Against 369 other V8 cars rated 2007–2009, the Spider trails their 15.8 mpg average by 2.8 mpg, about $524 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 2L 4-cyl (1984–1994), does 21.5 mpg and the thirstiest, the 4.7L 8-cyl (2009), 13: $1,168 a year apart.
Every Alfa Romeo Spider engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 19 / 26.1 | 1984–1994 | $1,786 | |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 11 / 16 | 2009–2009 | $2,954 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Mazda MX-5 gets 24 mpg, the Porsche Cayman 23.7 mpg and the Honda S2000 21 mpg, next to 13 mpg for the 2009 Spider. The Spider costs the most of them to run: $1,354 a year more than the Mazda MX-5.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2009) | $0.246 |
| Fuel per year | $2,954 |
| Fuel over five years | $14,770 |
| Against other V8 cars, 2007–2009 | +$524 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,417 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2009 Alfa Romeo Spider gives up 5 mpg in town: 16 on the highway against 11 in the city, $1,091 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2009) | 11 mpg | $3,491 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 16 mpg | $2,400 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5 mpg (45%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Spider changed over the years
The Spider peaked in 1990 at 23 mpg (20 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2009 at 13 — 10 mpg apart, or $1,284 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2009 car does 13.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 11 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1994 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1993 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1992 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1991 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1990 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1989 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1988 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1987 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1986 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1985 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1984 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Alfa Romeo Spider — 2 engines across 1984–2009. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,417. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2009 Alfa Romeo Spider get?
13 mpg combined, 11 city and 16 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the Spider has averaged 20.8 mpg.
Which Spider year has the best gas mileage?
The 1990, at 23 mpg combined (20 city, 28 highway).
Does the Spider get better gas mileage than the Mazda MX-5?
No: 13 mpg for the 2009 Spider against 24 for the 2010 Mazda MX-5, about $1,354 a year more to run.
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