Alfa Spider

Drove my son's 1992 Alfa Spider Tuesday. Very different from the TR6, and I imagine different from earlier versions of the Alfa as well since the car was made from the 1960s to 1994. His car has power steering, a/c and power windows. Here is my impression for those who have never driven the Alfa. Some things better than the TR6: ride, steering (a bit), convertible top (one hand to open and flip back), 5-speed gearbox (but with crunchy first gear synchro unless you put it in second gear first and don't hurry your shifts), and for me, driving position. I don't like the steering wheel in face and pedals far away like most LBC's. Performance was probably equal as to pickup but the Alfa has a greater top speed and feels steadier on the road at speed. It gets 120 hp out of 1900 plus ccs while the TR6 barely cranks out 100, but the Alfa has a sophisticated DOHC engine with Bosch fuel injection, compared to our TR6s with twin Strombergs.TR6 has better seats; leather instead of alcantara which is peeling, and the TR6 has a louder exhaust noise, more rattles and a generally hairier feel. There was one problem. Taking off in first gear, there was a horrible screeching noise for a couple of seconds like a badly slipping fan belt but with a more metallic quality. It didn't do it every time which was strange. Might be a pulley or the alternator, a rebuilt unit. The fan belt had about 1/4" of free play but seemed very tight to me. The belt was new. Any ideas what that noise could be? (to top it off, I got to ride in a friend's Maserati Ghibli - the new four-door sedan, not the $$$$ classic coupe. Somewhat noisy but very fast and it won't be long before he gets a ticket I predict.He leased it from a dealer in Florida. Two Italian cars in one day.)

Thanks for the write up!
never been in one, but always admired the Spider.