In Response to Pop Sci Guy and Old Man Alfa Syndrome

"stuttgartobsessed" (grantharmsen) 10/18/2013 at 21:24 • Filed to: None

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Its been a controversial day here on Oppo/Jalopnik: We saw !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! give his insight on the future of the automotive world and a couple of articles on the future prospects of Alfa Romeo ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ). These two subjects really hit home for me, as I am a Millennial and the proud fourth owner of an Alfa Romeo. Now I've been wanting to do a short write up of the Alfa for a few weeks now and after listening to, and becoming angry at, Dave Mosher and reading about how Alfa Romeo has only lasted this long thanks solely to some romantic old men. This article is about my Alfa and my thoughts on millennials and the future of driving and automotive culture and my thoughts, or rather my hopes of, Alfa's return to the US.

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The 'new' 1977 Alfa Romeo Spyder Veloce 2000!

I've always wanted to drive something special, out of the ordinary, and fun but it took me years to actually pull the trigger. Before the Alfa, I had only driven, and by driven I mean daily, Chevy products. I drove a 2007 Silverado Super Cab in high school and a 2004 Tahoe in college. Now I'm definitely not saying they were awful. Quite the contrary in fact. I loved my Tahoe and I'm sad that its gone but I've had the car bug since birth and needed something more adventurous. And I learned to offroad in the Silverado. It's really all I can talk about, cars that is. Ask my friends. I bordered on the obsessive for a while until I plunged over the edge into the abyss of automotive obsession. When I'm not working, playing GTA V, or hanging out with friends you can find me hunting for more knowledge or that unique car for sale on Jalopnik, Oppo, Petrolicious, Hooniverse, Bring A Trailer, Daily Turismo, and Craigslist or watching racing documentaries on Netflix or YouTube.

The insurance was up on my Tahoe this summer and I finally decided to seriously look for a new car. It had to unique. The kind of car that would provoke smiles and waves. The kind of car that you bring to a car show and people take pictures of it in the parking lot. Something the majority of my friends wouldn't recognize. And most importantly something that I would have fun driving: read manual required. I looked at countless E30 3 Series, 944s, '50's American metal, 300TD wagons, sedans, and coupes, and even a Peugeot 504 diesel wagon and an Alfa Romeo Milano. I wasn't originally considering a convertible of any sort because I live in the Pacific Northwest and its always raining in the winter, however when a nice old man responded to my add on CL saying he would trade me his Alfa Spyder for my Tahoe I didn't think twice. I didn't do a PPI (dumb I know) but he had all of the service receipts since new. There ended up being a couple of small issues but nothing major is wrong with the Alfa. I do, however need a second job to be able to afford having a car, not to mention paying for services and upgrades and the eventual paint job (Its rocking the original paint job and there are chips and dings). It runs really well but the front suspension needs to be redone (the rear has new shocks but the front ones were never installed and the bushings could stand to be replaced), the radiator has a tiny leak, 5th gear causes oil to spray all over, and the rear view mirror is missing it's dome light.

Its not particularly fast but its quick and on roads where you can't hit top speed quick is what counts. Like I said earlier, I never thought I'd ever have a convertible because I don't really trust them to keep the outside out, but damn they're fun! Its the best sunroof ever and makes avery drive that much more scenic. The 5 speed manual is a blast as well. I love the attention it attracts, mostly from, you guessed it, old men. One said I was living his dream, another it was his favorite car in high school. Most of all I love the feeling of driving it. Wind in my hair, exhaust note surrounding me (It's missing one muffler so its nice and loud, but not rice-rocket-civic loud.) Although I do have to wait about 15 min for it to warm up when I want to go somewhere, but I have a blast getting there and usually I end up somewhere like this:

Commuting will get you nowhere close to a place like this...

