The Alfa Romeo Spider is a two-seater built from 1981 to 2013 over 6 generations. Between 1976 and 1994 it grew 17 cm longer and gained 42 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V8. Worth buying? It depends heavily on which year you buy at 3.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Spider is
The Alfa Romeo Spider is a two-seater that Alfa Romeo built from 1981 to 2013 — 33 model years. Our measurements put it at 6 generations, the current one starting in 1992. It has been offered with 4-cyl, V8 power. Its closest sibling in the Alfa Romeo range: 4C.
Spider generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Spider's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Spider that gives 6 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976-1978 | 409 cm | 225 cm | 1114 kg | - | - |
| 1981 | 429 cm | 225 cm | - | +20 cm | - |
| 1985-1987 | 429 cm | 225 cm | 1158 kg | +0 cm | - |
| 1990 | 429 cm | 225 cm | 1156 kg | +0 cm | -2 kg |
| 1991 | 456 cm | 266 cm | 1508 kg | +27 cm | +352 kg |
| 1992-1994 | 426 cm | 225 cm | 1156 kg | -30 cm | -352 kg |
Between 1976 and 1994 the Spider gained 17 cm in length (+4.2%) and 42 kg in weight (+3.8%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Spider that is 42 kg against 17 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Alfa Romeo Spider tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Spider owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Alfa Romeo Spider have? Power & range
The Alfa Romeo Spider is offered with 2 powertrains — 4.7L 8-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Alfa Romeo Spider, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 4.7L · 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | RWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Spider by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Alfa Romeo Spider. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Spider | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 9 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 4 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 3.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Alfa Romeo Spider?
The Spider is a two-seater, built from 1981 to 2013 across 6 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V8.
How many generations does the Spider have?
6 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1992. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Spider grew 17 cm longer and gained 42 kg.
What is the Alfa Romeo Spider warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Spider reliable?
It scores 3.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Spider?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Alfa Romeo
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 2016–2026 | 49 | 27 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 2018–2026 | 43 | 25 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Alfa Romeo 4C | 2014–2020 | 1 | 28 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Alfa Romeo 8C | — | 2 | 13 mpg | 4.5/5 |
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