Car likes and dislikes.

[kylepaddock]

I am thinking of getting a Alfa Romeo Spider for my first car. Any ideas. Any price ranges? How many miles can the engine hold. What is the size of the engine?

[Stewie007]

60,000 and up. Asking how many miles the engine can hold is like asking how long a light bulb will work. It depends on the use. The engines for the Spider are a 185HP 4 cylinder and a 260HP 6.

If you ask me, there are better cars for less than 60 Gs. The spider, and I'm talking the regular spider, not the 8C that you would have to shell out 250 Gs for, isn't really all that it is cracked up to be. The 8C weighs around 3600 pounds. Given that it sports some heavier tech, the regular spider will probably weigh in around 3200 lbs, but I'm not certain. Can't find any up to date specs on the most recent spider version. A 192 HP engine should push it harder to 60 than in 7 seconds. My old heavier G6 could sport better numbers with 200HP. Seems to me that a 3200lb car should do better for the price you're going to pay for its "look at me" value.

[Stewie007]

Here is a link to a review of the 2008 model.

Note that I was off. This car was 3725lbs. That's a tough pill to swallow. My monster Sedan is 4000 lbs! This tiny thing is just 275 lbs lighter. I certainly hope the 2011 makes some drastic changes.....But it probably won't.

My advice... test drive it like a bitter old man trying to find something wrong with it.... Personally, I would say that its not worth the price.

[kylepaddock]

I was thinking of a 1985 version. What other cars are good MPGs.... i would like it to have 3+ seats. I am looking on craigslist. I am in the Sacramento and bay area area FYI.

[kylepaddock]

What about a 1996 acura integra

[don_xvi]

Funny, when Stewie said "60,000" I thought that was how long he said the engine would last, not the price! :O
I assumed we were talking "classic". I'd pick the Alfa over an Acura, but when we're talking first (and only) car, Italian is a risky way to go.
If you can adjust to the possibility that the car may be out of service now & then, you'll have way more cool factor and a more enjoyable life with the Alfa.
Heck, my first car was broken a lot and I still managed to get where I needed to go. Get the Alfa and a AAA plus RV (100 miles towing) card!

[kylepaddock]

I have allied. I would like to stay under 5K$ and local. Over 30 MPG. and i need it to be able to hold 4+ people.

[afireinside]

The Integra is a great first car, provided you don't ruin it with pepboys cosmetic "mods". I really can't think of any better car for under 5,000 that will get 30+ MPG while seating 4. The only downside is theft. Civics/Integras get stolen more than any other car from what I've seen.

[kylepaddock]

the integra was looking at was 4grand with 170K miles on it?

[Stewie007]

Well I figured he was talking about a new one since Alfa will be sold in the US again very shortly....

As far as the Integra. 170,000 miles at 4 grand... And its a 96? I wouldn't be paying 4 grand for it.

Is it a sedan or Coupe.... GS-R, RS, LS..... Somebody is trying to get that "Its an Acura" premium... but its got 170K miles, and its 14 years old.

What kind of condition is it in? Really. Not what somebody trumped it up to be. Is the paint job still lustrous? Are there a lot of dings or chips in the paint? Are the tires in good shape? (this is important, if you're going to have to replace them, that's going to cost you; don't let anyone convince you that its an irrelevant part of the car because it isn't made by Honda) Scuff marks inside the interior. Is the engine compartment in good shape? Do all of the electronics work? Does the sound system work well? Any funky noises coming from the car while its running? Are the brakes in good condition or do they need to be replaced?

At 4000 dollars, all of that stuff and more pretty much has to be in excellent and tip top shape with no problems. I've been in a lot of 14 year old cars. None of them had no problems. These questions are just some of those that you should ask yourself while looking over a used car.

[GTSRboy]

30mpg will narrow it down to very few cars, and of those cars im not sure any of them will be sporty like an integra or Alfa

[HoJo]

IMHO you should get a dependable grocery getter for your first car. Nothing fancy, just dependable. Better to make your mistakes (and you will make them) on a car you don't care too much about. I know you have dreams about your first car and all but can't they wait a year or so until you have more experience under you belt?

[Kai Robinson]

Alfa Romeo....hmm. Pretty cars, and it's true that you're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned one - but the thought of the electricals on them make me cringe. That, and steel so thin you can read through it...

[Stewie007]

Alfa Romeo....hmm. Pretty cars, and it's true that you're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned one - but the thought of the electricals on them make me cringe. That, and steel so thin you can read through it...

Petrolhead....that basically the same as full of hot air???

[don_xvi]

I think that's British for "glutton for punishment".

[Sparky]

the integra was looking at was 4grand with 170K miles on it?

Pass.

I would never buy a car with 170k on it. Too near the end of its life. Especially at $4000 - what a ripoff.

FWIW, I have gotten 32mpg out of my car (100% highway cruising about 70), and it has seats for 4... but, it is a 98 Camaro, so the back seats don't count for much

[don_xvi]

Those Camaro back seats are a good size for co-eds.

[Kai Robinson]

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/petrolhead

[Stewie007]

I know what a petrolhead is.... I was being facetious.

I was implying......... well maybe you can find that on Wiki too......

[testarossa]

Hmmm I think it goes between 55,000 to 70,000.