Cheap Alfa Spider 916 for the commute
Discussion
I'm going to look at a cheap 2001 916 Spider tonight, as my (one year old!!) electric car is broken and need something ULEZ-free (and mildly interesting) for the commute for a few weeks. It looks a tidy example and has had a bunch of recent work done including exhaust, pads/discs, cambelt, tyres. Anything specific I should be looking out for? Do these like to rust in any particular places? I've read a few buying guides but they're all quite old now.
How stupid an idea is it to use one of these for a busy stop-start commute?
How stupid an idea is it to use one of these for a busy stop-start commute?
I had one for 6 years and used it as a daily driver. Far more reliable than anyone gave me credit for, just wear and tear consumables. It's a galvanised body so it won't rust, just check the steel suspension components. Things to look for - Italian electrics, especially the hood motor, uneven tyre wear, suspension wear. I had to replace a crank temp sensor which failed - car wouldn't start when it was hot. This cost me about £35 for the sensor and about an hour labour, so hardly wallet hurting.
You do need to stay on top of the oil levels, which is a weekly check. Make sure the current owner has been doing the same.
The clutch is pretty light so it's not too hard to drive at all in heavy traffic.
I loved mine. I don't believe in getting previously owned cars for nostalgic reasons (especially when I've got a Jag XK and an MGB) but if I did have nostalgia I'd buy another.
You do need to stay on top of the oil levels, which is a weekly check. Make sure the current owner has been doing the same.
The clutch is pretty light so it's not too hard to drive at all in heavy traffic.
I loved mine. I don't believe in getting previously owned cars for nostalgic reasons (especially when I've got a Jag XK and an MGB) but if I did have nostalgia I'd buy another.
I’ve did exactly that, all be a ‘99 car, which I bought last year just for a Le Mans trip. However kept it and use it for my summer commute of 35 miles.
Currently having a bit of tlc, see my thread about an accidental Spider.
Absolutely no probs as a daily. Not quite a modern but not far off. However I did buy mine from a couple in London, who were selling as it as it was not ULEZ compliant for London. So may be worth confirming.
Currently having a bit of tlc, see my thread about an accidental Spider.
Absolutely no probs as a daily. Not quite a modern but not far off. However I did buy mine from a couple in London, who were selling as it as it was not ULEZ compliant for London. So may be worth confirming.
I’ve did exactly that, all be a ‘99 car, which I bought last year just for a Le Mans trip. However kept it and use it for my summer commute of 35 miles.
Currently having a bit of tlc, see my thread about an accidental Spider.
Absolutely no probs as a daily. Not quite a modern but not far off. However I did buy mine from a couple in London, who were selling as it as it was not ULEZ compliant for London. So may be worth confirming.
Currently having a bit of tlc, see my thread about an accidental Spider.
Absolutely no probs as a daily. Not quite a modern but not far off. However I did buy mine from a couple in London, who were selling as it as it was not ULEZ compliant for London. So may be worth confirming.
ric p said:
I’ve did exactly that, all be a ‘99 car, which I bought last year just for a Le Mans trip. However kept it and use it for my summer commute of 35 miles.
Currently having a bit of tlc, see my thread about an accidental Spider.
Absolutely no probs as a daily. Not quite a modern but not far off. However I did buy mine from a couple in London, who were selling as it as it was not ULEZ compliant for London. So may be worth confirming.
Great. It's showing up as ULEZ-compliant: it'll be because nothing pre 2001 is ULEZ compliant, as emissions data wasn't recorded then. I used to have a ULEZ-compliant 2001 2.5 v6 Rover 75, but an identical one a few months older would not be compliant. Currently having a bit of tlc, see my thread about an accidental Spider.
Absolutely no probs as a daily. Not quite a modern but not far off. However I did buy mine from a couple in London, who were selling as it as it was not ULEZ compliant for London. So may be worth confirming.
Personally I wouldn't consider one of these for a London stop start commute. I've got a 1996 Twin Spark Spider as my summer car and love it, use it for the commute when dry but it isn't often in stop start traffic.
