Restoration project - opinions please

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a bit of advise as a prospective Alfa-owner.

I won a 156 on an auction site that sells insurance write-offs. It's a 2000 2.0 T-spark with what looks like fairly light front-end damage (Cat-D). It has leather interior, done 80K, and has more than captured my interest!

From what I can tell from the photos, it will need a bonnet (if I can't panel-beat it), a bumper, and possibly a headlight. I don't know if there is any hidden damage, like rad/air-con rad.

My winning bid was £300, which I was ecstatic about, but I have since learnt that there was a £500 reserve set by the seller.

I was thinking about meeting the seller half way at £400 (I'd set my bid limit at £375), but if they're not open to this, is £500 excessive for the car?

I think the car is simply beautiful and I would love to get it back on the road, but I really must let my head rule my heart!

My other unknown is whether any corrosion is present underneath. Assuming the worst, and the repair was uneconomical, is there a market for 156 parts, particularly the leather interior?

Thanks,

Iain

PS I should also say that there's a 5% buyer-fee, and a £60 delivery charge (+VAT probably) to add to the final sale price, which I'll need to factor into my considerations.

also needs a cross-member which is bent as can be seen behind the broken bumper. can't remember if they are a bolt on item or welded, also bear in mind that the cross-member is pretty stong and as it is bent it may well have moved the mounting points, the chassis section ends. probably not not bad though, may not even need a slam panel but also noticed the bonnet is out of line on the o/s but that may not be too much of a problem. really for an x reg 156 is it worth the hassle? you have to weigh up if the work is worth it when you can get a straight one for around a grand (or less if you get a 1.6 or 1.8)
Autotrader - ALFA ROMEO 156 2.0 TS 16V S1 4dr Saloon
and it won't be classed as a write-off on the log book and worth less/put off potential buyers when you come to sell. only a cat d so not as bad but still shows up as a 'total loss' on the records

if you did buy it to break it for spares then that's a different story, a much better idea. if the engine is ok then they will always fetch good money, plenty of people needing them . the leather interior will also fetch £200+ on ebay. plus all the other bits and bobs

I'd walk away from that one unless you are going to break it. Looks like its older than 2000 as well.
Another thing to bear in mind if you are breaking it is that front end prangs are very common so everyone wants, bonnets, bumpers, grilles etc. You haven't got any of those things!

I bought a 2.4jtd 01y plate sportwagon veloce, body perfect but non runner for 250quid.

Just needed an earth to the fuel pump to fix.

There are bargains out there, 500quid for that does not sound like one of them.

Cat c tend to fetch 10% of value, Cat b around 3%, no idea on cat d, but I would guess 15-20%, so your bid of 300 sounds fair.

Walk away, something better will be around the corner.

Thanks for the replies. Jasons - do you have any advice where to find bargains? eBay/classifieds/local knowledge???

Cheers,

Iain

Well, the project has failed. Basically, there was a £500 reserve on the car, which I thought was too much. It was re-listed today and went to another bidder for £350.

It's left me with quite a hankering for an Alfa though, so if anyone has a project for me please let me know!

Cheers,

Iain

salvage auctions - not my fav. as thet often sell for more than worth.

Car auctions, woma - oxford, any local, bca is good, go to an auction full of trade and few punters, the trade don't like 4-pot petrol alfas so they always go dead cheap, diesels too.
You also get non-runners at auction, take a gamble, must be cheap, don't come up often mind.

We meet again Iain

Shame the Alfa didn't work out.

Originally Posted by jasons

salvage auctions - not my fav. as thet often sell for more than worth.

Car auctions, woma - oxford, any local, bca is good, go to an auction full of trade and few punters, the trade don't like 4-pot petrol alfas so they always go dead cheap, diesels too.
You also get non-runners at auction, take a gamble, must be cheap, don't come up often mind.

I was up at the auction in Kinross last night. There were a few nice examples there - a couple of 156's and 2 or 3 147's.

One of the 156's was a V (or was it a Y) plate. Dark blue, grey leather. Think there was about 100K on the clock, It went for £850 (plus the mandatory 'indemnity insurance' of £109 for that hammer price).

I'll keep looking...