Hello All in the 'later production' forum!
I have a '91 164 that I purchased recently for a song, and a 1988 FIAT Uno Turbo that I've had for almost five years. I have owned a string of other FIAT/Lancia models including another (and very tidy) '92 164 as well as many Unos and a 1988 Bertone X1/9.
With the third garage space empty, I was contemplating the purchase of another X1/9. Several late-model examples seem to be crawling out of the woodwork at this time of year (heading into summer in NZ). But I've had an X1/9 before and I remember feeling a little frustrated at the noise/vibration and the very 70's feel to the gearbox - engine could have done with more power and smoothness as well, that damn carburettor!
However I'm now thinking of buying a '97 Alfa Spider instead. A little more money (some examples seem to be hitting $10,000 which would buy a couple of good X1/9s) but I have my eye on a slightly scruffy but low-mileage example for close to $7000 (NZ dollars of course, NZ$1 = about US$0.74.)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-127077567.htm There seems to be quite a lot of interest in this particular car and the reserve appears to be $8000, so I wonder if I will be able to out-bid the several other interested bidders, and I wonder how far to go.
I hope that, being a two-litre Twinspark, it would be a bit more economical around town than the three-litre 164, and I wonder if it drives better on a track than the Uno Turbo (i.e. can I take it to club events?) Are there frequent cam variator problems? Is the cambelt change a DIY proposition? Does the red paint have a clear coat as standard?
Any other thoughts I should know?
Thanks!
-Alex