[daveymck]

So looks like my Spider may have come to the end of the road, due to working away it barely was getting used so SORN and let the MOT expire obviously a mistake. Is 1998 R reg 90odd thousand miles on it tspark.

Went to get it MOT'd for the summer and basically is going to cost around £750 plus to get back on the road, the three years are up on the timing belt etc which I had done previous so add another £300 to that add the £200 I just paid for new back screen as current one is cracked and can see we up too £1300 ish already.

Looking around to sell it would be around £1,600? if back on the road does need some work body is ok but not prefect couple of small dents and scratches as would expect for the age, interior decent usual rip in the drivers seat. Whats the going rate for spare and repair am guessing around £600ish plus maybe get back £150 or something for the unused screen.

Has had all its work done since I and the previous owner had it at proper alfa specialists with a bunch of receipts etc although no service book.

So thoughts I don't really have the money to put into it but would maybe try if thought was economical to do it.

 

[spankdanny]

Depends on what it failed on. If it needs welding then that puts most people off. Your location doesn't help, it's a long drive with a trailer unless localish. The 3 year belt issue I don't think is a problem if it's done limited mileage unless it hasn't been started for months on end. Mechanical components don't like being stood still for any length of time. Stick it on eBay with a reserve.

 

[daveymck]

Depends on what it failed on. If it needs welding then that puts most people off. Your location doesn't help, it's a long drive with a trailer unless localish. The 3 year belt issue I don't think is a problem if it's done limited mileage unless it hasn't been started for months on end. Mechanical components don't like being stood still for any length of time. Stick it on eBay with a reserve.

Should update my location am actually in Newcastle now.

Brakes all round including new handbrake cable, hole in exhaust both the rear link arms couple other bits and pieces main issue is the parts cost really.

Has done around 7k I think since last done, was starting it every couple weeks to stop the battery dying was doing it every few days ready for the MOT, supposedly everything underneath looks fine is more down to it been sitting I guess.

 

[spankdanny]

Sounds more appealing now especially if the potential buyers can do the work themselves. If it was mine I wouldn't worry about the belt just yet, buy the parts online and get a local garage to fit them.

 

[AHspider916]

Yours sounds just like mine which needed calipers, discs, pads and fluid when I got it. Standing around had done it no good at all.

The question could be: do you like the car? I reckon any twinnie of that age will consume its value in parts and labour every three years if you're not DIY, sooner if it has a few issues. I've put a lot more cash into mine than the resale value since I got it. That doesn't bother me as I like it, intend to keep it for a very long time and at least I know which bits are now OK. Breaking for spares and buying one another of similar age would be a leap into the unknown for me!

Cheers,

Andy

 

[PaulR]

Look at it another way.

You could buy a new car and lose £2k in value driving out of the showroom.

Repair the Spider for £1300 and you have "saved" £700.

 

[Vela Blue Boy]

It's a hard balance if money is tight.
I store mine for six months but every year with tax and bits needed for mot it gets harder to justify for 2000 miles a year.
I try and renew one thing a year..belts(again) this brakes etc last but it needs a paint and I cant do a payout like that given its worth and how much I use it.
My local garage does mot and basic stuff and I only use alfa specialist(Bonello in Newcastle) for belts and service plus if anything like boot release fails Or intermittent sticks I just live with it.!

Heres a vid of mine from last week

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gExRtJUuhmM

 

[Mitch916]

I think a lot of its are at the crossroads when it comes to the 916. Older cars need more love and that means money.

I was going to replace my 156 every day car with a Brera, not the greatest engines but a stunning design. However, after being offered £60 part ex for the 156 (I kid you not) and flying through the mot again, I have decided to put the money into my Gtv. A respray plus some mechanical upgrades, belts etc I'm expecting to fork out £3 to £4k. For a 1997 Twinspark.

The market may not think that's sensible money to spend but i have no wish to sell her and nothing is going to give me as much smile factor as my Gtv looking and driving factory fresh.

I do think good 916s are getting harder to find. The value will rise in time but for me it's just all about the car. If i sold it I would regret it 100%. She's now part of the family.

 

[MalcQV]

Just going through something similar with our Spider. Similar in that it needs more spending on it than it is worth.
For me, if I scrapped it then I would only go out and buy another so I'm going to get somebody else to fix it

I don't own cars for the investment. However it all depends on funds and priorities. I'd sell my GF's kids organs first. Ssshhh, don't tell her though that is how I'm funding the Spider repair :lol:

 

[daveymck]

Have moved more towards repair, love the car and couldn't bare not driving it again. Plan is to get list of the parts required from the mechanic and see if, with the help of the forum, can get the parts cheaper as he was ordering from trade sites etc so more top whack prices. Once I got it all together he will do the repairs there isnt a rush as such as mot is out anyway.