Despite Everything, I Really Want A '939' Alfa Romeo Spider

The Brera-based Alfa Romeo Spider is slow, heavy and not terribly good to drive. But I still want one...
Despite Everything, I Really Want A '939' Alfa Romeo Spider

There are many reasons why you should not buy a ‘939’ Alfa Romeo Spider.

For starters, it’s packing the ‘wrong’ V6. Arriving just after the death of the legendary Alfa Romeo V6 - and indeed the passing of its creator Giuseppe Busso - the Spider instead made do with a far less charismatic, General Motors-sourced 3.2.

Then you have to consider the weight. Tipping the scales at around 1700kg, the Spider really was a porker, and as a result it takes a leisurely 7.2 seconds to go from 0-62mph, even with a reasonable 260bhp on tap.

Despite Everything, I Really Want A '939' Alfa Romeo Spider

The limp performance and lack of fireworks under the bonnet are potential deal-breakers on their own, before you even contemplate the handling. Which is apparently shocking.

I’ve not had a chance to drive the four-wheel drive V6 Spider, but road testers reported the flabby 939 range-topper was nose heavy, rolled hilariously in the corners, and suffered from appalling scuttle shake. Add in the fact Alfa Romeo reliability was - according to surveys at the time - still not brilliant, and you have a recipe for one big nope of a car.

Despite Everything, I Really Want A '939' Alfa Romeo Spider

Despite everything though, I want one. I really do. I mean, just look at it. In the right colour with multi-spoke wheels (sacrilegious though it might sound, I’m not a massive fan of the teledials), it’s a stunning thing to behold. It always irked me than the Brera was more hatchback than coupe, so lopping off the roof created a much more elegant shape to my eyes.

Yes, I know it’s too slow, too fat and will understeer at the slightest provocation, but I find the idea of cruising around with the roof down, ears full of V6 noise (even it it’s not the best V6) immensely appealing.

Despite Everything, I Really Want A '939' Alfa Romeo Spider

The good news is, grabbing a slice of cruisey Alfa life is getting cheaper and cheaper. The car you see here is the cheapest of the few V6s for sale in the UK (according to Howmanyleft.com only a few hundred V6 Spiders are registered in the country), mostly because it has a considerable 106,000 miles on the clock. As a result it’s up for just £7695, a figure low enough for us to overlook the fact the advert says things like “car benefits from BLUE,” and is written almost entirely in lowercase.

No, this is not a good car, but that doesn’t stop me wanting it. Someone please talk me out of this…

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Comments

P1eased0nteatme

I’d just get a 159.

01/13/2017 - 12:04 |
6 | 2
Miatarri

You can also get it as a diesel. As we know open top and a diesel are a no no, so it will be even more wrong!

01/13/2017 - 12:12 |
2 | 2
Anonymous

Well, I have a 2007 2.2JTS, and it suits me fine. I don’t need to go fast, or go around corners as if on rails, I just want to cruise along in dry weather, with the roof down, in a really pretty car - and, I can get the dog in the back, which you can’t do in a Z4, Boxter, or S2000. So far the car at 68,000 is faultless. I bought it with 60,000 on the clock, and only do a few thousand miles a year. Be sure to change the oil every year and you will be fine. Don’t bother with the V6, it’s not worth the extra.

01/13/2017 - 13:43 |
4 | 0
GregK

get a 155 V6 instead lol

01/13/2017 - 14:04 |
6 | 0
Sir_Racealot

Personally I prefer the GTV. It has what this doesn’t - the legendary Busso V6, in 3 varaitons, 3.0 (12V), 3.0 (24V), 3.2 (24V).
Also comes in both coupe and spider versions!

01/13/2017 - 18:14 |
2 | 0

Also I forgot to mention that the GTV comes in both coupe and spider versions

01/13/2017 - 18:15 |
0 | 0

Don’t forget the 2.0 V6 Turbo

01/14/2017 - 08:18 |
0 | 0

It also does not have what Brera has, a actuall crash safety.

05/08/2021 - 08:27 |
0 | 0
H4R1S_01

This is perfect in black

01/13/2017 - 18:31 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Get an Alfa. Only true petrolheads want an Alfa. Be an actual petrolhead and buy one. Lol. I would buy the Quadrifoglio or the 4C. Mainly the 4C.

01/13/2017 - 18:41 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

4C with manual coversion would be great. Transmission from a manual Giulietta QV. Too bat that interior is a bit of an afterthought on 4C.

05/08/2021 - 08:26 |
0 | 0
Copertino2

I’ve been driving it since 5 month and my god Ilove this car !
2,0 jtdm 170bhp (lighter model 1430kg) with bilstein coilover. Seriously this car handles so well :D Practice scandinavian flik it with not understeer ;)

01/13/2017 - 19:22 |
16 | 0

yep its all about the driver technique with these older alfas, they love trail braking too

01/14/2017 - 00:07 |
6 | 0
Josh Frament

You know you’re a real car guy when you love a car you know is bad.

01/13/2017 - 20:10 |
0 | 2

And it is “bad” because…? Your Golf driving mates told you in a pub…

05/08/2021 - 08:24 |
0 | 0