Alfa Pages

Matthew Kirkcaldie

My wife is (quite reasonably) sick of playing catch-up with our 33's frequent trips to the mechanics, so she has raised the idea of a second car. She, like me, enjoys a car with good handling and a bit of "go", and we are both into Euro design and looks. I am wondering what any of you guys moght suggest as a car which is enjoyable but perhaps not as temperamental as our beloved Alfas.

I know the Bavarians are meant to be the arch enemy of the Alfas but I have to say I like the design of the early 90s BMW 5 (or 3) series. Are these worthwhile?

To give a sense of perspective, we are looking at a used car in the sub $15000 range, which is not likely to be flaky. We need a four-door due to the one-year-old passenger (who also likes a bit of excitement in her drive), and loathe station wagons and big 4WDs, etc.

We would probably buy in the ACT region because of the dry air and good condition of cars there, and of course we would have everything checked thoroughly.

So any ideas of a fun car that will satisfy these needs?

kirk · Guest

is your servicing any good
find someone who knows and loves the 33 for servicing
Cool

Matthew Kirkcaldie · Posted: Mon May 12, 2003 6:22 am Post subject:

Yes, it's pretty good - it's just that our 33 is nearly 20 years old and Newcastle air is rather corrosive, so things are going wrong at an accelerating rate. Since moving here we have done a clutch, a gearbox and then an engine (blew a ring and it was cheaper to transplant than rebuild). All the while small bits of rust are appearing in an alarming way.

Scott Sander · Posted: Mon May 12, 2003 9:01 am Post subject:

Matt,

How about a 33 16V, no not mine. Fast, reliable, great looks, etc.

There was a 155 in Canberra on ebay but the auction ended on the weekend.
_________________
Scott Sander
'91 Alfa 33 Boxer 16V Monza - Awesome
http://www.sanderfamily.com

Guest · Posted: Mon May 12, 2003 9:09 am Post subject:

Hmm, might be hard to make the case for that ... ! I do think ours has been a bit unlucky (and of course a 16v would be 8-10 years younger).

Gary UK · Posted: Mon May 12, 2003 10:52 am Post subject:

Matthew

The BMW 635csi is simply sublime. And engineered to death.

If you are thinking of buying one PM me and I'll put you in touch with a guy who can tell you stuff to look out for. This is the sort of car that will apppreciate rather than loosing value.

If you are buying any oldish BMW watch out for the wheels with imperial dimensions (5 & 7 series) as you can't get tyres for them anymore (Avon have just stopped making them) so you'll have the expense of new wheels and tyres.

Happy shopping. Why are you not tempted by some Aussie Holden/Ford/etc. V8 muscle car then?? My sister's blokey (who lives in Melbourne) has some concourse 70's V8 monster(Holden??). When they were over here last he couldn't believe that my 33 was only 1.7 and that you could actually stick a road car round corners that fast.

Have you considered an Audi as they are engineered to death as well and as long as maintined well are rock solid relyability wise.

My attitude to cars has changed recently, the only car I would pay real money for (£500+) is a classic that will not loose money, the second hand car market in the UK is soooo flooded so u can pick up 6-8 year old cars for peanuts (sub £500, I do have a lot of trade contact though) but it seems that this is not the case down under as I've seen some 33 prices. So I'll only run cheapies now and maintain them till a time bomb explodes (ECU, Fuel Pump or something that will cost more than a new car). For example to replace my Audi 80 V6 I'm looking for a 164 which unfortunately will have to be a 2.0L as the V6 is horrendously expensive to insure and for £500 I'll be expecting a 1996ish with history. Have you considered a 164 they are considerably more relyable than the 33.

Admin · Posted: Mon May 12, 2003 11:59 am Post subject:

Scott Sander · Posted: Mon May 12, 2003 12:59 pm Post subject:

bw · Posted: Mon May 12, 2003 1:02 pm Post subject:

I don't know what prices would be like over there, but you should consider a 155 which are very cheap in the UK right now. e.g. £1500 or less for a tidy 1995 or 1996 car.

