Spyder 29k .... What the

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
£30K, Non-Facelift 2004, so probably a 2003 build with skuttle shake and plastic rear window and what the heck have they done to the rear end, that's not original and the front looks to have a bodykit too..!!
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
It does have the glass rear window so a 2004 model year...but that body kit....yuck
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
The ones on the bodykit car look like the AC coloured wheels, unless it's the photo..??
 

CHelme

New Member
Messages
4
Hi I'm hoping buy a Spyder (not the one referenced here) sometime this year and would be grateful for some info on these models, i.e. which model to look for, what to avoid etc.

There aren't many about so I don't expect much choice. I have considered the CC and I am inclined to go for a GT. Do these cars require annual servicing, or would servicing on an mileage basis be sufficient, and what problems (mechanical or electrical do they usually suffer from). Are they likely to be headaches (i.e. do they regularly go wrong with large bills to get them fixed (when I say large bills, I mean £2,000 +).

Any info and what to look for would be much appreciated!

Regards

CHelme
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
If your budget allows, go for a later car (with glass rear screen) as the early ones suffered badly with scuttle shake. They do need an annual service, but it's not much if your mileage was low. Very good value now with all the depreciation gone and you'd only get a big bill if you did lots of jobs all at the same time (e.g. Tyres, brakes, clutch, big mile service, etc). Normally an average of £1k a year or so should suffice.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
I would agree that the cars need servicing every 12 months, quite a few miss this and then come selling time its much harder to shift and you have to knock the price down to compensate.
 

CHelme

New Member
Messages
4
Thanks a lot for the tips guys. I expect that a thorough inspection is a must, especially with ones that don't have full history. Would you recommend any specialists? I have in mind Shiltech. Any feedback would be great.
 

Max Swell

New Member
Messages
217
Thanks a lot for the tips guys. I expect that a thorough inspection is a must, especially with ones that don't have full history. Would you recommend any specialists? I have in mind Shiltech. Any feedback would be great.

Try Richard (Dicky) Grace he is very fair...I bought my spyder from him and not pulling any punches he has my spyder up for sale currently (need some jobs on house doing etc but will be back!) the car is very straight and has never let me down.

Welcome to the forum.

Max
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
A big warm welcome to the forum Chelme...You will get loads of advice on here......Dicky Grace as said is a good place to start...Think he has a lovely blue Spyder for sale now.
 

CHelme

New Member
Messages
4
Thanks for the replies, what is the difference in price between the 2002 and the later 2004MY cars? I am looking to get a low mileage (i.e. up to 28k) tbh. I have yet to see a later car with a manual and low mileage. Andyk thanks for the greeting and the pointer -the blue Spyder certainly looks very attractive, but I wan't to try a manual (GT) version, as I am not so sure about the CCs - they seem to be more complex and potentially more problematic, and from what I have read eat clutches more often.

Does anyone know of a reputable independent who can carry out a thorough inspection on these cars?

I have read that the earlier ones suffer from scuttle shake. I have never experienced this in a convertible myself because I have yet to be in one. Does this mean that the handling is affected, or is it just that the cabin suffers from more vibration? Having owned a 1975 Alfa Romeo GTV Bertone, I am familiar with vibrations in the cabin when going along poorly surfaced roads!