Fiat Spider vs TR6

For me, they are both pretty little cars, but the Fiat has the better suspension and brakes, and is more useable more often (with a much better top). I wouldn't turn either one down, but I'd more likely buy the Fiat.

in small-bumper guise, both cars make me tingly. last summer i pointed out a tr6 to my wife and she loved it, so that would definitely weigh into my decision-making. i don't think she's ever seen the fiat in person.

i've always wanted a tr6, but i think the fiat wins for styling and (secondhand info) for being a better-driving car.

TR6 for me. I love the look and the sound, yum.

I'd be having a much harder time of this if the Alfa had won the last round.

I don't dislike the Fiat, but I find the Triumph much more compelling.

To me, the cars don't compare. A MGB is closer to the Fiat than a TR6. An Alfa spider would be a more valid comparison.

Given a choice between the two, the Fiat wouldn't even get a look.

Interesting to me that the Triumph is doing so well. In magazine comparisons back in the day, the Fiat always trounced the Triumph.

Personally, I'm right on the fence on this one. The Triumph was the last of the classic British roadsters ( a real bloke's car according to James May). It clearly hearkens back to the 50s with all the good and bad that entails...and there definitely is plenty of both.

The Fiat pointed the way forward, a more modern incarnation of a roadster, that points squarely in the direction that ultimately led to the Miata.

At this moment, since I already have a Miata, I'd probably lean towards the Triumph, but I could easily go the other direction.

-chris r.

I just got a thing for the TR6 that the Fiat can't quench. Although I agree that the price difference isn't exactly justified. Whatever, people don't buy these cars with silly things like "logic" involved.

TR6 for me. I want one with a BMW inline 6 and flares...

JamesMcD wrote: "decent" and "really nice" examples of the Fiat are around $2k and $4k, respectively

HOW COME NO ONE TOLD ME THIS?

Osterkraut wrote:

JamesMcD wrote: "decent" and "really nice" examples of the Fiat are around $2k and $4k, respectively

HOW COME NO ONE TOLD ME THIS?

I bought mine 2 years ago running and driving for half of the 'decent' example $. I've since done alot of cosmetic restoration, upgraded the battery, wiring, radiator, fan, tires, exhaust, done some engine work, purchased and restored every interior panel as I was missing them, etc., and I'm still only into it for 'decent' example money. They cost nothing to insure or register...

I have indeed seen weekend cruisers with less than 100k on the clock of the later fuel injected versions with no rust and kept in excellent form for less than $4k. $4-6k buys you a pristine example, and anything over $6k is usually approaching show car, with earlier examples leading the $ amounts, I think they top out around $12k, but Andy Reid might know more about their recent auction prices for high-end examples...

Osterkraut wrote:

JamesMcD wrote: "decent" and "really nice" examples of the Fiat are around $2k and $4k, respectively

HOW COME NO ONE TOLD ME THIS?

I SWEAR! Every time you say something, I can totally see the guy in your avatar saying it and running off.

Ditto this, I had no idea they were that cheap - because of that, Fiat for me.

Raze wrote:

Osterkraut wrote:

JamesMcD wrote: "decent" and "really nice" examples of the Fiat are around $2k and $4k, respectively

HOW COME NO ONE TOLD ME THIS?

I bought mine 2 years ago running and driving for half of the 'decent' example $. I've since done alot of cosmetic restoration, upgraded the battery, wiring, radiator, fan, tires, exhaust, done some engine work, purchased and restored every interior panel as I was missing them, etc., and I'm still only into it for 'decent' example money. They cost nothing to insure or register... I have indeed seen weekend cruisers with less than 100k on the clock of the later fuel injected versions with no rust and kept in excellent form for less than $4k. $4-6k buys you a pristine example, and anything over $6k is usually approaching show car, with earlier examples leading the $ amounts, I think they top out around $12k, but Andy Reid might know more about their recent auction prices for high-end examples...

Damn, damn, damn. This is not the news someone halfway through a project car needs to hear. I've been debating downsizing the motorcycle fleet, I might have to use that money for a Fiat...

