Introduced with a retail price tag more in line with the Ferrari lineup than anything resembling Alfa Romeo pricing, the 8C Spider joined its 8C Competizione sibling a year after the coupe came to market. This low-mile Spider's $370,000 asking price represents a 50% increase over the MSRP when new, which results in a feedback loop of increased value leading to even fewer miles on the road.

It all seems like a waste. The 8C marked Alfa Romeo's return to the North American market, which they abandoned back in 1995 when they withdrew the Spider and the 164. And while Alfa's return was an occasion for celebration, the extent of the 8C's appeal as a rare collector car ends there for us. The styling is classically handsome, but making use of the Maserati GranTurismo's chassis does the carbon fiber body no favors - the overall design can't overcome a real sense of bulkiness that a car on a bespoke chassis would escape. And, in terms of performance and technology, it is basically a Maserati GranTurismo. We would happily take an 8C over the Maserati, but the collectibility of these really hinges on their rarity rather than any outstanding intrinsic value.

Year: 2009
Model:  Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
Engine: 4.7L V8
Transmission: 6-speed automated manual
Mileage:  755mi
Price: $369,995
Location: Naples, FL

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

Painted Red Brake Calipers
Carbon Ceramic Brakes
BOSE Hi Fi Sound System
iPod Connection
Partition & Central Bag
Interior Floor Mats
Smooth Leather
Cruise Control
Bi-Xenon Headlights
Carbon Fiber Sport Seats
Sports Brand
(Lucky Clover on Fenders)
Woven Interior Leather
Full Carbon Fiber Dash
Carbon Fiber Door Panels
Carbon Fiber Shift Paddles
Carbon Fiber Center Console
Leather & Carbon Fiber Roll Bars

The upside of utilizing Maserati components as a mechanical basis is exceptional reliability, relatively speaking. The Ferrari F136 series engines are praised by Maserati technicians as stout units, requiring nothing more than cam variator attention, which is labor-intensive, though no more than $1,000 in parts. Should you have a parking lot incident, sourcing new carbon fiber body panels will prove to be an adventure, financially and otherwise. In short: drive it hard and park it carefully.

We don't wish to slight a very cool and competent modern classic that we ourselves would be incredibly enthused to see in the wild, let alone own one ourselves. Oddly, the Maserati GranTurismo is the closest most will ever come to owning this Italian GT. It might lack the Alfa badge, but we don't think you'll beat yourself up over the Maserati trident marring the front and rear!

-Graham