So now I have this fun sports car and am spending way too much money on gas because I drive it so often, usually going nowhere. You see I feel free when I'm driving. Its how I de-stress and where I best reflect on life. This brings me to Dave Mosher's rant. I disagree with just about everything he says. Now I do realize that makes some fair points à là !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I probably most disagree with the fact that he thinks robots will drive better than people. I just can not fathom that ever being true and the fact that someone can 'hack' my car scare me to death, which ironically is probably what would happen if someone 'hack's' your car. Just watch this video from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Now I know that they were hardwired into the car's ECU but its not hard to imagine what could be... In response to Dave Mosher's point that most millennials want to live in a walkable urban setting, I'm in agreement. I'm 22. I want to be able to walk to bars and not have to worry about killing myself trying to get home. I want to be able to walk/bike/take a bus or metro to work. I don't like driving minuscule distances to get one thing from the grocery store. Walking around urban centers is lots of fun. That being said, I'm still going to have my car and I'm going to drive the hell out of it. All the time. This bring me to my next point: Driving to drive is very different than driving to commute. We absolutely need better public transport in the USA. Better metro and bus systems in cities and towns so that when I want to go somewhere and I don't/can't drive there I can get around in a timely manner. This also means I'm in supports of better air and train systems. This will cut down on urban congestion and pollution and let people who don't like driving to avoid it. I also understand that fossil fuels won't last forever. This makes me sad because I love the way a car sounds. If you don't understand that go watch Claude Lelouche's C'Était un Rendez-Vous or find a video of a Mazda 787b or Columbo V12 revving. And if you don't know what a car can do to a man, or woman, do yourself a favor and watch RUSH, SENNA, and every Petrolicious video. Right goddamned now. I also love torque so I guess I could get used to an electric car and the jury is still out on weather or not I'll like Formula E.

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I think that Dave made another good point in saying there isn't a car on the market here in the US that he is interested in buying. I don't think that for a millennial there are many good offerings in the new car market. To this I say: "BUY USED!" Lower purchase price for more car, plus its better for the environment to extend the life of a car thats already been manufactured than purchase a new one. This, however, is not good for the auto industry... In my opinion, the new cars that millennials could either afford to purchase now or wait to buy on the used market are, on the whole, less pretty and less fun to drive. So I say to car manufacturers, make something thats fun to drive, seats 5, and gets good mileage. Don't put a touchscreen in it. Don't connect it to the internet (You don't need to update your Facebook status while driving. Thats what passengers are for). Don't give it electric steering, 4 wheel drive, 8,000 airbags (one per passenger is enough!), or different driving settings or other nonsense the average person doesn't use. Do put in an AUX port so we can hook our iPods up to the stereo. Then offer a selection of engines: maybe a turbo V6 for sporty-minded customers and a turbo 4 that offers better mileage. Oh, and make it beautiful to look at! Millennials are about having cool things. If they we can have a cool new thing that looks good and can get us, our friends, and our stuff somewhere for not an insane amount of money then we will buy it!

This brings me to Alfa Romeo's return to the USA. I fear that it will be popular among enthusiast at first but then flop. They really need to advertise well. Make Alfa Romeo a household name again. Bring in some other models: maybe a hatchback to compete with the Mazdaspeed 3 and Focus ST and a sedan to compete with the 3 series and C class and bring the Spyder back in competition with the Miata. There must be something at a reasonable entry level! Maybe something starting around $25 or $30k. But please, for God's sake don't be over ambitious! Alfa needs to get a foothold and then give the USA a quality car true to its roots because lets be honest, Alfa's fist customers are going to be enthusiasts. And please eventually get your own dealer network. If Alfa only sells out of Fiat or Maserati dealers they'll never successfully grow here in the US.

I desperately want Alfa Romeo to succeed here in the USA. I want to see new Alfa's on the road. I know people will enjoy them. Hopefully it will also serve as an example to other European marques and persuade them to return to the US. I'm looking at you Peugeot/Citroën. Plus if done right, it will introduce more competition into the market and hopefully help to increase the quality, design, and direction of American manufacturers.

I know that there are other Millennials like me out there that will keep the passion alive and that makes me happy. I also didn't explain me reasoning behind some of my points as I would have gone off on some long tangential rants. I tried not to have this article be a rant. I also realize that I'm only 22 and I don't know how to solve every problem or come up with the best solution and that some of my thoughts or recommendations are economically out of the question at the moment (Cheers to a government that doesn't understand the word compromise) but I'll be damned if I can't try to continue promoting the Jalopnik/Oppo way of thinking.

Here's to you, the Millennial into cars and the car that pulled you into the abyss. I believe I'm quoting Jalopnik when I say: "Drive Free or Die."

Labdog > stuttgartobsessed 10/18/2013 at 21:45

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I will welcome Alfa back to America when it does a singular thing. Make an affordable car that is performance driven. I've had the privilege of owning several Alfa's from 70's vintage through the 80's and they are without a doubt the "best" (best being the most fun, coupled with some of the most frustrating, namely electrical which can be dealt with) cars that I've ever owned. That being said I hope that Alfa doesn't park the brand in the stratosphere of pricing that leaves out the ordinary Joe (Which I was when I bought my first one and became infected with Alfaholism), but really makes a push to get Italian metal back into the hands of people of ordinary means. Sorry Fiat, as fun as the 500 is... it isn't an Alfa.

