We all have car friends who inevitably buy a vehicle we’ve never given a second thought to, and when we learn of how much they love it, our perceptions are completely changed. That’s been my experience with the Fiat Spider, a car my colleague grabbed as part of an estate settlement. While he knew just as little about this model as I did, his continued excitement over what a joy it is to drive has me rethinking this Pininfarina-designed convertible. The seller of this 1982 2000-series model has offered his for sale here on craigslist but you need to fork over $50 for a test drive.
And to that last point, I don’t blame him at all. He’s simply trying to cut down on the time wasters who want to risk his vehicle being damaged by someone who isn’t actually serious. It’s a good policy: you get your $50 returned to you via a discount in the purchase price if you decide to buy, and if you’re serious but decide to pass on it, well – the seller got something for his time. Anyhow, the Spider has endured perhaps an unfairly negative reputation based on the typical jokes about Italian build quality, but the more I dig, the more I find these were actually competent – and cheap! – Italian roadsters. Fun facts, you could raise and lower the soft top while seated in the car, and as a model from the end of the production run, the wheel center caps and hood badge all feature the Pininfarina logo.
In another twist, the later cars like this one came equipped with a fuel-injected 2.0L engine producing a respectable 102 horsepower. With a light curb weight and the manual transmission, the Fiat accelerated briskly, and certainly felt more sporting than you’d expect. My friend tells me that his car drives surprisingly well and doesn’t feel like some cheaply assembled alternative to a Ferrari – it’s actually holding together nicely. It just goes to show that many cars are better than their reputations would suggest when looked after by their owners. This Fiat features a tan interior and convertible boot, which does show some cosmetic flaws.
The seller reports that the timing belt was replaced 2,000 miles ago, and the brakes, shocks, and water pump were all done in 2026. The rough spots are merely cosmetic from what I can tell, and the only apparent reason for the sale is due to the seller being a melanoma survivor and unable to drive with the top down, which does take a lot of the joy out of owning a convertible. Fortunately, there’s still a strong supply of spares and parts cars out there, so you can likely source a replacement center console with ease. Have any of you driven a Fiat Spider – and would you ever consider owning one? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the tip.
I would not test drive a car that I had no intention of buying. However, there a lots of cars. – maybe even this one – that I would gladly pay $50 for a joy ride.
Good for you Barzini, I like the way you think.
I had a ’73 and it was fun to drive. As I was a young bachelor at the time, the women loved it. So . . . it was REALLY fun to drive! LOL!
Why are the majority of cool cars on this site in the Pacific northwest….as far from.me as they can get?!
Highly underrated vehicle. Dual overhead cam aluminum head, fuel injected, 5 speed convertible with power assisted 4-wheel disk brakes, electric windows, full instrumentation, coil spring suspension, and Pininfarina design. My friend and celebrated owner. Lenny Celibert WON the SCCA ITC championship in both a Fiat 124 spider, and coupe, and now WON unlimited class in a Maserati Biturbo. These 124’s were far ahead of their competition in their era, and still now a bargain! And, nearly all the parts still available. Compared to any MG, BMW, Datsun?? Lenny beat them all. This is legacy.
Blast from the past. I bought my wife an 82 2000 new before we were married, I know, a gamble! She had never driven a stick before, and absolutely loved that Fiat. We owned if for 12 years, did the required maintenance, and had no real problems. The worst was a grounding strap
came loose and it died on the spot. We sold it with around 65K, took a lot of trips, and it was comfortable weekend cruiser. Keep the maintenance up, the fluids topped, and you have a fun reliable cruiser that can be fun in the curves. I would be interested in what happened to the center console. This would be a great value if it is clean after a PPI. I am with Barzini on the $50. Good luck with the sale.
I had a friend give me a 1978 124. She couldn’t handle the constant repair bills. She even named it Squeaky. I drove Squeaky home from her house and never had an issue. Put 25000 miles on it in 3 years and not one breakdown. My friend was so mad at me for that. I said “I guess Squeaky wanted someone else to hold her.” At that time I didn’t have the money to replace the top and redo the interior. So I had to rehome her. A real sad day for me.
Before driving a Fiat…check the gas and fill up the oil.
Taking the description at face value this could be quite the deal. I’ve seen some pretty crazy asking prices for these in recent years. At $9k with only 52k miles I wouldn’t hesitate long if I were in the market… it’s even the right color… …but I have one already.
I’d be interested to know the response around the $50 test drive fee….
Had an ‘82 turbo and also a ‘77. Fun cars. This one’s the best color combo too. The top design with the rear quarter windows that fold with the top is great and far better than an MG or Triumph.
Located in Olympia, WA
If and when i decide to sell my 66’Mustang I’m gonna have a fuel charge to cover the cost of Chevron 91 octane that was $ 6.00 a gallon. J/K
I had a ’69 and a ’78 124 Spider. Loved them both. And if I was ever in the market to buy another one, I would without hesitation. I also had a ’76 131 sedan. Different sure, but with 124 drivetrain. I loved that car, too
The styling is so subtle, it borders on blah. Not voluptuous enough for an eye-talian.
My friend has had one from new. Great sounding Ansa exhaust, but boring looking from any angle.
@Dave: it was probably your rugged good looks, not the Fiat.
Well… to each his own and all that… but I (and others) always thought the original Fiat 124 spider looked like a three-quarter scale Ferrari 275 gts… and no mystery there as they both came out of Pininfarina in the early/mid ’60s… The later versions were somewhat marred by the large US mandated bumpers, but not as bad as what was done to the later MGBs…
I agree completely