Alfa Romeo

pradfred · February 21, 2008

GTAm said:
I can't think of any 18- Sud at all. Was is a Sud Sprint? Like these?

Btw what colour and Mk was your Capri?

Yup thats the model - sorry not a whiz on alfas. The alfa was silver

My ford Escort was white , with Blue racing stripes down the flanks, minilite style alloys, Nissan SX 200 sports buckets, etc

Capri : Maroon: 1600 GT, with webber 40 DCOe.

My friends got it now and he's doing a full resto ......

pradfred · February 21, 2008

Pericles said:
Are you interested in the car, or the girl?

Both mate - if can get it cheap

GTAm · February 21, 2008

pradfred said:
Yup thats the model - sorry not a whiz on alfas. The alfa was silver
My ford Escort was white , with Blue racing stripes down the flanks, minilite style alloys, Nissan SX 200 sports buckets, etc

Capri : Maroon: 1600 GT, with webber 40 DCOe.

My friends got it now and he's doing a full resto ......

Ok then I guess it's the car in that garage down Dupli near House of Fashion. The guy (garage owner) has this constant mantra that he is about to re-build it, but this has gone on for years. You maybe able to soften him by now and induce him to sell. Worth a try. But it is a huge project - Lots of corrosion as you would expect and the engine is busted.

The good news is you can get an engine from UK or OZ and there are some panels too. The bad news is they're never cheap.

GTAm · February 21, 2008

pradfred said:
Both mate - if can get it cheap

The original owner was a client of mine some years ago. He brought this car and a Jag when he returned from the UK. You're prob refering to his daughter!?

pradfred · February 21, 2008

GTAm said:
Ok then I guess it's the car in that garage down Dupli near House of Fashion. The guy (garage owner) has this constant mantra that he is about to re-build it, but this has gone on for years. You maybe able to soften him by now and induce him to sell. Worth a try. But it is a huge project - Lots of corrosion as you would expect and the engine is busted.
The good news is you can get an engine from UK or OZ and there are some panels too. The bad news is they're never cheap.

Ha,

Just sent my driver to the grage and you are on the money GTam.

He says they not selling and waiting for Pistons - forsooth !

Oh well, back to the drawin board.

Maybe I can get a VW Bug chassis and do my project buggy type thing..... you know - a sand rail ?

pradfred · February 21, 2008

GTAm said:
The original owner was a client of mine some years ago. He brought this car and a Jag when he returned from the UK. You're prob refering to his daughter!?

yup. very nice lady.

knew her a bit. very cool person & right car too.

pity she sold it.

hey BTW how do I get a cool logo like all of you guys ( Look at GTam) one ...man thats coooollll

GTAm · February 21, 2008

pradfred said:
Ha,
Just sent my driver to the grage and you are on the money GTam.

He says they not selling and waiting for Pistons - forsooth !

Oh well, back to the drawin board.

Maybe I can get a VW Bug chassis and do my project buggy type thing..... you know - a sand rail ?

Would you be interested in a Fiat 124 Coupe?

pradfred · February 22, 2008

GTAm said:
Would you be interested in a Fiat 124 Coupe?

124 Coupe eh ?

Never knew there was such a thing.

Sure would be willing to take a look, and if the price is right maybe this can be my entry into italian car ownership. ....and then onto my dream car - Lamboghini Countach LP 500 QV -

Thank you so much for taking so much interest and time GTAm.

GTAm · February 23, 2008

pradfred said:
124 Coupe eh ?
Never knew there was such a thing.

Sure would be willing to take a look, and if the price is right maybe this can be my entry into italian car ownership. ....and then onto my dream car - Lamboghini Countach LP 500 QV -

Thank you so much for taking so much interest and time GTAm.

Yes it's a very cool car. Twin Cam engines 5 speed box and rear wheel drive. This is the model,

You can read more about the model here,

http://www.carsfromitaly.net/fiat/index.html

The car I'm talking about is a project but a worthwhile exercise as it has good racing history. It was available a ccouple of years back. I'll check if it's still available. It should be.