LowEndZen > stuttgartobsessed 10/18/2013 at 21:52

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Great write-up! I believe that a large part of the hipster "fuck cars" mentality has much to do with rebellion. We all need to rebel against the status quo, especially as young adults, but these days you wouldn't dare give up texting or social media; what if someone made fun of you & you didn't know??!!! Much easier to give up the drem of buying a car you can't afford and don't know how to drive, and then pretend it doesn't matter. Besides, all the oil will be gone soon anyway, right? I think that teaching teens how to heel-toe on a mountain road in a Miata will solve all our problems. Or a Toyobaru, if you must.

stuttgartobsessed > Labdog 10/18/2013 at 21:53

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I completely agree. I just think that at the moment, with the 4c being the first model back, they need to gain popularity among the rich in order to gain a foothold in the market. Then they can say "Hey! Average Joe! You know how you wanted the 4C but couldn't afford it? Well now we have a new Alfa that is performance driven and works and is affordable! Please buy it."

word-is-bond > stuttgartobsessed 10/18/2013 at 22:26

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To that end, I think the 4C is a great start. Us Millennials (uugh) are aspirational. If Alfa backs the 4c properly, and it's as good as the early reviews say, then Alfa can be a romantic brand for those of us who've only seen The Graduate on netflix. Something worth saving up for. Follow the 4C up with more affordable but lust-worthy options, and you've got a chance.

MykePagan > stuttgartobsessed 10/18/2013 at 23:14

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At this very moment my car-enthusiast friends are all wringing their hands over one of our number who is having an existential crisis. He feels he needs to sell his fun car and replace it with another one, a newer one. Problem is that his requirements are so impossibly narrow that no car exists to fill them (at least no car that is not obscenely expensive). If he pared his criteria back just one notch, he'd have six models as viable alternatives.

Or a few years I drove a Fiat Spyder 2000; Fiat's answer to the Alfa Spyder. It had glitches and weirdness galore (like "headlight roulette" which happened whenever you drove through a puddle - you never knew which lights would come on afterwards). I bought it third-hand, and it was a joy to drive. I drove it to the ski slopes... In February... With the top down and a flimsy ski rack on the back. People CHEERED when I drove by!

Anybody today could have that same fun, with a ten year old Miata (but without the gremlins), but I sense you want that special something you get from a unique car, one that "those in the know" recognize as requiring a bit of extra passion to drive. Sadly, new cars are too refined, all the soul sucked out of them by focus groups and marketing strategists...

...there are always motorcycles.

472CID > stuttgartobsessed 10/18/2013 at 23:14

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The 4C is like Alfa's answer to a Boxster, but what we really need is Alfa's answer to this! 4 cylinder, rwd, 30k, ...I'll buy it used, bellissimo.

WhatsUpDOHC > stuttgartobsessed 10/18/2013 at 23:30

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Good luck with your Spider. It's a beauty!

My first car was a '76 Spider. Bought it right out of high school for $2,400 in 1987. I loved the shit out of that car. I didn't know how do fix much on it myself and paid too much money to some willing mechanics. But it changed my outlook on life and on myself. I still melt when I see them. Tough to explain to someone who doesn't understand.

WhatsUpDOHC > MykePagan 10/18/2013 at 23:50

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I love Fiat Spiders as well. It takes an optimist to use an old vintage Italian car in that manner.

My family is all from Italy an when we were kids, my dad had us convinced that Fiats and Alfas were the best cars in the world. Seeing an old Fiat or Alfa around now is like seeing a friend from the old country lost in the US. They look so out of place! I just want to give it a big hug, take it home, and share a biscotti and some wine with it.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > LowEndZen 10/18/2013 at 23:59

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Great comment, you are right about most of us millennials caring more about electronics than cars. However, look at me, I'm 20 I love electronics, I even have a 6 piece vintage Mac collection including an original Macintosh (in working condition). Yet I know how to separate my love for cars from my know how for electronics. I understand what an object should be, a car should be a machine that feels and acts like a machine, a electronic device should be the most advanced. My dream car is a 1970 dodge challenger in HEMI orange with the vinyl top and a 440. A car with a whole lot of power and absolutely no electronic gizmos minus a radio, yet I still want the newest iPhone, the best laptop etc... I'm old skool (a lot of people should take a lesson from this), I have no Facebook, I don't text, if I wanna talk to somebody I either call them, Skype them, or see them face to face, a conversation should be personal, you can't achieve that from texting. I'm a millennial, only by generation. If there are anyother millennials like me out there (a 60 something in a 20 something's body) comment and/or recommend this post

McLarry > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 00:12

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Well said! On several occasions when my contemporaries have been decrying the cost of new cars I've chimed in with the old "why don't you just buy used?", and the look of - hard to say what that look is... confused disdain? - follows quickly.

