Alfa future models

[BennyD]

No worries mate, I do know what you mean; that's why I would not buy a Porsche or an Audi. German cars can be very soulless but they do make exceptionally competent cars. That's why my toy has to be an Italian with a V8 but my everyday car is a German at the moment. Hopefully to be replaced by a Ghibli diesel in the fullness of time.

 

[PropWarp]

We can only dream but.

3.0 Diesel unit in a RWD Ghibli

 

[Andyk]

No no, the E90 is boring, the E46 is still a great driving car. I may have worded the above to mislead.

I regard the E46 the last of the best.... I loved mine for the handling but I still feel the 156 offers many more smiles per mile.

Anyway that is another story. I have to agree, Alfa really must get that American thing out and fit a pure Alfa derived V6 or at least something from Maserati (as mentioned above). They will come back, they just have to listen and take a long hard look in the mirror.

Tess do not take offence... When I see a MiTo all I see is another mass produced super mini for the masses that will get hammered around with no real care as to what the badge represents. However there are a handfull of drivers with the MiTo QVs that know what they are driving, the relevance of the badge, the history that comes with it and also the presence on the road not to follow the masses. But it is not just the MiTo, this counts for the Giulietta and 159. That is just my personal thought, I could be wrong. And maybe I speak with far to much passion for the brand.

I really do think Alfa can pull this off, fingers crossed they do.

Ah right, sorry must have got the wrong end of the stick......I love the E46 and have never found any lacking or souless.......The problem Alfa had was they never had a car to compete with the E46 M3....They said the GTA was the car but that was never the case and a pipe dream...Loved the GTA but never a rival for an M3.....I could never replace the M3 for anything in the current Alfa range or from the past......Look I love them but the M3 does everything better and gives me everything I need in a performance car....Oh apart from Maserati looks....One day...

 

[PropWarp]

I hate to admit but yes I do agree. The GTA would never be able to compete with the M3 on so many levels.

I dont know where the 156 sat in the market either. Why? well for its size, its really small in comparison to an E46 and a few other marques around at the time. It is a saloon and a sportswagon but it is very small for what it is. I get in and I am long in the leg but the BMW would happily let me slid in and out, the 156 however is a little cramped, comfortable but small. The seat is at the back of the rail and still my knee is high, if I drive in boots, it is game over. Could it be a hatchback?? well not really it wouldnt be right, is it a saloon well? it is going to have to be. What does it rival?? ermmm I shall let you all decide.

The 156 is an odd car but christ its addictive. Frustrating yet it is just one of those cars that everytime I get in and drive it makes me laugh.

The E46 made me smile but never made me fizz (how wrong does that sound). Having said that, The M3 CSL................. Jeeeezzz, heart throb. But it took all that power and handling to do such a thing.

Well I think we have established this evening I have a secret affair with my Alfa haha GRIM

 

[Andyk]

PropWarp, glad you mentioned the M3 CLS....The best car I have ever owned and the best sounding......Should have never sold it....

 

[PropWarp]

YOU HAD ONE!!!!!! AND YOU SOLD IT.... You mad crazy man.

That is stunning, I love it.

Ha I love the baby seat in the back... Brilliant

 

[Andyk]

I know...stupid....but had to get a new house as we had another baby boy.......I say that though I changed it for a TVR T350.....Loved it did it but wouldn't have another TVR....The CSL was much better...

 

[dem maser]

Best bmw ever

 

[Andyk]

Agree Dem.....I know of CSL owners who went into a V8 M3 and ended up selling and getting back in a CSL.......Wouldn't mind a V8 though all the same.

 

[dem maser]

Its no e36....love the sound but that ar is the best.....going up everyday

 

[PropWarp]

A TVR is just one of those "I've had one, it was great BUT, never again". That said I didn't own mine long enough but the general consensus says otherwise

 

[Andyk]

It was just a paiin in the **** as I used it daily and the warming up thing was just a nightmare.......

 

[dem maser]

Warm up for 10 mins and warm down?

 

[dem maser]

I couldnt use mine as a daily as i do the same, 10mins warm up then driving carefully till fully warmed and then 10min cool when parking up, seriously slow my day down

 

[allandwf]

Had two TVRs! A Cebera 4.2 and a Tuscan 4.0. Agree with the warm up comments on the 4.0, although had no trouble with the Tuscan and it was easy to drive, always felt like I was driving an UXB! Cerbera was a brute, but had something special, build quality and a few electrical niggles only problems. Given that I would have another Cerb if I ever went back to TVR.

 

[dem maser]

what engines did they use?

 

[Andyk]

Dem took about 15/20mins to get it really warmed up...It had TVR's own engine in it. which was a highly strung piece of kit...In fact it was a race car engine to be honest...Lovely car, stunning to look at and be in....Easy to drive but for some reason just a pain in butt.

 

[PropWarp]

Only ever had that pleasure of warm up 3 or 4 times but each drive was outstanding. Well I do not need to tell you guys that

I do miss it a lot and maybe one day I will take the plunge again.

That said I never had it long enough for the thing to either kill me or cost me the earth in a rebuild or service

As one of the neighbours have said in the past, well the farmer down the lane, "dont ever get anything so bloomin loud again"

 

[dem maser]

neighbour had a t350 and sagaris....hated him as he would go to work at 3am!!
got a smart to keep us haapy after a while....

 

[Andyk]

I went at 6 Dem and that was bad enough.