Looking to buy.

I am hoping to buy my second Fiat. I am looking at a 1972 Fiat Spider, body is in good shape, needs paint, Panasport Ultralight wheels, it runs but the interior is shot. Right now it has about an inch of water sitting on the floors but the pans look to be solid. What advice would you give a "newb"? What are some common problems that a novice might not know about? What would be a fair price for a vehicle in this condition? I can get it for 600.00 US, good deal?

Rook1,

The #1 killer of a Fiat Spider is rust. the #2 killer of a Fiat Spider is rust. Get my point? literally everything else on that car can be repaired or replaced easier than a rusted floor pan, firewall, or shock tower. most parts cars come from those vehicles lost to rust.

That the interior is shot is no big deal.

I am betting the sale of the car is not hotly contested by area residents, so you actually have time to review some parts catalogues online at some of my favorite vendors:
www.vickauto.com
www.international-auto.com
www.fiatparts.com
www.baylessfiat.com
www.midwest124.com

all USA companies. visiting there can give you ideas about how much it could cost to replace or repair many of the other items you already know the car needs... which puts you well on the road to an estimated minimum project cost (builds a budget).

worst case scenario is that this car (if complete) could fetch up to $1500 if you have the time/space/knowldedge/patience to part it out.

while i have your attention, might i ask you a question? if you live in Utah, why didn't you visit USA Fiat Spider car forums? Generally, Fiat Forums are not the flame throwers that other car forum enthusiests tend to be. I would encourage you to get to know them as well as our hosts here in the UK.

Thank you for the reply and advice. I will check out the sites you suggested, as well as check the car thoroughly for rust. As for the other forums, I signed up at fiatspider.com but still waiting for activation. Do you have any other suggestions for USA forums?

Chris

Chris,

it does not take mark long to activate you at fiat spider dot com. check frequently.

if you do get a Fiat, i suggest with the highest words i can muster to look into joining FIAT LANCIA UNLIMITED at www.flu.org the website is free, and the forum is cordial. but i mean more than visit the forum.... i mean join the club.

there is also www.fiatcenter.com but that site is not very active

if you buy a fiat, check into www.mirafiori.com the best tech advice i have ever found can be had by this group. the worlds largest collection of former fiat mechanics seem to hang out at that forum.