newbie! What is the difference between roadster and spyder ?

[Anonymous]

Sorry for my ignorance.

But what is the difference between Roadster and Spyder?

Is Spyder the Americanism for the MR2 Roadster we know?

Is it exactly the same?

[markiii]

Roadster is what it is badge in the UK/EU Spyder in teh US, MR-S in Japan

US and UK are 99% identical.

main differences are any dealer options, no LSD in teh US until 2003 and a different set of gearbox ratios.

[SteveJ]

Is it exactly the same?

Nope - the steering wheel is on the wrong side  s:!: :!: s:!:

There are subtle differences - no LSD in the US, diff gear ratio's etc - use the SEARCH FORUM button - there is loads to be found if you look

[GSB]

I think the root cause of the difference between names is one of copyright...

Alfa Romeo own the use of the "Spyder" on cars throughout Europe, wheras in the US and elsewhere, the Spyder tag can be found on Toyota's, Mitsubishi's, Alfa's etc...

The differences are there, but most are only subtle... J-spec cars dont have an immobiliser or a 3rd O2 sensor in the exhaust. US spec cars dont have a limited slip diff... There are some subtle differences between model years too. I've located 2 fairly fundamental differences under the bonnet of my '04 that were different on my '01 model.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone, I understand more now.

PS I did use the search facility first but couldn't find the answer I was looking for.