My First Alfa

[chris_durnford]

Hi people, My name is Chris and have just bought my First ALFA. Just wanna say hi to everyone. I have just bought a 98 R Spider Lusso T.Spark with 65000 miles on the clock with full Alfa Service history and a cambelt, clutch and radiator change less then 6000 miles ago all for £1750. Unfortunatly the insurance is very high with me only being 21 £625.80 fully comp. But its worth it. If you have any advice on looking after my new girl please leave me a message. Iv allways had pre 1970 cars and this is my first "new" car.

Regards

Chris

[armoore]

Keep the oil topped up is the main one. Find a good independent to help you look after the car. Where in Kent are you? You'll find a variety of recommended indies. Have a look at the guide that goes with this section.

[chris_durnford]

I live in Rainham in Kent, thanks i will keep an aye on the level

[ChrisH]

Insurance doesn't sound too bad to be honest... you must have a few years NCB...

Good luck with your Alfa! Def keep the oil checked, some use it quicker than others in my experience (our 156 hardly uses any)... would also recommend trying to learn to do a few things yourself if you're at all mechanically minded, you'll get plenty of support on here. Once you get comfortable tools like AlfaDiag are great and can keep the dealer costs down a bit!

Enjoy... all you need now is the weather to drop the top!

[BruceL]

Sounds like a good price, as stated check Oil and Water levels, and if budget allows get a trusted indi dealer to give her the once over, and budget for any jobs that need doing , don't just do the ones that keep her looking good ! ENJOY ! Lets hope we get a good summer

[delboy828]

congratulations chris. you got yourself a good car.

this site is great the people here are bloody marvelous and knowledge.

any questions, just post and you always get a sensible answer from clever experienced peeps.

[wayne-dear]

Great choice, now get out there and enjoy thrashing it.

[jay w]

well done on your purchase.

As others have said, keep the fluids topped up, make sure any work that needs done gets done asap, if you do that they you will have miles of smiles

[Green_Rizla]

Hi chris,

Good car ........... Let it warm up then drive it in a lower gear than you normally would.......... and that'll be a buzz.

Check the oil every week .......... That's a must and needs to be a habit. Keep it topped up.......... Scraap the service intervals and if you can afford it change the oil and filter twice a year.........

............ And finally enjoy the hell out of it.

Cheers to All
Peter

[schemeuk]

Like all have said before keep a very keen eye on oil level and listen for any funny noises!!

Once warm do not be afraid to drive one gear lower than you may be used to.

.... (to a Simon Mayo type tune) Not long after I bought mine I had a slow puncture and took the beast to Kwik Fit they quoted me a bomb for a new Pirelli, I chose to leave them with their pricey tyre and went to an indie tyre man who supplied and fitted the same tyre for about £70 less

Long story short he said to me "what you have got to understand with Alfa's is that they are not unlike F1 Cars and the slightest fault or problem if left can be catastrophic!!"


Moral of the story is denial is not a river in Africa

Hooked ever since