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Making Decision Today - 86 Spider Veloce



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 8th 05, 04:02 PM
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Default Making Decision Today - 86 Spider Veloce

Fellas, if you're on line, may I please ask a few more last minutes
questions about this 86 Spider Veloce that I'm about to purchase here
in Arizona.

Background:

$5000; the car is excellent condition (visually). 55,500 miles on the
odometer. Lots of new parts, new tires, new battery, new exhaust
system, etc.. Body and interior not pristine, but certainly excellent.
I reviewed all his repair bills (quite a few of them) and he put lots
of money into the car. Main repair was 3000 miles ago he spent about
$5000 when he brought the car in complaining of oil leaking. They took
the engine out, apart, patched things up, re-assembled, re-installed.

Now, for some reason I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger but I
went early this morning, had a look, took a drive, and here is what it
boils down to below. I'm wondering if my concerns below are
show-stoppers that you would tell me to stay away from this car or
whether they are pretty much what all of you/us deal with when owning
an older sports care so I should just not worry about it and have fun:

1. I notice that when I drive the car and go over a speed bump, the
front shocks or suspension is pretty rough. He said that the rubber
engine mounts were replaced so I'm guessing it's some other part of the
suspension system. Pretty normal? Expensive to fix if I really had to
do it?

2. The transmission seems to be pretty good but I do notice that going
from Neutral to 1st there is a slight grinding. When I go from N to
2nd and then to 1st it seems to be ok. I think I remember years ago a
standard transmission that I had was similar. Is this something I
should worry about? Expensive to fix if I really had to? What does a
new tranny cost for this car and can I even get one if I really had to?

3. This may be normal for all (older) sports cars but I sense a certain
amount of "fumes" .. maybe gas, maybe oil don't know . when I drive the
car. Is this probably ok?

Anyway, I may just be looking way to closely at these problems but I
thought I'd ask you for your experienced advise.

Thanks in advance ...
Dan

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  #2  
Old July 8th 05, 07:40 PM
Dr. Boggis
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Default

In article .com>,
" > wrote:

> Fellas, if you're on line, may I please ask a few more last minutes
> questions about this 86 Spider Veloce that I'm about to purchase here
> in Arizona.


> 1. I notice that when I drive the car and go over a speed bump, the
> front shocks or suspension is pretty rough. He said that the rubber
> engine mounts were replaced so I'm guessing it's some other part of the
> suspension system. Pretty normal? Expensive to fix if I really had to
> do it?


Might need new/replaced shocks, but a lot of people do this anyway for
performance enhancement. A lot of people like the Koni red shocks, think
you can get a set for about $400 and fitting is easy (this is something
I'd like to do on my Spider in the future).

> 2. The transmission seems to be pretty good but I do notice that going
> from Neutral to 1st there is a slight grinding. When I go from N to
> 2nd and then to 1st it seems to be ok. I think I remember years ago a
> standard transmission that I had was similar. Is this something I
> should worry about? Expensive to fix if I really had to? What does a
> new tranny cost for this car and can I even get one if I really had to?


Nothing to worry about. The syncros in Spider gearboxes are notoriously
weak. To get into 1st without a grind, most people just touch the top of
4th before going into 1st (you can do it with 2nd, but the synchros on
4th are probably stronger). When shifting from 1st into 2nd, it's common
to get a bit of grinding too - just take your time with that shift, or
double-declutch.

> 3. This may be normal for all (older) sports cars but I sense a certain
> amount of "fumes" .. maybe gas, maybe oil don't know . when I drive the
> car. Is this probably ok?


Probably OK, certainly very common. Check vacuum/vapour return lines,
fuel lines (old rubber may be worn/leaking), and the seal around the
trunk lid.



In short, you sound like you're already in love, and from what you've
described, the car sounds like a good one - so I'd go for it!
--
-Take out Ron to reply-
GT4 stats: Day 500; 40.9% Complete; 12178 A-Spec pts; 29G, 15S, 36B
1130mi A-Spec; 1278mi B-Spec; Wins 199/237, 83.9%; 572,691 Credits
Trophies 221; Prize Cars 64; Prize Credits 3,131,700; Cars Owned 75
Gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/78857245@N00/sets/162932/
  #3  
Old July 8th 05, 08:18 PM
Catman
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Posts: n/a
Default

wrote:

> Fellas, if you're on line, may I please ask a few more last minutes
> questions about this 86 Spider Veloce that I'm about to purchase here
> in Arizona.
>
> Background:
>
> $5000; the car is excellent condition (visually). 55,500 miles on the
> odometer. Lots of new parts, new tires, new battery, new exhaust
> system, etc.. Body and interior not pristine, but certainly excellent.
> I reviewed all his repair bills (quite a few of them) and he put lots
> of money into the car. Main repair was 3000 miles ago he spent about
> $5000 when he brought the car in complaining of oil leaking. They took
> the engine out, apart, patched things up, re-assembled, re-installed.
>
> Now, for some reason I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger but I
> went early this morning, had a look, took a drive, and here is what it
> boils down to below. I'm wondering if my concerns below are
> show-stoppers that you would tell me to stay away from this car or
> whether they are pretty much what all of you/us deal with when owning
> an older sports care so I should just not worry about it and have fun:
>
> 1. I notice that when I drive the car and go over a speed bump, the
> front shocks or suspension is pretty rough. He said that the rubber
> engine mounts were replaced so I'm guessing it's some other part of the
> suspension system. Pretty normal? Expensive to fix if I really had to
> do it?


