I have a very low mileage 3.0 spider that is used for occasional use and brings a smile every time i go out, but as a daily drive it would be difficult to comment, however never had a hood issue and definitely as i am biased it would have to be the 3.0 and when driven sensibly fuel economy is not an issue but that might depend on if you have deep pockets and short arms !!

 

I'm definitely in agreement with bally4563 on this one. I've owned both TS and V6 Spiders. The TS was bought because I was concerned about running costs. But then over the next year or so, I realised that the Spider isn't all that practical or pleasant as an everyday car. The clutch, gearchange, and driving position is somewhat less than convenient for town driving, getting in and out of it is an event rather than a routine (long door narrow opening, seatbelt, door lock, etc) and the boot space is limited. If you take, say, a backpack to work, then it ends up on the front seat rather than squashed in the boot. Seals around windows and doors tend to get worn lifting things in and out. The curved flanks/doors are fragile and easily dented. The back window is almost always difficult to see through. The Spider is quite long overall and the turning circle poor. Fuel economy was 32-35mpg. Reliability was fine and little maintenance was required because I ended up doing only 5000-odd km (3000miles) per year.

I sold the TS and bought a V6. Feels like far more power than the TS, lighter steering, still a heavy clutch but a better gearchange, it's actually easier to drive than the TS. Still has all the other impracticalities but I'm getting 28-30mpg in occasional use as a fine-weather car. I'm much happier with the V6 Spider as a complement to my other car, presently a FIAT Stilo hatch. Maintenance on a V6 will be more expensive than the TS, particularly if you're paying someone to do it, but little maintenance is required if it's an occasional-use car. I gather you have another car already which you can use some of the time... otherwise I'd suggest you buy something else as well - something cheap and ordinary for the commute

At least test-drive both V6 and TS before you make your decision, as they really are different to drive.

-Alex

 

V6 every time smooth power delivery and great gearbox. We have owned ours since new (2001) still under 50k and original hood, exhaust and diff. Lovely car to drive occasionally the hood sticks but a quick tap (with a Birmingham screwdriver) on the release mech and it is away again. My wife has no problems with driving it even the heavier clutch. A wind deflector is a must though to keep the hair in place.

 

We have a 3.0 Spider and 2.0 GTV.

The Spider is my daily driver and on short urban runs will do about 22mpg. On a long leisurely motorway run it'll do about 28mpg. We live in the country with some nice twisty roads and a fast A road - so often get to thrash it a bit and get to use the acceleration - when we do I shudder to think what the consumption is bit it is so enjoyable I don't care. No problems with the hood. I picked it up 9 months ago at 47k miles with new cam belt, plugs, front wishbones and polybushed rear suspension. It is now up to 62k and has had a service. I also had a Q2 diff and GTA clutch and flywheel put on it and it is so much better handling - almost as good as the GTV on the twisty bits now. So if you go for one try to get one where this has already been done.

I drove the GTV for seven years and loved it - still do. It seems to return about 30 mpg no matter how it is driven. BUT if given a choice it is the Spider every time - once bitten by the 3.0 bug the 2.0 is never quite the same again.

Whichever you choose you will not be disappointed - Good Luck.

 

Thanks for all your replies it gives me a good idea what they are like to run and own now.

It looks like we will be looking for a 3.0 then you only live once eh :lol:, got to find one at a garage really as we have a trade in, any thoughts on good garages/independants to deal with who stocks spiders regularly, don't mind travelling to get one as i know at the best of times finding a good one are like hens teeth !!

Any thoughts on the 3.2 v6 ? has it got more emission restrictions built into it meaning it won't be nicer to drive than a 3.0 ?

 

I quite like/prefer the 2.0 in a Spider to a GTV but although a 2.0 Spider is a nice car the 3.0 is a great car in both Spider & GTV form.

The 3.0 24v 2001 in a Spider is a CF3 with muliple cats the same as a 3.2 which feels the same as a 3.0, maybe against the stopwatch a 3.2 is very slightly quicker but in real life it just looks different, IMO, & I've owned both/many.

Clive

 

My wife uses our Spider 2.0 TS for travel to many parts of the country as and when she has to attend "jobs fairs".
Fuel is ok. Main problem being is that she is only 4' 11" and cannot pull the manual hood up on her own due to it's weight. She has to collar a passer by to help
We didn't want an automatic hood due to all the hassle that could poss. appear and the only decent car for sale at the time (ie the one we bought) had all the completely full service/maintenance history.

 

We didn't want an automatic hood due to all the hassle that could poss. appear and the only decent car for sale at the time (ie the one we bought) had all the completely full service/maintenance history.