To add my own $.02 to the "why do new cars seem to suck so hard these days" discussion, too many cars, it seems, have a heavy emphasis on false luxury: textured plastic, plastic that looks like metal, plastic that looks like wood, and "it may be an econobox, but heck if it doesn't have a 20-speaker Bose system! " Personally, I'd like to see some automakers put out a car that's simple and isn't ashamed to be. The Lotus Elise would be a good template... Not the super-light, super-fast, super-expensive bits, but I mean no false frills, nothing unnecessary...it's not luxurious, it's not fancy (well the Lotus is, but you know what I mean), but that's OK because it doesn't claim to be. The Toyobaru twins are a step in the right direction, and of course the answer is always Miata, but I'm thinking more, like 'Morgan 3-wheeler' more. Make a bare-bones roadster without an interior or a power roof or power windows/locks/whatever, etc and sell it for $15k; that sucker will sell.

SpeedSix > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 00:17

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Make something like this. I'm planning on getting one of these or something similar when I enter university, and so are many others. This is traditionally a university student's kind of car, and I'm okay with it.

If something like this can be created, I would get one to supplant it as soon as I financially can.

tylinol > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 00:20

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Another 22 year old Alfa owner? I know exactly how you feel; we're both on the hard drugs!

Barry Land > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 00:34

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What are you going to drive when the Alfa is in the shop? It will be, without a doubt.

turner573 > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 01:16

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As a fellow "millennial," or whatever they are calling people in our age group these days, I just wanted to say that I fully endorse every point you made.

Also, you are my damn hero because holy-crap-you-own-an-Alfa-Spyder-that-is-the-coolest-thing-ever! You are living my dream, and I'm only a few years older than you. Alfa is my favorite car maker, so screw that whole idea that only old guys like them, and screw the idea that people my age don't like cars.

Kanaric > SpeedSix 10/19/2013 at 02:02

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umm when I was at the university no students had volvo wagons, that would be the professors car. Students had either really junker japanese econoboxes or enthusiasts cars of some kind. Being this was 2002 by "enthusiast" cars and people who are 18-22 that was DSMs and Fox bodies mostly....

Kanaric > 472CID 10/19/2013 at 02:07

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Yes, I agree with you u here.

I want a alfa coupe that is like a 1 series BMW that is RWD and turbo. In fact I should probably just get a 1 series because that's literally the best car I can think of thats like a 1 series. Every other company does not a comparable car. Japanese companies don't. They used to.... Starions, 300zx, RX7s..... but when the 1 series was sold? 350/370z? G35? Same fucking company. I will not touch a Mustang or Camaro. I will not drive a 4000lb car again and I never was interested in Mustang. The only comparable cars are naturally aspirated as well aside from maybe a Genesis as an option but the car of comparable "speed" was only release for the '13 model year.

I want a coupe, rwd, turbo, ~3000lbs or less, 4 seat car shaped car (not fast back, not wagon, not hatchback, not crossover, not should of been rejected concept car with 4 inch windows.... camaro...). 135 is that, pretty much.

stuttgartobsessed > 472CID 10/19/2013 at 02:37

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YES! so much yes.

stuttgartobsessed > McLarry 10/19/2013 at 02:39

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I like how you think sir. I'm not a fan of all that "false Luxury" as you put. It saves weight and results in better build quality and mpg and a lower purchase price. And above all, America needs more Morgan 3 Wheelers. They're sold at a few places in the states but practically nobody knows what a Morgan is, not to mention a 3 Wheeler. Shame.

stuttgartobsessed > WhatsUpDOHC 10/19/2013 at 02:43

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This is exactly how I am with mine. Hell they even look the same! Different wheels and Side mirror though. Man those wheels look good! I love mine to death and have already paid a willing mechanic too much but I know he does work. Last time I was in he had a Muira on a lift 1/2 built, 2 Ferrari 512's with engines out, a few 308s, a few Espadas, and a few Giulias and a 164. I want to live in his shop haha.

stuttgartobsessed > MykePagan 10/19/2013 at 02:45

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I'm so in tune with 2 things in your post:

1) I most defninitely drive it to the ski slopes with the top down in the snow, my skis hanging out the back. People will cheer.