Although the prospective one you're looking has had all the big jobs done (would check it's had a recent rad/thermostat/hoses too) plus it's a later version you'd grow to hate it for this sort of driving. They are a great GT car but it has too many compromises for driving every day in London traffic in 2024.
They run on Super Unleaded fuel (E5) and I think you'd struggle to see more than low 20's chugging along in traffic, probably less to be honest. I've nut and bolt restored my car so know the weak points, rust wouldn't worry me especially although under the sill covers can be hard to spot. The MoT history on the Gov.Uk should give you a good idea of corrosion.
I've got an Abarth 595 Competizione as a daily drive so aren't a pipe and slippers type car owner but if the route in London is anything like where our daughters live (Shepherd's Bush and Bermondsey) I'd buy something else.
Although the prospective one you're looking has had all the big jobs done (would check it's had a recent rad/thermostat/hoses too) plus it's a later version you'd grow to hate it for this sort of driving. They are a great GT car but it has too many compromises for driving every day in London traffic in 2024.
They run on Super Unleaded fuel (E5) and I think you'd struggle to see more than low 20's chugging along in traffic, probably less to be honest. I've nut and bolt restored my car so know the weak points, rust wouldn't worry me especially although under the sill covers can be hard to spot. The MoT history on the Gov.Uk should give you a good idea of corrosion.
I've got an Abarth 595 Competizione as a daily drive so aren't a pipe and slippers type car owner but if the route in London is anything like where our daughters live (Shepherd's Bush and Bermondsey) I'd buy something else.
wal 45 said:
Personally I wouldn't consider one of these for a London stop start commute. I've got a 1996 Twin Spark Spider as my summer car and love it, use it for the commute when dry but it isn't often in stop start traffic.
Although the prospective one you're looking has had all the big jobs done (would check it's had a recent rad/thermostat/hoses too) plus it's a later version you'd grow to hate it for this sort of driving. They are a great GT car but it has too many compromises for driving every day in London traffic in 2024.
They run on Super Unleaded fuel (E5) and I think you'd struggle to see more than low 20's chugging along in traffic, probably less to be honest. I've nut and bolt restored my car so know the weak points, rust wouldn't worry me especially although under the sill covers can be hard to spot. The MoT history on the Gov.Uk should give you a good idea of corrosion.
I've got an Abarth 595 Competizione as a daily drive so aren't a pipe and slippers type car owner but if the route in London is anything like where our daughters live (Shepherd's Bush and Bermondsey) I'd buy something else.
It's had a radiator three years ago apparently. The fuel economy doesn't bother me, it's ten miles a day, and it's only until the electric one is fixed in a month or so. Thereafter it will be a low-mileage toy. I'm mostly worried about ensuring I don't break down in the Blackwall Tunnel at rush hour ... (my route is effectively five minutes on the A2, sit in traffic to get through the Blackwall Tunnel for thirty minutes, then five minutes into Canary Wharf - and home is usually after rush hour, so fifteen minutes door to door). Although the prospective one you're looking has had all the big jobs done (would check it's had a recent rad/thermostat/hoses too) plus it's a later version you'd grow to hate it for this sort of driving. They are a great GT car but it has too many compromises for driving every day in London traffic in 2024.
They run on Super Unleaded fuel (E5) and I think you'd struggle to see more than low 20's chugging along in traffic, probably less to be honest. I've nut and bolt restored my car so know the weak points, rust wouldn't worry me especially although under the sill covers can be hard to spot. The MoT history on the Gov.Uk should give you a good idea of corrosion.
I've got an Abarth 595 Competizione as a daily drive so aren't a pipe and slippers type car owner but if the route in London is anything like where our daughters live (Shepherd's Bush and Bermondsey) I'd buy something else.
PrinceRupert said:
Great. It's showing up as ULEZ-compliant: it'll be because nothing pre 2001 is ULEZ compliant, as emissions data wasn't recorded then. I used to have a ULEZ-compliant 2001 2.5 v6 Rover 75, but an identical one a few months older would not be compliant.
