1982 Spider

[BEEK]

Found a 1982 spider today, automatic, 14" turbo wheels, interrior reupolstered, kinda hidiously...green and white . anyway.. can buy it for 1000.00, what do you people think ? car is 95% there, body good, no major damage, floor small rust holes , seat track areas good, no carpet so the floorpan was easy to see. no idea if it runs.
paint fair, pealing off the hood, but a repaint would be in order anyway, top and front top bow need replacing. 10 years ago i would have bought it without thinking. today i think.. so help me decide. please!

[mdrburchette]

If it runs, buy it.

[NJFIAT1981]

If it runs I'll buy it! Any pics so we can see how your purchase looks ?

[narfire]

Hmmm... green and white? anyway the interior can be changed to your tastes by painting the vinyl or sorcing out the interior you want. No shortage of cars being parted out and interior stuff can be collected over a bit of time at a reasonable cost. I'm not sure down there but a decent paint job here inc. good paint, is about $2-2500.00 Perhaps you have the skills diy.
Milage? You have some mechanical work after purchasing.. The belt and rubber flex disk should be changed out for a piece of mind. What does your gut feel? How does the car drive? steering good,tight any rattles exhaust? $1000.00 for a driver that would be able to be on the road and then invest as you go might not be a bad deal. The header bow can be a chore to find,seems the rust is a common ailment.
If you like to putter with the car and have the skills to do most of the stuff....... your money and you want an automatic go for it
I'm saying that cause your way down there and I'm 3000 miles away
Good luck

[BEEK]

Fortunatly i have the skills. converting to a 5 speed is no problem. replacing the interrior with tan is a must. unfortunatly i have lost touch with the values of these cars... i used to restore tham and sell them 10 years ago. but havent been up on current market trends. and do appreciate help with this decision. tryed to start the car ...nothing... i assume the starter is not getting power from the switch or there is a power distribution problem, as the battery was new. lights come on bout no click!

[wachuko]

Fortunatly i have the skills. converting to a 5 speed is no problem. replacing the interrior with tan is a must. unfortunatly i have lost touch with the values of these cars... i used to restore tham and sell them 10 years ago. but havent been up on current market trends. and do appreciate help with this decision. tryed to start the car ...nothing... i assume the starter is not getting power from the switch or there is a power distribution problem, as the battery was new. lights come on bout no click!

Just to help with pricing of these cars here around Florida. I bought my parts car for 700.00 and the runner for 1,300.00. You can check the threads to see the condition and the parts that were good.

My First Fiat - Parts car
My Second Fiat - The Runner

Here is the tread of my search and the cars I came across:

Help-Buying my first Fiat Spider and have ???

Folks here have found runners for what I paid for the parts car... I did not have that luck. Anything that was road worthy was more than 3K. So it will depend on where you are getting the car from.

[2ndwind]

Now the seller knows it won't start with a new battery. I would just make sure the engine is not stuck. What did you pay for a non-rusted, ugly interior, non-running spider 10 yrs ago? I'd say it depends on the motivation of the seller. Could you clear his driveway/garage today for $500?

[BEEK]

BOUGHT IT TODAY 600.00