Beschreibung
Regrettably for sale is my Alfa Spider. I purchased this with the intention of it being a keeper (admittedly this is not the first time this has happened…) hence the long list of things I’ve done below. Sadly I perhaps need to acknowledge that having a second car that I barely get time to use and that does not accommodate kids or dogs should not be high on my list of priorities… That and the fact it seems to be losing thea battle for garage space with several DIY projects at the moment.
Spec as follows.
1999 Alfa Romeo Spider 916 TS Lusso
2. 0 16v Twin Spark
118k miles
12 months MOT
Tax until end of June
Metallic Grigio Chiaro (silver to you and I) with Red Leather interior, red carpets and (thankfully) the black dashboard.
This is the Electric roof version (Lusso spec) and also benefits from Climate control, electric windows and mirrors and remote central locking with META alarm system.
Extensive service history with a folder full of receipts.
Mechanically the car is superb, starts up first time (even after days/ weeks in the garage), no untoward knocks, clunks, bangs etc. Hardly uses any oil (which is very good for a t-spark engine), uses no coolant and is nice and tight. No smoke from the exhaust. Clutch and gearbox are both good and the brakes are nice and sharp. It drives straight and true. All the electrics work as they should, the windows, mirrors (heated), central locking, lights etc. All warning lights come on and go off as they should. The idle is rock steady. The electric roof functions exactly as it should and even the air-con blows cold. The roof is completely watertight (this was tested pretty extensively in torrential rain not that long ago!). The cambelt was last changed at 88k along with the variator, balancer shaft belt, aux belt and water pump. The rear suspension arms have been polybushed (this is a common wear item on these due to the passive rear steering).
The bodywork is very good, with only minor age related marks (it would benefit from a professional mop/ detail to remove all the little age related swirls and small marks that accumulate over time, or looks great as it is if you are not as fussy as me!). There are no ugly dents or scrapes and no rust. The wheels have a few odd marks here and there but nothing terrible and as you can see in the photos they look good.
The car comes with all the original wallets, books, security codes and documents (even the original Alfa Spider brochure!). It comes with a folder full of service history and receipts. It comes with 4 keys and two remotes (including the brown master key). Also has the original full toolkit and the locking wheel nut keys.
The service history is documented as follows:
11k - Service stamp and invoice
15k - Service stamp and invoice
18k - Service stamp
19k - Service stamp
23k - Service stamp and invoice
27k - owner serviced (no parts invoice)
39k - owner serviced with parts invoice
56k - Service stamp and invoice
74k - Service stamp and invoice
82k - invoice, book not stamped
102k - invoice, book not stamped
117k - owner serviced (me) parts invoices.
Recent work:
•New hood realease motor
•New rear window (old one was creased and starting to go a bit cloudy)
•Nearly new tyres all round
•Installed a quality Alpine CD/ USB stereo and wired this to switched ignition source (usually most Alfa’s of this vintage annoyingly don’t turn off with the ignition) The original Alfa Stereo (and CD changer) is included in the sale, although the sound quality from it is terrible!
•Full Cat-back stainless exhaust manufactured by MIJ exhausts in Birmingham. It sounds lovely, not too loud, not droning and it has a really nice note to it, it really complements the car and it fits perfectly – there is no knocking.
•New alarm fob casings (usually these are old and manky)
•New clear side repeaters (why Alfa originally put amber ones on when there are no other amber lenses on the car I don’t know!)
•Oil and filter change at 117k (just over 1000 miles ago) – oil is Valvoline Durablend 10w-40 semi synthetic which I have always used in previous Alfas and can recommend it over the overpriced Selenia stuff (seems to come out looking better when you change it).
•New Air Filter at 117k
•New battery – fitted at 117k - Bosch 096 S4 (this is usually fitted to the 3l models – chose this as it has more starting power as the car is only used occasionally) it has a 4 year guarantee.
•New front Pagid discs (did not change pads as they are good quality Ferodo items and have little wear on them).
•Complete cooling system flush with new red (5yr life) coolant at 117k
•New Number plates
•New Alfa-logo floor mats
•New front drop links at 117k
I’ve also done lots of little bits to remedy common faults that usually get overlooked like replacing the seatbelt buckle stops, replaced tatty speaker covers, handbrake and gear lever gaitors, secured the windscreen washers to make sure they spray properly (they rarely do on these!), replaced dashboard bulbs, greased the brake lines and fittings, cleaned the handbrake lever contacts, tightened wobbly mirrors and other little bits and bobs that rarely get attention (like I said it was going to be a keeper!!)
Would urge you to come and view the car to fully appreciate it, I think the first genuine viewer will buy it. Full inspections and test drives are welcome, though unless you can show me you are insured to drive it fully comp (or have the asking price in cash!) I’ll do the driving.
I have lots more photos so if you want to see anything else – just ask. I am open to sensible offers close to the asking price but am not desperate to sell so won’t entertain any silly offers. I’ll be very sad to see it go, but it’s pointless it being sat in the garage not getting used. Yes there are lots of cheaper or lower mileage ones out there, but buying a cheap and uncared for one of these really is a false economy!! I ran my last GTV to 163k and it could easily have passed for 60k when it was sold - provided they are looked after properly these are strong engines and solid cars.
