Potenial Future Owner

[tx246]

Hello,

I am a Ferrari guy and would love to own a Spyker.

I test drove about 2 years ago and love the C8. I owuld love it better if it had an F!/Semi-auto gearbox so I could convince the wife, but I am not to fond of the new Airelon design.

If I was to buy a used C8 Spyder, probabley a 2006 model, I have a couple of questions....

Is the soft top, if installed, easilly removable?

Is there a hard top available other than the right angle top? Maybe something with a slight butress of some sort?

Outside of the Audi parts, are the Spyker parts prone to fail and if so, which ones?

What does one need to pey special attention to when looking at a used Spyker?

What is typical/expected tire life?

Any special services/maintenance that should be expected?

What are idosynchrosy's that should be expected?

Sorry for all the post's, but I have vintage Ferrari's and haven't complained a bit as I knew what I was walking into....... I can deal with "adventures" but would like to know where I am headed and if I want to.

[Swisstrader]

WELCOME TX!...I will let those who are more technically adept or Vinny (somehow that did not come out quite right!) answer most of your questions, but I am a relatively new owner and can share some views below. Bear in mind that I am in love with my car, own an 06 like you are considering and still a relatively new owner.

Also let us know where you reside...this is a pretty tight network of owners and I'm sure someone locally would be glad to have a call with you and spend some time talking about pluses and minuses.

Originally Posted by tx246

Hello,

I am a Ferrari guy and would love to own a Spyker.

I test drove about 2 years ago and love the C8. I owuld love it better if it had an F!/Semi-auto gearbox so I could convince the wife, but I am not to fond of the new Airelon design.

If I was to buy a used C8 Spyder, probabley a 2006 model, I have a couple of questions.

Originally Posted by tx246

Is the soft top, if installed, easilly removable?

A soft top takes a mechanic about 1 hr to completely remove or install (I just had a brand new one installed by MMC this wk). If you are referring to YOU taking the top on and off lets say in bad weather, it a) takes two people and b) probably takes no more than 5 mins. I had heard all sorts of nightmare stories about the top, but its not as bad as some make it out to be. Just bear in mind that the top will not completely keep you dry from a driving rain situation.

Originally Posted by tx246

Is there a hard top available other than the right angle top? Maybe something with a slight butress of some sort?

I think you saw what the hardtop looks like in one of your prior posts and I agree it looks like crappola. In my eyes, this car was made to be driven top down, end of story

Originally Posted by tx246

Outside of the Audi parts, are the Spyker parts prone to fail and if so, which ones?

One of the MAIN reasons I bought a Spyker vs a Lambo or a Ferrari (besides the look was the fact that the car has an Audi engine, which for me equates with much more reliability. I am not sure what other parts might concern you, but I will warn you that all parts are hand made and imported from Holland, so don't expect parts to ship overnight. Probably not too dissimilar for Ferarri or Lambo.

Originally Posted by tx246

What does one need to pey special attention to when looking at a used Spyker?

If you're buying brand new, only a matter of color tastes. If not new, I would ONLY buy from an authorized Spyker dealer and request a warranty.

Originally Posted by tx246

What is typical/expected tire life?

There is a whole thread on this...if I can find it I will post.

Originally Posted by tx246

Any special services/maintenance that should be expected?

Spykers are actually VERY low maintenance and as some of the owners here will tell you, many cars have gone 15,000 miles with virtually no problems and only routine maintenance.

Originally Posted by tx246

What are idosynchrosy's that should be expected?

It is definitely a quirky car with limited production and 06's in my view have a few kinks that exist, like not being able to see through your rear view mirror with the soft top down, door lifts that need to have the lifts replaced with more powerful lifts, a cool key fob system but that's probably more complex than it needs to be with engine startup and a host of others, but the good news is that just about every problem I've had, someone else here has already had and has an answer for Me personally...I love the quirks!

Originally Posted by tx246

Sorry for all the post's, but I have vintage Ferrari's and haven't complained a bit as I knew what I was walking into....... I can deal with "adventures" but would like to know where I am headed and if I want to.

[jpclinging]

Welcome,
well you do have good taste in cars. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions as I'm sure other members will also chime in.
1) Soft top is removable, however, it depends on what you consider removable. The entire top and hardware are removable and it only take a few minutes to do, many owners simply remove the top and leave it off. The soft top is only meant to keep you dry on the way home if you get caught in a rain shower, it is not meant as all weather protection and you will find a few drops getting in.

2)That is the only top available, if you can get one!

3)Spyker, like all cars have parts that are more prone to fail that others, however Spyker has never had a recall on any part. In fact you will find the car over build if anything.

4)Crash damage is always important, that said only tiny number of cars have ever been damaged. You will find that most cars are very low milage and require only a new owner. I always recommend higher milage models as they are generally best broken in and well sorted.

5)Tires life is from 15 minutes to 15,000 miles depending mainly on your right foot and how you like to take corners,

6)Just regular service, oil changes etc.

7)Lots, but that the real joy of the car, its not an appliance its not the same as anything else. Lots of quirks that you will learn to cherish. I hope it helps

Originally Posted by tx246

Hello,

I am a Ferrari guy and would love to own a Spyker.

I test drove about 2 years ago and love the C8. I owuld love it better if it had an F!/Semi-auto gearbox so I could convince the wife, but I am not to fond of the new Airelon design.

