You don’t buy one because you have x amount to spend on a car and these look nice.
I had a 1750 powered 75 in my early 20s. Wonderful little car. Sounded absolutely glorious with the twin side draught Dellortos singing away. Sure the dash warning lights would flash for no reason all the time and the gearbox was like trying to find gears in a bowl of porridge but when everything was actually working correctly it was bloody wonderful.
kiwihonky,
Jul 31, 5:58am
Thanks guys, appreciate the replies so much. The miss's wants to look at getting one, something comfortable and was looking at how cheap they are on TM. Maybe a Lexus, they look nice and priced well
rbd,
Jul 31, 6:01am
There is a couple of bushings in the system that need replacement as the rubber protection boots are usually long gone. But yes, it does take technique. Unfortunately bad drivers destroy the synchro teeth on the gears, so even if new synchro rings are fitted you see little improvement. Advantage is very few special tools are needs for a gearbox rebuild.
With Alfas specialist knowledge is needed, they are well supported by international forums.
thejazzpianoma,
Jul 31, 6:20am
Something comfortable. B6 Passat's (model starting 06) are getting down there in price. The 3.2 is usually loaded with goodies and they are a lovely comfortable and well featured car for a bargain pirce. Being the most popular car platform in the world parts are cheap and they are good to work on. However, whatever you buy in a sophisticated luxury car, Lexus or whatever, reliability is going to come down to the specific car in question at that age. Buy an exceptionally well looked after one, preferably NZ New. Then keep all maintenance up to date. Best of luck.
kazbanz,
Jul 31, 6:49am
I look at things from a very pragmatic point of view and for very good reason. Generally there are two reasons for a vehicle to be cheap to purchase. 1) they are a mechanical/electrical nightmare 2)There are a HUGE number of them for sale in NZ. Unfortunately Alfas by reputation world wide are in the first category. In NZ they get a double whammy by being very badly supported when it comes to franchise dealers and mechanical expertise. If you find a decent mechanic for alfa's hang onto him-buy him very good Christmas presents. All of that is a real pity because from day 1 right up to the modern Alfas they are massive fun to drive. You tend to find yourself hunting out the back roads to go places (as long as you have cell reception) They also look dang sexy. So although I actually would own a manual Alfa myself I wont stock em and with a 5k budget can't recommend one to your partner. I'd say with 5k shes better off with more mainstream Jap stuff.
ema1,
Jul 31, 7:19am
Lexus . now you are talking sense. once you own one you'll find out why. P.S. I'd take franc123's profession based comments along with kaz and tgray's comments with a very high degree of credibility. the Euro bias popping up to the utter exclusion of anything else credible mentioned by motor trade experts etc just doesn't cut it IMO. I had years in the motor trade myself involving many makes and from many countries and I just smile to myself at the ever invasive/dismissive ( even to a rude derogatory degree) all smothering often veiled Euro biased rhetoric trying to convince with epic length posts of pure fan boy drivel . pretty much says it all really.
ema1,
Jul 31, 7:39am
P.S. I'd drive a Euro of any age too. if someone else foots the maintenance costs and time off the road to boot. otherwise NO ! Been there done that.
azzab54,
Jul 31, 9:00am
Hey jazz. What Fiat is the equivilant of the 147 ?
Not really so equivalent at that stage, I think they had a bit in common with the Tipo and possibly ran a Tipo manual transmission but they were not like the next generation that were like Audi/VW and shared mechanicals, software and even some body platforms.
Was it you asking about Fiats for club use? Unless you have your heart set on the Fiat club, maybe consider Alfa as their club does lots of racing and track day stuff. They are a really nice bunch and know how to have loads of fun on a budget. Really good for learners too (if that's you) as they have a beginners and intermediate series with budget increases with each stage. Fiat guys are great too though. Hope that helps!
tamarillo,
Aug 1, 10:56am
Had not one single problem with old 156 over two years. Zilch zero. But loved driving it, that engine, response on corners. Wonderful.
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 1, 11:38am
Likewise my parents had theirs for several years, just maintenance no repairs. Mine has only needed an oxygen sensor although sadly I need to re do my timing belt as the brand new waterpump is spinning on it's shaft. Not Alfa's fault, the waterpump is aftermarket (might be SKF or something, was a good brand)
The advantage with Alfa's I find is there are plenty around that have been enthusiast owned and properly looked after and maintained. Those are the ones you want to buy.
trogedon,
Aug 1, 12:36pm
kazbanz wrote:
I look at things from a very pragmatic point of view and for very good reason.
Pragmatism can also include getting a car that moves the emotions not just the butt. Its like the shortest / easiest route to what is wanted whether that is Italian style or Toyota reliability. Sorry, my Philosophy / Behavioural Economics background rearing its ugly head.
jmma,
Aug 1, 12:43pm
That's deep
sw20,
Aug 1, 12:55pm
Yet you looked down on your associate buying a Maserati?
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 1, 2:41pm
Good point. Another thought though is that in this day and age those two priorities are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The reliability, practicality and financial viability of a Giulietta and Mito for example are all very good. But don't tell too many people, it's the absurd Japanese or nothing mentality in NZ that is keeping prices so good for the rest of us.
trogedon,
Aug 1, 2:52pm
Of course - my friend's Maser is just a big slug that is lacking in both style and long term reliability. IMHO.
ema1,
Aug 2, 5:27am
Good except the poor new buyer of Euro crap that has to face the earth quake like depreciation when selling/trading . strange how that fact is always neatly side stepped. bias tends to conveniently have it that way ! Vector the above fact into overall cost and that shows why NZders prefer non Euro alternatives to a large extent !
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 2, 5:35am
If you were capable of basic math you would realise that the depreciation on a used Giulietta and Mito will be hard to beat over the next few years.
You have had this explained to you in detail time and again but you just don't get it.
ema1,
Nov 6, 10:02am
That's after the initial depreciation yes, but you go on about your Fiats and the fact that it's good for the likes of you when the depreciation has happened #44 then what the heck are you trying to say. ? The buyer of the new car loses a fair amount of depreciation obviously more with certain Euro's then what does your statement(( But don't tell too many people, it's the absurd Japanese or nothing mentality in NZ that is keeping prices so good for the rest of us.)) at the end of your post #44 actually mean then ? You can't have it both ways, I suggest your math is what you could call "false math".! Besides you can't say the majority of NZders math is not up to your "false math" level. What happened to your troll blocker then jazz . you can read whatever post you like when you like. hypocrite . MUCH ! A lot of the Euro stuff is being advertised "cheap" because that's the only way the car sales can sell those liability crap cars anyway, the vast majority just don't want them . IRREFUTABLE FACT !
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