Possible Newbie from Michigan

[VanFaasenC]

2nd Try. Hi my name is Christian. I am have a friend that has offered me a chance to buy a 1980 Spider F.I. Auto with 71,000 mile. I do not know much about these vehicles but thought it might be a fun summer toy for the family. I have two girls (4 & 2) and hope their car seats might fit in back to go on summer cruises. Might even make it to some road courses.
I need to find out some common problems (I heard rust is a big one) and maybe even get an idea of value to make sure I am buying the car right. I have in cluded some pictures to help get an idea of the car, I will have some better ones today and might update when I get them.





I know the car has been repainted. It runs and starts fine but has been sitting awhile.
Please help me find a fair price so I do not get in over my head.
Thanks

[ga.spyder]

Hey Christian ,there is a very active FLU chapter in Michigan ,and I am sure you will be hearing from them soon! What is the asking price?Rust is an issue on all older cars ,especially up north with the salt.Check the floor pans,rockers, and shock towers closely.Other than a little on you wheel arches it looks pretty good,but paint can cover a multitude of sins! Maybe one of our experts could look at the car w/ you
welcome and good luck
Craig

[Danno]

Regarding the car seats in the back. There is room back there, I've seen it done. But you'll have to add safety harnesses/seat belts as there aren't any back there currently. I have mixed feelings regarding the safety of that. It HAS been done, so you wouldn't be the first. I'm still considering it for my Boy and eventually the new baby. We'll see.

Overall, though, the car doesn't appear to be in bad shape, I'm not sure what a good offer is on it. MBouse is from Michigan and will be on here shortly, he'll want to know where you are. He will be a great resource for you if you decide to get it (or even if you decide to keep looking) Best case scenario is that the car is somewhere near him and he can help you determine its value. Does the guy have an asking price?

[rlux4]

Hello, and wecome Christian. The car looks good. When you consider the age of these cars finding one with minor issues is great. I'd say if it is a good running car $2000 to $2500 would be about right. With minimal rust, a good engine and tranny, it will be worth more.
Sometimes an automatic is a drawback, but in a lot of cases it's a requirement, my daughter wants a Spider, but won't drive a stick for example.
Good luck.
Ron

[mbouse]

Christian, where are you and where is the car? send me an email at mbouse@chartermi.net

I might be arm twisted into service, or... maybe Pope has some time if you are in his area. Anyway, yeah! welcome to the site. the best thing about this week is that it is still pre-season here, and that car is not a hot commodity yet. you have a week or so before the college kids come home, and the same amount of time before the air really starts feeling like it is top-down weather for the majority of folks.

from what i see, this automatic has been repainted, and appears to be in VERY drivable condition. nice photos by the way.

if the top is in servicable condition, i think we have a great candidate for immediate acquisition. what are your feelings? could you be comfortable with THIS fiat spider, or do you wanna keep looking? What were you feeling you needed to part with in the way of full payment?

yada-yada... i am full of questions.

[VanFaasenC]

Thanks for the Replies everyone.
Now the rest of the story.
The car is located in my friends garage in Cleveland Ohio. His parents neighbor has to move out of state and cannot take the car, so my friend being a car guy is responsible for selling it for them. He has know the car for the last 10 years. It has sat for the past 5 in a garage. The owner thought he wanted $3000 for it but my friend said he would sell it to me for $1500. I have never seen the car in person and my friend took the pictures and will be take for once he pulls it out of the garage. He put a new battery in it yesterday. He was going to throw it on ebay or craigslist but gave me option to buy first but wants a quick decision becuase he wants it out of his garage. He states it starts right up and drives great. before sitting it got new brakes and tires. This is a friend that I trust very well and believe what he says.

So I can buy it for $1500. and worst case if I did not like it wanted to be able to resell it for a similar amount. I am hoping I like the car and want to keep it around.

Btw I am located in South Lyon, MI for refernce to the other MI guys.

[mbouse]

not running for five years means nothing if you are aware of the overall mechanical condition.

digital cameras can lie, are those blemishes i see on the fenders really paint bubbling thru? the interior looks acceptable, but we've not seen under the hood or in the trunk. ask for some shock tower pictures....worst place for rust issues.

if we have repairable rust, and a solid engine and tranny, it is worth the investment.

HOWEVER, it is an automatic, not a manual transmission. if you wait a couple of weeks.... you can find some manual tranny cars in your area for sale. What is your true "need" out of a sports car?

[VanFaasenC]

My needs are very confusing. I am a Mustang guy, but want something fun to just keep me preoccupied. I have been looking at mustangs and Jeep wranglers just to have a toy. I would prefer a manual in a sports car but an auto would be fine if it is a GREAT deal. I have found it hard to value these cars. It has dents in the hood and back near the trunk. I have been told the floors are solid and the rust is just surface but have not be able to verify in person.

I was just thinking it might be a fun little car for the $1500.

I know they are not "fast" but thought fun to cruise around in with the wife and kids. I do have some friends that road race and they are always trying to drag me out there so I thought it might make a few laps around a track every once and a while.

[ANALOG]

Welcome. I'm actually just south of you near Ann Arbor, in the process of relocating the Grand Rapids area.

IMO, if there are no major issues with the car, $1500 is a great deal. There is a red one in Lansing area that is really beat up and he's asking $2600 and not running. $1500 is a steal, if you can live with an automatic (I personally couldn't). Then again, if your wife liked it enough, you could always buy another manual version for yourself later.

[VanFaasenC]

Welcome. I'm actually just south of you near Ann Arbor, in the process of relocating the Grand Rapids area.

IMO, if there are no major issues with the car, $1500 is a great deal. There is a red one in Lansing area that is really beat up and he's asking $2600 and not running. $1500 is a steal, if you can live with an automatic (I personally couldn't). Then again, if your wife liked it enough, you could always buy another manual version for yourself later.

Now you have the right idea. I am actually headed to GR on Friday.
Worst case I am sure I could to a auto to Manual conversion and maybe a Turbo or something at that time.

[Danno]

1500 for what is pictured and described is a good deal IMO. If there is rust through the floor or anywhere else, then we need to reconsider. Some dinks and dents and surface rust wouldn't make me blink at that price. Only issue here is the Auto transmission. it's a personal choice really. We've talked about it a lot, and the feelings are mixed, but what really matters is whether or not you'll still find it fun to drive without being able to row through the gears. I think it would be just fine!

[VanFaasenC]

I am not a fan of the auto but the price is right and I have a little history on the car.

[VanFaasenC]

Here is a link to alot more pictures:
http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg74 ... =slideshow

Where are these shock towers that everyone talks about?
I think I have to buy this thing but I have no idea why? He says it is fun to drive.

[pope]

Wow, I think that paint is hiding a lot of rust. That engine looks pretty rough. The doors look like they have some pretty significant waves in them. I can only imagine what the under belly looks like. I'd have to think pretty hard at that one.

[rlux4]

Hey Christian, take a look at these pictures, scroll down to the yellow Spider with the little ones in the back. You can definately take your kids on rides! BTW, the driver is a cop, so it must be legal.
Ron
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... a&start=15