New Member from Maryland

[Chuck07]

I bought my 1981 Spider 2000 about a year ago, and I have been reading these forums since. I finally decided to join when I found a problem that had not been addressed yet on here. My baby has a ton of rust but drives pretty well. It was my DD from January.

My plan of action to bring the car back:
Find out why it is only getting 22 MPG's and not closer to 30.
Remove the rust and get it painted. (Matte red with a matte back stripe or matte black trunk and hood?)
New top.
New dash and new console.

Then the fun stuff:
Older style bumpers
Speakers in the footwell (Holes and wires are already there)
Better suspension

I have replaced the back seat with a speaker deck with a pair of 6x9's and I am looking to add a luggage rack.
I am part of DC Fiats, but I have only gone to one tech day. I swear I will get to more stuff!

Looking at the bill for the rust repair and top alone, I might end up buying a rust-free Spider, then use the one I have now for a parts car, who knows.



EDIT: I wanted to add that I never got an email saying my account was activated, but I was still able to log in.

[RRoller123]

Welcome!

[aj81spider]

Just as a note. I have an 81 and a 74 and neither one has ever gotten better than about 23-24 mpg.

Welcome aboard though!

[steve8462]

you might want to have the doctor check for this common ailment that all fiat owners seem to suffer from!

[Chuck07]

you might want to have the doctor check for this common ailment that all fiat owners seem to suffer from!

Very true. I guess driving the twisties to work instead of the main roads has a downside.

[redcars]

My 82 spider will get from 22 to 30 MPG depending on how I drive it I normaly get aroung 25. If you are willing to go 60 or less and drive easy you can get the 30.

[steve8462]

driving slow in a fiat is like trying to quit smoking in marlboro country!

[supplyguy]

Welcome! Where in Maryland are you?

[Chuck07]

I live in Bowie, which is between DC and Annapolis.