Yep! my poor 1998 BMW that I had had for 23 years had to go because of ULEZ but my 2004 Alfa 156 was fine.PrinceRupert said:
It's had a radiator three years ago apparently. The fuel economy doesn't bother me, it's ten miles a day, and it's only until the electric one is fixed in a month or so. Thereafter it will be a low-mileage toy. I'm mostly worried about ensuring I don't break down in the Blackwall Tunnel at rush hour ... (my route is effectively five minutes on the A2, sit in traffic to get through the Blackwall Tunnel for thirty minutes, then five minutes into Canary Wharf - and home is usually after rush hour, so fifteen minutes door to door).
I've been a passenger in a car that broke down in the Blackwall Tunnel in rush hour many years ago, not fun....Given that route it wouldn't be too bad for the drive home and as people have said their mechanical reliability is pretty good once you've sorted the niggles. I still think you'll curse it for that 30 minutes driving in but otherwise it'll be absolutely fine, I thought you were looking at doing more "in town" driving.
Given my time again I'd buy a post 2001 car as parts are so much more available although the manual roof of the early car is a real bonus. There is some good specific buying information on Alfa Owner 916 forum for the car, I'd still really thoroughly check the cooling system as the Valeo rads don't seem to last long.
Good luck, they're a great and very underrated fun car.
It's a nice little thing. It does seem to have a problem though. The clutch sticks to the floor for a second or two if shifting at high RPM (4000+). It shifts fine when shifting at low RPM. Any ideas what this might mean - from googling I haven't found anything Spider/GTV specific, but general consensus seems to be clutch/slave/master cylinder. I'd rather not have to pay to get a clutch done of course ...
PrinceRupert said:
It's a nice little thing. It does seem to have a problem though. The clutch sticks to the floor for a second or two if shifting at high RPM (4000+). It shifts fine when shifting at low RPM. Any ideas what this might mean - from googling I haven't found anything Spider/GTV specific, but general consensus seems to be clutch/slave/master cylinder. I'd rather not have to pay to get a clutch done of course ...
Changed them all on mine as a precaution while it was in bits as well as changing the bushes on the clutch actuating lever (inside the Bellhousing). Might be worth quickly bleeding the clutch although I don't think it'll be that.Changing the Slave is a 60 minute job including bleeding and really easy, Master is a pig of a job and one done best with the drivers seat removed. Need to be a real contortionist to do it, doesn't sound like the clutch though to me.
Hoping a bleed or the Slave fixes it for you.
wal 45 said:
Changed them all on mine as a precaution while it was in bits as well as changing the bushes on the clutch actuating lever (inside the Bellhousing). Might be worth quickly bleeding the clutch although I don't think it'll be that.
Changing the Slave is a 60 minute job including bleeding and really easy, Master is a pig of a job and one done best with the drivers seat removed. Need to be a real contortionist to do it, doesn't sound like the clutch though to me.
Hoping a bleed or the Slave fixes it for you.
I had a poke around the slave last night and couldn't see any evidence of it leaking, and I peeled the dust cover back to check if it was leaking internally. Could a slave fail, but not leak? Otherwise yes I've read the master is a total pain ...Changing the Slave is a 60 minute job including bleeding and really easy, Master is a pig of a job and one done best with the drivers seat removed. Need to be a real contortionist to do it, doesn't sound like the clutch though to me.
Hoping a bleed or the Slave fixes it for you.
Yes a Slave can leak internally, seals go on the piston and you won't necessarily see any external leakage. Can also have a spring issue whereby it isn't reasserting the piston when hydraulic pressure is removed (you take your foot off the clutch pedal).
As I said all of this is a guess and I try not to fire the parts cannon at cars, after bleeding the clutch though it is the next easiest and cheapest part to try.
As I said all of this is a guess and I try not to fire the parts cannon at cars, after bleeding the clutch though it is the next easiest and cheapest part to try.
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