This will probably jinx both deals, but two staff members are on the verge of buying Alfas. Both deals came together separately. (And don't worry, we like Fiats, too.)
This will probably jinx both deals, but two staff members are on the verge of buying Alfas. Both deals came together separately. (And don't worry, we like Fiats, too.)
Fiats are better.
No really. Aside from the vote-whoring that's been going on here lately. Unless you're back in the 1960s, I've never seen the allure of an Alfa over a comparable Fiat. Unless it's got the V6, then all bets are off.
For some reason, the Alfas have always had a special place in my heart. I once owned a beautiful 87 GTV6, one of the very last ones sold. While it may not be amazing by todays standards, that car made all of the right sounds and handled the turns nicely. Unfortunately, the timing was not right for me to own it very long (kids) so I traded her in on my first of two 164s. My first was an L model. In the early 90s, there was little that could compare to it. Later, I traded the L in on a nice S model that had some tasteful mods. I still miss that car to this day. I drove her everyday for over 6 years. I finally sold her when I grew tired of trying to fix the AC. I do have fond memories of that car though. To me, Alfas and Fiats strick a similar vein and the Alfa is a little more mysterious to me.
ddavidv wrote: Unless it's got the V6, then all bets are off.
Yes, one's a V6.
Oh, is Marjorie getting another Alfa Spider?
Good on the V6 car. I've had two 164s and enjoyed the torque and engine sound of the V6.
I bought the other one and it's a non-V6 car; just picked it up and it's at home. I already own a Fiat, so hopefully this is okay with you guys. Want to guess what I got or should I tell you?
--Carl
p.s., I'm also working on getting another Alfa--I bought this one by mistake, sort of.
I had a 1982 GTV6 about 10 years ago and that car was horrible. I've never understood why everyone raves about them. Maybe mine had been worked over by the local Chevy mechanic before I bought it. My wife still refers to that car as my "Albatross-Romeo". I wanted to hug the sap, errrr, guy who finally removed that pile from my garage. Now a '74 GTV... Yes, please! Cheers, Scott
Carl Heideman wrote: Want to guess what I got or should I tell you?
I'm hoping it's a Giulia Super -- much overlooked model that I think is a terrific car.
More boring than a Giulia Super...in fact some of you will say it's very boring.
I'd love a Giulia Super, by the way, as I have kids to put in a back seat.
Most boring Alfa I can think of is an Alfetta sedan. With the hydro suspension. 
I am looking for a GTV6 to keep my Spider company.
ddavidv wrote: Fiats are better.
Not really sure why you always have to be so douchy-opinionated about Fiats vs Alfas.
I like them both and I would never knock someone for owning one brand over the other.
In reply to David S. Wallens:
"You are so remarkable and what I am reading on your website is just interesting. I would dearly love to be at your class in San Jose and really want to manifest this..." Terrence Balt suzuki grand vitara
eastpark wrote:ddavidv wrote: Fiats are better.Not really sure why you always have to be so douchy-opinionated about Fiats vs Alfas. I like them both and I would never knock someone for owning one brand over the other.
I'm not knocking anyone. I just don't get the 'aura' that surrounds post-Giulia Alfas that people feel they are so vastly superior. Fiat offered a more simple design that performs very comparably to the Alfa for much less cost, yet historically they've been dismissed as simply a cheap car. The Alfisti often look down there noses at Fiats (not all, but a notable number). It's my opinion, having worked on and driven numerous examples of both, that I get more for my dollar with the Fiat. It's not that Alfas are bad cars, it's more a case of Fiats being unfairly overlooked in these discussions. GRM/CM have a recent Alfa project under their belts; maybe it's time they gave a Fiat a whirl.
Here we go. Seems this issue will not die. Maybe we should do a magazine shoot-out and compare GOOD examples of a Fiat, an Alfa, a MG, a Thriumph and maybe even a Sunbeam. Take them to the streets and track and see which one is really king. 
I am kidding really but hey, it would be fun.
Okay, I'll try to slow the pot-stirring. First, my new Alfa won't be a project car, although it may appear in a story sometime. It's just a car for my corral.
And I'll tell you what it is: 1988 Graduate. All original, including paint, and in almost perfect shape. That's why it won't be a project car...almost nothing to do but drive it.
There will be a short story about my Fiat 500 soon. It's also not a project car as it's very nice. I flood-tested it last week. If you haven't heard about the rain in Michigan, we got 7 inches in 2 hours. Basements flooded and roads washed out. I was out with the family in the Fiat 500. It took the puddles/lakes well and the sunroof didn't leak during the deluge.
