholic, as many of us are. You tend to tinker, learn your car, and make things "better" - all this can cost $$.
Again, I would say, don't restrict yourself to a car with "low" mileage (whatever that is), rather make your restriction have to do with quality of product and model (as you have done - S4 Spider), etc. You will find that restrictive enough, as there are not enough of these cars available for sale that are attractive (especially to a newbie owner) both in price and condition.
Alex -
Before I bought my first Spider (a 1987 Veloce with "low mileage" - 50k) in 1996, I joined the AROC and got acquainted with some members in my local chapter. Of course this was before this forum became available, and maybe preceeded the Alfa Digest as well. Nonetheless, those local Alfisti were invaluable in pointing toward a vehicle, and referred me to owners of Spiders such as I thought I wanted. The club (and the people on this forum) are an excellent source of information for those who are yet to be initiated to Alfa ownership. The best advice I heard before buying, which proved to be only partly tongue-in-cheek, is that "the purchase price of an Alfa is only the downpayment on the maintenance costs." This can become a truism if you catch the disease and become an Alfaholic, as many of us are. You tend to tinker, learn your car, and make things "better" - all this can cost $$.
Again, I would say, don't restrict yourself to a car with "low" mileage (whatever that is), rather make your restriction have to do with quality of product and model (as you have done - S4 Spider), etc. You will find that restrictive enough, as there are not enough of these cars available for sale that are attractive (especially to a newbie owner) both in price and condition.
I APPRECIATE YOUR SUGGESTIONS VERY MUCH...AND WILL DO AS YOU SAY...I HAVE SEEN ALREADY TWO SPIDERES HERE IN FLORIDA BUT THERE WERE NOT IN VERY GOOD SHAPE MAINTENANCE WISE...THAT IS WHY I MUST HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS..OTHERWISE I WOULD NOT BUY THE CAR...PLUS I AM VERY CLOSE TO THE ALFA MECHANINC IN MIAMI THAT IS GUIDING ME VERY VERY WELL...IN THIS SEARCH...I KIND OF HAVE HIM LOOK AT THE DEAL FIRST.
THE POINT IS THAT I ALSO FOUND A BEAUTIFUL SPIDER 1991 RED/TAM WITH ONLT 7850 MILES ALL ORIGINAL AND ALSO THE PICS OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE WERE SEEN BY MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE CAR IS VERY GOOD..BUT THIS SMALL DEALER WANTS $ 20,000 BUT AGAIN I BELEIVE IS ONE OF A KIND CAR :
1) FIND A SPIDER IS ALREADY DIFFICULT 2) WITH LOW LOW MILES LIKE THIS ONE EVEN MORE. BUT I WONDER IS THIS CAR REALLY GOING TO KEEP UP ITS VALUE EVEN AFTER ALFA WILL RETURN TO THE USA ON 2009 OR IT IS GOING TO MAKE IT WORSE ?? IT IS ALSO AN INVESTMENT THAT I WANT TO PROTECT....YOU KNOW !!
THE POINT IS THAT I ALSO FOUND A BEAUTIFUL SPIDER 1991 RED/TAM WITH ONLT 7850 MILES ALL ORIGINAL AND ALSO THE PICS OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE WERE SEEN BY MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE CAR IS VERY GOOD..BUT THIS SMALL DEALER WANTS $ 20,000 BUT AGAIN I BELEIVE IS ONE OF A KIND CAR :
1) FIND A SPIDER IS ALREADY DIFFICULT 2) WITH LOW LOW MILES LIKE THIS ONE EVEN MORE. BUT I WONDER IS THIS CAR REALLY GOING TO KEEP UP ITS VALUE EVEN AFTER ALFA WILL RETURN TO THE USA ON 2009 OR IT IS GOING TO MAKE IT WORSE ?? IT IS ALSO AN INVESTMENT THAT I WANT TO PROTECT....YOU KNOW !!