May be the shocks on the way out. May just be it's an Italian 'sports' car
if you're not used to them

> 2. The transmission seems to be pretty good but I do notice that going
> from Neutral to 1st there is a slight grinding. When I go from N to
> 2nd and then to 1st it seems to be ok. I think I remember years ago a
> standard transmission that I had was similar. Is this something I
> should worry about? Expensive to fix if I really had to? What does a
> new tranny cost for this car and can I even get one if I really had to?


'They all do that, sir'

> 3. This may be normal for all (older) sports cars but I sense a certain
> amount of "fumes" .. maybe gas, maybe oil don't know . when I drive the
> car. Is this probably ok?

..

Not sure about this. It's unlikley (IMO) to be serious / expensive but if
it were mine, I'd take a good look to sneure not fuel leaking or cracks in
the exhaust manifold. If the good doctor reckons it's OK, I'd probably
trust him.

Last time I knew of something similar was when the sound deadening material
under the bonnet came loose and was gently toasting on the engine


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
  #4  
Old July 8th 05, 08:57 PM
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Posts: n/a
Default

Fellas, your advice has been invaluable to me! I appreciate it very
much. I'm trying to catch a ride right now up to North Phoenix to pick
up my new Spider . Worst case I'll drive up with my wife tomorrow
morning to pick it up. By the way, I checked the Kelley Blue Book on
this car and $5000 seems to be a very good deal. Even in only "Good"
condition, Kelley lists almost 6000 for this car (private party sale).
"Excellent" gets almost 7000.

Happy driving and thanks again ... Dan

  #6  
Old July 19th 05, 02:37 PM
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Posts: n/a
Default

It's been quite a week. I'd love to have enough time to drive my new
Spider Veloce but my employer, wife, children, and the rest of the word
seem to be dead set against that .

Anyway, I did buy the car. I haven't registered it yet so no plate but
I did get to drive it a bit that one day. I love it!

I have to figure out what's going on with this slight grinding going
from N to 1st and from N to R and then I'll be set. Only happens some
time, not all, and I haven't determined any patterns as yet. You guys
confirmed that this was fairly typical for Spiders. I tried "touching
the top of 4th" before going into 1st but still don't quite have the
touch to avoid it.

thanks again for your help. I'm looking forward to the 100+
temperatures to subside here in the Arizona desert. At that time, I'll
be driving this engine every single day to work.

Dan

  #7  
Old July 19th 05, 09:43 PM
Dr. Boggis
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Posts: n/a
Default

In article . com>,
" > wrote:

> It's been quite a week. I'd love to have enough time to drive my new
> Spider Veloce but my employer, wife, children, and the rest of the word
> seem to be dead set against that .
>
> Anyway, I did buy the car. I haven't registered it yet so no plate but
> I did get to drive it a bit that one day. I love it!


Excellent! :-)
You should post some pics on the AlfaBB too, I've been looking out for
them....

> I have to figure out what's going on with this slight grinding going
> from N to 1st and from N to R and then I'll be set. Only happens some
> time, not all, and I haven't determined any patterns as yet. You guys
> confirmed that this was fairly typical for Spiders. I tried "touching
> the top of 4th" before going into 1st but still don't quite have the
> touch to avoid it.


You should be able to feel and hear a slight thud/clunk as you touch the
synchros of 4th, and it'll work if you actually go completely into 4th
too, so don't worry about overshooting!
--
-Take out Ron to reply-
GT4 stats: Day 500; 40.9% Complete; 12178 A-Spec pts; 29G, 15S, 36B
1130mi A-Spec; 1278mi B-Spec; Wins 199/237, 83.9%; 572,691 Credits
Trophies 221; Prize Cars 64; Prize Credits 3,131,700; Cars Owned 75
Gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/78857245@N00/sets/162932/
  #9  
Old July 20th 05, 04:26 PM
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Posts: n/a
Default

Fellas, I'll post some photos on alfaBB as soon as I can. We're at
about 112 degrees (F) here in Arizona and we're waiting for a little
relief before we show our faces outdoors. Really, though .. just very
busy with work. I'll post a note when I've finally done it. Dan

 




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