Spyder as daily driver? Feedback please!

Guys,

This is my first post.

I live in San Diego and am considering getting a Spyder. Since ThunderRanch is so close (and they are super responsive), I am leaning toward them, but I will say that, from what I know at this point, I definitely prefer the frame and rear suspension on the Vintage.

But getting to the point...

Can I depend on a Spyder replica as a daily driver (weather is great in San Diego), or must it be relegated to "third car?" I see posts about cables snapping, carbs out of sync, etc. etc.

A little more background - I drive a WRX, have a BMW 330i ZHP on order, but have fallen in love with the Spyder. I am considering getting the Spyder and driving it as much as conditions allow, then getting a used Honda Civic or similar for backup.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

People in the area are using it as a daily driver. In fact, people in areas with worse weather (everywhere else?) are using them as daily drivers (although I think few do). Drive one first though before committing to that use. If you are on the freeway in trffic every day I would reconisder it as a daily driver.

My opinion...

Mike

Thanks for the reply Mike. I hope to drive one on Thursday morning... I am on the freeway for about 6 miles each day, in moving, not stop and go traffic.

Should I reconsider because of stop and go traffic, or safety issues?

Chris,

In my opinion, there are definitely safety issues with Spyders, much more so that Speedsters. Because of the low ride height and curvature of the body panels, they are very difficult for oncoming drivers to see, particularly in traffic. Add a silver, silver/blue, or gray color and the problem is exacerbated significantly, particularly early or late in the day.

The same factor also serves to make it difficult for drivers turning across your path or entering your lane from a side street to judge you closing speed. That being said, you should not only be wary of people cutting your off, you should drive as if you EXPECT it to happen.

Additionally, the height of the body (28-30 inches at the top of the door) makes it extremely difficult for people in larger passenger cars, pick-ups and SUVs to see you in their mirrors, and increases the likelihood of being cut off in traffic or run over in parking lots. Just the other day, I watched in horror from inside a store as a woman in an Expedition came within inches of backing all over my Spyder...She never even saw it becasue the top of the car was below the range of any mirror on her vehicle.

Finally, just know that any crash with a speed in excess of 20-25 MPH will likely result in severe injury, if not death. No consideration is given to crash worthiness when these cars are constructed. If you find yourself paying attention to those who say that this or that brand is safer because of the way it is constructed, just get in the "safe" car and pull up to any full sized car or pick-up so that it is positioned as in a 90 degree side impact and see where the other vehicle's bumper is. That will tell you how safe you are in a collision.

Yes, I have one of these cars and it is great fun, but it is about as safe as a motorcycle in a crash, and people can probably see cycles better. You just have to be very, very careful.

Again, just my opinion.

TMc

Chris,

Drive defensively, keep your headlights on and you shouldn't have any problems. (I hope) The only difference between the manufacturers is that one has coil overs and the other has torsion bars. Both still have swing axles, Vintage and TR do offer custom work to fit an IRS trans but it costs big time.

As far as the frame goes, one manufacturer offers lateral loops, the other doesn't. One manufacturers frame is very close to the original, the other isn't.

Neither manufacturers car will hold up in a severe crash.

If you're interested in a sweet car, and a sweet deal, my car is up for sale. I live in Ontario, about 90 miles north of San Diego

See my ad at:

www.spyderowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=3279

Photo's at:

www.spyderowners.com/files/thmblist.asp?sf=%2Fljowdy

buy my car and you'll save you a ton of money over new!!!!!!

Terry,

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your post. I suspected as much and I needed someone to slap me in the face with it.

So now the question remains: do I just say "screw it, life is not a rehearsal" and do it anyway?

There are idiot drivers EVERYWHERE, but at least San Diego is not as bad as LA or SF... But it just takes one...

After getting excited about something like a Spyder, a car I've always admired, it's going to be tough to compromise with a BMW... Isn't that funny... Never thought I'd call a BMW a compromise...

Thanks Terry!

Chris

Chris-

That's a question only you can answer. As you may have seen on other posts, my car is for sale, but not for safety reasons (I'll spare you the details).

I live in a rural area of Georgia and am fortunate enough to have an Acrua TL Type S as my daily driver, so my drives in the Spyder are limited to low traffic days and blue highways.

As Mike and Larry both stated, there are those who use them a lot more than I do and never seem to feel uncomfortable. It's just a personal call you have to make.

I'll tell you this, the cars are great fun!

