Hi,
I'm Colin and I'm completely new to Alfas.
I've always wanted one but never got round to it somehow. Was it that Clarkson fellow who said that you can't ...
I'm Colin and I'm completely new to Alfas.
I've always wanted one but never got round to it somehow. Was it that Clarkson fellow who said that you can't call yourself a petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa?
Well now I've got a chance.
We need to replace my wife's old Peugeot 106. She used to love driving but has lost interest in recent years and when I asked her why she said she hadn't had a car that was worth getting enthusiastic about. She's always had the practical family cars. I've got the fun car. I have a 1991 1.6 Mazda MX5 which I love but she hates.
I've just about got her convinced that a 146 will do everything she wants in a practical way while giving her something fun to drive.
I'm going to lurk here for a while and gather information on what I need to look for when I'm buying. What problems to watch out for, how much to pay etc. and then I'll ask questions to fill in the gaps.
I've actually decided against an Alfa for the time being.
I need anything I buy for her to be as reliable as my Mazda MX5 even if it means sacrificing excitement.
After searching the forum and reading countless threads detailing expensive problems on meticulously researched cars I've come to the conclusion that I want the excitement to come from the driving not the worry of the next huge bill.
My budget is only going to be around 2 grand and that needs to get me a car up and running that I'm not likely to have to do anything major to in the next 18 months to 2 years. With the mileage we do even on a 146 that has just had it's belt done it would need to be done again within that time.
I WILL have an Alfa one day, I still covet one just as much as before, but it will be when I can afford to buy the best and look after in as a hobby not as a car we rely on.
Hello Colin, and welcome: Sorry to hear that you have decided to wait awhile, but it is worth waiting for that well cared for, serviced, low mile'er that we managed to locate.: Good Luck, and keep with us, you are very welcome.:
If you're budget is a couple of grand, yes you're probably right to wait. The newer generation of Alfas are much more reliable, but that kind of price range doesn't really get you one. But I hope you join the ranks one day!
