Yes, I wish the person selling this 1982 Fiat Spider provided more information in the advertisement on ClassicCars.com’s marketplace site. Yes, I wish the seller had included a photo of the engine and even a shot showing the condition of the chassis.
But despite what’s not there, I love what is there:
“One owner Fiat seeks new lover.
“Was a daily driver for 22 years; took a 350 mile road-trip just 2 weeks ago; this is a special car. Always garaged California car; starts first time every time; never so much as fender-bender accident; meticulously maintained by Fiat mechanics her entire life (all records come with) , this car is solid, reliable and totally fun to drive.”
So why is it being sold?
“I am selling because I do not drive her enough, and she deserves better.”
The seller seeks $13,000 for the car, which is located in Los Angeles, has nearly 164,000 miles on its odometer, and is an original and unrestored example of the Fiat Spider 2000 in red with a tan vinyl interior.
The engine is a dual-overhead-cam 2.0-liter four-cylinder with fuel injection and is mounted up front and empowers the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. There are disc brakes at all four corners.
The Spider was the successor to the Fiat 124 Spider, which until mid-1978 carried a 1.8-liter powerplant. While producing 102 horsepower, the 2-liter does provide a significant jump to 110 pound-feet of torque.
Unmolested original cars are increasingly rare, as are one-owner or even one-family classics.
According to The Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, the Spider cost about $12,300 when it was brand new. So the owner basically is getting his or her money back and you’d be getting a classic car that has been appreciated without its price escalating.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
….I had one of these back in the late 80’s. I had moved to a new condo and had to give up either the Fiat or my Cadillac. Since the Caddy had A/C that was good year round….including Summer trips to Palm Springs, I let the Fiat go. I’ve regretted ever since.
These are great under rated cars. I too have driven a Spider’77) for over 24 years as my daily driver It has 146.000 miles with only a valve job, clutch , brakes 2 xs alternator, heater controI valve, radiator, and a couple of light bulbs. The GM smog pump had to be replaced 3 xs though, I bought it in ’79 with only Francesco from Lucca Italy, or my self for minor things working on it. I would jump in it and drive it across country without a thought, if it were a bit more comfortable. I am sure my frame is not damaged in anyway. I would image that since they are such a blast to drive, one could easily abuse it and do stupid things and damage the frame, but I have always treated mine with love and respect. I don’t see how it would cost that much ($10,000) as that is one of the great things about them Is that parts are dirt cheap and plentiful. Brand new 5 speed trannies( still being built in Poland) are only $1500 , brake rotors $10, heater control valves $35 , alternators $150 etc. If you were to put that much into it it would be a new car, and really special. New paint, interior , top, new engine , new tranny etc etc. etc. could all be done for less than that , and that is California prices. If the engine oil was changed like I do, every 3-4 K miles and it was NOT abused then you could get another 100k out of the engine. My compression, smog numbers and lack of oil consumption is like when I bought it 36 years ago. I still drive mine on weekends and it still runs great. I bought 18 months ago an 82 Fiat Spider Turbo which is my daily driver. Man I love it. Great mileage, and plenty quick. This is a bit nicer because it has less smog and the bosch fuel injection, which makes it very happy at freeway speeds.
This Fiat has been maintained meticulously, she does not need any work, tranny is solid, engine is solid,
oil changes, timing belt changes, all done to Fiat mileage specs. I will add pics of the engine and chassis, the frame and suspension are fine, and the car has never been abused. By the way, the owner, me, is female, and I have all records of the work done, all by Fiat mechanics. So Al, you are wrong. I am selling because I do not drive her enough any more. But I did drive from Barstow to Solvang, then to Los Angeles in Late August 2015, if she needed tons of work, that trip would not have been possible, and I would have chosen another of my cars. I drove her because it was a long road trip with some mountain roads to speed around, and a nice coastal drive with the wind in my hair, a last harrah before I finally decided to sell.