NPOCP - Trade Edition

"TDogg" (needamiata) 10/06/2014 at 20:56 • Filed to: NPOCP, alfa-romeo, convertible

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I put my truck up on Craigslist a while back to see what kind of interest there was for trades. Mostly just garbage, but this one's pretty interesting... It's basically this, but with a tan top. Ad below.

Anyone have any experience with something like this? I'm not a big fan of the rear end, but otherwise I quite like it.

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Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > TDogg 10/06/2014 at 21:00

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That's cool!
*That's the only experience i have about these. I know the old Duetto better.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > TDogg 10/06/2014 at 21:00

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A little steep, but not too bad. I have the twin to that car, only in white. It hasn't run for year though.

Dsscats > TDogg 10/06/2014 at 21:01

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DO IT. It won't be reliable, but it'll be epic fun.

505Turbeaux > TDogg 10/06/2014 at 21:01

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That last series of spider is the very best. Bosch electronics, great chassis feel, styling is right on for me. I don't regret having one at all

mazda616 > TDogg 10/06/2014 at 21:03

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I like Top Gear's quotes on Alfa Romeo ownership.

"You can't be a true petrolhead until you've owned an Alfa Romeo." - Jeremy Clarkson

Looks like fun to me.

signintoburnerlol > TDogg 10/06/2014 at 21:16

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Those era of Spider didn't have serious reliability problems. Small things geeked out here and there. Honestly, any Alfa you buy now in USA is old...so of course it has problems that need tending too. You're not going to find a perfect running car from 1991, that's quite a long time ago.

TDogg > signintoburnerlol 10/06/2014 at 21:25

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For reference, I was born in 1992. It's older than me. I like that.

I think my car of choice in this price range ($6500 or less) would be a 280z right now. Not sure if I love this Alfa enough yet. :X

RacinBob > TDogg 10/06/2014 at 21:28

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1st of all, drive it and see if it trips your trigger. Its not really quick, even if hot rodded. Also its not totally tied down handling. You may not like it as much as you think.

Second, consider what you intend to do with it, do you have a garage slot and storage and are thinking of driving it 20 miles a week. Great. If this is your primary car, and it will be sitting outside you might find its not that reliable and will depreciate quickly.

Third, figure out where your tech support is going to come from. Its a 23 year old car, stuff will break, where are you going to get help?

If you like it, have the resources and local support, these are great cars and a real experience. But if resale, support and reliability matter, get a S2000 or a newer miata. But hey, if you are going to er, er on the side of having fun!

Ps, I didn't consider any of these when I bought my Alfa Alfetta in '81. It was a hoot, and got me into into 33 years of autosports and car racing. So hey, don't be an adult, do it!

TDogg > RacinBob 10/06/2014 at 21:35

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I do currently have a garage slot open for something & my commute is only about 0.5 miles. If I get rid of the truck, this would become my primary, year-round vehicle which could be an issue with the snow we tend to get during our Indiana winters.

RacinBob > TDogg 10/07/2014 at 08:03

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Well, I drove my alfa year round and I wouldn't recommend it. First, there is a lot of plastic in the car, and I wouldn't be surprised if something breaks off or cracks as you hop in on that zero degree morning. I wonder if cold weather testing is in Alfa's design vocabulary..... If it is, its probably at 40 degrees.

More importantly its an aluminum head, aluminum block engine held together with steel rods that go from the top of the head to the bottom of the block. The problem is aluminum contracts when cold, but steel doesn't. The head has neoprene O ring between the head and block in the oil passages. When the aluminum contracts, at least on mine, they can't contain the pressure and they leaked oil into the water.

In the day, being a year out of school, I just threw detergent in the antifreeze and drove it. It worked but all the hoses soft as a baby's bottom. It was kind of cool starting the engine and watching oil ooze out the side of the head gasket when starting in the cold until it warmed up. I doubt the design has changed, and you have 21 year old O rings, not 7 year old ones.

These were italian luxury cars, not SAABs. A gal at the time mused about buying one and trading her Camaro. I dissuaded her by saying these are not "real" cars.

If you want a real car to drive all year. Get a miata or a S2000. Or get a VTEC Del Sol. If you want to write a book and meet people (especially when it doesn't start), get an Alfa.