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Why aren't Spiders faster?

2K views 41 replies 10 participants last post by  Gold 
#1 ·
I've not driven any other performance cars and coming from bikes all cars seem slow anyway!

I just thought 150bhp would feel quicker though.

Is the Spider just too lardy? Is it heavier than a GTV due to the roof? (I've never driven a GTV)

I did get a 156 2.0TS (W reg) courtesy car the other day and it actually seemed more spritely than my Spider - although this could have been because I was driving it like a loaner :lol:
 
#2 ·
the spider will be heavier due to having to sterdy the car more from the base of chassis, as with all cars that have their roof chopped off.

i dont know what the 0-60 time is of the 2.0 but i class 150bhp as quick, not fast.

also the more you drive something, the more immune you become to the power, drive a 1.3 fiesta and then jump back into the spider to notice the difference
 
#5 ·
the spider will be heavier due to having to sterdy the car more from the base of chassis, as with all cars that have their roof chopped off.
So a GTV (and 156?) is lighter quicker?

also the more you drive something, the more immune you become to the power, drive a 1.3 fiesta and then jump back into the spider to notice the difference
I suppose so. Even the 'slow' commuter bike I have now will 0-60 in 5 seconds and make the spider feel lethargic.
 
#9 ·
According to Autocar the 0-60 time is 9.4 seconds, 0-100 is 29.2 seconds

My Dads spider was a lot slower than my 156 TS.

I also got left by an 8V golf GTi at some lights whilst driving it. And that was after a remap at Angel Tuning.


I am pretty sure the Gearing is different on the spider compared to some other modelas as the engine just didn't seem that free revving in comparison to other TS cars I have owned.
 
#13 ·
I'm quite surprised that the Spider takes a further second to get to 60MPH though, :confused:
it does, but when you consider extra weight and drag it then makes you realise. usually if you want a fast car you get a coupe, as a convertible equivilant will be slower and driving a convertible is more about the surroundings than trying the apex on every corner.

i wanted a bit of both so got the 3.0 spider but i do like the 2.0 still
 
#19 ·
The GTV is quoted as almost the same performance figures as the 156, although it is nearly 105kg heavier.

The spider is quoted as 1kg lighter than a GTV in Autocar, yet it is quite a bit slower. :confused:
 
#25 ·
Must be an outof sorts Spider.There is a reasonable margin,in quoted horsepower and not all cars are equal.Our Spider felt subjectively,quicker than a 2.0 litre 147 and 156,but our mechanic did comment that ours was a very fit example.
More induction noise,in the Spider too which may have heightened the perception,that it felt quicker.As I say a subjective view only,but lets face it,150bhp is ,diesel hatchback territory these days.......
 
#27 ·
,but lets face it,150bhp is ,diesel hatchback territory these days.......
Lets just hope the diesel engines are still the heavy lumps they used to be and make the car weigh even more.

That reminds me. I saw a top gear the other day about the peugot 307cc - those things with the solid folding roofs - also makes about 150bhp but weighs so much it takes about a fortnight to get going! Plus they're ugly and Spiders are gorgeous :lol: (sorry - gone off topic. I'll stop now)
 
#29 ·
I used to have a gsxr750 which did 0-60 in about 3 seconds, so I always laugh when i see all this talk about people putting the Q2 diff in a 150bhp diesel (which is what I have) and then saying it makes such a difference.

its simple really, these cars are just slow, but then you dont buy a 1.9 diesel to go fast, i know I didn't
 
#31 ·
I used to have a gsxr750 which did 0-60 in about 3 seconds, so I always laugh when i see all this talk about people putting the Q2 diff in a 150bhp diesel (which is what I have) and then saying it makes such a difference.
I agree, I used to have a gsxr600... I was more concerned that mine was particulaly slow - judging by the feedback its probably fairly average! Its never going to get any performance mods - although one day i may upgrade the shocks in the interests of comfort!
 
G
#33 ·
At the end of the day, 150BHP is 150BHP, it isn't all that great, but more than certainly gets the job done for every day driving, especially in a lighter car such as the 156 / GTV.

Modern cars are often bigger and heavier and 150BHP just won't cut it.

In its day though, the Alfa 2.5 V6 was a fantastic engine, especially in the 156 guise. It was kicking out the same BHP, 193, as the BMW 2.8 engine did.
 
#37 ·
Hey Davy you cant compare bike acceleration with cars, they are in different leagues. I expect my old GT250 would have been faster off the lights than my Spider, my DRZ400 and 600 Bandit certainly are!! ..... but thats not the point!

Give the Spider some welly ...... enjoy the noise, enjoy the handling and above all enjoy the admiring glances!

Dan
 
#38 ·
I agree, there's no point comparing bikes with cars, i have a custom chop with a drag-bike engine in it (and marginal brakes but that's another story) and a TL1000S and they're both properly quick... I also have a Jag XJR (all 377hp of it) that's my familly car for when we have to take the kids out..

The Spider is a bit of a disappointment in terms of performance (we expected more) but we did make a concious decision to go for a TS rather than a V6 as Jude's using it as her every day comuter, so we'll accept a performance trade of for the extra MPG

On the other hand, the new exhaust, induction kit and the remap we have planned next should get the 150hp up to around 180 or maybe a little more so whilst it won't set the world on fire it should be a nice, enjoyable 'performance cruiser'... but to be honest, it just looks so damn good we can forgive the performance..
 
#40 ·
We didn't buy it to go fast. It's just a weeny bit disappointing to know its such a lardy arse of a car.
Yup, we're right with you on that..

Fortunately we're quite happy to 'tinker' with the cars we buy so we'll be happy to make some minor performance improvements, even if (to be honest) they're more 'aural' than actual...

Induction, pipe, re-map and than learn to enjoy the more relaxed pace...

But you're right, it did come as something of a surprise (the lack of 'performance')... it's not 'slow', it's just not 'fast' either, but I think we'll be fine with it, it looks fantastic, it (now) sounds lovely, and it's a comfortable cruiser at 90 on the motorway (which is enough - especially with the roof down)..and we have high hopes for the remap.. lol
 
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