Bringing Alfa Romeo Back to America in 2009

Alfa Romeo is the Quentin Tarantino of the automotive world. It's been years since either one made something really great, but their fans keep believing that another blockbuster hit is just around the corner.

Just as every Tarantino movie is greeted as the rightful heir to Pulp Fiction, so, too, every new Alfa Romeo Spider is expected to rekindle the spirit of the original Spider of the 1960s, which Dustin Hoffman made famous in The Graduate. There is something evocative about that famous badge and triangular grille that lifts even mediocre cars above the mainstream. Here in Europe, people really want Alfa Romeo to succeed.

The latest 2007 Alfa Spider is no different. When it was unveiled at the Geneva auto show in 2006, it was immediately named Cabrio of the Year, even though nobody outside the factory had driven it. This new Spider, the Alfisti whisper in hushed tones, will seduce a new generation of American customers.

In two years, you will be able to walk into a Maserati dealer in the U.S. and place an order for a 2010 Alfa Romeo Spider, which will celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. Should all of us begin singing La Traviata and sipping cappuccino in anticipation, or is this latest ragtop just another Alfa Romeo that flatters, only to deceive?

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Conclusion:

But the Alfa Romeo Spider is nothing like the Nissan 350Z roadster that it resembles in specification, so hard-core enthusiasts should look elsewhere.

Perhaps Alfa has spent too much time trying to come up with a shape that can rival the Audi TT roadster and BMW Z4, when it should have focused a little more on driving performance. Even the shift action of the six-speed manual transmission feels slightly clunky (an automatic transmission is optional), and the brakes could stand more initial bite and more feel. You will enjoy being in the Alfa for the sound and the style, but not for the speed.
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Let's get straight to the point. The Spider is not a sports car — not even close. This car is half as stiff as the Brera coupe, and on any road surface that's less than perfect, it shakes like an alcoholic in rehab. You can feel it through the steering wheel, through the seats and even through the trim. We'll admit that the Spider feels better than a touring sort of car like the Volvo C70, but it's not good enough for a sports car.
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Objectively speaking, this car is not a match for the BMW Z4 or the Nissan 350Z, yet it has more panache than both. The 2007 Alfa Romeo Spider is a car that you will either dismiss out of hand as a triumph of style over substance, or fall in love with, warts and all.



When will we see a real Alfa ?!
That once great driver's car competing with BMW and/or Porsche.
Another FWD-AWD Fiat with pretty cloth.

What I can't get over is how they killed the looks of this and the coupe that were based on that stunning show car (Brera) of a few years ago. The proportions, particularly the long front overhang scream FWD, not RWD like the original concept. Alfa better come better than this if they want to make it here again.

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I think it looks stunning, whether it's the Brera or the Spider. The Spider pulled up next to me once, I just couldn't get over how it looks, especially in deep blue and with tinted windows. It's a show car and nothing more, nothing less. I don't mind.

Kinda disappointed hearing how it drives though.

I really like Alfa and they should come again,they are the ones who really invented the sporty sedan not BMW so they should get serious and do some really hard work and daring acts.

For F sake..its year 2007.. this is a freakin disgrace

It's not that bad. The materials are of pretty high quality. I have to fault the rather bland shapes though.

mabye they are..but from here..it looks CHEAP..as hell..and so 90´s

It looks better in real life. I was checking one out in the motor show. I was actually surprised by the high quality interior materials. Alfa is going for the retro look and maybe it has gone too far.

Hey screw the spider, give me the 8C!!