916 Spider V6 24V - Any Good?
Discussion
A strange situation this one.
I'm lucky enough to have a brand new Giulia Quadrifoglio, 66 Bertone Coupe, and a 2001 Maserati 3200 Assetto Corsa.
I love the Maserati, but I'm starting to think of selling it and getting a modestly priced convertible.
I've never owned a drop top before.
Now I have the Giulia the 3200 isn't as worthy as it was before, beautiful as it is. Maybe something to hang onto value wise though...
But anyway, to the point, it looks like for 7-8K you can get a decent 916 V6 Spider for some drop top motoring.
What are they really like? As you can tell, I'm an Alfisti, but have never owned a Busso V6, so that's one tick.
I was thinking have a uprated exhaust and then enjoying cruising about, not expecting it to be super sharp....
But am I mad? Is the spider a good car, or a bit of a turd? I never even liked the looks in period, but it seems to have grown on me!
I'm lucky enough to have a brand new Giulia Quadrifoglio, 66 Bertone Coupe, and a 2001 Maserati 3200 Assetto Corsa.
I love the Maserati, but I'm starting to think of selling it and getting a modestly priced convertible.
I've never owned a drop top before.
Now I have the Giulia the 3200 isn't as worthy as it was before, beautiful as it is. Maybe something to hang onto value wise though...
But anyway, to the point, it looks like for 7-8K you can get a decent 916 V6 Spider for some drop top motoring.
What are they really like? As you can tell, I'm an Alfisti, but have never owned a Busso V6, so that's one tick.
I was thinking have a uprated exhaust and then enjoying cruising about, not expecting it to be super sharp....
But am I mad? Is the spider a good car, or a bit of a turd? I never even liked the looks in period, but it seems to have grown on me!
Not quite the same, but I bought a 2007 946 Spider (Brera equivalent) in March for £8k. Never had an Alfa before, never had (or wanted) a soft top before - but it was a fairly spurrious decision and I wanted something a bit "different" since it would actually be my 4th car.
I love it. It's surprisingly quick for a ~180bhp car, nimble enough (although I think mine would benefit from front tyres I'd actually heard of), sounds gorgeous (even though mine is not a V6) and overall far better than I initially expected. I really like it - and that's comparing it with past / current cars of 911s, Aston Martins, Ferrari - so it has plenty to live up to.
Oh - and although I got chilly ears, driving to work this morning with the top down was a lot more pleasant than usual!
I love it. It's surprisingly quick for a ~180bhp car, nimble enough (although I think mine would benefit from front tyres I'd actually heard of), sounds gorgeous (even though mine is not a V6) and overall far better than I initially expected. I really like it - and that's comparing it with past / current cars of 911s, Aston Martins, Ferrari - so it has plenty to live up to.
Oh - and although I got chilly ears, driving to work this morning with the top down was a lot more pleasant than usual!
Not entirely serious, but cheap MX-5 + 147 GTA for the busso fix?
Kidding aside, i think a 916 should be fine for open top cruising and the odd sporty jaunt. Pure handling wise, it has the power on the wrong wheels, and too much weight in the front, but if you arent looking for the last word in handling, it should be pretty enjoyable.
Kidding aside, i think a 916 should be fine for open top cruising and the odd sporty jaunt. Pure handling wise, it has the power on the wrong wheels, and too much weight in the front, but if you arent looking for the last word in handling, it should be pretty enjoyable.
As an owner of a 916 V6 Spider I'm probably biased. I bought mine 4 years ago as I particularly love the Busso V6.
First the downsides.
The V6 needs new belts and tensioners every 5 years - £6-800 (there is a mileage limit, some quote 35k miles but 70k miles is also bandied around; for these cars now it is the time constraint that kicks in first as few do more than 7k p.a)
The car is an Alfa with almost certain electrical gremlins from time to time.
It is common to be replacing radiators and oil coolers.
The suspension is made from chocolate so new bushes/doglegs/spring pans are also frequently on the shopping list.
The standard diff gives rise to hilarious torque steer when accelerating hard (albeit manageable). You'll find many have been modded to include a Quaiffe LSD to overcome this.
The turning circle is laughable!
Ground clearance is terrible!
On the plus side though you do have the pleasure of one of the best engines and they are generally bullet-proof providing the ancillaries are maintained. If you find one with a non-standard exhaust then you'll have the soundtrack to enjoy as the stock exhaust is rather muted.
In short I consider the V6 Spider as a most enjoyable top down motor but you do need to be sensitive to its foibles; it is not a car to be ignored. Mine took me on a 3k mile European tour a couple of years ago. I can't say it was faultless but it didn't let me down either and it was roof down pretty much all the way.
With only ~150 V6 Spiders ever imported to the UK they are a rare beast and values are starting to rise. If you find a good one with good provenance then I wouldn't hesitate.
First the downsides.
The V6 needs new belts and tensioners every 5 years - £6-800 (there is a mileage limit, some quote 35k miles but 70k miles is also bandied around; for these cars now it is the time constraint that kicks in first as few do more than 7k p.a)
The car is an Alfa with almost certain electrical gremlins from time to time.
It is common to be replacing radiators and oil coolers.
The suspension is made from chocolate so new bushes/doglegs/spring pans are also frequently on the shopping list.
The standard diff gives rise to hilarious torque steer when accelerating hard (albeit manageable). You'll find many have been modded to include a Quaiffe LSD to overcome this.
The turning circle is laughable!
Ground clearance is terrible!
On the plus side though you do have the pleasure of one of the best engines and they are generally bullet-proof providing the ancillaries are maintained. If you find one with a non-standard exhaust then you'll have the soundtrack to enjoy as the stock exhaust is rather muted.
In short I consider the V6 Spider as a most enjoyable top down motor but you do need to be sensitive to its foibles; it is not a car to be ignored. Mine took me on a 3k mile European tour a couple of years ago. I can't say it was faultless but it didn't let me down either and it was roof down pretty much all the way.
With only ~150 V6 Spiders ever imported to the UK they are a rare beast and values are starting to rise. If you find a good one with good provenance then I wouldn't hesitate.
We have one. My wife used it as her daily! I ran it round Knockhill with an instructor who was quietly impressed. Had two 3.0 GTVs prior to the Spider. Unfortunately it was written off when someone drove into it on a roundabout. We bought it back and awaiting repairs.
Edited by Allandwf on Thursday 11th May 21:23
Thank's guys, some really useful info there.
I might take a look at one sometime in the next month.
The biggest barrier is selling the 3200. I know Allan has bought and sold his a few times!
I could probably buy a spider too but I don't have garage space and my other half would go crazy!
I might take a look at one sometime in the next month.
The biggest barrier is selling the 3200. I know Allan has bought and sold his a few times!
I could probably buy a spider too but I don't have garage space and my other half would go crazy!
If you're determined to have a Busso V6 in a convertible Alfa then there's always another option
edit - although looking more closely, not sure I'd go for either of those two specifically.
edit - although looking more closely, not sure I'd go for either of those two specifically.
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