1973 Alfa Romeo Spider from North America - Comments

Oil Burning. This car burned oil at the rate of a quart per 500 or so miles for nearly all of the time I owned it. The dealer implied this was from following the conservative break-in instructions. A valve job with new seals (Audi seals are far less expensive than Alfa seals) helped. However, the by-product of the valve job was even more smoke on acceleration. While this was a relative minor annoyance at the time, it would not be socially acceptable behavior now.

Handling. Delivered, the Alfa had incredible straight line stability at speed. This was related to the nose being closer to the ground than the rear by an inch or so. The price was continual scraping of the oil pan or sump guard on any sort of obstacle, such as a manhole cover. The fix was spacers in the front springs. While this reduced the bottoming of the engine, the handling was reduced from well above average to good.

Soft top. The stock rubberized canvas soft top was superlatively quiet. However, it only lasted a few years. After market replacements resonated at 60 mph.

Rust. This car seemed to rust all on its own sitting in the driveway.

Driving Position. I could barely drive the Spider more than 100 miles with my right leg cramped at a compound and unnatural angle. The pain would linger on for several hours after parking the car.

I have no logic why I kept this car for 16 years. Perhaps because it was always a second car and the drive train often compensated for the shortcomings. If another Spider ever appeared in my driveway with a note saying pick me, I would likely donate it a charity of choice.

Thank you, sir! I have owned two Alfas previously and have currently been haunting the EBAY auction site, looking for another. Wife keeps suggesting that I buy locally as she had been the driver of the towing vehicle too many times in the past. Being of weak mind, I have continued to search. During my continuing search, I ran across your review. I don't know who you are or of what religious faith, but I plan to give thanks to God for you and your discouragement that I have taken to heart! Know that you have saved a man with weak sales resistance to Alfas from jumping back into that misery once again.

Well 16 years IS A Long TIme. Any car I have owned that long used at least a quart of oil every 500 miles. In fact, my new GMC pickup does too. This is mostly minor engine leaks that can be fixed. If you are not a "fixer" you should lease your cars.

I've owned 4 old Alfas and love them. IT's a SPORTS CAR - your supposed to be an enthusiast and blind to its faults. Even new they used about a quart every thousand miles. Most of the reliability issues were straightened out in 1984 when BOSCH Fuel injection and Electronics were used throughout. My 1986 Spider looks beautiful, starts like a Toyota sounds like a Ferrari and makes me very happy!

I had a '73 Alfa Spyder and I've called it the prettiest piece of S**t I've ever had. When it was running, it was a truly remarkable car. The problem was it didn't run very often. It rusted in places where I din't think it was possible, the brakes had a nasty habit of not working for no apparent reason, the electrical system was a mess, and going from 1st to 2nd gear had to take place at EXACTLY the right RPM's or you had to skip it and go to 3rd. My mechanic, "Mario" would experience progressively weak English comprehension as the mechanical problems grew worse. Also, you could bottom the car out by running over a quarter.

Having said all this, I was in college and couldn't wait to get out of class to drive it. High speed handling was incredible and it definitely made all the right sounds. I've never understood why Alpha would willingly and with full knowledge lack the pride they needed to make a good and reliable car. There was no reason for it other than simply not giving a dam. I've grown up now and drive a Boxster S. It does everything the Alpha should have done.