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A series 4 Spider is not even historical at this point ('91s will be in 2016), and there were plenty made, and plenty are still available. Hence, these cars are simply "used classics" rather than collectible vehicles that are rare or of special significance. Thus, for many years to come the value of your car will depend on its condition, and not on any investment potential... As has been proven many times, it is far cheaper to buy a perfect car for $20k, than it is to take any car and restore it to perfection...
Best regards,
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I have seen the dealer's ad for the red alfa with 7850 miles. At $20,000-21,000 or so it is priced correctly in my opinion. If you keep the mileage down and care for the car, you would get your money back in a sale (car would need to remain very low mileage though and in excellent condition). There is clearly a market for low mileage S4 Spiders in excellent condition. I do not think there is any significant investment upside past a price in the low to mid 20's, unless the car is truly concours condition. Then again, looking back a few years at Barrett Jackson showed some auction sales in the 24-27,800 range (not counting seller fees though). I have no idea what values will be if Alfa returns to the US. As far as 1994 CE models, perhaps a slight increase in price, though again I feel that very low mileage and condition of the car are the most important. I recently sold a red 1993 Spider with 11,800 original miles on it. Car was pristine and attracted lots of interest. Realize though that if you own a car like this, you might be afraid of driving it (as it's desirability would then only go down due to road damage,mileage,etc.) That is what happened to me.
I would go after the Red Spider in San Diego with 7850 miles. Cars like that are not easy to find and I think the dealer wants to unload it. (lowered price from $29,000 to $22,500) Just my opinion for consideration. Good luck
I would go after the Red Spider in San Diego with 7850 miles. Cars like that are not easy to find and I think the dealer wants to unload it. (lowered price from $29,000 to $22,500) Just my opinion for consideration. Good luck
For REDALFA1961
hanks for your Opinion. But would you buy that Alfa 1`991 with 7851 miles or a 1994 CE with 33,000 miles for the same price ??
The re is a '94 CE also for sale at a small dealer in Williansville,NY he want for it about $ 20,500, ONE OWNER, ALWAYS SERVICED AT THAT DEALER ( 'Village Autosale)
What do you suggest ?
Thank you again for your suggestions !!!
hanks for your Opinion. But would you buy that Alfa 1`991 with 7851 miles or a 1994 CE with 33,000 miles for the same price ??
The re is a '94 CE also for sale at a small dealer in Williansville,NY he want for it about $ 20,500, ONE OWNER, ALWAYS SERVICED AT THAT DEALER ( 'Village Autosale)
What do you suggest ?
Thank you again for your suggestions !!!
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Hands down, I would buy the Red Alfa in San Diego with 7850 original miles. I would not put that much premium on "CE" logo.. 7850 original miles with a pristine car is more desirable in my opinion, and more unusual.
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Alex -
I agree with redalfa on the points he makes. An S4 Spider is not going to have investment value for many years to come. Who knows what will happen with any of our cars' values when Alfa comes back?
I would add, that while I own two very nice, and possibly collectable models, I drive them because I own them not for "investment" potential, but rather for "fun" potential. If I ever sell either of them, I hope I could get my $$ back, but that's only a minor part of the equation. I derive WAY more satisfaction from driving (and occasionally displaying) my cars than knowing I am making money from them.
I agree with redalfa on the points he makes. An S4 Spider is not going to have investment value for many years to come. Who knows what will happen with any of our cars' values when Alfa comes back?
I would add, that while I own two very nice, and possibly collectable models, I drive them because I own them not for "investment" potential, but rather for "fun" potential. If I ever sell either of them, I hope I could get my $$ back, but that's only a minor part of the equation. I derive WAY more satisfaction from driving (and occasionally displaying) my cars than knowing I am making money from them.
Oh how true! Alfa's are meant to be enjoyed for their fantastic driving, and that's what I do
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That 94 CE at Village sounds nice. BTW, I dealt with Village when I was looking for my 164. Although I ended up buying elsewhere, they were very courteous and cooperative. I am told they were also an Alfa dealer, so they should know something about these cars.
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