Last Chance To Buy: Alfa Romeo Spider
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.When is it going?
When is it going?
The latest models of Pininfarina-designed Spiders, which go back 50 years, are now available in special edition. Once sold, that's it, for this distinctive car. They are available in red, blue or grey with top, Lusso specification and 2.0-litre or 3.2 V6 engines, costing £23,510 to £28,300.
What's good about it?
The Alfa Romeo badge still means a lot in an open-top sports car. Its long history - Dustin Hoffman drove an Alfa Romeo Spider in The Graduate - meant the most recent model had a lot to live up to. The 1996 Spider looked distinctive and still performs well. As a front-drive car, it handles neatly. That model had a fairly recent facelift - a corporate nose, 16in alloy wheels and a reworked cabin with a new centre console - and, at eight years old, it seems far too young to die.
What's bad about it?
The Alfa Romeo badge has never been a guarantee of a high-quality build and the Spider has had reliability problems. It is good to drive but the body has never been stiff compared with some of its rivals, so flexing on the open road has spoiled the driving experience. Although the soft-top stows away neatly, folding up the roof seems very old fashioned in an age of electric metal roofs. Its value tends to depreciate faster than most soft-tops. The boot is marginal, the ride can be firm and the trim can fall off.
How much?
You ought to be able to get a discount on the special editions of at least £1,000. Spiders can also be sourced through Virgin cars (0870 766 3311) with the £20,380 2.0-litre Twin Spark, the £21,800 2.0-litre Lusso and the £26,590 3.2-litre Lusso, at £17,295, £19,395 and £23,295 respectively. Meanwhile, a specialist supplier such as SmartAlfa.co.uk (0870 609 0147) can supply the same models for £16,812, £19,042 and £22,970.
Any snags?
The suspension wears on older models, the electrics can play up and the engine can cause problems. From 1996 to 1999, the car was recalled: rear-brake hoses were chafing suspension, seatbelts were not secure, windscreen wipers had failed and brake master cylinder supply pipe connectors were failing.
FACT FILE
Launched: 1996
Engine: 2,0; 3.0V6; 3.2V6
Performance: 2.0 top speed 133mph, 0-60mph in 8.4 secs
Economy: 2.0 34mpg
NCAP: Not tested but air bags and ABS
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments