[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
[Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Re: OT: Alfas Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Wed, 3 Oct 2001 15:00:46 In Reply to: OT: Alfas, Jeff Newton, Sun, 30 Sep 2001 11:15:26 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Alfas are on par with other Italian cars available in the US - reliability wise, they aren't Hondas. They're a little fickle.
But then again, they provide a real nice package of performance, handling, and style. It's tough to find that and bullet-proof reliability.
The major drawback of Alfas is repairs. Parts are a pain to get. You can get many of them mail order, but that can be a hassle if you car isn't running until you get the part. And some parts just can't be found, period. And those parts can be *astoundingly* expensive, even for those of us used to Saab parts prices.
Lastly, unless you want to do all the work yourself, repairs are expensive. There aren't a lot of Alfa mechanics, and they tend to charge a bit. I had a 2.5GTV. I bought it for a song because it dropped a valve and destroyed a couple of pistons and liners, and dinged up the head some. I rebuilt the engine myself. I had the heads off, so I called around to find a shop to machine the heads. I got a quote of $150 each (two heads). When I mentioned it was an Alfa, the price became $300 each. A buddy of mine has a Bridgeport miller, so I did the heads myself in exchange for a six-pack. It took me a while to get the car sorted out, but when it was running, it was great. But with so much non-standard stuff (inboard rear brakes) and an electrical system reminiscent of mid-60's MG's, the car was more work than it was worth, to me, anyway.
posted by 140.157....
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.