New outside Chicago

[splitime]

Just checking in and saying hi. New forum member (working on the Fiat ownership atm).

I've had a handful of cars over the years, most ended up being track oriented. Looking to do something more drive around town and maybe track/autoxable also.

Hoping to use the forum archives/past posts to gather great information to help make an informed purchase (looking at a Spider on Saturday, looks great on paper/pictures).

-Dave

[steve8462]

look at the shock towers for rot. and take the time to pull up the carpets. both major rust/rot hiding spots. make sure the body hinge mounts for the doors aren't rotted. run your fingers behind the rocker panels to check for rot there. put your fingers up behind the fender wells to see if somebody has put replacement pieces on. look where the rear-end links connect to the body to see if they are rotted. just to help you make an informed purchase. i couldn't see past my boner when i bought my spider and paid dearly for it.

[Exit98]

I use a refrigerator magnet to check for bondo. Works good.

Run your hand along the underside of the doors. Water gets in there over the years and rots it out. If there's no rust there its a good sign.

[RRoller123]

Welcome aboard!

[splitime]

I had forgotten the magnet trick, I'll steal one from the fridge to do that.

Thanks for the points to tackle, hoping Saturday goes well.

[splitime]

I use a refrigerator magnet to check for bondo. Works good.

Run your hand along the underside of the doors. Water gets in there over the years and rots it out. If there's no rust there its a good sign.

Wall Township I see in your profile, hope you faired ok through the recent Sandy event. I know our families place down in PPB got pounded, Thanksgiving was time with contractors... Christmas is going to be time with contractors.

Car/family/ et. all come through unscathed?

[splitime]

Cleaner than i had even hoped, needs some fluid/gasket tlc (but i expected that due to mix of storage and low driving use).Previous owner had a love of Disney...

[Exit98]

Hey Split,

Yeah, we're OK, just trees and stuff, we're two miles from the ocean. PPB got hammered, and you wouldn't believe Bay Head and Mantoloking. Hope you family gets things back together. Some of those homes will have to come down.

Spent many a childhood summer in Arlington Heights will relatives. Chicago may be my second favorite city.

Good luck with the Spider. They sure are fun.

[Gunsmith]

i couldn't see past my boner when i bought my spider and paid dearly for it.

Man I am dying here!!!!

[splitime]

i couldn't see past my boner when i bought my spider and paid dearly for it.

Man I am dying here!!!!

Lol, I hadn't even noticed that line.

Hey Split,

Yeah, we're OK, just trees and stuff, we're two miles from the ocean. PPB got hammered, and you wouldn't believe Bay Head and Mantoloking. Hope you family gets things back together. Some of those homes will have to come down.

Spent many a childhood summer in Arlington Heights will relatives. Chicago may be my second favorite city.

Good luck with the Spider. They sure are fun.

Thankfully we managed to avoid the teardown of the house, but we had to 100% gut it. Hopefully insurance doesn't try to 'cheat' us.

Anyways, got it home safely on the old dry rotted tires and all. Car feels like it just wants to wake up as it goes faster and the foot gets heavier... can't wait to get it ready for spring.