possible new owner - Page 2

**lgbalfa** · #16 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmitch

Thanks for all the info. I stopped by the lot this a.m. and took a gander. The white one is an 86 Veloce with a somewhat rough interior. The black one has no info on it but says Quadifoglio on the sides with a little shamrock symbol. It's pretty rough inside as well and is missing one tail light so...based on all the advice, these are probably not as well-maintained as recommended. There's also a Fiat spyder on the lot but appears to be the roughest of the bunch. The cars on the lot in general are not primo.

**lowmileage** · #17 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmitch

It's pretty rough inside as well and is missing one tail light so...based on all the advice, these are probably not as well-maintained as recommended. There's also a Fiat spyder on the lot but appears to be the roughest of the bunch. The cars on the lot in general are not primo.

**vf31rhill** · #18 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 10:56 AM

drmitch,
Alfa interiors are usually the worst for the wear since the cars are inexpensive enough to be bought by people with no asthetic interest in the cars. They don't take care of the cars, particularly the interiors, with obvious results. Unless you catch a car previously owned by a fastidious owner you are not likely to find one with a really nice original interior. If you look back in the BB you will see a lot of discussion on interior restoration, so that is a pretty good indication of the truth of my opinions. Add to this that the youngest car is 20 years old, and the result is that you will probably have to do some interior work on any car you buy unless you catch a rare prized example.
But this is not to discourage you in your interest. Just better to enter into the thing with eyes wide open.

I love my Alfa with, or in spite of its faults. And correcting the faults is half the fun; if you are the hands on type who enjoys care and maintenance in addition to driving the thing.

Good Luck in your effort, and welcome to the "club"
Robert

**ghnl** · #19 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 11:21 AM

Try contacting a local Alfa Romeo Club. You'll find friendly (usually...) enthusiasts who will likely be quite willing to help you check out any cars and will probably know of good ones for sale. (ALFA stands for Always Looking For Another - sometimes an addict has to sell one car to get the next one !)

KennyG · #20 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 12:27 PM

I have a '91 and have measured 30 mpg on the highway coming back from NH (of course, it's mostly downhill

).

Love the car, drive it a lot, but never when the salt is on the roads, and never in the rain if I can help it.

Just about everyone in here will tell you to look a little harder, pay a little more up front to get one that's rust free and in good mechanical condition. In the long run it's a lot cheaper than trying to restore a rough example.

**vf31rhill** · #21 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 01:35 PM

"Just about everyone in here will tell you to look a little harder, pay a little more up front to get one that's rust free and in good mechanical condition. In the long run it's a lot cheaper than trying to restore a rough example."

KennyG nailed it!
Robert

**Nicola** · #22 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 02:07 PM

drmitch -
In the past week I have been told about two very nice Spiders in the Seattle area that are for sale, but have yet to be listed. If you would like some information, please PM me and I'll give you the details that I know.

**lowmileage** · #23 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vf31rhill

"Just about everyone in here will tell you to look a little harder, pay a little more up front to get one that's rust free and in good mechanical condition. In the long run it's a lot cheaper than trying to restore a rough example."

KennyG nailed it!
Robert

usatrade · #24 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 06:35 PM

Hi drmitch

Can you tell us where are those two Spiders ,

thanks

claude

drmitch · #25 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 04:52 PM

Thanks again to everyone. Someone asked where these were that I saw. They are in Silverlake/Hollywood where Hollywood and Sunset converge, B&M Auto I think it was. I've been doing some other research and the Alfa comes out pretty darn good on mpg...I just found another one (hoping it's still available) that sounds VERY well maintained...hope to see it this weekend. I live out in the San Fernando Valley and there's a great Alfa shop in Northridge right next to my upholstery/soft top guy. I sold the Z3 today!

Bob Sacamano · #26 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 08:04 PM

I drive a Spider every single day. I do have several (S2, S3, S4), though, and what I normally do is drive one for a month or so, then switch to one of the others, and so on. They're all different (Spica, Bosch L-Jet, Bosch Motronic), and they're all equally reliable, which is to say I've only been stranded and had to call AAA once in three decades (burst radiator hose in the S4). I wouldn't/couldn't drive anything else.

Alfa-Stu · #27 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 08:37 AM

I haven't read all your replies, but this is my view on it.....

Alfa Spiders are a great daily driver, until something goes wrong!!!!! I drove mine for a over a year with minimal problems, then all hell broke loose (due to the fact that it was my only car, I couldn't spend loads of time on in the evenings fixing it because it always had to get me to work the next day).

Do not expect Miata reliability from an Alfa, just not going to happen, but if you get a good one and look after it then all should be fine. My advise, buy the alfa, then buy another piece of junk honda or toyota just for the days you need it to get you to work if the spider goes bad.

If you're thinking its more trouble than its worth.....JUST DRIVE IT AND SEE!!!.....you'll be hooked like the rest of us.

**Dan Walker** · #28 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmitch

Thanks again to everyone. Someone asked where these were that I saw. They are in Silverlake/Hollywood where Hollywood and Sunset converge, B&M Auto I think it was. I've been doing some other research and the Alfa comes out pretty darn good on mpg...I just found another one (hoping it's still available) that sounds VERY well maintained...hope to see it this weekend. I live out in the San Fernando Valley and there's a great Alfa shop in Northridge right next to my upholstery/soft top guy. I sold the Z3 today!

irishal · #29 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 09:14 AM

Having watched and listened to the advice on this board, I bought my Alfa from a local Alfa guy rather that shooting in the dark myself. Know as much about the history of the vehicle as you can. My 82 spider has become my daily driver for about a 25 mile commute each day......and it the most stress relieving thing after a day at work!!!! On the way home my Alfa has a tendancy to take detours along the back twisty roads

drmitch · #30 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 10:13 AM

Yes, the shop is on Amigo. Jorge next door has installed two tops for me (Miata and Z3) and created some custom seat covers that looked just like the seats had been reupholsterd BUT at half the cost! I always wander next door when I've had my car in to Jorge and always lusted after the Alfas but never thought I'd be considering one. The thought did cross my mind yesterday to contact Santo and see if he knew of anything decent for sale.

I am encouraged to hear that many of you use the car as a daily driver. There was mention of trying not to drive it in the rain; do they leak badly? Of course, one wonders if it'll ever rain again in So Cal...

As for Alfa Stu's advice and comments, my work schedule would not allow me to be out in the garage every night keeping the Alfa tuned, either. As long as I do regular maintenance and periodic tune ups...am I gonna be happy?