SecondHandSense: Alfa Romeo SpiderConvertibles seem to be two a penny these days, but not all of them are as attractive as they might be. Certainly when you look at a car like the Alfa Romeo Spider you realise how elegant an open-top car can be and just how much appeal and individuality it can have.
The Spider has been around a long time now, having made its first appearance as a Giulietta Spider in 1955, and what a lasting impression it made - notwithstanding the fact that it could not do much more than 80 mph and had a mere 65 horse power under the bonnet.
These days the Spider is a rare enough sight and there are few on the second-hand market - probably due to its relatively high cost as a new car, and the Alfa reputation for poor build quality has dogged the brand for some years. However, Alfa fans in the UK (alfaworkshop.co.uk) say the Spider is a reliable car, if serviced well, and there are cars owned by members of the group with 160,000 miles on the clock.
The Spider is not the most practical car to drive but it is a lovely car to drive. Few other two-seaters come close to the driver involvement one feels behind the wheel and it is not a car that needs to be driven fast to be rewarding. It is precise in its handling, sometimes harsh in its ride but always pleasant.
Most of the Spiders available have a 2-litre engine that has that familiar Alfa burble. With the roof down on a fine day you can tootle about to your heart's content and still attract more attention than you ever will in a Volkswagen Eos convertible. The classic Italian styling makes a great impression and the interior and dashboard design have really lovely touches that reveal the Spider has a car very much in its own right, rather than being a derivative as are many of its competitors.
One should not set out to buy a Spider, no matter how new, without some expert guidance. A badly looked after car will break your heart and there are problems unique to Alfas and Spiders, such as the suspension system and oil use, that need a keen eye to avoid. A service record may be your best guarantee of peace of mind. However, it is worth noting that the Alfa fans say they find the clutch and gearbox on the Spider "very reliable". It is also worth remembering that only the more expensive version of the Spider has the electrically operated roof - the more basic 2-litre version has a manual system that also needs to be checked very carefully.
A seven-year-old model with 2-litre petrol engine, leather upholstery, alloys, metallic paint, electric windows, air conditioning, twin airbags, sports suspension and a CD player and 50,000 miles on the clock has an asking price of €14,950. A more basic one without leather upholstery and with 38,000 miles, is for sale for €14,750. Or you could go right back for a 1987 left-hand drive classic and imported from California, garaged by its owner for the past 10 years, for €11,500.
FOR:Classic styling, a driver's car AGAINST:Reliability problems, fuel consumption