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Thread: Alfa dilemma. The dreaded curse?

  1. #1
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    Alfa dilemma. The dreaded curse?

    Well i'm having serious thoughts as to whether or not I should keep the Alfa. Its due for tax and MOT this month; £115 for six months tax + £40ish for MOT (if it passes). It failed to start twice this week due to the awkward positioning of the fuel pump. The handbrake is sticking and on top of that it needs it's 96,000 mile service. The insurance is costing me £125 a month and I hardly use it. So it needs to go once all the ailments are sorted.

    This is where you, the good people of UCP help me choose my next car. Several criteria that it needs to meet, it must:
    Be available in Europe (so no Yank metal)
    Cost less than £2000
    Have an insurance group rating of 10 or less
    Be able to fit me (6'6", size 15 feet) in it
    And just as important as the others, be fun to drive.

    All fairly vague I know, but i'm leaving my options open

    Lets hear your suggestions.
    "When I see an Alfa Romeo go by, I tip my hat." - Henry Ford

  2. #2
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    Do you need space for lugging stuff around, or will something of a hatchback type of size be enough?
    uәʞoɹq spɹɐoqʎәʞ ʎɯ

  3. #3
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    can you specify your "insurance group clause". It will be probably make sense in the UK, but elsewhere in Europe things might be different.
    Probably a 2CV meets your conditions, it IS fun to drive.
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

  4. #4
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    Mazda 323F 2.0V6
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  5. #5
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    Buy a new (used) Alfa.
    a 147 perhaps?
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

    *cough* http://theitalianjunkyard.blogspot.com/ *cough*

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jack_Bauer View Post
    Do you need space for lugging stuff around, or will something of a hatchback type of size be enough?
    Yeah I have no problems with having a hatchback. The only size requirements are me.

    Quote Originally Posted by henk4 View Post
    can you specify your "insurance group clause". It will be probably make sense in the UK, but elsewhere in Europe things might be different.
    Probably a 2CV meets your conditions, it IS fun to drive.
    Well basically, i'm a liablility when it comes to cars. Written two off ya see. Don't know if I could fit in a 2CV, unless of course I stick my head out of the top.

    Quote Originally Posted by Waugh-terfall View Post
    Mazda 323F 2.0V6
    Too large an engine mate.

    Quote Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead View Post
    Buy a new (used) Alfa.
    a 147 perhaps?
    I'm not keen on the looks of the 147, that and the costs would be identical to my 156.
    "When I see an Alfa Romeo go by, I tip my hat." - Henry Ford

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dantera22B View Post
    I'm not keen on the looks of the 147, that and the costs would be identical to my 156.
    what is the engine of your 156?
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

    *cough* http://theitalianjunkyard.blogspot.com/ *cough*

  8. #8
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    What about a Ford Puma 1.7? Dunno if you'd be able to fit in it, but I reckon you could probably get one for around £2000 and they're a hoot to drive. There's always plenty of them around on the used car market as they produced loads of them.

    IIRC last year EVO magazine voted it in the top 5 of greatest FWD cars they'd ever driven.
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jack_Bauer View Post
    What about a Ford Puma 1.7? Dunno if you'd be able to fit in it, but I reckon you could probably get one for around £2000 and they're a hoot to drive. There's always plenty of them around on the used car market as they produced loads of them.

    IIRC last year EVO magazine voted it in the top 5 of greatest FWD cars they'd ever driven.
    What I was about to suggest.

    8 years ago we bought one. Brilliant little car.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer View Post
    What I was about to suggest.
    Great minds....

    Would a 6'6" bloke be able to fit in it comfortably though? That'd be my only worry, as they aren't exactly palatial inside.
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  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead View Post
    what is the engine of your 156?
    1.6, I can't afford insurance on the more powerful versions.

    Actually my mate in work who, coincidentally also has a 156, had a 1.7 Puma and he loved it. Unfortunately I never had a ride or drive in it. I've been thinking about the Fiesta Zetec S too as they apparantly handle quite well, but i've found it hard to find any unmolested ones as they've all been modded.
    "When I see an Alfa Romeo go by, I tip my hat." - Henry Ford

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jack_Bauer View Post
    Great minds....

    Would a 6'6" bloke be able to fit in it comfortably though? That'd be my only worry, as they aren't exactly palatial inside.
    It is a bit cramped, that's true.

    In the back forget it, one of the most claustrophobic cars I've ever been in. But in the front maybe, who knows. He can try...

    If it proves too small maybe an old Focus Mk I? We bought one too (10 years ago) and it was good too.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  13. #13
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    GTR.

    /thread
    [O o)O=\x/=O(o O]

    The things we do for girls who won't sleep with us.

    Patrick says:
    dads is too long so it wont fit
    so i took hers out
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  14. #14
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    I would recommend anything from Honda or Acura (maybe not the S2000 or the NSX), but I don't know about fitting your frame. It should be reasonably cheap and easy to maintain, but still fun to drive. Just don't go for the Honda City or whatever the smallest offering it is. Maybe Accord (it is our TSX)?

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by NSXType-R View Post
    I would recommend anything from Honda or Acura (maybe not the S2000 or the NSX), but I don't know about fitting your frame. It should be reasonably cheap and easy to maintain, but still fun to drive. Just don't go for the Honda City or whatever the smallest offering it is. Maybe Accord (it is our TSX)?
    I doubt a decent Accord will be available for £2000.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

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