Is the Alfa spider the most beautiful convertible ?

Is the Alfa Romeo spider in Zoe yellow the most beautiful Alfa convertible Alfa made ?
Welcome back and this time we take out a Zoe yellow Alfa spider
James is a mx5 man so I try to convert him into liking this Alfa instead.
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[@user-cj7hi2tc4p]

I have this car in the exact same spec as this . Daily driven for 2 and a half years here in Greece and travelling around the country because of work . I did 50000 kilometres last year with it . Just bought a grande punto multijet as a daily driver so these 2 italian beauties sit nicely next to each other in the garage . Spider is only out now for friday and saturday nights and sunday mornings. Weirdly enough my parents have a 2012 fiesta diesel and the punto feels a lot closer to the spider in the way it drives than the fiesta . I guess Italians know how to work their magic on every car they build. My Spider is not going anywere , stays with me until i die. (also so appealing to women xd)

[@seantreen4317]

I bought mine 18 months ago and love it. Phase 2 with manual roof on mine, no worries about it not working. 2.0 Twin Spark is plenty quick enough, starts first time and no electrical issues. A strut brace will sort out the wobbly feel and the heated screen button is for the door mirrors.

[@autosportivobedford]

Thanks for the info!

[@simonsaba4387]

Why is the 3.2 (156 GTA engine) never mentioned when talking about GTV's, perhaps because they only made 500. However they are much faster than a 3L and handle nicer than a Porsche 996 and a Z3M all of which I have had on long term use. The suspension set up on a GTV is designed to be four wheel steer and ones that do not handle well need the suspension looking at and wheel alignment. The T spark is an excellent engine many can do 200k as my 156. I have worked on Italian and German cars for 35 years and the italian cars are so underrated and owners often expect them to work without correct servicing. Another car I own, which has really impressed me, is the 159 TBI with the 4C engine in, much quicker than I expected and handles so nice, however low mileage examples are expensive.

[@Liban46227]

I got 159 tbi ti in red that engine have a lot of torque even from 1500 rpm I love it but it is quite not like the twin spark

[@AlfaGTA156]

Interesting that you mention that the 3.2 spider is quicker than the 3l. I’ve owned my 156 GTA for 12 years and that engine is a sweet revving hard pulling beast. The other debate was that the GTA engine fitted to the 156 and 147 had 250bhp but the GT, GTV and spider had 240bhp. But in reality the 3.2 power output was the same in all models. Think it was just a marketing ploy by Alfa to make sure that the GTA had more power than the others I mentioned. Would love to drive a 3.2spider with a wizard exhaust and cf2s manifolds with the top down. Would sound epic👌

[@alexanderlaver1607]

Can open and close the roof manually on all electric alfas as a back up, but not sat at the lights.

[@Lucan-ve6zc]

A 96 plate 916 sits on the drive for sunny days. Manual roof. Twin spark. Huge, huge fun. No need to say more.

[@RenoLaringo]

You are the first person I hear complaining about the handling performance of this car. Pretty much all reviews about it can't praise enough how much of an enjoyable experience it is to be in a car with such great reactions. Not the level of a mx-5 mk1 but still very predictible, fun and forgiving. Was everything ok regarding linkages and suspension on yours? That seem to be one of their weak point(s) at some point, especially the rear axle (or both front and rear depending on the engine version). This was a nice review of one of the last true racy affordable italian cars of the era with respect to the ''Alfa Romeo spirit'' and links with Ferrari. A true beauty in all its glorious splendor ! What a treat! Thanks mate!🙏👍....... Italian cars..... They are pretty much like women when you think of it.

