Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

What about a standard pickup with aluminium body? I had a old aa Vauxhall’s Navara which was amazing...

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I've been looking at utes, double cab with a canopy would be ideal for us... 4WD not essential and four cylinders preferably... The HiLux Workmate would be perfect but it's ugly as sin... Forester beats it into a cocked hat, loads more room in the back of the Toyota tho'... Decision is still a way off!

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sorry dude, only just seen this. mine is lhd

A friend has a couple. Parts availability isn't great, engines weren't shared with UK cars, but I think there's enough imported over the years that there's a glut of spares. Rust is the main problem.

Ensure you join the AROC for membership, it’s worth it for the discounts and support. 2.0 16V Tspark same as my Quadrifoglio 145 - banging lump with proper service schedule adhered to....

Congrats!

Those Hilux workmates are pretty good. Rented one a while back to move some stuff. Ok to drive and decent engine. I reckon a set of light truck A/T tyres and you'd get anywhere that wasn't sandy or too muddy.

Yep. My Dad has a 2016 2.0 TDI Ultra Avant.

It feels big, is a bit 'remote' to drive and does not like to be hustled. Steering feel is nasty but the ride is good on SE wheels/suspension. Ergonomics are not great and the pop-up screen on the dash is a bit annoying. Overall, a refined motorway cruiser but not a drivers car and expensive for what it is. I wouldn't spend my own money on one.

No problems to report in 3 years and 35,000 miles though with just regular servicing and one set of tyres consumed.

Thanks for the info. I have a 2008 A6 and it sounds very similar to your description oddly. Fuel consumption on mine is poor, older A6s are better as are newer.
Pondering on ...

They must be, every sensible tradie in Queensland is driving one!

The dim(mer) ones are all driving Holdens and Fords...

It’s my 7th Alfa and I have also had 2 cloverleaf 145 . I don’t actually think my AROC membership has lapsed as I only sold my Giulietta in April when I bought the Abarth. How you finding your 145?

I've always fancied a cloverleaf 145, as well as a 156 GTA, if only just to try out for a bit.

Not many left so you better hurry.

It’s just a eccentric, rapid little Q car that occasionally surprises the odd rudbwah in their sterile shithouse two bit motor...

Considering new wheels for my mx5.

I don’t like the alloys it came with. Would steels look alright? The car is silver. I hate chrome on cars so either black or grey steelies.
Random pic off the internet.

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Or I like these flat alloys, variants of which came on several ltd Ed’s.

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Thoughts appreciated.

I fucking loved mine, got stopped by the Rozzers once on the Heads of The valley road doing 85 in a 50 and accelerating away from an unmarked Volvo T5 and he liked it so much he let me off!
I did say I was sorry mind you.
S754FmW in Proteo Red . What colours yours? Pics please .

It’s currently got these on

https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/alloy-wheel-mazda-mk25-sport-early-p-2026.html

Proteo too!

Having a bugger of a time getting a windscreen screen, bonnet, front grill and other bits/pieces that are being broken in Cardiff here to Tunbridge Wells. Chemo is not playing nicely, and my mobility is causing all the issues at the moment...

Check out the 145 forum they used to be a great source for bits , sold my last one to one of the chaps on there who had two others . I think there’s a company called EB spares who do a lot with Alfa parts.

I have family on South Wales , and would offer to help get bits to you but as we have already established I don’t have a car big enough to carry anything bigger than a small bag. My GTV makes the Abarth look like a people carrier!!

I think the ones you have already look better than those flat alloys you posted. How about refurb in anthracite?

I'm a big fan of the BBS wheels from the E30 3 series (rz I think) as affordable 7" wide wheels on the MX5

^ +1, and cheaper too.

https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/49392023?search_identifier=293c3f9b55602c5d3e8b80fe829846bf