Has anybody ever sold one?

[Lezard]

As an auto enthusiast, we often buy cars that don't have mainstream interest. We know that when we get into certain cars, we may never get out of them. The Milano is the first unsellable car I've owned.

I believe all who buy a Milano will end up driving them the distance. Nobody in their right mind would ever buy one. It's a car for the enthusiast. It's a car for people who don't view cars as mere transportation. It's strengths and appeal go unnoticed by the masses. Few possess the passion for the trademark engine note, and the handling that could only be described as breathtaking. Focusing on it's shortcomings is the act of a common commuter. The Milano is forgiven for lacking in sex appeal. It stirs the soul in ways mere looks cannot!

All the car asks for is that you change your lifestyle for it. Change your timing belt every 30k(lol). Forgive it for having doors seize up, rendering them completely inoperable. It's not the cars fault leaves got in the heater and razed the car to the earth. At least you never have to change the oil, as by 3000 miles all the original oil will have been replaced by regular top offs at every gas fill up.

To own one of these masterpieces means you are one of the few people in the world who can truly appreciate the automobile. A Milano owner would never see transportation as a chore, or a necessity, but rather an opportunity and an adventure.

Italian rear wheel drive excellence.

Milano - Power in the Hands of Few

Nobody will pay $2,500 for a chance to own a legend. I feel sorry for all the people who don't buy my car.

[gattia86]

$2500?! Are you crazy?

I can't seem to GIVE one away.

A friend of mine has an '89 "Gold", with Platinum LSD, Konis, cool wheels, etc. It won't pass smog or hold its fluids, everything plastic is cracked, everything steel is rusty, everything fabric is in tatters, and everything electrical has a mind of its own. Handles like a dream and sounds like a race car, though.

A review of eBay reveals that Milanos in that condition don't sell... or don't sell for over $500. So, he'll get more money scrapping the thing. It's not even worth the time to part out, since Milano owners don't want to spend 25-percent of the value of their car for some shocks or wheels or anything.

Still, one of the best cars I've ever driven, and one of the best sounding engines at any price.

My '74 GTV in similar condition, with a common-sounding 4-cylinder engine, live-axle rear end and all, is worth 10 times as much. I'm tempted to trade for that Milano.

Irrational?
Of course.
I'm an Alfa owner, after all.

George

[Lezard]

Man, I thought $2,500 was pretty fair. 63k miles, perfect platinum interior, just a slight slight amount of rust on one of the wheel arches.

You can't get any other car in that condition for $2.5k!

[aldo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lezard As an auto enthusiast, we often buy cars that don't have mainstream interest. We know that when we get into certain cars, we may never get out of them. The Milano is the first unsellable car I've owned. I believe all who buy a Milano will end up driving them the distance. Nobody in their right mind would ever buy one. It's a car for the enthusiast. It's a car for people who don't view cars as mere transportation. It's strengths and appeal go unnoticed by the masses. Few possess the passion for the trademark engine note, and the handling that could only be described as breathtaking. Focusing on it's shortcomings is the act of a common commuter. The Milano is forgiven for lacking in sex appeal. It stirs the soul in ways mere looks cannot! All the car asks for is that you change your lifestyle for it. Change your timing belt every 30k(lol). Forgive it for having doors seize up, rendering them completely inoperable. It's not the cars fault leaves got in the heater and razed the car to the earth. At least you never have to change the oil, as by 3000 miles all the original oil will have been replaced by regular top offs at every gas fill up. To own one of these masterpieces means you are one of the few people in the world who can truly appreciate the automobile. A Milano owner would never see transportation as a chore, or a necessity, but rather an opportunity and an adventure. Italian rear wheel drive excellence. Milano - Power in the Hands of Few Nobody will pay $2,500 for a chance to own a legend. I feel sorry for all the people who don't buy my car.

[La Voce]

Wow, well said Sir. I would never imagine selling mine! And you are spot on, either one "gets it" or they don't. That engine makes the most magnificent sound I've ever heard, it accelerates in a most spirited manner, and yes, even though modern cars now have the edge on my 183 hp (I've been unable to pull away from a mom in a giant SUV leaving a stop light once), I don't care. It seems fast, and IS much more fun to drive than anything else around me.

[alfaparticle]

Milano's are certainly the best value in used Alfas these days. I see average Berlinas (which are truly ugly) selling for twice the price of a decent Verde and I can only think that they are seen as an investment. I have a couple of Verde's (one on long term loan to my son) and I don't see a good reason for owning any other Alfa tin top. And I have owned a couple of GTV's.