Then there's also a BC version that a wierdo owns, I'll get you that number as well. He changes his mind all the time so you'll need a bit of luck with him. Give me your email address pls.

pradfred · February 23, 2008

Hi gt am

Looks very nice indeed. My e mail is pradfred@yahoo.com and phone number is 777 338 333 cheers

Prad

Edited February 23, 2008 by pradfred

GTAm · February 25, 2008

pradfred said:
Hi gt am
Looks very nice indeed. My e mail is pradfred@yahoo.com and phone number is 777 338 333 cheers

Prad

Give a few days to get both numbers.

pradfred · February 27, 2008

GTAm said:
Give a few days to get both numbers.

Hi GTAm,

Any luck with the numbers ?

Am in anticipation mode and its killin me.

GTAm · February 27, 2008

pradfred said:
Hi GTAm,
Any luck with the numbers ?

Am in anticipation mode and its killin me.

Sorry mate, not yet. Have not been able to get through to them. Will keep pushing.

GTAm · February 28, 2008

pradfred said:
Hi GTAm,
Any luck with the numbers ?

Am in anticipation mode and its killin me.

PF, I just sent you a PM.

pradfred · March 1, 2008

GTAm said:
PF, I just sent you a PM.

Hi GTAm

What's aPM?

Sorry but checked ma mail and have not anything.

Would you mind sending again? Or even an sms of the numbers ? I am on 0777 338 333

Thanks and cheers

Pradfred

pradfred · March 1, 2008

GTAm said:
PF, I just sent you a PM.

Hi GTAm

What's aPM?

Sorry but checked ma mail and have not anything.

Would you mind sending again? Or even an sms of the numbers ? I am on 0777 338 333

Thanks and cheers

Pradfred

GTAm · March 5, 2008

pradfred said:
Hi GTAm
What's aPM?

Sorry but checked ma mail and have not anything.

Would you mind sending again? Or even an sms of the numbers ? I am on 0777 338 333

Thanks and cheers

Pradfred

Sorry did not see this post until today. I sent the email from another address. Let me know if you got it.

pradfred · March 7, 2008

GTAm said:
Sorry did not see this post until today. I sent the email from another address. Let me know if you got it.

Got it thanks.

do give me a call if free and we can chat.

regards

Prad

diva123 · March 11, 2008

hi..i was thinking of buying a alfa 156..for 1.7 mil. Do you think its worth with the poor residuals and all? Who is the agent in sri lanka? is it Fiat? what about the spares? are they available and do they cost one helluva lot to get?

GTAm · March 11, 2008

diva123 said:
hi..i was thinking of buying a alfa 156..for 1.7 mil. Do you think its worth with the poor residuals and all? Who is the agent in sri lanka? is it Fiat? what about the spares? are they available and do they cost one helluva lot to get?

It's because of the poor residuals that you can pick one at 1.7

No agent. Spares are not a problem, available with the specialist who services and repairs them. Prices will be slightly above your avarge Japanese car. But incredibly some are cheaper.

Why an Alfa? Why a 156? May I ask?

diva123 · March 12, 2008

Because it looks so much better than the average japanese car. But I shouldn't be buy a car on looks alone. How much more do you think i will have to spend during say 4 years compared to a civic with the same price? Also what do you think will be the residual value of the car in 4 years? I saw an add of the alfa 146 1.6l ,19-, going for 1.1 mil? So thats pretty good for a 19- car right? so a car with english no would sell in 4 years for at least 1.4 mil? Also i saw this youtube video from a uk body kit place...the 156 did look good with some of its modifications. Also have a crazy idea to get a good body kit for the 156!!

GTAm · March 12, 2008

diva123 said:
Because it looks so much better than the average japanese car. But I shouldn't be buy a car on looks alone. How much more do you think i will have to spend during say 4 years compared to a civic with the same price? Also what do you think will be the residual value of the car in 4 years? I saw an add of the alfa 146 1.6l ,19-, going for 1.1 mil? So thats pretty good for a 19- car right? so a car with english no would sell in 4 years for at least 1.4 mil? Also i saw this youtube video from a uk body kit place...the 156 did look good with some of its modifications. Also have a crazy idea to get a good body kit for the 156!!

