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Aug 24th, 2023
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,723 Likes: 149
Member of the Inner Circle
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OP
Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,723 Likes: 149 |
I had a Lancia Fulvia in the early 70s and it put me off Italian cars like Alfa , Fiat .( moved over to Volvo's ) It dropped to bits in my garage everytime I closed the door or boot lid a bit fell off on the floor it was just a bag of rust with the salty air up here . I called it my bag of crisps because if I swept up the bits of rust it looked like I had spilt a packet. I must admit my love affair with Alfa Romeo has come to an end. I have the all wheel drive version of the 156 Sportwagon which is called a Crosswagon. I bought it because I like the idea of a full time AWD. I now have 88K km on it and I have to say I love the mechanical part of it (engine, gearbox etc.). Unfortunately it is let down by the quality of some ancillary parts. So far I have had to have front shocks and a suspension arm replaced (probably the result of hitting a pothole), serious mods to the water draining system from the aircon (sounds like a Morgan  ), then in the last year I have had to replace the aircon compressor, the wiper motor, also a number of small plastic bit of the interior trim have broken. Now I have to replace the steering box and two lower suspension struts - €1,500 plus tax thankyou. I think the next will either be a Subaru or an Audi, both have excellent full time AWD systems.
Peter ![[Linked Image]](http://bradley.it/public_images/drive.jpg)
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,014
Posting Desperado Talk Morgan Guru
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Posting Desperado Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,014 |
Remember them well the chap next door but one had a blue one soon got rid of it . I had a Lancia Fulvia in the early 70s and it put me off Italian cars like Alfa , Fiat .( moved over to Volvo's ) It dropped to bits in my garage everytime I closed the door or boot lid a bit fell off on the floor it was just a bag of rust with the salty air up here . I called it my bag of crisps because if I swept up the bits of rust it looked like I had spilt a packet. Do you remember the saga of the Lancia Beta Coupes? Lovely looking car, but it rusted as soon as a cloud appeared in the sky. As to the new Fiat 500, I'm not sure; but friend that have modern Fiat Pandas really rate them. Bud __________ 2003 - 4/4
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,328
Gone to Porsche Part of the Furniture
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Gone to Porsche Part of the Furniture
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,328 |
I had a Lancia Fulvia in the early 70s and it put me off Italian cars like Alfa , Fiat .( moved over to Volvo's ) It dropped to bits in my garage everytime I closed the door or boot lid a bit fell off on the floor it was just a bag of rust with the salty air up here . I called it my bag of crisps because if I swept up the bits of rust it looked like I had spilt a packet. I must admit my love affair with Alfa Romeo has come to an end. I have the all wheel drive version of the 156 Sportwagon which is called a Crosswagon. I bought it because I like the idea of a full time AWD. I now have 88K km on it and I have to say I love the mechanical part of it (engine, gearbox etc.). Unfortunately it is let down by the quality of some ancillary parts. So far I have had to have front shocks and a suspension arm replaced (probably the result of hitting a pothole), serious mods to the water draining system from the aircon (sounds like a Morgan ), then in the last year I have had to replace the aircon compressor, the wiper motor, also a number of small plastic bit of the interior trim have broken. Now I have to replace the steering box and two lower suspension struts - €1,500 plus tax thankyou. I think the next will either be a Subaru or an Audi, both have excellent full time AWD systems. May be this could be worth an investment if you do not want big repair bills www.audi.co.uk/motprotection
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,418
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,418 |
Hmmm...not for me. The relaunched 500 was lovely, esp in "Lounge" spec, but wouldn't buy one as dealer refused to take even £50 off list price. This should be badged 750 L as it appears 50% bigger. And, Peter, you're right about the wheel arches. Did the designer go off to lunch saying "I'll finish the arches later" then have one too many martini's and forget to go back before sign-off 
Jeremy
2009 4/4 Sport Green
And nothing else !
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,502
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
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Simply ghastly IMHO. The "new 500" is a lovely car, but this...
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,646
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,646 |
Hmmm...not for me. The relaunched 500 was lovely, esp in "Lounge" spec, but wouldn't buy one as dealer refused to take even £50 off list price. When I bought my Cooper D I also went to look at the Fiat 500. I walked around the car in the showroom for 15 minutes while the salesman talked to one of his mates about golf on the 'phone. Despite my catching his eye on several occasions he just carried on with his call. Twat - he shouldn't be working in sales. I walked out & went down to BMW & spent €24500 on a mini. I'll never buy anything from that dealership now.
Giles. Mogless in Paris.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,723 Likes: 149
Member of the Inner Circle
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OP
Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,723 Likes: 149 |
Some years ago I accompanied a very intelligent lady to look at a Suzuki car. The not-a-salesman kept talking to me despite the fact that I told him several times that I was not buying the car but my companion was. Needless to say she did not buy a Suzuki but bought a Daihatsu instead. What's more the salesman convinced her she would not enjoy driving the small engined version and finished up selling her the top of the line fully optioned up. She was very happy with her choice and drove it for quite a few years.
Peter
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,418
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,418 |
Ref PANDY :
"When I bought my Cooper D I also went to look at the Fiat 500. I walked around the car in the showroom for 15 minutes while the salesman talked to one of his mates about golf on the 'phone. Despite my catching his eye on several occasions he just carried on with his call. Twat - he shouldn't be working in sales. I walked out & went down to BMW & spent €24500 on a mini. I'll never buy anything from that dealership now. [/quote]"
I know that salesman!! He used to "work" for Merc near Bath. I wanted to give him loadsadosh for a C class, but left after 15 mins (having had no human contact at all) and bought an XK8 instead. Loved the Jag. (Hated the bills !!)
Jezza / Jeremy
Last edited by WR142LL; 30/09/12 08:12 PM.
Jeremy
2009 4/4 Sport Green
And nothing else !
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,416 Likes: 178
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,416 Likes: 178 |
Hehe, I think that salesman must have worked for a lot of dealers across the country  Strange, I also considered the 500 when I was looking for a small econobox to replace the Boxster. Needn't have worried, as the potential work relocation north of the border didn't happen, but the MINI has really grown on me (despite splitting an intake hose last week thereby spraying oil on the turbo heatshield  and under the bonnet). Typical BMW of course, can't just buy the rubber hose, have to get the two rubber hoses and interconnecting plastic tube all in one  I shall find out at the soon to be needed service why there is so much oil in the intake air... Cheers,
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly
'09 Gen2 MINI Cooper ragtop
'90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,581 Likes: 85
Moderate or good, occasionally poor Talk Morgan Addict
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Moderate or good, occasionally poor Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,581 Likes: 85 |
Hehe, I think that salesman must have worked for a lot of dealers across the country Yep! He was at the Renault garage in Basingstoke in 1988, which is why I had nothing but Peugeots for the following 15 years.
2011 Morgan 4/4
1932 Austin 7 Chummy
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