Drive the motherlode of all classics....updated...for a classic that is, you still get the unique analogue driving experience. Almost identical in shape and layout to our 1970s Alfa Spider, the series 4 has been endowed with some thoroughly useful modern updates such as fuel injection, power steering, and a nicely sculptured backside. What it's kept is the superb fun sports character. Adorned in the classic Alfa red, you know you'll be basking in the sunshine, admiring looks and a wonderful sense of enjoyment.

It's an entertaining and engaging 2 seater sports car, for those who want the best of all worlds of classic styling, characterful simplicity but with more modern mechanicals. 

Apart from being the unavoidable centre of attention? Well something different is the five speed manual gearbox is mounted more vertically in the dash than horizontally on the floor but it works really well.  With its live rear axle the ride can feel a jittery and jiggly compared to modern cars, especially on poor surfaces, but it settles down at speed. The headroom is OK with the roof up, (and really generous with it down), but if you're a little on the large side in girth and/or height, e.g. over 6'1", you'll be very cramped and likely not fitting at all, leg or head wise, as the seat is quite padded, can only go back so far and the steering wheel isn't adjustable. Wind noise can be noticeable roof up but that can be easily unclipped and then thrown back over your head, and a wind deflector reduces top down buffeting and back breeze. You'll need to get out the car to raise the roof again....but then you get another chance to admire it from the outside. 

The driving experience is a delight - the two litre engine loves to rev, the gear changes are crisp and it's a fun, involving drive....with plenty of room for the luggage in the boot and behind the front seats.

Yes the Spider S4 is a 25+ years older classic and yes it is an Alfa Romeo which doesn't sound like a great combination in the reliability stakes. However this one is well looked after, she's regularly serviced and has to pass the Certificate of Fitness (CoF) test required for all rental cars every 6 months. Bear in mind you don't have much in the way of safety features so you as the driver are the main safety aid,  but you do get inertia reel safety belts, fuel injection and power steering.

Really good, nothing is at all tatty inside or out. The fabric roof and rear perspex window are nearly new and combined with the effective heater will certainly keep you warm and snug.

A surprisingly good amount of multiple soft bags. The boot while shallow is broad plus you have loads of extra storage space behind the seats. Please refer to the Seating & Luggage tab above for exact dimensions.

The Series 4 Spider was a final fling for a design that was basically 30 years old....but what a design. Despite the front and rear nip and tucks to align with Alfas of that time it was fairly antiquated by early 1990s standards. Given the Mazda MX5 had only just come to prominence to re-invigorate the entire sports car sector in due course, these two were basically your choice of proper two seater sports cars for the first half of the decade. Tough call....

As per its older brother, one years difference would have caused much debate. For 1993 though the best driving tracks for weaving in this web are:

• If I Ever Lose my Faith in You - Sting
• I Put a Spell on You - Bryan Ferry
• Fields of Gold - Sting

Now we acknowledge driving music is a very subjective thing, but clearly here, we’re right. So download, hire our Portable Bluetooth Speaker & enjoy!

Check out the rest of our classic best road trip driving tracks here and put RentAClassic on your play list… 

Hey this isn't all about quantity, it's more about style....but have you heard of a slow Italian sports car....?

"....you can't be a true petrolhead until you've owned hired an Alfa Romeo...."

"...Here, here!"