2) New cars have lost their soul. Even Ferraris I'd argue. Thanks corporations and consumer marketing.

stuttgartobsessed > Barry Land 10/19/2013 at 02:47

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My bike! You should know that at the moment I can walk to work. But its actually in very good condition mechanically and save for the two-three days that it will be in the shop to fix every thing I mentioned above I'm not worried about it dying on me.

stuttgartobsessed > tylinol 10/19/2013 at 02:47

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NICE! What have you prescribed yourself?

stuttgartobsessed > turner573 10/19/2013 at 02:50

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Well said sir. It took some courage to get it, and I probably would have scrutinized it more if I had had to pay actual money for it in stead of just trade vehicles. This is all to say that you can get an Alfa on the cheap. And you should. Theres no better time than now to get a good cheap Alfa. I say go for it!

stuttgartobsessed > WhatsUpDOHC 10/19/2013 at 02:55

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They do look out of place and thats why I love it! I have a goal for myself to only own cars that seem out of place. When I can spend 20-30k on a car I was a mint Citröen DS. Or an SM. Both actually.

Would it sounds creepy if I said that I wouldn't be opposed to being stopped and asked to go to your house to drink wine, eat biscotti, and talk car?

NathSB > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 03:36

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PopSci is a pretty terrible website. Like how they thought the retro rockets on the Soyuz space capsule firing just before landing was re-entry heat effects, or "fireball."

It has since been corrected, with a sarcastic jab at the person who pointed out their stupidity: Source.

Jimmeney > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 05:31

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Not a classic, but a modern Alfa, we currently have a Mito Cloverleaf, we very nearly got an Abarth 500 but found the Mito more fun (it also had 6 gears rather than 5 in the 500, so better for motorway). We also looked at Mini Coopers but we didn't want to look like estate agents and 2 years ago there wasn't as much choice in the fun hatchback category.

It's a 1.4 Turbo with 170hp, so will happily putter around and get good mileage, but then when you want to have fun it delivers. In cloverleaf spec it looks nice, but the interior is crappy, plus it shares a platform with the Punto which in turn shares its platform with ***shudders*** the Vauxhall Corsa. It does have frameless windows on the doors which is a nice touch though.

It also sticks to traditional Alfa Romeo values, such as a rattling in the door being a random couple of screws that got left in. The engine management light has flickered on a few times and the air conditioning has started making funny noises.

For us, we feel that even the current range is probably the worst range Alfa has ever offered, it does offer a couple of cars that feel special and stand out, however I think the competition is moving along and they need to get their arse in gear and do something.

I can't wait for the new Guilia, Spider and the rumoured return to RWD. I hope that they return to more svelte styling rather than the bloated, pissed off owl thing they've currently got going on.

I'm never sure whether I like the Mito, some days I love it, think it looks lovely and it drives nice, other days I think it looks a bit odd, can drive a bit funny and throw a few quality issues in my face. It's Italian, stroppy and changeable. Perhaps that means it is a proper Alfa after all.

We're looking to change it at the moment and there's a lot more choice from other manufacturers. I was hoping the new Spider might have magically gone on sale, but it hasn't, so they don't have anything to offer us. That makes me a bit sad.

D-Dubya > McLarry 10/19/2013 at 07:59

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New, bare bones, and cheap. Sounds like a Nissan Versa to me, starts under $12k.

Old-Busted-Hotness > McLarry 10/19/2013 at 08:28

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False luxury is a by-product of aspirational marketing. They don't sell cars to the people we are, they sell them to who we want to be. And they think we want to be successful, hip extroverts. So we get cars with lots of useless jewelry, touch screens and aggressively-folded sheetmetal. Big ballers don't want a plastic dash! They want leather and wood. But that shit's expensive, so we'll fake it with molded stitching and plaswood. And we'll put lots of shiny pretties on the steering wheel and IP, cause people love shiny pretties! Never mind that the plaschrome wears off the wheel, and you can't read the instruments. Shiny!

If anyone had the balls to make a car that "is what it is" the masses would shun it. This is the age of superficiality, and automakers can't afford to take risks, which is why cars all look alike.

There are other points in history where cars had lots of jewels and useless ornamentation: The Great Depression, the late 1950's recession, and the Carter malaise era. Today's styling calls back to each of those eras. We have the high hoods and seperate fenders of the 1930's, the deeply-folded sheetmetal of the late 50's, and the rich Corinthian leather of the 70's, along with the highly-styled dashboards and exterior ornaments of all three eras. In tough times, people want shiny pretties, even if they're just cheap pot metal or plaswood.

You want unadorned cars, look to the boom times. The early 60's and mid 1980's. Back then, everyone had money so there was no need to cater to the need to flaunt it. Give us a decent economy and we'll have cars that look like cars again.

GearHeadfromBrazil > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 08:43

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I'm also 22 and as soon as I can I will get a 2000 GTV drug problem.

Its just my favorite Alfa.

GearHeadfromBrazil > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 08:44

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Wow!

