Hey folks, New member, second time owner. I just bought my second spider after a 25-year hiatus. I sold my "college car" (1979 spider gold/tan) just after college because I needed a more reliable mode of transport because, alas, I have to work for a living. That was the only car I have ever owned that I regretted selling almost as soon as I drove away from the lot in my new car. I figured the regret would fade but it never really did, it just went dorment for a while. I awoke that feeling of regret a few months ago when a buddy suggested I drive his friend's old spider. Immediately those old feelings of flying close to the ground came back and so did the regret of selling "Miss Carmen." What could I do but go on the hunt for a replacement. As of September 1, I'm happy to say that I have a new "30-year-old Italian mistress" who has yet to tell me her name. She is a 1981, dark green (#312) with tan interior and top and with a brown dashboard and upper door trim and just 66,000 miles. For the last 3 weeks or so I have been driving around with a big stupid grin on my face.
She is in great shape (for her age) and I have begun a list of fixes and upgrades to do over time. I plan to drive it for fun for a while and just enjoy the ride before doing anything major. I anticipate a vastly easier ownership experience this time around because of the internet and because this is not my primary means of transportation. I'm looking forward to tapping the vast collective experience of the members here and look forward to years of big stupid grins.
