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

My 850 is on 171K

Good work BQ and Dogs.

BQ you're trumping me for 161k on the missus little 2.8 Z3 - gives me heart.

See a BMW 318 with 150k makes me worry... slightly. It already has a cam sensor issue.

In a quandry over this . Had it 3 years after spending years trying to find a good one . Only had one owner before me an alfa romeo engineer and only had 34000 miles from new . Back seats hadn't been used . Thing is am not using it really , I have only put about 14000 on it since and feel that should be appreciated more . Having said all that it doesn't really owe me anything , has flown last three MOT's and apart from some issues with the side strips is really good . No visible rust , wheels are unmarked interior ditto . So do I keep and run 'til it eventually gives up or stick on Alfa 145 forum to find a " better " home ?

Always had a softspot for these. How have you found it? I have romantic ideas of getting one of these for buttons and enjoying the whole alfa experience whilst having a fun little FWD hatch. My dad reckons it would be shit and break my heart! Verdict?

Likely candidate to be the #1 slowest steed in this thread, currently more than 9,000 miles away from me, and I haven't seen her for almost a year. But still brings a smile on my face every time I see her photo.

http://imgur.com/Mt2x3CJ

Not sure about the slowest steed. I have a feeling you've missed most of the readers (or those lucky enough to own a car) cars that have been posted. Looks tidy!

I think your dads right.

I've had 4 alfa including a 145 cloverleaf from brand new . That one grenaded itself at 9000 miles . But the dealer sorted , and I have obviously not been put off . And i bought a punto hgt brand new as well ! But this one has been totally sweet , turns heads is quick enough and handles really well . And it makes a lovely noise .
But yes your dads probably right .
An Alfa Romeo is not so much a mode of transport more a mechanical pet . I love it , but still what to do......?

They aren't shit tho .....

Ferrari512 BBi Is A Piece of Art

amazing.

Alfa Romeo's are awesome.

Shame they moved away from rear wheel drive, and awesome front wheel drive.

I've had 4 alfa including a 145 cloverleaf from brand new . That one grenaded itself at 9000 miles . But the dealer sorted , and I have obviously not been put off . And i bought a punto hgt brand new as well ! But this one has been totally sweet , turns heads is quick enough and handles really well . And it makes a lovely noise .
But yes your dads probably right .
An Alfa Romeo is not so much a mode of transport more a mechanical pet . I love it , but still what to do......?

My faith is still strong. I'm used to british sports cars so understand the whole mechanical pet analogy.
If I could afford to keep a car in london, I'd be seriously thinking about taking it off your hands. As it is, I reckon you should keep it. If you like it, it's a known quantity and it's not worth much, sounds like it's worth more to you. Plus, what could you get for the money? A boring hatchback?

I was looking at Alfa 156s before I bought the Merc. I always loved the looks, and with leather the interiors are great. But the number of ones for sale with blown engines, knackered gearboxes put me off.

What's the best way / value for many track day? Not an expierence but like an open pit lane and use what you bring?
Needs to be in south east area

There's fuck all in the South East except Brands Hatch.

Bedford is a bit up the M1, but if you're talking about your Mini, you want to get to Cadwell. It's not called the mini Nurburgring for nothing!

People like Trackaction Online, Open Track, and Javelin Trackdays all do decent OPL track days, Javelin have some good days coming up, and all 3 are much better value for money than any of the MSV days.

Open Track even do free food, drinks, photos, and tuition included in the price. I think they run at zero profit, they just cover it so the guys who run Open Track can attend for free.

They're always good days with good mix of cars and serious owners.

Airfield days at North Weald will be cheap too and easy to get to but airfields have shit surfaces so you don't get that proper circuit experience.

Thanks ^ :) will look into cadwell

oh....damn its far....
like a 4 hour drive in the mini :/ and would never get insured on another car.
Got a trailer?

Castle Coombe ? About an 1.5-2hrs along the M4 - there are fairly regular track days there and its a proper race circuit.

This is some seriously good driving!

Its actually like the mini is on rails too

This is some seriously good driving!

Its actually like the mini is on rails too

Gavin Renshaw in a ridiculous Evo setting a new Time Attack lap record at Cadwell Park

NR Autosport Evo IX -Cadwell Park TA 2013 - YouTube

I was looking at Alfa 156s before I bought the Merc. I always loved the looks, and with leather the interiors are great. But the number of ones for sale with blown engines, knackered gearboxes put me off.

The twin spark has a possible pulley issue. Also missed cambelt and tensioner changes.

The JTD doesn't but the 2.4 is geared for speed not economy.

If there is a battery flattening issue seems to be either the rear door boot lock motor or the alternator.

Always had a softspot for these. How have you found it? I have romantic ideas of getting one of these for buttons and enjoying the whole alfa experience whilst having a fun little FWD hatch. My dad reckons it would be shit and break my heart! Verdict?

I'd say go for it.

I've had my first Alfa (a GT) for a year now and it has been fantastic. It seems that most problems people have could be avoided if they were looked after better. As for build quality, I've had a few Volkswagens and a BMW previously and it's easily as good as them (but with a nicer interior.)

When I start getting the itch for a new car, I would definitely get another.

How about one of these:

Alfa GTV

They seem to be going for reasonable money and are probably entering future classic territory.

I'd say go for it.

I've had my first Alfa (a GT) for a year now and it has been fantastic. It seems that most problems people have could be avoided if they were looked after better. As for build quality, I've had a few Volkswagens and a BMW previously and it's easily as good as them (but with a nicer interior.)

When I start getting the itch for a new car, I would definitely get another.

How about one of these:

Alfa GTV

They seem to be going for reasonable money and are probably entering future classic territory.

Yeh, I've always been a big fan of Alfas and the way that they were a bit different. I've driven quite a few. My mum had a Mito JTD and my uncle had a 147 GTA so I know the benefits of Alfas. Always liked older ones but just wasn't sure how the prospect of owning an older one (145/155/164 etc) would be.

Still it's all a bit irrelevant at the minute as I can only afford a bike to get around at the minute! Can't wait until I can get back into car ownership...

Yeh, I've always been a big fan of Alfas and the way that they were a bit different. I've driven quite a few. My mum had a Mito JTD and my uncle had a 147 GTA so I know the benefits of Alfas. Always liked older ones but just wasn't sure how the prospect of owning an older one (145/155/164 etc) would be.

Still it's all a bit irrelevant at the minute as I can only afford a bike to get around at the minute! Can't wait until I can get back into car ownership...

I think they're the same as any older car in that if there's a few things you can do yourself and you don't mind doing a bit of reading/fault investigation, then you can leave the main things (service/mot/cambelt etc) to the mechanics, they're just as good as any new car to own.

Same with bodywork - cars are only rusty because people let them get that way.

Mine's a 54 plate and it has started to get a few niggles but all easily fixed and nothing major or mechanical other than consumable/service items which is to be expected.

Key with alfa romeo is history , either thru main dealer or recognised independant specialist . The guys who look after mine used to be the service dept of a main dealer ( fiat / alfa ) who lost the franchise . Stamps in the book and ensure servicing / cambelts done on time means they dont go bang . I have had two sud sprints and two 145s and a punto hgt and apart from the cloverleaf exploding had no issues . The dashboard is a christmas tree mind you ,with warning lights on for no reason . But unless it says OIL , WATER or STOP you learn to ignore ....
Mechanically bullet proof . Just dont buy one thats a " bargain " with no history .