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Car Forum / BMW Cars / May 2006Alfa or BMW ?
Hi, I'm considering buying me a real sports car. My heart says Alfa, but my college says BMW. I think BMW is for pimps, and Alfa's are for gents. Am I correct? :-D > Hi, > > I'm considering buying me a real sports car. Real sport's car? M3 CSL, but you're stuck with used because they don't make the anymore (at this moment). Otherwise think about Mclaren F1, Paganini Zonda, CGT... -- It's a good idea to drive a little Japanese/Ford/whatever shopping machine once a year to remind yourself why you're in a BMW for the rest of the year. by John Burns. '98 328i coupe t. > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Am I correct? Yeah you're spot on, Berry. So, are you looking for a date or something?  Signature-Fred W > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > :-D BMW (but don't get a white BMW - those are pimpy... >I'm considering buying me a real sports car. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Am I correct? Anyone who can ask that question is much too girly to own an Alfa. Stick to your Ka. -- Larry (Three Alfas, one Bimmer) >I'm considering buying me a real sports car. > >My heart says Alfa, but my college says BMW. > >I think BMW is for pimps, and Alfa's are for gents. I would venture to say that a real sports car is neither a BMW or an Alfa. That's not to say that there aren't very tasty vehicles to be had from either of those camps though. A real sports car is something purpose-built, like a Ferrari for example. It's not a mass market car platform that's had some tuning bits and go-faster stripes added. Here's the acid test: is the car a purpose-built machine, or is it a gussied up version of a mass-market grocery-getter. Look at it that way and it's simple to see what's what. Just don't expect a brake job on one of those to cost the same as a brake job on a BMW. See posts passim. Ask Fred... SignatureDan. >>I'm considering buying me a real sports car. >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Just don't expect a brake job on one of those to cost the same as a > brake job on a BMW. See posts passim. Ask Fred... Well, since my name has been tossed out there, I'll weigh in on this silly question. Firstly, some Alfas definitely do qualify as "sports cars" IMO. A sports car, in my mind, is epitomized by the likes of Triumphs, MGBs, Austins, etc. Bare-bone, light-weight, low horsepower, 2 seater (usually) roadsters. A very raw, grass-roots driving experience. They are purpose designed for tossing around on the track by weekend warriors without getting the driver in over his head. IOW, the exact opposite of a modern BMW. Certainly the exotics like Ferraris and Lambos have like-wise purposes (except for the getting the driver in over his head part...) but they are, due to the magnificent price tags and low production, exotica. And yes, it costs more for parts for exotic sports cars than it does for other more mundane transports. As to which car the OP should buy, I cannot help since we do not see Alfas here in the US anymore. The reputation they had when they were around was that of a slightly classier Fiat. Signature-Fred W >As to which car the OP should buy, I cannot help since we do not see >Alfas here in the US anymore. The reputation they had when they were >around was that of a slightly classier Fiat. May's _Car and Driver_ says that "Alfa Romeo is poised to reenter the U.S. market in 2008 with (this) V-6-powered 260-hp convertible as well as a two-door hardtop version known as the Brera... ...The Spider is the soft-top version of the delightful Brera coupe that is already on sale in Europe..." Whatever all that means as far as actually *seeing* Alfas again in the YooEss, though... SignatureDan. The best Alfas are those owned by someone else. When I am in Italy I try to hire Alfas. Great to look at, great to drive. Had 147s for two years running (1.9 l turbodiesel). Now the new 159 got a good review in the UK and it appears to be better built than before. However, if money matters to you, go for the BMW... DAS For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling --- > I think BMW is for pimps, and Alfa's are for gents. And newsgroups are for trolls, apparently. Pete "BravoEchoRomeoRomeoYankee" <canonian@thuis.nl> wrote in news:e1osd0$5ho$1 @news3.zwoll1.ov.home.nl: > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >:-D an old one? The spider or even better the GTV kick butt. Get like this 1970 Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php?carno=4917 now thats a sports car I've had an Alfa, Fiat, BMW and Mercedes. Some Alfas are ok but not many. All in all the Fiat was a way better car. It's tough to find a BMW that's no fun, most Alfas really underimpressed me. Plus the BMW will usually start. SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net > I've had an Alfa, Fiat, BMW