Back in the day I worked at British Leyland repair facility. Got to work on and test drive ALL DAY- MG's-Triumphs-Jaguars- Healeys- real Mini's etc. Always looked forward to testing the Jags and Triumphs in particular. There is something about the TR6 that just has that feeling of something special. Have driven many an Italian car and they have a more refined sense while driving them, but nothing like the TR6 in satisfaction. Oh Yeah-- TR6

I know this is all in good fun, but please, can we discuss casually the premise and purpose behind these vs. threads? I haven't been paying close attention, but I had assumed that the cars previously pitted against one another were roughly comparable in buy-in price, and that the underlying purpose of these contests was to suss out which car should be purchased given the choice, and further, to have fun attempting to convince others of the merits of our pick. If that's the gist of it, isn't it unfair to throw the Fiat into the ring with a car that costs three times its price?

Yeah, the TR6/124 comparo is not really valid. The 124 was more comparable to the MGB, that would be a better fight. But in the spirit of the thread, gimme the primitivegruntyboxywunnerfulsounding TR6.

Now if you really want to have a good battle, put the TR6 up against the Jensen Healey. Before anyone makes up their mind, make sure you drive a J-H first. There's a reason I have one of those instead of a TR6.

well.. the Fiat 124 trounced the MGB.. so this was next on the list.. the winner of this goes up against a MB 280SL

JamesMcD wrote: I know this is all in good fun, but please, can we discuss casually the premise and purpose behind these vs. threads? I haven't been paying close attention, but I had assumed that the cars previously pitted against one another were roughly comparable in buy-in price, and that the underlying purpose of these contests was to suss out which car should be purchased given the choice, and further, to have fun attempting to convince others of the merits of our pick. If that's the gist of it, isn't it unfair to throw the Fiat into the ring with a car that costs three times its price?

BLASPHEMY! Miata is uttered in the same sentence on this board as Lotus, S2000, Corvette, RX-7+, etc. If you can't see the need to compare similar yet dissimilar vehicles, you fail to grasp the underlying premise....

Disclaimer: I might be crazy

TR6 with not a second of hesitation. I didn't realize we were supposed to factor price into these vs threads. Even so, I can see no reason I'd ever want to buy a fiat spider, they just hold zero appeal to me. MGB or Spridget sure, Alfa I could see, but a fiat? I'll pass.

JamesMcD wrote: I know this is all in good fun, but please, can we discuss casually the premise and purpose behind these vs. threads? I haven't been paying close attention, but I had assumed that the cars previously pitted against one another were roughly comparable in buy-in price, and that the underlying purpose of these contests was to suss out which car should be purchased given the choice, and further, to have fun attempting to convince others of the merits of our pick. If that's the gist of it, isn't it unfair to throw the Fiat into the ring with a car that costs three times its price?

If you look at the original prices of the Fiat Spider and TR6.. they are not too dissimilar.. and back when they were new, catered to the same crowd.

Just a question. I love the looks of the 124 but I have always wondered if there is a bigger engine swap for them. Has anybody ever heard of one? I did see one with a V8 but it wan't ever finished.

the engine compartment could fit a v6 or a v8.. but forget about a straight 6. There is barely room for your hand between the radiator and the waterpump pulley. But why a bigger engine? Fiat/Lancia proved long ago that these engines love boost

I am a Fiat fanboy but the 124 spider just doesn't do it for me. I will have one some day but out of the two I would take the body on frame tractor.

Now if it were a 124 AC or BC coupe I would go the other way.

Big bumper, small bumper, no bumper, I love the Pininfarina design in it's simplicity and proportion. A top that works with one hand. A sweet little DOHC engine that lovs to rev. Excellent suspension and 4 wheel disc brakes. Cheap buy in and cheap to work on. What's not to love?

I've owned both, and will say without a doubt the Fiat is the better car hands down. But....my heart says TR6. It leaks, creaks, sits for extended periods of time with all sorts of liquids mixing on the garage floor, and will empty the bank account at a rapid rate, but it is still the one I wish I had in the garage between the two.

TR6....this time maybe in that oh so seventies orange.

Curmudgeon wrote: Yeah, the TR6/124 comparo is not really valid. The 124 was more comparable to the MGB...

Agreed.

And of that fairer fight, I think I would go with the B. Even though the Fiat would out-do the MG in almost all categories.