The Alfa Romeo Spider had a number of updates over its thirty year production run but the basic formula stayed the same over that time (1966-1994). The late series 3 spiders are not one of the more desirable versions with their rubber bumpers, porky curb weight, and smog-throttled engines, but this next example looks cool in black-on-black-on-black. Find this 1987 Alfa Romeo Spider offered for $4,400 in Miami, FL via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
This next car is expensive. Mighty expensive. More than a reasonable person should spend on a car…but, it isn’t that much more than the average person spends on a new car. Yup, the average new car price just crossed $40k for the first time last year. Which is insane. But you know what’s not insane — is owning a piece of Italian history for a few more bucks. Because gated shifter equipped Ferraris without turbochargers and electronic motors are a thing of beauty and, regrettably, a thing of the past. The best part is that you can own uno Ferrari for less than the price of a modified MkIV Supra Turbo, and that ain’t bad. Find this 1997 Ferrari F355 Spider offered for $64,980 buy-it-now or make-offer in Beaumont, TX via eBay.
Exclusivity isn’t everything, but sometimes you need a car that can hang with the fancy $50k+ crowd of ’50s Vettes, ’60s Benz SL Coupes, Big Healeys, Porsche 356, and Shelby Cobras…at least in the parking lot. This next thing might not be able to keep up with anything faster than a Beetle on the highway, but it exudes a sense of charm and stateliness of the best European sports cars from the 1960s…and it just looks like it costs a lot more than $20k. A lot more. Find this 1962 Fiat 1200 VT Spider offered for $22,000 in Deerfield Beach, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!
This next car comes as a tip from Erik202 who writes: I previously owned a series 3 version spider and I think outside of Duettos these S4 cars are the best looking generation. I don’t know if these cars are ever going to be worth anything but in the meantime they must be in the running for best value going, at least when it comes to fun for the money. Find this 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider S4 offered for $4888…now $4600 in Marin, CA via alfabb.com forums and craigslist.
Turbochargers seem to be installed on half the cars in the showrooms these days, but there was a time when a turbo was a rare thing to find in a car. In fact, in 1981 there were only a few cars with the snail shaped glowing/spinning things under the hood and they were mostly American cars like the Monte Carlo, Trans Am, and Buick Grand National…but if you did some research you could find a little company on the East Coast called Legend Industries that would turbocharge your Fiat Spider for a few bones. Years later those kits are hard to maintain and parts are scarce, so many have been de-turbo’d but could be restored to their original boosted glory. Find this 1982 Fiat 124 Spider Turbo Not Turbo’d offered for $7500 in Medway, MA via craigslist. Tip from Cory.
Today’s next car isn’t something that’ll win some fancy prize at the next Amelia Island Concours D’Corpulence, or get you the front valet spot at some Michelin starred restaurant…but it could get you the front valet spot at your local Salsa Dancing spot (is dancing allowed during COVID19 crisis?) or spark a conversation with random […]
The Alfa Romeo Spider built from 1995-2006 was a replacement for the aging Alfa Spider Giulia (1966-1993). The Pininfarina designed exterior was a radical step forward in looks, but regrettably the car moved onto a transverse longitudinal front drive set up shaped with the contemporary GTV. The tipo 916 Spider was never sold new in […]
This next car comes as tip from Erik202 who writes: Forums have the best deals. I swear it doesn’t get any better than forums. These cars continue to be criminally undervalued. I have to mostly agree with Erik202, because forums are places were diehard lovers of certain makes/models have a reputation, so they can’t go asking […]
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a fun little sports car wrapped in a boring exterior (sorry Miata fanboys, the shape is pretty blah…with maybe the exception of the newest model that brings some more style than the OG jelly bean) that is unfortunately slathered with a thick brush of innuendo about the driver and his […]
This next tip comes from Erik202 who writes: Came across this cruising alfabb for sale listings. Seems like a great deal assuming the underside is even somewhat rust free. I had an 84 spider up until recently when I swapped it out for an e30 convertible (wanted the option of a rear seat for young kids) […]