Take a picture of it next time you have to go there.

WhatsUpDOHC > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 09:09

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Ha! Everything but the big hug, I guess! You like boxed Almaden Cabernet?

That's the best photo I had of that car. Probably the best summer of my life! I drove that thing back and forth to points at the Jersey shore all summer. There was also a major cruising point in my town and I'd spend my nights with it there. Back in the 80's, convertibles were much less available than they are now so it was a pretty big deal anywhere I went. The Miata hadn't even come out yet!

I got attention from girls to a level I'd never experienced before...and I liked it! This not to say I was a stud (I wasn't!). But it gave me a confidence I never had before. So I guess this isn't just a story about cars, but of coming of age as well.

I kept that car through most of college and used it to commute to a co-op job in Ocean City a couple summers later. Driving through the NJ pine barrens each morning with the roof down was a surreal experience!

Here's where the story gets sad. The head gasket went on me and I spent a couple thousand of my hard-earned money to fix it. Once on my way to the shore, the front-left shock absorber broke free from the top mount (rust) and I had to tear it free. I drove it like that the rest of the time I owned it.

I finally sold it a few years later for $600, with some bad body rust, rotten floor boards, and no front-left shock absorber. Really a mess! The new owner said he planned to fix those things. I found it a couple years later. I guess he did fix it. But he painted the whole thing red, put a big wing on the back that extended over the ends of the car, and painted the wheels and emblems gold. It looked like a whore! But to be honest, he was probably a better steward for the car than I was.

A car like that is like a beautiful girl that spends all your money but is a lot of fun to be with. You'll make any excuse to keep her around, even when your friends tell you she's no good for you. Eventually, you'll let her go. And you'll feel jilted when you see her with someone else...dressed inappropriately to boot!

GreenMeanie > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 10:07

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Sweet spider! I wasn't much older than you when I joined the Alfa fraternity with a 74 Spider for the price of a well used Hyundai. It taught me a lot about cars and eleven years later puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. They are well balanced, quick but not fast, overflowing with character, and, yes, brilliantly engineered, despite all the scoffers. I've now added a 1970 Giulia TI to the fleet (the perfect family classic?) but the Green Meanie will always be my first true automotive love... Enjoy it.

abgwin > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 10:31

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Maybe you'll be pleased to know that the upcoming Alfa Spider will be a platform mate to the Mazda Miata (can't bring myself to call it anything but Miata).
However, all those clamoring for an "affordable" Alfa, that's not how a premium brand works. Yes, they'll need to be realistic, price wise, but they can't be cheap. Their success will depend on the badge whore drones who have ruined BMW with cupholders and automatic everything to see them as aspirational as they see BMW.

KamikazePigeon > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 11:35

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"I've always wanted to drive something special, out of the ordinary, and fun but it took me years to actually pull the trigger. Before the Alfa, I had only driven, and by driven I mean daily, Chevy products. I drove a 2007 Silverado Super Cab in high school and a 2004 Tahoe in college. Now I'm definitely not saying they were awful. Quite the contrary in fact. I loved my Tahoe and I'm sad that its gone but I've had the car bug since birth and needed something more adventurous. And I learned to offroad in the Silverado. It's really all I can talk about, cars that is. Ask my friends. I bordered on the obsessive for a while until I plunged over the edge into the abyss of automotive obsession. When I'm not working, playing GTA V, or hanging out with friends you can find me hunting for more knowledge or that unique car for sale on Jalopnik, Oppo, Petrolicious, Hooniverse, Bring A Trailer, Daily Turismo, and Craigslist or watching racing documentaries on Netflix or YouTube."

This entire paragraph described me to a T!! I'm also 22, and I have also driven nothing too mind blowing (currently drive a family-owned 2002 Chevy Venture minivan) but I have a serious obsessive love and passion for cars. I even love that minivan. I've had a ton of good memories with it. I do however, plan to buy my own car in the near future, it will definitely be something special and out of the ordinary. Your shortlist is a fantastic one, especially the 944s and 50's American metal, it really speaks to my inner Jalop. I've actually looked at countless ads of these on Craigslist and Kijiji. I sometimes spend hours just looking at what's out there and definitely plan to pull the trigger on one in the near future.

I love the story you tell about how you get your Alfa Spyder (by the way, she looks absolutely gorgeous, even with the dings!) and I absolutely lust over one.

I loved reading your article! The ending actually choked me up a little. I am so deep in the abyss of the automotive world and I love it.

Drive Free Or Die. Cheers to you too, stuttgartobsessed.

urdum > LowEndZen 10/19/2013 at 13:27

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My wife told me when we got together that she hated "small cars". She drove a Grand Cherokee, and loved to talk about hauling ass through Mexico in it.