[@autosportivobedford]

Ha ha definitely like women these things thanks for the comment

[@simondunning8466]

I had a 3L V6 GTV Coupe years ago and loved it mainly for the engine but I fell in love and bought my Red 916 2.0 TS Spider purely because it is such a beautiful thing to look at, a work of art on wheels and how often do you see another. I aslo think that the wedge type design is coming back into fashion. MX5's are a great little drivers car and not a bad looker but they are common as muck 👍

[@felixlutticken5694]

My parents have a 3.0 24V spider in giallo zoe with the rare blue line package (blue dashboard, blue seats, blue roof). This really is the best color for the 916

[@donaldtucker4914]

Looks better with the roof down and 17" teledial wheels transform the look of the car. This yellow is lovely but can fade quite quickly and is extremely difficult to match for repairs. Lacquer peel, especially on the roof cover, is common and folding the hood when cold is a definite no no. The rear screen cracks very quickly. Hood fit can be appalling. Headlights are pretty hopeless and door locks freeze in cold weather. Not one of those convertibles that suit year round use but also not a car that takes well to being left standing..so a bit of a problem. Still lovely though.

[@Mr_Sunseeker]

Yes of course it is !, I should know as I've owned my 1999 CF2 TS Spider for seven years. Mine is Silver with tan interior, despite it having almost 119K on the clock I've had zero electrical or engine issues & yes the roof works. Mine has been Powerflexed on the rear & it transformed the handling, on a smooth sweepy bendy roads the chassis comes alive. Don't forget Spiders GTV has passive rear steering & fast 2.2 lock to lock steering. For info when Mine was new in 1999 it cost £26,188.65 + metallic paint £326.65 !!. 2.0L TS is plenty quick enough to be fun, my Daliy is Guilia Veloce with 280HP & the Spider is just much fun to drive.

[@autosportivobedford]

Amazing thank you for the comemnt

[@moorii09]

Love the yellow and the rare lime green metallic too

[@postmandnb]

I hope someone can bring a V6 version along, that engine sound without the roof would be glorious.

[@felixlutticken5694]

My parents have one with the 3.0 24V with full ragazzon catback exhaust, it really sounds amazing

[@felixlutticken5694]

Yes there was a hardtop for the spider, they were built by Wiesman in germany

[@maseraticc2834]

Thanks guys I enjoyed your light hearted review. I have owned a 1998 Mk1 Spider since 2002 and can relate to your driving experience and comments. What I would add is that the 916 Spider just looks so different to anything else on the road, the crease along the sides that rises from the front wheel to blend into the rear wing, and the twin headlights (1 unit each though) are just so gorgeous, sheer Italian elegance. It is Pininfarina designed after all..!!! Reminds me that I must drive mine this summer as it hasn't turned a wheel for 2 years. Keep up your great work and the videos coming please!! 🙂

[@autosportivobedford]

Amazing thanks for your comment ☺️

[@garylake1676]

Comparing a Twin Spark Spider with an MX5 is like comparing your lover to an escort, yes, they both function in a similar way, but one gets in your soul, the other does not.

[@Carlos.G]

Yes, been waiting for this. Had to share with my brother to reminisce over his old identical one…. Although his was the V6

[@autosportivobedford]

😅👍🏻

[@Alfa147]

3 litre GTV and a TS Spider is the perfect combination....my Spider rattles terribly but on a run to the coast yesterday it was great ..we smiled all day! Mines a series 2 import from Germany and has a manual hood (for peace of mind .). Cant throw it back though I have to get out of the car to operate it. The HRW button is from the 156...Fun honest review thanks guys....

[@garylake1676]

Mine does not rattle much if I leave the wind deflector at home, mind, she has only done 45,000 miles, so she is still quite tight.

[@smOOdiebOOdie]

Great episode and beautiful car! Colour is bellissimo 👌🏻

[@autosportivobedford]

Thank you! 👍

[@simondean8710]

Nice video, I have a phase 1 in Acido Verde (acid green) as n even more rare and in your face colour than the common Zoe yellow! Most phase 1’s do have a manual roof which is why I got it as the phase 2 I had 6 years back had a nightmare electric roof! The 2L TS engine is awesome if you keep the revs high and you’re right the 3L Busso is even more skittish and scary! I also have a 156 Veloce 1.6TS, F Type and Speedster Clinic Porsche 356. Keep ip the good work.👍

