11-03-2006, 05:53 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
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Originally Posted by DaveH
Yes. I've always seen 'out-the-door' pricing in Europe. Just as well - in some cases you'd be more than doubling the price when you add tax!
In Ireland if you asked for a tax-free pint, it would be ~1/5 full.
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My misunderstanding then.. 
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11-03-2006, 05:55 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 6,155
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Hey, you can always buy one of those plastic cupholders that hangs over the top of the window at Pep Boys for about $2 
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11-03-2006, 07:08 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2
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Originally Posted by Grant
I'd like a diesel too, but with the new CA smog regulations, will it even be able to happen? Also, half the fun of these Alpha Romero's is the engine IMO...trading that for the efficiency of a diesel would be pretty hard to swallow.
And if you do go that route sir, would you sell me your 75 please =)
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You've obviously never experienced a modern European common-rail turbodiesel. It's not going to be the same high-RPM twinspark kind of feel, but they're amazing torquemonsters and once you're rolling it's the engine to have. It took me a while to get used to diesel sedans passing me on the autostrada when I was doing 100+ mph on my motorcycle!
Upcoming EC emissions regs are getting tougher on diesels, and all the manufacturers are working on particulate filters and special catalysts to meet those requirements and the new US requirements.
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11-03-2006, 07:27 PM
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Location: San Jose, California
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GreenDragon:
Atleast the Boxster is RWD! (I'm soooo kidding.)
You had some good points, but that's just my opinion on the way I would like my new alfa - err...my father's new Alfa with HIS money.
And, I agree there is nothing wrong with FWD for the majority of applications. It's more efficient in packaging and regarding drive-train losses. But is it the most fun? Sure the afforementioned Corrado SLC is quick around the track, but since when have Alfa's been about numbers? They're really about fun aren't they? If I wanted to go as fast as possible, I would have picked something besides a Verde.
"Change happens...better to embrace it and work with it then turn your back on it and get left alone in the cold."
If that's true, why is Mercedes Benz and BMW still offering RWD as standard?
And OK, so is it really too much to ask for Alfa to have atleast a couple of RWD cars in their stables to please the purists? It may not even be to the benefit of just us either, think about how many people might pick the 330i over the 159Q4 just because of the entertaining handling the Bimmer provides? I know I'm not the only person out there that MUST have RWD. There are atleast 1 or 2 more...
And as far as the Santa Cruz drive is concerned, Sean has real tires, realistic gearing, +20hp at the flywheel and who knows how much more at the wheels. He's probably a better driver too. Yet I was still impressed by how fast he could hustle the 164 around those turns. After all that though, I still would prefer my Alfas in RWD format. Does anyone here actually prefer FWD for spirited driving? If Alfa could offer both, no harm done then right?
About the diesel engine,
I know it's a good powerplant, that's why I would like one. But is it soulful or sonourous? I haven't driven one before, but I've got a hunch...
And for the record, I would LOVE a 159 despite what I've said earlier, it's just that it might remind me of our 9-3 a wee bit too much to be Italian material.
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1989 Verde - Harsh shocks and SS rears, 27mm torsion bars, stainless lines, pads, 16X7.5 rims, 4.10 rebuilt platinum tranny, poly bushes, and RSR 28mm front and 25.4mm adjustable sways!
1984 GTV-6 - 80K miles
Last edited by Grant; 11-03-2006 at 07:39 PM.
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11-03-2006, 08:08 PM
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RWD is way more fun and i agree with you grant,just hope alfa listens to me.
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11-03-2006, 08:19 PM
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Ho dimenticato dire... che bella macchina! La voglio. If they bring it, I'll probably buy. It's getting hard to find a fun manual transmission wagon in the US these days, and I've wanted an Alfa for years. Had the company I worked for in Italy lasted a bit longer, I'd have ended up mortgaging my soul for a 147.
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11-03-2006, 10:03 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Grant
GreenDragon:
Atleast the Boxster is RWD! (I'm soooo kidding.)
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Not just RWD but mid engined also 
Just so we are on the same page, the Boxster was the best thing to happen to Porsche. They are awesomely balanced and when given similar power to the 911, will outlap 911's all day long...
This is a shot from a NASA trackday.... Any 911 that sees this in their rearview might as well just pull over and park...
