Retro Daily?

[MikeyRules]

As the topic states...Is there even such a thing??

 

I know this isn't strictly Delta related, but hey we ain't even Chrysler related and yet we're still here!!

Now gather round my Italian friends!

 

So I've had this little dream for a while, and it goes a little something like this:  Basically I'd like something preferably cheapish say under 5 grand, that's cool, retro and fun to drive as a daily. Needs to be relatively easy to maintain, ideally seat 4 passengers, (but if say half the budget I may get away with a two seater) ideally needs to hold it's value so that If I have to get shut I get my return back.

 

Can be anything Italian so Fiat, Alfa, Lancia, although the latter is highly unlikely to be in budget. Any ideas/thoughts/considerations?

 

I do also like anything leftfield too... No poo I hear you say, you own a Delta!!   So potentially something leftfield if not Italian...

[MikeyRules]

Yes lovely colour too, and really suits the Coupe. I always thing cars look expensive in grey, which is a good thing.

 

I'm looking most days to be honest.

 

I quite like this, although can't help not like buying from a dealer especially paying dealer mark-up too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201705105298388?model=COUPE&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=sponsored&radius=1501&make=FIAT&postcode=sk42je&page=1

 

and this, although non turbo and green:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-W-FIAT-COUPE-2LTR-20V-VIS-VERY-LOW-MILES-77K-RECENT-CAM-BELT-RARE/223007942021?hash=item33ec4f2585:g:-CsAAOSwyupa2fcI

[Nello]

The VIS has the LE body kit on it (skirts/wings). I'd hold out for a Plus mate for £5k. You gotta go Turbo

Edited June 25, 2018 by Nello

[MikeyRules]

So you don't think the vis is a bargain then? Id rather spend 2.5k than 5 lol. Thought it looked well speccd and the mot history seemed pretty sweet as did the hpi report. I know it's not turbo'd but still a 5 pot, so it can't be all bad surely?

[Nello]

No its not bad mate but have a go in a Turbo. You won't be able buy a non-Turbo car after you've driven one. I'm not a fan of those standard seats either............. There's not many Coupes around now so if you are prepared to wait - hold out for the right car. 

[MikeyRules]

No its not bad mate but have a go in a Turbo. You won't be able buy a non-Turbo car after you've driven one. I'm not a fan of those standard seats either............. There's not many Coupes around now so if you are prepared to wait - hold out for the right car. 

You're probably right fella, but the inner child in me saw a mint coupe with leather, sunroof and le body kit with no mention of rust on the MOT's for 2.5k!

 

My other logic was it's a 150bhp NA so probably won't have been thrashed as much, especially given these 5 pots can take serious power...

[Andrewgrale]

I fitted a 20v n/a engine to a local Ford escort rally car, made 220hp on the dyno and sounds amazing, pure Audi Quattro

[Nello]

Yes - my mate has x3 Coupes still - One is a Red LE which is approaching 300k and has only just needed a rebuild. It has an up-rated clutch, FMIC and Turbo with a few other bits and puts our around 320 BHP - it absolutely flies!

Edited June 26, 2018 by Nello

[MikeyRules]

I fitted a 20v n/a engine to a local Ford escort rally car, made 220hp on the dyno and sounds amazing, pure Audi Quattro

Yeah a few of the guys on the Coupe fb page have shared clips of their 5 pot n/a's and they sound awesome. An exhaust, remap and filter and you've got 220bhp! I'm still not discounting an N/A lol... I think it will be enough for a daily...

[alfaspud]

Coupes are all well and good but here's my suggestions (if you can find any at this stage)

 

1         Thema Turbo

2         Croma Turbo ie

3         164 V6

[MikeyRules]

Coupes are all well and good but here's my suggestions (if you can find any at this stage)

 

1         Thema Turbo

2         Croma Turbo ie

3         164 V6

Interesting choices there Spud! The Thema and Croma are pretty much invisible  now on the used market, and not the best looking Italian's either... But I like the leftfield approach, so fair play... 

 

As a 17 year old, I used to drive past a 164 on a garage forecourt just to stop and look at it! That love still exists today having owned nearly 20 Alfas over the years... There has been one or two for sale by club members under 5k, but nothing special enough to make me want to buy them... It's a big car for a twin spark, and thirsty in 3.0L form too... But that dashboard still makes me feel 17 again when I see one!

