Goodnight Oppo

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg) 07/16/2017 at 22:40 • Filed to: None

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RacinBob > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/16/2017 at 23:02

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Vintage Alfa, always a good choice

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > RacinBob 07/16/2017 at 23:03

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Thanks! It’s actually not quite as old as most people think, but still old.

RacinBob > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/16/2017 at 23:05

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‘91?

Nauraushaun > RacinBob 07/16/2017 at 23:06

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Some would argue

That depends on your definition of good

But for a photo? Always good

RacinBob > Nauraushaun 07/16/2017 at 23:11

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It’s an Italian twin cam, all disk brake sports car easily that is easily available for less than $10k. The drive train is proven back from the ‘60s with dirt cheap parts from Rock Auto.

So when is that a bad idea most comparables are $20k or higher?

RacinBob > RacinBob 07/16/2017 at 23:12

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I will add, in vintage racing, the drive train in bullet proof.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > RacinBob 07/16/2017 at 23:29

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Yes

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Nauraushaun 07/16/2017 at 23:29

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Probably a bad road trip car, but definitely a good weekend driver.

Nauraushaun > RacinBob 07/17/2017 at 04:35

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It sounds fantastic. I’m not going to claim to know anything about these cars. But Alfa have a reputation and I’d hesitate to say it’s for no reason!

Depends what you call a comparable ;) My MR2 was less than 10,000 Australian dollars, it’s considerably more powerful (though a little heavier too) and has what some would call Toyota reliability .

Sounds like we’re both living performance bargains though, go us.

RacinBob > Nauraushaun 07/17/2017 at 07:48

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There are merits to all. The late ‘80s through 90's Japanese Honda’s, Mazda’s and Toyota’s have it all. They have excellent handling, light weight, and twin cam engines with digital fuel injection. Any of the bunch are 200,000 mile cars with minimal inputs. A Miata for example costs almost nothing, yet does almost everything well.

The Alfa Spyder is like the Jeep CJ of the ‘60 Euro sports car world. It’s a well engineered, elemental, mechanical sports car. Anybody with a tool box can fix or replace almost anything on it. Now granted, a Miata will do almost everything better. But a modern sports car will never feel as special in the same way that a 50-60's Jeep feels special in an elemental way compared to a modern one.

As for Alfa reliability, I’ve had one for about 30 years. As long as you have mechanical aptitude, you will be fine. The axle, drive train, engine and transmissions are very durable. Be prepared to rebuild the brakes and hydraulics, there are 30+ year old cars after all. If you don’t, and you’re expecting to pay someone else to keep it sorted out, get a Miata.

One last comment, something like an Alfa should not be your only, everyday car. It that is what you are using it for, you will use up all the goodness, again get a more modern car. But if you want to get a glimpse on what was really good stuff for the day, an Alfa is a great place to start.