[@autosportivobedford]

Thank you and thank you for the comment

[@iainstewart6200]

Well guys your presenting skills are fking hilarious, wooden as you like, but more importantly you have nice cars. I've owned many Italian cars over the years, my 2nd car was an Alfasud 1.5ti which I blew up and replaced the motor with a 1.7 16v from an Alfa 33, Spax shocks, lowered springs and X19 wheels that car was a fking laugh especially at 18 yrs old, insurance was horrific though. Anyway keep making the vids with the lovely cars, I've been subscribed since day one, fully worth it. Tell your mechanic to smile occasionally also it wouldn't hurt him 👍😉

[@autosportivobedford]

Hiiiii thank you for your comment and most importantly thank you for being a sub since day one. Ha ha yes will be sure to tell him.

[@robpascuzzi671]

I have a twinspark in Rosso Proteo not that far away, and everything works and has the whole year I’ve had it 😁.

[@alexanderlaver1607]

Manual roof on phase 2 is a trim level thing, so full leather would come with electric roof. Swapping tired seats out is common up grade thou on these so now no hard and fast rule, but from new.

[@johnthelwell3244]

Had one as a daily driver for 2 years. Did a lot of miles in it. Only issue l had was replacing the radiator which is a common problem. Mine was a really nice one but worth nothing. Sold it for £1200 and the values have not increased much.

[@autosportivobedford]

A lot of car for little money

[@aggie3344]

I found the half leather seats in the gtv/spider are more comfortable but the leathers do look nicer.

[@mattbettany1174]

Beautiful Zoe yellow . There’s a Zoe Yellow owners club from what I’ve seen online. I’d try and reach out to the Alfa showroom guys on KZbin and ask them bring you a Busso Zoe down. A bit of channel collaboration is always a good thing 👍

[@autosportivobedford]

Great idea!! Do you have a link to them ? Or how can we find them

[@Liban46227]

The brand of tyres make a lot of difference in the body shake, I have my 2004 spider jts 2lt. In excellent condition i had pirelli p7 on when time to replace them i went to michelin s4 i found the so hard the car so cushy because the size 205 50 16 and sport tyre so i replace them to pirelli cinturato p7 are best suit the car the are touring tyre. The handling of the 4cyl spider much better than the v6 it got quick ratio steering and rear steer built in the sophisticated suspension. It isone of the best front wheel drive handling beside the lotus elan

[@mikesmith-bx8bs]

I have a phase 1 with the electric roof and hard top 1996

[@MrPabsUk]

In theory, they could have made these RWD, as, as you said, it shares the platform with other 4WD cars, like the Tempra, so it has the trans tunnel, & in theory, the attachment points for a back axle.. A future project maybe Ant?

[@ek8710]

Yes, yes it is. Also suffering from the hayfeaver :(

[@autosportivobedford]

It really sucks

[@martf8014]

Its nice but I prefer the 939 Spider.

[@renorti1]

Just with the hood up they look a bit awkward

[@AresGarage59]

amazing

[@stormtrooper2k581]

dudes voice is identical to AutoAlex wow

[@Hsuhvemdu66826]

Which one?😂

[@luisfilipe316]

Alfisti persempre 🍀👍

[@RandyWillcox]

ANT!!

[@alessandrocolombera9251]

purtroppo gli italiani non comprano più macchine italiane!

[@autosportivobedford]

Why is that ?

[@ollieox4176]

I love fiats but alphas just don’t do it for me. Is there something wrong with me

[@Rob-oi9mf]

"Alpha"...doesnt do it for me either. "Alfa" on the other hand....😂😂

[@gothicpagan.666]

From many angles they are just plain unfortunate looking, hence their very low value, inc. the FHC 3Ltr still available for less than a grand for a rough one.

[@arnoldjordan1979]

'promosm' 😈

[@badmintonlarkinboys3331]

Not even close!

[@user-jj7uy1ns5f]

Probably but unreliable