I saw an excellent deal for a mariner blue miata, and snapped it up as a project/funmobile.

She claimed it. No apologies, ao worries about the niggling little problems that need addressing, just "I love that car" over and over.

Trike > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 13:39

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As a former owner of an '84 Spider Veloce, I get it. As Alfisti say, "Alfa stands for Always Looking For Another."

When you compare the Spider (even the Veloce) to similar cars — in the case of my car, the original MR2, CRX, GTi, etc. — it gets beat in all the numbers. Even in the handling department. Yet Alfa did something so right with the Spider that it's unquantifiable. Other cars in that class may be a hoot to drive or competent or whatever, but an Alfa Spider is a joy. It's pure fun hammered out of steel.

My arms are long enough that I can both raise and lower the roof from the driver's seat. The instant the rain stopped, it was snap-snap-toss, open air motoring. And if I ever got caught in the rain, it was a reach back, pull, click-click and away we go.

Enjoy it, because they don't make 'em like that any more.

stuttgartobsessed > GreenMeanie 10/19/2013 at 13:51

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Your's is beautiful! Love the color/wheel combo and I am definitely always looking for another!

stuttgartobsessed > Trike 10/19/2013 at 13:54

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My arms are long enough to do that as well! Its great, especially for how much it rains up here. And I can put the top down or up at a stoplight. Its wonderful. I most definitely will enjoy it and still wish they did make 'em like they used to.

stuttgartobsessed > abgwin 10/19/2013 at 14:18

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I agree. I think I read something about the Miata platform in Car Magazine. You make an interesting point about the badge whores. I just hope that they dont ruin Alfa with their same luxo-bloating.

SpeedSix > Kanaric 10/19/2013 at 19:00

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Back in 2002, the hot thing was Fast and Furious, and "hipster" types didn't exist.

ChrisMD123 > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 19:05

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Computers will never drive better than humans? People said the same thing about computers and chess, that there was something in the combination of analysis, creativity, and some sort of magical x-factor that would always lead to human superiority.

I never want to stop driving my car. But computers will certainly be better at it than any human, and soon.

WhatsUpDOHC > stuttgartobsessed 10/19/2013 at 21:03

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Seriously! Where is that place? Sounds like a dream! Just remember...you're probably paying the same hourly rate for your Alfa as those Ferrari and Lamborghini guys are for their cars! Hopefully their work is worth it.

Poohbah > McLarry 10/19/2013 at 23:32

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I feel awfuly sorry for you folks in the US, with no Alfas on the market for over 20 years. Here in Oz they made a brief withdrawal after the 33 and 164, but returned with the 147, 156 and 166 in the late 90s. Now, there are the traditionalists who argue that those are not classics, being FWD and sharing Fiat-based platforms (as do the current gen models) but all I can say is every day I get into my 2001-model 156, with its Busso 2.5L V6 and it makes me smile like no other car I've owned over the years. The noise of that magnificent engine ... makes all the pumped-up V8s of the locally made revhead GM and Ford specials with the Toys R Us bodywork and Fischer Price dials sound like the idiot cousins from the backwoods. It may be FWD, but it sticks to the road round the twisty bits better than anything else I've ever driven (RWDs, FWDs and 4WDs). There is a sense of drama and character you just don't get with the anal teutonic efficiency ofthe Germans (I don't care how good the M3 is - its all too logical with no arm waving enthusiasm that only comes with an Italian exhaust note). That, Mr Mosher, is what owning an Alfa is all about. And it sounds like Dave's old man knew it. So it's not just "romatic old men" (pushing it here, I am now in my 40s!) hankering for La Dolce Vita or Mrs Robinson who are the reason that Alfa survives. Its because even their recent or sub-classic excursions give you something different from the mainstream dross that most people settle for. Alfa hasn't survived because of some romantic notion. Its survived because that's what the great marques do - they survive because they have an innate quality that inevitably leads to a way of keeping it going, in whatever corporate arrangement that is necessary at the time.

stuttgartobsessed > WhatsUpDOHC 10/19/2013 at 23:58

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Oh I most definitely am paying an outrageous hourly rate. But its worth it for me to know that my car is being cared for and is appreciated and to get to see some rare beauties whenever I'm at the shop.

486332 > 472CID 10/20/2013 at 01:59

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As a longtime Alfa customer in Germany, who ditched his 159 wagon for an 135i Coupe about a year ago I absolutely second your notion, however I maintain that a 6 cylinder engine should be available as well.