--Carl
BrettM wrote: Here we go. Seems this issue will not die. Maybe we should do a magazine shoot-out and compare GOOD examples of a Fiat, an Alfa, a MG, a Thriumph and maybe even a Sunbeam. Take them to the streets and track and see which one is really king.
Something like this? http://classicmotorsports.net/articles/drop-top-60s-roadsters/
Yeah, that's it. I figured it had already been done, seem to remember it in the memory banks. Looks like the Sunbeam did quite well. Of course it would have been bumped to third place if the X1/9 had been included in the test.
ooo, I am sorry, I couldn't resist. Nice comparison though.
I know these test are always subjective, but for my input. I own both Fiats and Alfas, The best comparison is between the spiders, and both of mine of of similar vintage. Engines about the same - both are neat little free revving 4 cylinders twin cams and will give near equal power outputs. Transmissions Both are pretty good shifting 5 speeds, but I have to give the Alfa a slight advantage here. It is an all aluminum splt case design versus fiat's cast iron design. The alfa will also take more power as the 124's box is frequently changed to a 131 if power output go up. Marginal but slightly to alfa. Differential goes to Alfa, it is bulletproof and pretty aluminum design. Fiats are weaker and they use that silly crush sleeve that is a pain when you have to change just a pinion seal. Front suspension - Both double A arm - but again the advantage goes to alfa - The Fiat uses pressed steel upper and lower control arms bolted to a crossmember. The alfa uses cast A arms with removable spring perch's that make changin ride height a breeze. The alfa's design on the front is simply better, if you want I can expand on this. Steering boxes are both worm and roller and are equal. rear suspension - both are good but the tri-link alfa works better than the 5 link Fiat. In the end the handling of the alfa is marginally better than the Fiats Interiors Purely subjective but I like the Fiat better here, but they are close. Also the Fiat has much greater capacity for luggage. Exterior again purely subjective but I like the Alfa here. In the end both cars are very similar, and are close, but I do prefer the Alfa to the Fiat, and it does get driven more.
The Fiat does not have an iron trans case. I've had enough of these in my hands to know they are all aluminum. Other than that, pretty much right, though I still prefer the Fiat. It has a much less creaky chassis = less cowl shake and is much roomier. Visibility with the top up is better to with the quarter windows. Top design is a toss up. The Alfa shifter location is just odd. The Alfa clung to an engine driven cooling fan (with plastic blades that fail) almost into perpetuity. Fiat dumped those for 1970. Both have sumps that hang below the car and benefit from guards. Fiat ball joints and control arm bushings don't last as long as the Alfa parts.
They really are two different cars for two different tastes. I don't find all that many people that like both anywhere near equally.
Better check again or I can shoot you a picture of one, or the whole casing for that matter. The bell housing and tailshaft are aluminum, the center where the gears are, is cast. I will concur that the plastic fan should have been replaced much earlier than it was. The radiators were plumbed for the change early but Alfa never made the change
In reply to ddavidv:
As you guys know I love Fiat's and Alfa's and have owned both. The other mystery staff Alfa Romeo is mine. It is an 1986 GTV6 2.5 with stock engine, 2 owner, no rust, all records since new, original paint and interior, all upgrades done(A/C, Clutch) and it is an amazing car. It is quite honestly the best one I have seen since they were new. As per the comment about how bad these cars are that is more the result of uncared for cars. This is a pretty advanced car and if mistreated it will reward you with Ferrari sized repair bills and terrible reliability. I had to pay $7,200 for mine and it was worth it. Honestly it should really have sold for around $8,500. It will be at the Kohler at Road America in a few weeks as well as at the Meadow Brook Concours/Auction and at the sports car week events in Monterey. The car is incredible and very much Ferrari like with an engine that sounds great and best of all, I fit comfortably in it. It is a bit like a Italian take on the E30 M3. Check it out at one of these events and tell me what you think.
In reply to ddavidv:
Hey David I was wrong. I got home and checked one in the garage and it was indeed al aluminum. THe 850 box beside it was as I described, but I don't think I mistook it for a 124. I have to climb under the 124 but I was almost sure it had a cast case. Any chance fiat used both?
Sorry Mr Harper, you score demerits. 
Even the lowly sedan used an aluminum gear case. I'll admit I'm not sure on the earlier Cabriolets...they may have been as you described. I never took one of those apart. I knew I was right on the 124 because I used to have about 3-4 trannies in stock in my spares inventory and moved the damn things around a lot. 
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