In my experience it's the motor for locking & unlocking the hood cover that gives the most grief & the manual hood has this as well. You can operate the electric hood manually if the hydraulics go wrong.

Clive

 

The 2.0L TS is perfectly usuabe as an everyday car. The only limitations are the lack of luggage/shopping space and you would need to change your attitude to car parking, especially in supermarkets as the doors need to open fully to enable getting in and out easily, also the doors are very prone to dings from other vehicles. Rear visibility in cold/wet etc can be awkward if the rear plastic window steams up. Manual hood alleviates most of the usual problems. Power wise, obviously the 3.0L is more exciting but the reality of general motoring is that one is usually forced to go with the flow of other motorists, so I save my Cup as weekend toy when I can perhaps be 'more exuberant' shall we say.

 

Power wise, obviously the 3.0L is more exciting but the reality of general motoring is that one is usually forced to go with the flow of other motorists, so I save my Cup as weekend toy when I can perhaps be 'more exuberant' shall we say.

A good point AJ and it all depends upon where you live.

I used to be a Londoner and there would be no point in having the 3.0 there (for me at least) as I would rarely get to enjoy it. Here, in Suffolk where I and the OP live you are never far away from roads that you can erm, well, to use your term - be exuberant.

 

Just been 'awarded' six points and an SP30 for my exuberance, I can recommend both engines, 2.0L is definitely not lacking and can be loads of fun, (took the Spider to Italy in 2010). As with any car, as long as the basic maintenance is addressed then go with what you feel would suit and what you can afford.

 

Just been 'awarded' six points and an SP30 for my exuberance,

Blimey - you must have been going some - six points but no ban. How fast? I'd guess over 100?

 

I'm up for a Suffolk run out before she goes onto 4 axle stands for a few months

 

I'm in Norfolk but up for it too. Didn't realise there are so many Spiders and GTVs in the area... I haven't seen one on the roads round here for months and months. Last one I saw was near Gatwick!!!

 

All this talk regards Norfolk and Suffolk fast roads make it sound like you're planning a Cannonball Run type event !!! :cheese:

 

As already indicated, the police lurk in the bushes, up the trees, and hide behind corners, always with a camera either in the mobile speed check or on a tripod.

As an example, I was driving out of Cambridge the other day toward Suffolk and a policeman was actually out of the van, with a large two lens camera on a tripod, and proceeded to clock me continously for half a mile until I drew parallel to him. Only when I passed him did he lift his head away from the camera. And I was the only car on the road.

Clearly, community policing continues to give way to income streams derived from clocking motorists:tut:

 

Strange as this may sound, for regular servicing, the V6 is probably the better bet.

This is because every three years for the 2.0 TS/JTS, you need to replace the timing belt, timing belt tensioner, timing belt idle bearing, balance belt, and balance belt tensioner. Every second belt change it is also recommended to replace the waterpump, and also possibly the variator (particularly if the variator becomes noisy).

On the V6 you don't have a balance belt and tensioner, and you don't have a variator to worry about. Also, the 916 V6 should have the metal impellar waterpump, which is nigh on bullet proof.

Obviously both engines demand regular and meticulous maintenance, with 6,000 miles oil/filter changes a good idea (Alfa engines like clean oil), but the TS engine in particular does have a propensity to use oil, sometimes to the point where you need to check the oil level every week if doing high mileage.

In summary, both engines are good, but the V6 in essence is a much more reliable and robust engine than the TS. The V6 is also much more fun, sounds much more fun, and with the top down, is extremely good fun. It is the last of the real Alfa Romeo engines, and it is quite possibly the greatest V6 engine ever made in the history of automotive engineering.

If that doesn't persuade you toward the V6, nothing will.

 

I think you have just about persuaded me to get a V6 :lol:

 

It's the luck of the draw with 2.0L TS and oil consumption. My 147 needed top ups every other day whereas my 156 and my Spider never seem to use any at all and sometimes can be 6-8 months before even the smallest of top ups is needed. The Spider has sometimes gone from one service to another without any additional oil being required.

 

What was the outcome of all this? Did you find a good V6?

I ask because I am on the lookout myself now....

 

Don't know what the outcome was but get a V6. I have had both and love the V6.

 

I still agree with everything I wrote before :lol:

Selling my V6 Spider was probably a mistake. Selling the GTA was a mistake too, although my Gtv was absolutely lovely until someone drove through a Stop sign at high speed, cleaning the front off beyond repair

I have a more expensive green Spyder these days - has a Selespeed with a 5.0L V10 engine - takes all the 916 Spider 'faults' and accentuates them cures one thing though, it has a glass rear window with electric lowering, so at least I can see out easier when it's raining :jester:

-Alex

 

Love my twinny , handles great round the Shropshire lanes .