TMc

One thing no one has mentioned in the above posts is the rawness of driving a spyder. The noise of the engine is just behind you and then there is the smell of the exhaust or other peoples exhaust, when you are stopped at lights and intersections. That was the first thing I noticed when driving my car late last year. Now I am used to it and have only come close to being hit once. I lost count how many times we have been out. I do use my car to commute in (about 10km) on a major freeway.

They are a lot of fun.

Hi Chris,

I live in Vista, Northern San Diego County, and drive my car every day that is warm enough, which is pretty much every day. I have a very short commute, 3 miles and none of it freeway. I have driven as far as Knotts and besides the freeway just being VERY boring I am not very concerned with the traffic. You absolutely have to drive defensively but I think that's the case with almost any car.

I put together most of my car so I generally can fix what ails it but I have at times had to pull over and pull out the tool box. On one occasion I had to pull over and couldn't fix the shifter but luckily I was close to home and stuck in 2nd gear so I had to wait 2 days for parts, but hopefully we all have another car that we have to suffer driving at times. What I would say is if you're mechanically inclined put together a tool chest and put it in the front of the car, that's what I have! (Hum, not very confident about the builder I guess!)

Drive one and see how you feel. You're welcome to come up here OR this Sunday is Solo 2 race at Qualcom stadium and I'll be there putting her through the course once again. I race around 10:30, it's free to get in and is a blast to drive any car you've got.

Sorry, forgot to mention that Larry's car is VERY nice and there's a lot to be said about getting one that's got a few miles on it as it's been shaken down some and should be ready for prime time.

Chris

I love our spyder THUNDER RANCH and as we get it sorted (just built) it will be a daily drive weather providing.

All previous postings clearly show that the Spyder is not a high-visibility vehicle. It is basically unseen by everyone else on the road. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle in traffic? It's about the same except the headlamp on a motorbike is higher.

Figure everyone is stupid and will do the most damaging thing to you. Drive like they are out to get you. But drive. Drive Drive DRIVE!!! THat's what these cars are for. Engineer in additional cooling and the most reliable ignition system money can buy.

The spyder will never give you the 200,000 miles of reliability that you will expect from the BMW or the absolute bomb-proof nature of the subaru, but it will give you something wonderful. I guarantee these cars are the driving equivalent of a pair of track spikes. Not for everyone, but unbelievable grip, acceleration and style.

Enjoy!
angela

I personally think the best deal it to get a slightly used one that has been sorted out and added to. If you get a well sorted out used car ((like Larry's for example), then I think the maintenance will be routine and minimal. This way you can enjoy the driving. The sorting out process can be a pain in the A$$ and can taint the love affair you have with the car.

I avoid the so cal freeways as I get cut off every time. I get cut off every day though in my other cars as well, but the idea of having an Excursion or Hummer bumper in my face because some soccer mom is on her cell phone just isn't worth it. I am going to move this car up to Oregon so I can cruise the empty mountain roads...to me that is what this car is for (although I will probably hit a deer there).

By the way, after driving this car, the feeling I get is similar to when I drove a crotch rocket. The buzzing tingling feeling from the vibrations, the messed up hair, and the rush of adrenalin.

Mike

Thanks for all the feedback so far guys.

Larry (great guy!) called me earlier today and filled me in on the Spyder experience on the phone. His car sounds nice (but more than I had hoped to spend, and black interior instead of red...). I may consider it if I decide to get a Spyder.

I guess I have some serious thinking and research to do. I'm going down to ThunderRanch Thursday or Friday and will chime in again after that. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to add your opinions! They're really helpful!

Quick question: when comparing photos of the original Spyder and the replicas, it appears that the rear fenders of the original don't bulge up as high (original is flatter) and the wheel well appears to be shaped differently. Is it my imagination? Do you all see it? Also, ALL the replicas seem to have this trait. Are they all from the same mold?

Chris,
I'm posting a link to an entire thread on another board that deals specifically with the body changes:::

www.spyderclub.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=5358&start=0

Chris--most everyone is tired of hearing me say that Spydie is my only car, so I drive it every day in Nashville. I had a daily driver Speedster (NuNu) prior to this and would drive Spydie any day over NuNu. Although, little children and dogs seem to like NuNu better!! You just have to be a little more of a defensive driver than usual, knowing what you're driving. I wouldn't NOT daily a Spydie because other people can't see you. That makes no sense. Of course, I'm old and don't have good sense. v v

You're not that old!!!!!