and Mercedes. Some Alfas are ok but not > many. All in all the Fiat was a way better car. It's tough to find a > BMW that's no fun, most Alfas really underimpressed me. > > Plus the BMW will usually start. Fiat really? That is interesting as i've always heard the oposite. My brother is an alfesti and me bmw. I have a soft spot for the SPICA injection as its so similar to Kugelfisher in the old BMWs. His alfas always started and were a blast to drive .. nearly as nice as my tii -- always a point of argument :) >> I've had an Alfa, Fiat, BMW and Mercedes. Some Alfas are ok but not >> many. All in all the Fiat was a way better car. It's tough to find a [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >always started and were a blast to drive .. nearly as nice as my tii -- >always a point of argument :) Hey it's just one data point but I always founs Fiats really easy to work on; things broke (it's an Italian car for God's sake) but repair was ever so striaght forward and easy. SPICA injection. Giggle. The Lucas of fuel delivery systems. Again, just one data point. SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net >I've had an Alfa, Fiat, BMW and Mercedes. Some Alfas are ok but not many. All >in all the Fiat was a way better car.... Ignornace is bliss. I've experience owning a 64 Giulia TI, 67 Duetto, 68 1300 GT Junior, 69 750 Spider; 68 Fiat Dino, 72 124 Spider (90,000 miles in under 3 years), 75 X-1/9, plus various rentals and borrowed for autocrossing. I like Fiats a lot, but other than the Dino, no Fiat can compare to the enjoyment of Alfa mechanicals. -- Larry >Ignornace is bliss. And typos are even more blissful...means you've got "happy fingers." -- Larry >>I've had an Alfa, Fiat, BMW and Mercedes. Some Alfas are ok but not many. All >>in all the Fiat was a way better car.... > >Ignornace is bliss. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Absense makes the heart grow fonder. A stictch in time saves nine. I see you collect proverbs too. >I've experience owning a 64 Giulia TI, 67 Duetto, 68 1300 GT Junior, 69 750 >Spider; 68 Fiat Dino, 72 124 Spider (90,000 miles in under 3 years), 75 X-1/9, >plus various rentals and borrowed for autocrossing. I like Fiats a lot, but >other than the Dino, no Fiat can compare to the enjoyment of Alfa mechanicals. I've had all those except for the Dino. All in all the Fiats were in my opinion better performing and more reliable cars. The alfas had the edge on looks, and to be sure Alfas from the 30s were the kind of thing that I imagined made Enzo do his thing. But I don't live in the 30s. And look on the bright side, there's less reliable cars. Old Lancias and Triumph GT6+'s comes to mind. SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net "BravoEchoRomeoRomeoYankee" <canonian@thuis.nl> haute in die Tasten: > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Am I correct? To answer the eternal quesion which car is better - Alfa Romeo or BMW - I'd suggest to ask those guys, who are competent to give you the right answer: Italian cops! The answer will surprise you: http://www.photosphere.info/pics/BMW-Brescia.jpg (This image is an actual photograph, taken by me roughly 3 weeks ago in the lovely city of Brescia. Please forgive me for the lousy image quality, but I left my Digital SLR camera at home) Frank Signatureplease replace spam-muelleimer with fk-newsgroups for e-mail contact Citroen - Made in Trance Of course. The police are probably after reliability. This was not a main topic here, although I did indicate it in my own earlier post. DAS SignatureFor direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling --- [...] > To answer the eternal quesion which car is better - Alfa Romeo or BMW > - I'd suggest to ask those guys, who are competent to give you the > right answer: Italian cops! > > The answer will surprise you: > http://www.photosphere.info/pics/BMW-Brescia.jpg [...] That seems like a weak argument to me. All Italian cops (except the one you took a picture of) drive Italian cars - at least based on all the trips to Italy I have taken. > "BravoEchoRomeoRomeoYankee" <canonian@thuis.nl> haute in die Tasten: > [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > Citroen - Made in Trance "Dima" <dima@tdasystems.com> haute in die Tasten: > That seems like a weak argument to me. All Italian cops (except > the one you took a picture of) drive Italian cars - at least > based on all the trips to Italy I have taken. I was really astonished when I saw the polizia BMW. That was the reason for me to take the snapshot. I was also astonished when I saw several japanese policecars running around in italy. Most of them still are Fiats and Alfas, though. BTW: Italian police also use BMW motorcycles (at least some) Frank Signatureplease replace spam-muelleimer with fk-newsgroups for e-mail contact Citroen - Made in Trance >"Dima" <dima@tdasystems.com> haute in die Tasten: > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >still are Fiats and Alfas, though. BTW: Italian police also use BMW >motorcycles (at least some) Do you have any idea what kind of advantage it is for the police when their chase cars start and don't explode at stoplights? SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Am I correct? Well my first Alfa was a 156 which was ok. But one year ago, I baught myself the new Alfa GT. From the first day I owned it, it rattles and squeaks sooooo much, it takes away all the driving experience. Going to the dealer twice a month doesn't help much either. Such a shame because it's such a beautiful car! I'm looking into buying the new E92 by the end of this year. Hoping it will give me the same driving experience without all those rattles and sh.t. Cheers, F. > :-D When the Alfa 156 came out reviewsers said it is better built than before, and they are saying again with the 159. Bottom line is they are a generation or so behind BMW (and Japanese makes) on build quality and relilability. As to the sports car question (OK practical family cars trying their best to be sports cars), errr, BMW rear wheel drive (like sports cars should be), Alfa 156 2.5 V6 front wheel drive with so much torque steer when you pull away hard it's scary. For the record, I have test driven Alfa 156 2.0, ridden in a 156 2.5 V6 (and watched the driver fight with the steering wheel!) and I own an E91 3 series. > When the Alfa 156 came out reviewsers said it is better built than > before, and they are saying again with the 159. Bottom line is they are [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Alfa 156 2.0, ridden in a 156 2.5 V6 (and watched the driver fight with > the steering wheel!) and I own an E91 3 series. I drove an Alfa 1987 Sprint 1.7 Veloce once, great little thing. Nearly bought it. In the UK Alfa dealers come very far down reliability and customer satisfaction surveys, the dealers are meant to be quite poor too. It turned out a friend of mine bought the Alfa Sprint and I bought my first BMW E30 instead. The Alfa turned out to be a nightmare to run, very unreliable and spent a LOT of time in the shop getting warranty repairs. Modern Alfas look very nice, but the depreciation is awful. SignatureWho needs a life when you've got Unix? :-) Email: john@unixnerd.demon.co.uk, John G.Burns B.Eng, Bonny Scotland Web : http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk - The Ultimate BMW Homepage! Need Sun or HP Unix kit? http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/unix.html www.Strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible price >In the UK Alfa dealers come very far down reliability and customer >satisfaction surveys, the dealers are meant to be quite poor too. It [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Modern Alfas look very nice, but the depreciation is awful. All Alfas look great. But people aren't stupid. There's nothing as expesnive as a cheap Alfa. SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net Yes. Aside from driving other people's Alfas (which I mentioned earlier) there is another approach to having an Alfa. The need for two other things: a manufacturer's warranty and patience (to wait while the car is in the garage yet again...at least that's how legend has it). DAS For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling --- [...] > All Alfas look great. But people aren't stupid. There's nothing > as expesnive as a cheap Alfa. >When the Alfa 156 came out reviewsers said it is better built than >before, and they are saying again with the 159. They always say that. They sorta have to. What else are they supposed to say? "They're built just like they always have been!" Or "Thse aren't as good as the older ones". I used to respect automotiove journalists till I met a few. SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Am I correct? Which college recommended an Alfa? Did you also take a writing course at the same college? There's an old joke about Italy that should help settle the discussion. It goes like this: Why is Italy shaped like a boot? Because it would be impossible to stuff that much sh.t into a sneaker. It goes double for their carmakers, who should have given away discount towing coupons with every unit sold. So they're coming back with the Brera. Big deal. Maybe they should hook up with VW and build the Brera Rabbit. > My heart says Alfa, but my college says BMW. > I think BMW is for pimps, and Alfa's are for gents. That would be gents with large wallets and the patience to wait for the breakdown truck. Signature*If horrific means to make horrible, does terrific mean to make terrible? Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. Depends on the time you want to drive the car between two failures ... > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > :-D |
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