> So as my 40th birthday approaches and along with it a
> self-imposed mid-life crisis, can someone tell me why I
> shouldn't buy a red Fiat 124 Spider convertible with 46,000 miles.

Over the years I've had a couple of Fiat 124 Spiders, and a couple of Fiat
500's (which resemble a Beetle that got shrunk in the wash - 2 cylinder, air
cooled, rear engined).  I no longer have my Spider but still drive my 500
around town regularly. The Spiders aren't fast by modern sports car
standards, but are lots of fun to drive. They were actually quite advanced
for their time (i.e. 4 wheel disc brakes, a brilliantly designed folding top
that put their British competitors to shame, and of course bodywork by
Pininfarina).  Rust can be a MAJOR problem so you will want to look it over
carefully or have a good body shop do it. As with an old Bug, a 124 can have
fatal frame rust but look flawless on the outside. Also, as I recall (and I
may recall incorrectly), they have an interference engine, so the timing
chain (or belt? It's been a while) should be replaced if you don't know its
age.  Most parts are readily available online and not too expensive. 124
Spiders don't have tremendously high resale values, so don't pay too much.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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