[Nello]

I'd love a Thema Turbo! A real Wolf in Sheeps............... I had both a Giulia GT Junior and a Fulvia Coupe and used to take them to Tanc Barratts outside of Kidderminster. Tanc would pick me up from the Station in his Thema - they were rapid!

[alfaspud]

Interesting choices there Spud! The Thema and Croma are pretty much invisible  now on the used market, and not the best looking Italian's either... But I like the leftfield approach, so fair play... 

 

As a 17 year old, I used to drive past a 164 on a garage forecourt just to stop and look at it! That love still exists today having owned nearly 20 Alfas over the years... There has been one or two for sale by club members under 5k, but nothing special enough to make me want to buy them... It's a big car for a twin spark, and thirsty in 3.0L form too... But that dashboard still makes me feel 17 again when I see one!

I always liked the look of the Thema (S2 better than S1) and the Croma - no doubt the 164 was the "Sophia Loren" of the type 4s though - they do need the right wheels/spec to get the juices flowing I admit - the twin sparks are a bit plain

I had a Thema 16Vi.e. back in the day and it was no slouch - the Turbo was supposed to be the fastest accelerating FWD car when it was introduced I seem to remember

A Tempra 2.0 i.e. would be an excellent sleeper too - lovely engine and "ahem" quirky looks (they're all gone unfortunately)

[MikeyRules]

Wowsers a Fiat Tempra! Not seen one of those for a while... They even did an estate, which wasn't that pretty either!

 

If we're going down the 90's boxy saloon route, I'd rather have a wide body 155, at least Tarquinii made them famous for being on two wheels spitting flames around a touring car track! 

[MikeyRules]

I quite like this as it's like new underneath which for a GTV is a miracle to be hold... Just a shame it's silver with a blue interior! If it was any other colour with a red carpet I'd be weak at the knees!!   :lol:  

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2039160559684671?surface=product_details

[Nello]

Doesn't show for me mate?

[MikeyRules]

Doesn't show for me mate?

Ah are you not a member of AROK Marketplace?

[MikeyRules]

Here you go fella. It's also on eBay at £250 more.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-GTV-2-0ts-2001-58k/173394436797?hash=item285f1d22bd:g:DkAAAOSw7e5bPSCc

[alfaspud]

Wowsers a Fiat Tempra! Not seen one of those for a while... They even did an estate, which wasn't that pretty either!

 

If we're going down the 90's boxy saloon route, I'd rather have a wide body 155, at least Tarquinii made them famous for being on two wheels spitting flames around a touring car track! 

I'll see your 155 wide body and raise you a Dedra Integrale

There was a guy over here selling one last year - I'd never seen one before but it was a good looking car - ultra rare too

[MikeyRules]

Well still not found the one... Keep toying with a Fiat Coupe, but then getting cold feet! Think maybe an Alfa GT Q2 170bhp in red, or a Brera might be easier to live with, although neither are retro!

[Nello]

I still hanker for a Brera and now some local bugger has just bought an S near me in Grey so I enviously see it most days now! Still on my 'to-do' list............

[MikeyRules]

I still hanker for a Brera and now some local bugger has just bought an S near me in Grey so I enviously see it most days now! Still on my 'to-do' list............

2.2 or 3.2 though? Presuming the V6 is what you're after? Prices are still climbing too, so I'd get while they're still relatively affordable lol.

[Nello]

Probably 2.2 Mikey as isn't the 3.2 £500 pa in Road Tax?

[MikeyRules]

Not the best engine to be honest. They have a hesitation problem that can be mapped out, but at least the prodrive exhaust back boxes make it have some sound as in standard form they're pretty muted. The Vauxhall boys have played with super chargers lol to try and give it some ooomph!

[MikeyRules]

Shame the 1750tbi engine wasn't around when the Prodrive was produced... Although I'll be hated for saying this, the 2.4 5 cylinder diesel is a great engine! Mine was mapped with a few other mods to 287bhp, and 502nm of torque. Unbelievably quick!!!!

[Nello]

Yes I've heard about the hesitation issue but TBH I'd approach a Brera knowing with the weight etc. it would be more of a GT than a track weapon.............unlike the Coupe