I have 1997 2.0 16v widebody (post 1995 model) and it's a fantastic car, plus it's galvanised so rust shouldn't be a problem. It's (touch wood) reliable, quick and great round corners. I think the older 8v cars are more bomb-proof, but less responsive than the 16v and don't handle so well.

Admin · Posted: Mon May 12, 2003 1:43 pm Post subject:

Unfortunatly the 155 was never imported to Aus officially. Seems there are a few grey imports in Aus, but not that many. But as you say the 155 is the UK is dirt cheap, but then most 2nd hand cars are at the moment. Wonder how long until that changes, when people realise they cannot afford the depreciation on new cars. My better half works with a couple of people who wouldnt dream of driving a car that was so old an unreliable as 2 years and 20000 miles!

All the best

Keith

ChrisC · Alfa Sprint Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 152 Location: Frome

I wouldnt recommend the 635, the bodies werent built by bmw and they tend to rust, badly. If you do, inner wings are reportedly the main killer.
_________________
Alfa Sprint QV - Gone to a better home and in happier health for it
Silver Lancia Beta HPE Volumex - under restoration

Matthew Kirkcaldie · Posted: Tue May 13, 2003 1:06 am Post subject:

Wonderfully helpful replies, everyone. Thank you very much.

I gotta say, it seems like you lot resemble me in that stepping outside the Alfa envelope is a difficult thing to contemplate. I quite like the idea of a 164 (can get them reasonably cheap here) but aren't they all AUTOMATIC?? (shudder). If I could get a manual one, definitely!

The 155 would probably suit, but at the risk of a group slapping I would offer the opinion that 90s Alfas are the ugliest of the breed.

In fact, just to be foolhardy, I will go ahead and nominate the ugliest Alfas I have seen:

155, Alfetta sedan (looks like a Fiat Regata), 166, 146 and 90.

No doubt I have trod on a lot of toes here so I will retire now.

Matt C · Posted: Tue May 13, 2003 8:59 am Post subject:

I would suggest a BMW 3 series powered by a 6 preferably not a 4
I would not recomend a 5 series as parts begin to get very expensive.
A BMW 325is 1989 mod would be a good choice. The 325is actually has a silent "M" infront of the "is" which stands for Motorsport. It comes with updated sporty interior and suspension. Can easy be made a very quick car Wink

Audi, not a good idea unless it's a later model.
Merc Benz, not unless it's later than 2000 model Laughing

Saab, i didn't really have to mention them.
Renault, either luv them or you hate them.
Peugeot, A 206 gti isn't a bad car at all, just very small.
Aussie made cars, dont even think about it.

I have to agree with you on the Uglyness factor......
However it takes very litlle effort to make these alfas , 75,90,155 to look Good. Take a 75, it's just a 33 on steroids, and 55 has over dosed Smile

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Molto Veloce!

Admin · Posted: Tue May 13, 2003 10:57 am Post subject:

bw · Posted: Tue May 13, 2003 2:00 pm Post subject:

Each to their own I suppose, if we all liked the same thing life would be dull....but the 155 is the best looking Alfa of the last 20 years, of course Wink

[remembers he's on the 33 forum]....I'll get my coat...

Gary UK · Posted: Tue May 13, 2003 4:09 pm Post subject:

The late Mk2 155 (the shark as the Italian mafiaso call it) is an very attractive car the MK1 is just plain PIG UGLY (the widebody is nearing acceptable looks)!!

As Keith says cars are cheap second hand and for over a grand for a 95-6 you'd want full Alfa SH and low mileage. I have seen a nice p reg Lusso with history go for just shy of £600 at the auctions. Until the 156 Alfa's were not wanted second hand, this fact has not changed, they are bargains, it only seems that Alfitsi try to sell them for inflated prices (strange)!!