Realistically though, the thing coming closest to this already existed. The AlfaBrera, a 2 door coupe built on the 939 platform. It kinda flopped on the european markets.

486332 > Jimmeney 10/20/2013 at 02:17

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I hear you. After discontinuing the popular and successful 939 platform, their lineup is quite a joke. It's a company struggling, living on a financial umbilical from Fiat, and I hope, I pray that the 4C will be a savior but I have doubts...

tylinol > stuttgartobsessed 10/20/2013 at 12:59

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A 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano for $400! It looks like a $400 car but drives like one that cost nearly twice as much ;)

stuttgartobsessed > tylinol 10/20/2013 at 13:06

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WHAT?!?! Where the hell did you find a Milano for $400? I've always wanted to buy a car for under $1k. You know this means that it qualifies for LeMons right?

PurpleGryphon > stuttgartobsessed 10/20/2013 at 17:40

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So I say to car manufacturers, make something that's fun to drive, seats 5, and gets good mileage. Don't put a touchscreen in it. Don't connect it to the internet (You don't need to update your Facebook status while driving. That's what passengers are for). Don't give it electric steering, 4 wheel drive, 8,000 airbags (one per passenger is enough!), or different driving settings or other nonsense the average person doesn't use. Do put in an AUX port so we can hook our iPods up to the stereo. Then offer a selection of engines: maybe a turbo V6 for sporty-minded customers and a turbo 4 that offers better mileage. Oh, and make it beautiful to look at! Millennials are about having cool things. If they we can have a cool new thing that looks good and can get us, our friends, and our stuff somewhere for not an insane amount of money then we will buy it!

You just described my dream car, man. That's the car I want, and the car I've been hoping someone would make for years. Something simple, practical, and fun. A set of wheels I can throw around on a back road and run friends to the local coffee shop in, but that won't break the bank doing so. That FR-S sedan looks promising.

stuttgartobsessed > PurpleGryphon 10/20/2013 at 20:13

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I actually frove an FR-S today and it was pretty damn good/fun. A sedan/2+2/shooting break version would be epic. Also check out the Mazda Speed3. Though I hear they will not exist for '14 or '15...

tylinol > stuttgartobsessed 10/20/2013 at 22:56

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It was quite a craigslist find! The clutch was bad, but it ran and everything electrical worked. It was in a very bad neighborhood and quite out of place there. I got away with a new clutch disc ($100) as opposed to a new assembly ($800). I've thought about LeMons but I've been enjoying the car too much to risk wrecking it!

As for $1k cars, I can't recommend it enough. In addition to my Alfa, I have a 1072 Fiat 850 Spider that I picked up as a resto project for $700 and the Porsche 912 I got for free (although that's a somewhat different situation...). Another friend of mine has a 1973 Mercedes 350SL he got for $900 and a 1972 Mercedes 220D 4spd that he got for $800. They are his daily drivers for a 50 mile commute.

So the moral of the story is: find a cheap European car and go for it!

Autojunkie > stuttgartobsessed 10/21/2013 at 11:51

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LIKE! LIKE! LIKE!!!

This 41 (almost 42) year "old man" agrees with nearly everything you have stated. The only thing I didn't agree with was how to market Alfa. I think a combined Fiat/Alfa/Maserati store, with separate showroom areas and a common service area, is the way to go, but this is just the opinion of one old man :D

PurpleGryphon > stuttgartobsessed 10/22/2013 at 00:52

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It would. I know everybody's always griping for wagons and not buying them, but if they made an FR-S wagon and/or shooting brake, I would buy one. Granted it would be used, but I would buy one.

The MS3 has always looked fun and has a great reputation, but it's missing one thing in my book: rear-wheel drive. Don't take me as some jerk who won't acknowledge a good car when he sees one because of an unprecedented bias; the 3 is a good car. However, living in the Midwest where snow is present for nearly half the year, I prefer RWD. I know I'm weird. Most people would take a FWD or AWD vehicle over RWD in the snow, but I love the way RWD behaves in it, and I find it way easier to control than FWD. For me it's not just a matter of enjoyment, but also a matter of safety; if I can control it better, I feel safer.

Now if I lived in a place where snow wasn't a consideration, MS3 all the way.

stuttgartobsessed > PurpleGryphon 10/22/2013 at 01:13

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I totally agree with you on the snow front. I've only ever driven RWD (or 2+4WD) cars in the snow and much prefer their handling characteristics. Plus you can have fun! What I actually found most remarkable about the Mazda 3 I drove was HOW FUCKING COMFORTABLE THE SEATS ARE! Like, WOW. Well done. Its like a Lazy-Boy and a Recaro made a love child.