Yeah, it's a Boxster with a hard top and a few tasty mods.  )
I love rear wheel drive but a good driver can drive the snot outta either FWD or RWD and have plenty of fun doing it. BMW and Mercedes don't dominate the marketplace... they maintain a profit margin by charging $$$$ for a badge with an associated value (brand loyalty and brand perception), two things that Alfa Romeo doesn't have in the USA. And Mercedes and BMW have both lost considerable market share to the Japanese contenders that focused on reliability and quality of engineering instead of resting on their badges... Attention spans are shorter and shorter these days and a failed attempt to come to market by Alfa will have most people forgetting that they even tried to make a comeback before the next Superbowl. Purists don't count because as you so aptly indicated they are put off by the FWD packaging and prefer to complain that they want something different... Let Alfa get a foothold in the market and some profit on the books before you can expect a return of "enthusiast" models... until then that would just over extend Alfa and probably lead to another retreat from the US market.
Porsche listened to the market and enthusiasts and brought the Cayman S, a car they have difficulty keeping in stock and based on the short ride I had in one last week, a real contender in dominating 911's but that just means the 911's will have to continue to evolve and improve which should keep all Porschephiles happy except those that continue to stay in the "if it aint aircooled, it aint a Porsche camp." Porsche left them behind without a second glance to fend for themselves.
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11-03-2006, 11:38 PM
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Location: Sunny northern CA
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WOW! I have to busy trying buy up all the Alfas on the West coast to see this thread. I love it and awd! I am ready to refi just to buy one or sell off the fleet and get a new one or two or three. Ne-ways I take my hat off to you and I am so soo sooo jealous! At least I have the same radar detector (Valentine one) as you!
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http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfa...omeo-cars.html
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Black 88 Celica Alltrac #2
91 164 L auto, 95 164 LS, 91 164 L, 84 Spider Veloce,
92 164 L 19k miles, 93 164 L auto, 91 164 L auto, 94 164 LS auto,
94 164 LS, 91 164 L, and my baby
95 164 Q4 Recaro six speed (see link)
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2537319
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11-04-2006, 05:44 AM
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the v6 is a holden engines (GM global v6 H.F) 
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11-04-2006, 07:18 AM
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Funny to see all the discussions about a cup holder and that Alfa can only make it in the US when they ad a cup holder.
It is even more funny when you realize that the 159 already has a cup holder.
Okay, I have to admit the holder is not very large (designed for soda cans and small cups of coffee).
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11-04-2006, 07:34 AM
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159 in USA???????
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11-04-2006, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by castigamatti
the v6 is a holden engines (GM global v6 H.F) |
I am excited about Alfa planning a comeback to North America. Their Diesel engines are terrific even though I am not really a Diesel guy. However the GM based V6 is definitely a downgrade from the old Alfa V6. Fuel consumption is mediocre and it just doesn't have that same lusty feel the old engine did.
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11-04-2006, 11:20 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Apeldoorn, Netherlands
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Best v6 ever build (my own 2.5 155 v6 engine)
And some 159ers waiting for there new owners at the company;
Last edited by Martin116; 11-04-2006 at 11:22 AM.
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11-04-2006, 05:25 PM
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Location: Melbourne, AUS
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Hello Martin, welcome to the BB! I see you're in Apeldoorn - my extended family lives in Vaassen, just up the road, so to speak.
I almost thought for a minute that was rust on those new 159 wipers... before I realised it was probably just leaf litter. They certainly don't make them like they used to!
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11-04-2006, 06:10 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 786
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by castigamatti
the v6 is a holden engines (GM global v6 H.F) |
while im not much of a fan of holden the new engine is actually much better than you would imagine - plus alfa have significantly changed it from the original....
from alfaromeo.com.au
he new all-alloy engines feature cylinder heads, pistons, induction and exhaust systems designed and built by Alfa Romeo. Final assembly of this engine is carried out in Italy, at the Pomigliano D'Arco Alfa Romeo plant.
Jet Thrust Stoichiometric - from its specific combustion system, an original Alfa Romeo concept that involves the high pressure injection of fuel, at 120 bar, directly into the combustion chamber with a stoichiometric mixture optimised to increase engine power and torque first and foremost - thus adapting this technology to the requirements of a sporting car - whilst adopting the stratified charge method to reduce fuel consumption in a limited speed band close to idling.
...also reduces the risk of engine knock, allowing for an increase in compression ratio - in this case to 11.25:1 - and a commensurate improvement in engine efficiency.
...Allied to JTS technology, the light aluminium alloy cylinder heads of the new 3.2 litre V6 also features 'Twin Phaser' continuously variable valve timing - for both intake and exhaust
...The new camshaft drive system features maintenance-free chain drive with automatic hydraulic tensioners, whilst the valves themselves are controlled by a low friction roller finger system with hydraulic uptake of tappet play.
...This refined new V6 combines power and torque peaks of 191 kW at 6200rpm and 322 Nm at 4500rpm respectively with smooth, linear power delivery from low speeds. Some 90% of peak torque is available from just 1800rpm and maintained up to 6250rpm
sounds pretty damn good to me!
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