Diva your observations are good. Apart from the looks the drive is fantastic too. The steering is very communicative, the engine sings, cornering fast is addictive(so you waste your tyres v fast ) etc etc....the car feels alive. You will truly enjoy every long drive and probably never think of a Civic again.

About what you will have to spend over 4 years compared with a Civic...is hard to answer. A lot depends on how this car has been treated by it's previous owner.

I can give you a few examples from my experiences. Replacement of suspension; i.e dampers, damper mounts, lower arm bushes, etc cose me around 100k. The original dampers lasted 80,000+kms and 7 years ! Bushes and ball joints last less as you might expect. A clutch kit will cost you 25k. If you are able to get them direct from Singapore divide everything by 2 ! This will probably make it as cheap if not cheaper than a Jap cars' parts.

There are quite a few gripes that spoil 156 ownership. The most scary being the cam belt snapping if not replaced on time. Then there are a few electrical problems that crop up. But most of them will have been sorted out by previous owners. As with any car it's better if you can get the complete history, this way you know what you're in for. You can read more here - http://www.alfa156.net/ and http://www.alfa-156.co.uk/ Or phone Indika - 0773175935. He's our local Alfa specialist who is factory trained and is a real nice guy IMHO which makes the pleasure even better.

It's very difficult to put a value on residuals, especially right now as there is no agent. Values are probably at the lowest they've ever been. But you have to realize that this is the very reason that they are so affordable to buy in the 1st place. A similar aged BMW will be double that price. Perhaps when there is a new agent prices will rise again.

About body kits, may I urge you to do things in a very subtle way as the 156 is already a very beautiful design and you don't want to mess it up. In Singapore there's a dealer who has Novitec stuff and Thailand has many body kits and other extras.

diva123 · March 13, 2008

Thanx a mil GTAm for your input.

The main reason why i was considering buying the Alfa was its price. For a car with englsih no.s , 2001 model, brand new and a milage of less than 50000 a Alfa is dare i say cheap for 1.7 mil( can bargain). If i use it for 3 years the maintenance might cost me maximum 3 grand? ( If the engine does not blow up that is!!) If i sell it for 1.5 mil ( if there are agents i might be able to jack up the price in the future) thats quite a good total cost of ownership dont you think? Plus the alfa is italian. Way cooler than a jap car ( no offense to jap car owners).

BTW how is the fuel consumption?

about the body kit...i dont like any over the top ones...just some subtle skirts, a rear bumper would do..coz i wouldn't want to damage the beautiful lines of the alfa..may not even do a bodykit..

So do you think i should go for the alfa?

GTAm · March 13, 2008

diva123 said:
Thanx a mil GTAm for your input.
The main reason why i was considering buying the Alfa was its price. For a car with englsih no.s , 2001 model, brand new and a milage of less than 50000 a Alfa is dare i say cheap for 1.7 mil( can bargain). If i use it for 3 years the maintenance might cost me maximum 3 grand? ( If the engine does not blow up that is!!) If i sell it for 1.5 mil ( if there are agents i might be able to jack up the price in the future) thats quite a good total cost of ownership dont you think? Plus the alfa is italian. Way cooler than a jap car ( no offense to jap car owners).

BTW how is the fuel consumption?

about the body kit...i dont like any over the top ones...just some subtle skirts, a rear bumper would do..coz i wouldn't want to damage the beautiful lines of the alfa..may not even do a bodykit..

So do you think i should go for the alfa?

Well I like your analysis, we think alike . Maintenence at 100k a year is a reasonable figure and yes you might even save something of that. Engine won't blow up is cam belt changes are done on time !

Why not take the car to Indika and get him to check it out? That way you won't have any nasty shocks. 50,000kms is nice and low.

Fuel consumption is 7.5 km/l and 10.5km/l for my 1.6 car. And 7 and 9 for my 2.0. City and out of town respectively.

Are you talking about the black car? It's a 1.6 I believe. If so ask Indika to negotiate on your behalf, he should be able knock it down to the lowest possible.

Yes it's Italian and that's a bit of an unquantifiable trait that only a few will understand and appreciate. Go for it mate!!! GTAm has revved