GTAm

Well lots of people don't know about Alfa's incredible history. They're probably comparing the 8C with a 164 and talking

Ferrari are quite liberal that way..... I remember they let MS play football during a season as well . Btw Kimi finished 13th overall. Not bad!

Is it with adiesel engine ?

Yes often rated as one of the most desirable cars in the world along with the B20 Coupe that Tintin and Captain Haddock hitch hiked to catch the Chrysler. I love the B20 too. Interesting how there was a Lancia Aprillia in Land of Black Gold owned by the Emir and it chased the Buick of Mullar. Saw a Spider for the first time in my life in 07 at the Brooklands Italian Car day and I was stopped in my tracks despite having an overdose of Ferraris and Lambos! It was THE show stopper for me. 250GT esq - coz both were penned by Pinin. But the Lancia has a hint of Americana too....

Interesting fact... I would worry about the longivity of the diesel engine as usually they weigh quite a bit more than a petrol unit. There needs to be a lot of re-inforcement to handle the ectra vibration. That said TATA might have used the same block to save manufacturing costs even if it meant using extra metal for the petrol. Thankfully the Indica now usues the Fiat Multi-Jet diesels which are stunning engines compared to the older oil burners.....

Do you know what brand the carb is? Say if it's a Hitachi, Solex or Weber then you probaby can search if they are manufactured now and look for the manufacturer or vendor. I know Webers are still made. What's the engine capacity? I know that brand new Webers for Fiat Uno 60's which are 1.3 engines are available in Panchikawatte. I bought one brand spanking new for the Fiat 131 I had. And what a difference it made!!! Try the Fiat boys at Panchi. This might be suitable for your car. It's a down draught I'm guessing. Similarly there could be Indian carbs at a cheaper price......... Check with a guy who understands engines about the compatibility between the ones available. You might have to custom make a intake manifold. I still think it would be cheaper and less messy that throwing in a Diesel engine. But do give us more info about the car so that we might get a bit more creative

Why not buy a brand new carb? That will be the cheapest and best solution providing your engine has adequate compression.

Btw that other ancient kitten Bridget Bardot is said to have been strutting around in one of these stunners. One of my all time favourite classic cars.

NOw now boys lean back from the monitor, she's as old as your mothers and mine too

Won't a registered, current shaped Swift fall into your price range? In fact there is one in the AL classified My choice would be a 2001/2 Mazda Familia. Preferably a Hatch which looks better than the sedan, ok sedan if she insists. Fuel consuption is 9-10 km/l easy. It's a LOT better in every way that the boxy swift and the Vios put together IMO. Fully independent sus, Japanese build that makes a Vios feel like papadam. All for less than 2m!!!!!!!! You can't go wrong! You should get one for 1.8m max. Buy the wife a diamond neckless with the change! She'll never complain !

Ok will locate and inform you . Time to expand your fleet with some Milanese sophistication !

Hah ha I'm sure you would. But aren't they cheap? I know they're old crude things, but seem to have a big following even in the UK now. Yes I was there 97-99 studying product design, with an aim of going into Automotive eventually . Had to come back in a hurry as the family biz needed rescuing .

Oi oi Aussie! How about some cheap Aussie Muscle HSV !?

Good mate. There's nothing to match a E39 in that range IMO. You're absolutely right the Jap options are as dull as plain steamed rice. Except the Forrester. Not sure about the maintainence of Audi's but I'm guessing that there should be one or two specialists. MB manuals are crap. I'd stick with a auto as boring as it may sound. I drove a E320 W210 with sports sus. And the memory is stuck in my head. It was a shock really as I expected the usual barge like drive. Alfa 156 is not expensive to maintain. (I've had two. Just sold the 1.6TS.) As expensive or less than a Japanese car of similar size I can assure you. I was scared too until a few months after taking the plunge. But the 156 is more a 3 series size and 5 adults will be a bit of a squeeze. I'd avoid the crashy sports sus if ever you consider one. The crashy ride just does not make sense on SL roads despite the cart like response on the road. How about picking up a used face-lifted 166 3.2 from the UK(I'm assuming you're there?) for peanuts and bring it over? You could bring consider a CARNE permit if you plan to go back or get a low valuation (with ease I would say) and your duty would be quite small comparatively.

Good mate. There's nothing to match a E39 in that range IMO. You're absolutely right the Jap options are as dull as plain steamed rice. Except the Forrester. Not sure about the maintainence of Audi's but I'm guessing that there should be one or two specialists. MB manuals are crap. I'd stick with a auto as boring as it may sound. I drove a E320 W210 with sports sus. And the memory is stuck in my head. It was a shock really as I expected the usual barge like drive. Alfa 156 is not expensive to maintain. (I've had two. Just sold the 1.6TS.) As expensive or less than a Japanese car of similar size I can assure you. I was scared too until a few months after taking the plunge. But the 156 is more a 3 series size and 5 adults will be a bit of a squeeze. I'd avoid the crashy sports sus if ever you consider one. The crashy ride just does not make sense on SL roads despite the cart like response on the road. How about picking up a used face-lifted 166 3.2 from the UK(I'm assuming you're there?) for peanuts and bring it over? You could bring consider a CARNE permit if you plan to go back or get a low valuation (with ease I would say) and your duty would be quite small comparatively.

Chris, The above miss your 2nd criteria by miles. What's the Sport Cefiro? Is it the Skyline sedan? You'll be like a fish out of water coming from your E39. My choice would be another BM and the current climate is sure to throw up a few bargains. Other options are the Forrester or Audi A6. A W210 six pot E with sports sus might be a bit hard to squeeze into this budget but is a nice drive too.

You guys are amazing. I've been thinking the one run to the beach we had in my uncles Triumph Herald was amazing with 3 adults and 7 kids including myself. This was in the early 80's. Mind you the Herald is a two door so getting in and out required some awkward body twisting

OMG she has aged much worse than the Spider See cars ARE better than women

Yes if I recall right it's a Nissan Diesel. And it's a 146. I got a mild heart attack when you said 147, as there is one that is not running...

Congrats Smiley. Did your car come with any service history? If not please get a full check up done and avoid any bad surprises. Please note that the timing belt needs replacing every 30,000miles if I recall right. Pls check with the site. If it breaks things could look nasty. If the car is sluggish check the air flow sensor and fuel pump. You need to always bleed the radiator from the bleed screw when ever you fill coolant. Even the slightest bubble will make it boil. Biggest costs will be radiators and ACs. Be sensitive about the dampers you use (if you have to). The ride quality varies tremendously on this. Sachs makes the best ones for them. It's an age since I had an E30 so my list is by no means comprehensive.

Now that is great news indeed! Give us a shout pls when you get it! Actually in my experience the moments that everything works is not brief ! I've had years of bliss!!!!

The original (pre-facelift) was designed by Ital Design many moons ago. But that's why it still is visually more balanced than the rest of the range..... which are inhouse madness!

Saw the MX-7 at the workshop. The interior is terribly cheap looking. Overall quality seems poor and cheap. Saw one on the road...... serious negative camber on the rear wheels !!!!

Of course it will. Unless our "Bros" pump in the cash, like they've done at Micro