But my wife remains unconvinced. She loves my Spider and hates the Verde's.

[kelly1mm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfaparticle Milano's are certainly the best value in used Alfas these days. I see average Berlinas (which are truly ugly) selling for twice the price of a decent Verde and I can only think that they are seen as an investment. I have a couple of Verde's (one on long term loan to my son) and I don't see a good reason for owning any other Alfa tin top. And I have owned a couple of GTV's. But my wife remains unconvinced. She loves my Spider and hates the Verde's.

[AlfaVeloce]

Especially true of the Verde's, but I believe Milanos will be the next Giulia Supers. I have never had so much fun with a car I paid $800 for (the Millie in the picture below).

[aralfa8589]

The Gold is absoutely the best buy for a hard daily driver. They really can't get much cheaper, but if they do call me.

[JoeCab]

The market for Milanos does seem to be in a really weird place right now - very polarized.

The values of *most* 2.5 models are really low, but excellent low mileage Verdes still seem to sell between $7.5K and $10K. There doesn't seem to be too much in between.

For now, the best thing is to enjoy yours, and maintain it in top condition even when a clutch assembly costs more than the value of the car. People need to see these cars in excellent condition being used, tracked, and shown or the value will never increase. I think part of the reason why the BMW M3 (E30 generation) is so collectible today is that many owners have done a good job of maintaining and upgrading the cars, and are constantly turning new generations of enthusiasts on to them. The last time I had my Verde at a car show, a non-Alfisti came up to me and fawned all over the car, saying "I really didn't know there were any of these left..."

The cars do have everything it takes to become truly collectible, I think it will just take time. They were sold in far fewer numbers in the USA than many other "modern classics" like the M3 and the Mercedes 190 2.3-16V -their competitors in European touring car racing at the time. Of course they are incredibly fun to drive and have the distinction of being one of the last RWD Alfas as well. So, I think the cars the Milanos that survive have a bright future.

[gattia86]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lezard Man, I thought $2,500 was pretty fair. ... You can't get any other car in that condition for $2.5k!

[Romeo85]

You in MN arent you?


Judging from your ad its more than a fair price to pay for the vehicle. Just have to wait for the right person looking for one. Your better off sticking firm on the price and make sure it goes to a Alfa lover. If I could sell my LS I would be in the market for a Milano.

[Lezard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gattia86 Sorry! I meant that as an insider joke... kind of tounge-in-cheek. I love the cars, and agree that you can't get anything as good to drive for that little money. I marvel at the fact that the car is the size of a mundane 4-cylinder Honda Civic, yet packs an all-alloy V6, RWD, transaxle, DTM and European Touring Car racing pedigree, and an exhaust note to out-do most supercars. Yet they're almost impossible to sell for anything above scrap value. I can't imagine how a car this packed with coolness and technology won't become collectible and desirable. I guess we have to wait until most of them are scrapped. George

[Romeo85]

Never driven a 164 in winter. But would guess with that amount of power going through the front wheels it wouldnt be all that great plus the heavy front. I would trade but my LS isnt in top shape. I also fancy the idea of one day using the 24v in a Milano.

[Lezard]

You guys will be proud of me. Someone came to test drive my car, and they were not impressed with it. They didn't get it at all! He even said he just wanted "basic transportation." "Point A to point B" I believe he said. I scoffed, as I disdain reliability, as it is obviously the last refuge of the weak.

He was critical of the cars "short comings" as if he were going to use it as leverage in negotiations. Hahaha. I surprised him by proudly agreeing with him that the steering didn't inspire confidence, and that it felt heavy. He criticized things in the interior that didn't work. I simply boasted that Alfa had invented the intermittent heater and tachometer. Energy saving. Ha! He wasn't enjoying my jokes. Not surprising a man who can't see the virtues of an Alfa Romeo lacks a sense of humor!

He even had the audacity to ask why I am charging double kbb(wow am I?). I told him "it's for the thrill you are experiencing right now" as we were driving the Lake Minnetonka Handling Course.

He then said "Well, you probably wouldn't take an offer for half of what you are asking." I replied "Oh you would be surprised what I would accept."

In the end, I outright refused sale to him, not because of his offer. I would certainly let it go for $1,500 to someone who would be amazed and enthralled with the car everyday. But I just couldn't bear the fate my car would have in the hands of a college kid using it as a commuter(lol, and I was hoping it would go to a young person like myself).

Our cars are NOT basic transport. We get from point A to point B with smiles on our face(or sometimes not at all).

I suppose selling these cars is an interview process. "Do you have what it takes to be the next Alfa Romeo driver?"