HI from NC!

[FiatMac]

Check the floors from underneath the car. You may be able to spot any rot from there that won't be visible from above due to the tar like coating used on the interior of the floor. That tar can hide a lot of problems. Water gets through cracks in the coating and the coating hides the rust that results. Probe for soft rusted places with a small screw driver.

[giuliot60]

I agree with the above comments. Looks like a decent project, but that water raises some red flags. But I'd rather replace the floors than rust on the body.

Was the car outside without a cover for a while? Does the paint look like it'll buff out nicely, or is a paint job in it's near future?

[Jimb]

Personally I would stay clear of that one.
It appears it was cleaned up for a sale and not at all pampered or even taken good care of by the previous owner.
Just my opinion and I certainly could be wrong but just going by the picture.

Jim

[MrJD]

There were a few places with body rust. In my opinion it needs body work and a respray. With the glass showing uv damage, id say it sits out for long periods. it was parked over some mud, so I couldnt get under it to look for floor rust. I banged on it and it felt very solid.

I can get it for under $3000. was thinking around $2500... But im not sure I want a 79 that wasnt red originally. I hate the tail lights on 79+ cars... And I really hate the door handles. I liked the rusted body car on page 3 more than this one... Might try and get the page 3 78 for about $2000 and start doing body work... Or buy this 79 and at least replace the doors with early style units. Anyone know where I could get some doors cheap?

Oh, and the 79 was missing its jack, had a nice matching alloy for a spare, and had a nice looking boot cover.

[giuliot60]

Well I'm sure you'll make the right decision. But a respray will cost you $2-3K at least. If you find a car that already has nice paint (and everything else) for $4 or 5K, you may be better off and enjoy the car sooner.

Maybe you can ask the Raleigh person with the 78 if you can have the doors off his parts car.

[MrJD]

Well, I feel the 79 i posted has a strong engine, good transmission, and good suspension. It has GREAT seats and the interior will look perfect for ~$500. The paint will be good enough to ride around for a period of time, and I will buy a cheap POS pre75 parts car and steal the doors, bumpers, carb and manifold, etc... and go from there

My concept: its better for the mechanicals of the platform to be sound than for it to have the right doors and tail lights... After all, doors and tail lights can be changed where engine work is exponentially more expensive.

I'm thinking I am going to offer her $2500... being that I have to immediately drop $500 on the interior and soon spring for a new top.

Opinions?

As with all old italian cars... there are electrical grimlins. When you turn the key into the "on" position, the radiator fan cut on immediately. Thats not supposed to happen on these is it? I assume they are thurmostatically controlled right?

Other than that all the electrics seemed to work right, lol.

[2ndwind]

Geez JD. You are a motivated buyer. I'll give you that. The more motivated you are the less likely it is you will find a good deal. How do I know? I've been buying and selling used cars as a private seller for 30 yrs and used mobile homes (130 of them) for 10 yrs. What you want is a motivated SELLER. Your gun selling experience is due to the long-term rise in popularity of guns. Not so, FIAT spiders.

I have made plenty of mistakes falling in love with the wrong item.

You have already stated your preference for a pre-79 car for its looks. You would prefer a relatively solid car that runs well, though you plan on dropping in a 2L. Stick with that and look for the best one you can find from a MOTIVATED SELLER. Someone who needs SOME cash NOW! Not someone who is hoping for a LOT of cash soon. There will be plenty of work to do on the car, even on the beautiful '71 for about $12.5 in the for sale section of this forum. Ideally, you want someone who has maintained their car and upgraded it here and there but now needs the money for whatever reason. In my opinion, none of the cars you've posted should cost you more than $2K. Most of them are $400 - $1000 jobs that you won't be able to enjoy on the road for quite some time, unless you are OK bombing around in unreliable jalopies.

Yes, I know you don't expect to make money on this car. Don't worry, that is almost impossible with a FIAT. Unless you find a great deal you are likely to end up with $8 - 15K in one of these as many on this forum reluctantly admit.

[MrJD]

Eh, I've looked at around 20 cars over the last two years ranging from EARLY TR3's to corvettes. Only recently did I decide the fiat spider was the way to go. Just seems more interesting. I believe that the lady with the 79 spider is a motivated seller, but by no means did I think her car was a sub-$2000 item... which is why I took pictures to post to you guys whom have far more experience than I do.

The only reason I prefer the pre-79 cars are for door handles and tail lights... in other words, minor details compared to a nicer interior with appropriate seat belts and already having a 2.0 in the car.

So you really feel like the 79 i posted is a sub-$2000 car? Even running and driving appropriately with a pretty solid body?

Again, you guys know these cars better, so I am looking to you for advice.

[brackie1]

Hi, I am Winston-Salem, I saw a red one one Shelbyand one in ttaylorsville. If you have not seen them let me know.

[MrJD]

Thanks for looking! No, I have purchased a car now. Currently undergoing restoration.