If I was to buy a used C8 Spyder, probabley a 2006 model, I have a couple of questions....

Is the soft top, if installed, easilly removable?

Is there a hard top available other than the right angle top? Maybe something with a slight butress of some sort?

Outside of the Audi parts, are the Spyker parts prone to fail and if so, which ones?

What does one need to pey special attention to when looking at a used Spyker?

What is typical/expected tire life?

Any special services/maintenance that should be expected?

What are idosynchrosy's that should be expected?

Sorry for all the post's, but I have vintage Ferrari's and haven't complained a bit as I knew what I was walking into....... I can deal with "adventures" but would like to know where I am headed and if I want to.

[tx246]

I am in Houston, TX. I am looking at buying a used car for fun - the cheaper the better.

Asking questions from the "local" dealer, rubbed me wrong, and maybe becuase of a past experience with a Lotus situation that made me walk into a Ferrari dealer. I currently own 8 Ferrari's, only one of which is "modern".

I love them but know what to expect and don't use them for normal stuff. Being put off (at least in my mind) before buying a car scares the cr*p out of me when I am relying on someone to provide after the fact support.

When I test drove the spyder the first time, John Eagle in Dallas was the closest dealer...wasn't to keen to ship a car a couple of hundred miles away for service. My financial situation changed and now I am looking again and not much has topped that Spyker experience.

As far as a Spyker being like a "vintage" car, I am cool with....I just want to know what I am getting into and what I should expect

[tx246]

Originally Posted by jpclinging

Welcome,
well you do have good taste in cars. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions as I'm sure other members will also chime in.
1) Soft top is removable, however, it depends on what you consider removable. The entire top and hardware are removable and it only take a few minutes to do, many owners simply remove the top and leave it off. The soft top is only meant to keep you dry on the way home if you get caught in a rain shower, it is not meant as all weather protection and you will find a few drops getting in.

2)That is the only top available, if you can get one!

3)Spyker, like all cars have parts that are more prone to fail that others, however Spyker has never had a recall on any part. In fact you will find the car over build if anything.

4)Crash damage is always important, that said only tiny number of cars have ever been damaged. You will find that most cars are very low milage and require only a new owner. I always recommend higher milage models as they are generally best broken in and well sorted.

5)Tires life is from 15 minutes to 15,000 miles depending mainly on your right foot and how you like to take corners,

6)Just regular service, oil changes etc.

7)Lots, but that the real joy of the car, its not an appliance its not the same as anything else. Lots of quirks that you will learn to cherish. I hope it helps

If the soft top is fitted, it would only be for parking and keeping out rain.

I guess my real question is :

If a soft top is fitted, can it be taken off and stored in the trunk? How hard would it be to "re-install" in the event of some type of rain event or if you just want to keep looky-loo's from reaching into the car?

[F Spider]

The soft top is a tent. Much like the Murcielago. I took mine completely off and use the car as a roadster.

There is no other design hardtop, and I think it is not available on the later cars anyway.

Once the car is well sorted, which might take a while, it is pretty much bullet proof. I haven't been at the dealer for more than a year.

Try to get a car with a balance on the warrantee. It will help you to sort out the car.

Between 5000 and 15000 miles on the rear tires. depending on your driving style.

Maintenance and gas mileage should be around 50% of a Ferrari.

Most people really have to get used to the racing (non power) brakes. Even though it is flashy, this is not a show car. It is a drivers car. Very much like a vintage Ferrari, but with better brakes (I used to have a Daytona, and loved everything on the car, but the 70's brakes).

There are a lot of threads with similar questions and answers. Browse some and you will get a lot of background.

[Swisstrader]

Thread on tires...and p.s. take JP's word as gospel...he has just a tad more driving experience than I do

http://www.spykerowner.com/forum/ask...ear-tires.html

And to pile onto what Rijik says, yes, the brakes take some getting used to, as does the no power steering, no ABS, no air bags, no radio (unless of course you want to go custom like Joe has done so nicely!).

[Basokolow]

I think you should keep in mind the heat, if you're in Houston. The AC is pretty useless here in PA in the summer. Can't image what that is like in TX. The engine heat vents almost directly into the cockpit, which above 85F is not exactly comfortable. Durability is great, but I hear replacement Spyker parts can be breathtakingly expensive. Haven't needed any yet. Otherwise agree with all of the above.

[F Spider]

Originally Posted by Swisstrader

And to pile onto what Rijik says, yes, the brakes take some getting used to, as does the no power steering, no ABS, no air bags, no radio (unless of course you want to go custom like Joe has done so nicely!).

Well, you do have ABS.

The newer cars (08+) have power brakes and air bag

[F Spider]

Originally Posted by Basokolow

I think you should keep in mind the heat, if you're in Houston. The AC is pretty useless here in PA in the summer. Can't image what that is like in TX. The engine heat vents almost directly into the cockpit, which above 85F is not exactly comfortable. Durability is great, but I hear replacement Spyker parts can be breathtakingly expensive. Haven't needed any yet. Otherwise agree with all of the above.

The newer cars (08+) have double the airco power (4 vents in the dashboard, rather than 0/1/2 or 3). I had my car retrofitted with the newer airco, and it makes a lot of difference. But, keep in mind that I'm in NY and not TX.