Alfa Spider JTS 2007

[topcat]

Ladies and gentlemen, I am considering buying a 2007 AR Spider JTS, year of manufacture 2007.  It has just on 70k on the clock.  I am after some advice on how owners find these cars.  The reviews on line are not kind and essentially point you to the BMW Z4, Honda S2000 or Mazda MX5 for better performance, space and reliability.  I am sort of keen on this Spider because aside from it looks good, it helps a friend out of a situation.

Anyway, if peole could give me their honest, personal views I would really appreciate knowing what I am getting into.

[Evan Bottcher]

I don't have lots of direct experience, but I'm never short of an opinion

Both the 2.2 inline 4cyl and the 3.2 v6 were JTS engines, but I assume you are talking about the 2.2.  I believe they are reasonably reliable if uninspiring engine, which is based on the GM 2.2 engine although supposedly heavily modified.  The only foible of this engine that I've seen in the workshop (not my workshop - observing traffic through Maranello Pur Sang) seems to be a stretched timing chain.  They use a single row timing chain and this stretches over time and degrades performance, until one day you get an engine warning light.  No real damage done, but expensive to replace.  This seems to be happening at reasonably low mileage (around 100,000km or less) which seems surprising to everyone.

Other than that I know very little - our 2006 159 is of the same platform, and is extremely well screwed together and nothing falls off at surprising or amusing times.  It's almost un-Alfa-like in it's build quality

The downside of all the chassis strength and extra soundproofing is that the 159 is quite heavy, I imagine the spider being the same, and likely part of the negative reviews for performance along with the not-inspiring engine.  Probably best to think of it as a cruising car, not a sports car.

FWIW - I'd buy one.  I think they look very nice.

[topcat]

Thanks Evan, I appreciate your depart of knowledge!  How much is the chain roughly to replace?  I'm not concerned about teh cars weight, and given it will be a w/e driver (not the primary car) I will be in it for looks, not really performance!  Although I don't want some gutless wander!  My focus before this option arose was the Toyota MR2, but the Alfa has grabbed me now!

[Paul Gulliver]

How much is the chain roughly to replace

I had the chain done on my 159 2.2 JTS (same engine) last year at Lance Dixon. $1600 at approx 100,000 klms. Which i wasn't complaining about . If you had a 156 you would have already changed the belt once at about 60,000 klms (circa  $1000.00)  and you would be 20 000klms from doing it again. Although , not the question asked generally the  2.2 JTS 159 has been cheaper to run than the  previous 2.0 156 .  Just  my opinion.

My focus before this option arose was the Toyota MR2

In addition i would go as so far as to say the spider provided it is serviced correctly  would be just as reliable as the MR2 and a darn site easier to work on than the MR2. I don't know if you have have a look at the portal for mid engine access to an MR2, it is very , very small . You would have to have double jointed hands the size of a  Vietnamese  watch maker to work on it.

Gully