Should I buy a 1982 Spider

[yap123]

Howdy,

I'm thinking of buying a Spider? However, will I have a lot of little mechnical problems? It's a commuter car with 172K miles? Am I dreaming that it'll be reliable? I'm use to reliable Japanese cars. Will I be bringing it into the shop often?

Also, can I add seatbelts in the backseat? I know it's not really for seating, but for two little kids for around town?

Thanks,
Clint

[Danno]

Howdy,

I'm thinking of buying a Spider? However, will I have a lot of little mechnical problems? It's a commuter car with 172K miles? Am I dreaming that it'll be reliable? I'm use to reliable Japanese cars.

With that many miles given it's age you will have some problems. not more than you would any japanese car of the same age and mileage though.

Will I be bringing it into the shop often?

I don't know about where you live, but probably not. Mainly because no-one will work on it for you.

Also, can I add seatbelts in the backseat? I know it's not really for seating, but for two little kids for around town?

yes and no. You can do it, but it won't be safe. I have a little guy and I wouldn't put him in the back of mine. Since there are no airbags or anything of the like up front you can haul 1 child safely up in the passenger seat, but as the owner's manual says this is a 2 seater with a package shelf in the back.

But, to answer your overall question. YES, you should buy it. There aren't many cars that fall into this price range and are so easy to take care of that are THIS MUCH FUN!

[Hjulen]

A commuter with that many miles will certainly have a great deal that will need to be taken care off, certainly more so than the cars you are used to.

My recommendation is that if you decide to purchase the spider, it be because you want a fun weekend car. You can't be afraid to do your own mechanic work on spider, otherwise you will be eaten alive by paying your mechanic.

I am not indicting our cars as unreliable, they are very reliable cars when well mantained. The problem is usually the well mantained part...you have to worry about normal wear and tear on a 24 year old car. That entails rust, rubber, and electrical problems ect. A spider, ESPECIALLY, one with that many miles will need a great deal of work in order to become reliable and safe.

Luckily the 1982 car has Fuel injection, which is heaps more reliable than the earlier carburated cars. If you are mechanically inclined or have a good relationship with a mechanic, get them to look over the car before even considering purchasing it.

As far as the backseat belts go...I have seen this done to a few cars, even a few cars with carseats, I dont know exactly how it is done though. I assume you would have to find a strong bit of frame to bolt the belts to...Like Danno said though, it isn't the safest place for kids.

That all being said. I love my car, it has never left me on the side of the road or stuck when I needed it. FIATs are wonderful cars, just depends ho they are used.

[yap123]

Thanks for your most helpful comments. I'm here in So. California and I'm sure it'll be a fun car to drive.

Clint

Howdy,

I'm thinking of buying a Spider? However, will I have a lot of little mechnical problems? It's a commuter car with 172K miles? Am I dreaming that it'll be reliable? I'm use to reliable Japanese cars.

With that many miles given it's age you will have some problems. not more than you would any japanese car of the same age and mileage though.

Will I be bringing it into the shop often?

I don't know about where you live, but probably not. Mainly because no-one will work on it for you.

Also, can I add seatbelts in the backseat? I know it's not really for seating, but for two little kids for around town?

yes and no. You can do it, but it won't be safe. I have a little guy and I wouldn't put him in the back of mine. Since there are no airbags or anything of the like up front you can haul 1 child safely up in the passenger seat, but as the owner's manual says this is a 2 seater with a package shelf in the back.

But, to answer your overall question. YES, you should buy it. There aren't many cars that fall into this price range and are so easy to take care of that are THIS MUCH FUN!

[yap123]

Thanks for your comments.

A commuter with that many miles will certainly have a great deal that will need to be taken care off, certainly more so than the cars you are used to.

My recommendation is that if you decide to purchase the spider, it be because you want a fun weekend car. You can't be afraid to do your own mechanic work on spider, otherwise you will be eaten alive by paying your mechanic.

I am not indicting our cars as unreliable, they are very reliable cars when well mantained. The problem is usually the well mantained part...you have to worry about normal wear and tear on a 24 year old car. That entails rust, rubber, and electrical problems ect. A spider, ESPECIALLY, one with that many miles will need a great deal of work in order to become reliable and safe.

Luckily the 1982 car has Fuel injection, which is heaps more reliable than the earlier carburated cars. If you are mechanically inclined or have a good relationship with a mechanic, get them to look over the car before even considering purchasing it.

As far as the backseat belts go...I have seen this done to a few cars, even a few cars with carseats, I dont know exactly how it is done though. I assume you would have to find a strong bit of frame to bolt the belts to...Like Danno said though, it isn't the safest place for kids.

That all being said. I love my car, it has never left me on the side of the road or stuck when I needed it. FIATs are wonderful cars, just depends ho they are used.