I can't stop looking at Alfa's (NPOCP)

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
02/28/2014 at 15:29 • Filed to: NPOCP, Alfa Romeo

Not that I would be buying this one but it is SUPER clean.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/435399…

Not to sure on how I would feel coughing up nearly $10 grand for this one though...

DISCUSSION (17)

A3R0 > CAR_IS_MI
02/28/2014 at 15:32

Oh my gosh... Oh my gosh... Oh my gosh...
A properly written Craigslist ad!!

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > CAR_IS_MI
02/28/2014 at 15:33

I saw a clean (and I mean clean) 164 Q4 for €1000 (some US$1400). The Q4, note, was positioned above the QV in the 164 range.

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI
02/28/2014 at 15:34

A QV in that shape, nice price all day long

CAR_IS_MI > 505Turbeaux
02/28/2014 at 15:36

Still seems way high to me, like I would say 6-7 as it is in great shape, but its not like people are forming lines for 20 year old Alfa sedans...

CAR_IS_MI > 505Turbeaux
02/28/2014 at 15:39

As contrast heres a little less clean 164 for about 1/2 price

http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/4346495591…

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI
02/28/2014 at 15:43

there is one in upstate new york for sale for $12000 and I thought that was a good price. I know someone who might buy it in fact

As usual, it is only worth what someone will pay, but that is a great model. Only thing better would be an all wheel drive one, the Quadrifoglio 4. You can get a nice q4 over in europe for 6-10K euro, but then bringing one stateside...

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI
02/28/2014 at 15:43

now that, is a good price

RacinBob > CAR_IS_MI
02/28/2014 at 15:51

Odd, this car was on Bring A Trailer in December 2012. The asking price was $11,900 and it had the same picture. I wonder what is up? Link . I wouldn't discourage anybody from getting the car but I would encourage them to get a reasonable answer as to what the the story is; especially if they ask you to bring cash after dark...... For example, if its the same pictures and seller, why is there a dealer plate on it? Did it sit on a lot for 15 months?

Kinja'd!!!

CAR_IS_MI > RacinBob
02/28/2014 at 15:56

Interesting. Well the BAt listing was off in LA and this most recent is in the bay area so thats quite a journey...

RacinBob > CAR_IS_MI
02/28/2014 at 16:06

Good point on the change in seller location.

By the way, via the old BAT listing, I noticed that there is on Ebay 83,000 mile Alfa 164 with a buy it now for $6900. It has new cam belts and second owner. Costa Mesa Ca. Needs AC work too. Link

Kinja'd!!!

AMC/Renauledge > CAR_IS_MI
02/28/2014 at 16:21

Kinja'd!!!

You can't stop looking at Alfa's what?

BlythBros. > CAR_IS_MI
02/28/2014 at 19:23

Don't start with a 24V! Unless it isn't your first Alfa B)

Work up from a 12V like a 91-93 164S or any Milano.

Nice price though.

CAR_IS_MI > BlythBros.
02/28/2014 at 19:46

Whys that?

I've had my hands in a lot more complex machinery

BlythBros. > CAR_IS_MI
03/01/2014 at 09:45

I guess the way I worded that was in a way that implied that they get more complex. Well, they do, but the real issue is the price of parts.

To do a good job on a timing belt (every 3 years or 30k miles), it's $1,200 or so, plus you need to rent the tools from a nice guy in VA beach, but the might have them rented out when you ask for them. Not cheap for routine maintenance, in my opinion. Also, hydraulic tappets on this guy mean that you're out out serious money when the bottem end decides to send metal to the head. 24 x price of new valves etc. if you lose a timing belt, which happens to the best of them. You have an EGR system to find parts for on these, and the coil packs like to go, which can get old.

I'd definitely get one, but tons of risk to assess and possible headaches to research. If you're an engineer (like I am and like your name implies) then you probably don't make insane money and have sort of sense of how much a fun car should cost year-to-year. I don't love how much my 24V 164 costs to run. I have a 12V engine that I've completely rebuilt for less than the price of a year of 164LS maintenance.

Good luck!

Shiftright > CAR_IS_MI
03/01/2014 at 11:46

Easily worth it. Fantastic driver's car and very rare. $10 k is not much to pay for anything with that masterpiece of an engine and Pininfarina coachwork

bob and john > AMC/Renauledge
03/01/2014 at 18:16

STOP IT

AMC/Renauledge > bob and john
03/02/2014 at 04:16

Neener