And as for 6 series rotting SHITE I've been to a breakers in Sheffield which specialises in the 6 series and the guy who runs the place says all his stock is either accident damage or mechanical failures, he recons they are indelible and as he makes his living out of them I recon he knows his stuff. (and having lived in old sevenhills Sheffield for 6 months it sure rains a lot there)

Gary UK · Posted: Tue May 13, 2003 6:13 pm Post subject:

And as for push rod engines the current Viper has an 8L pushrod block and look at the racing sucess they have or the Old Dodge Charger V8 hemi-sphere racing blocks 500bhp of push rod power. Incidentally did you know that george bush thought that the Dukes of Hazzard was a documentary.

As they say there is no replacement for displacement.

Matt C · Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 10:02 am Post subject:

Holden here in Aus are currently using a chev 5.7l pushrod, to date they have replaced 2500+ engines under warranty.

as for Displacement! there is a replacement and thats called Refinement. Daimler is begining to push this towards Chrysler.The viper is an awesome machine, but has so much potential to be so much more, but yanks will be yanks!

Pushrods are old technology, and not as efficient as an overhead cam. Could explain why F1 are not using pushrods maybe?

Euro and Jap cars were banned from racing in our touring car series here in Aus, why? because the Aus v8 5l cars were being beaten by 2l euro and jap cars! Laughing

sorry Gary, i dont like yank tanks, they need capacity because they lack refinement! Cool

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Molto Veloce!

bw · Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 10:18 am Post subject:

Why do the mafioso call it the shark then?

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. True, you'd get a good 95 or 96 widebody (MK II) for about £1700 if you shopped around, but there are a dwindling supply of truly immaculate cars around and they tend to fetch a good premium. You could expect to pay up to £2.5 or £3k for an immaculate standard 96 or 97 widebody, especially the 2.0 twinspark or the V6, which is still cheap compared to similar cars of that age.

I think given the nature of the beast, 155's (and probably most Alfas?) that haven't been looked after properly deteriorate rapidly and there are some real dogs around being falsely advertised, so the trick is to find a really good one - which is not always easy. I was lucky and the first one I looked at was absolutely A1 condition, but I did pay well above book price for it and have no qualms about having done so.

James Granger · Alfa 33 Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 302

Hi,

I don't know what the Alfa market is like in Australia, but for the equivalent of 15.000 AUD here in Holland (8.500 euro) you could get a tidy low-mileage Alfa 156 1.8 TS with sports pack from 1999. If this is also the case in Aus wouldn't it be a more sensible proposition? The 156 is a beautiful berlina sportiva that is modern, safe and reliable.

Best regards

James

Matthew Kirkcaldie · Posted: Mon May 19, 2003 4:42 am Post subject:

A lovely fantasy, but you would be looking at $A25 000 for that here, I reckon.

The 147 costs in the mid $A 40 000s as standard.

Admin · Posted: Mon May 19, 2003 10:18 am Post subject:

Hi

Although new cars are cheaper in Aus than they are in the UK they seem to hold their value alot better.

All the best

Keith

Errol · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 9:27 am Post subject:

Hmm its going to be difficult to stay with the alfa brand. IF you dont like 75s then thats a problem. A 164 would be good but if you dont want auto, the chances of finding a manual one is pretty rare. A 90....well just forget about a 90....and if you cant stretch to a 156 well then besides the 75 there aint much in there for you. If you want something reliable go for a japanese mid-sized sedan like a 95 accord. We had one and it was fairly quick too.. 0-100 8.7 with 2.2 4 cylinder. Safe , sensible and also fun! But thats just my opinion.. Smile

_________________
91 Alfa Romeo 33 16v * SOLD*
Lowered 45mm
15 x 7 inch advanti wheels
Falken 195 low profile
K&N Pod filter
Cannon 2inch exhaust from cat-back with 3inch tip.

Gary UK · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 10:37 am Post subject:

The Honda 2.2 VVTi engine can be chipped to 230BHP (170bhp normally) in it's standard form. It's a gem of an Engine, just make sure you add real good quality oil and replace the cam belt b4 adding the chip and if there is ANY clatter from the top end don't chip it as it will just eat the cam and valves.