Z4, Boxster, or...?

[MalcH]

Thanks, I'll browse some Alfa's.

I'm expecting the insurers to come back to me with an estimated cost of adding a Z4 (I gave them 3 options to get a rough idea of cost) and that should help me decide how serious I am about it. I know it's not very logical but I'm happier dropping £10k on a car than increasing my annual insurance by £500 a year....

Boxster is out I think - I just don't trust them. (Plus - although I technically do still have a Porsche due to the Cayenne, having sold the 996 turbo when I bought the Vantage I just have no particular desire to get another Porsche).

ETA : Those Brera 2.2 petrols look lovely, and you seem to get an awful lot of car for the money. They even look like they have the centre console tilted towards the driver? Something my Supra's had, and always thought that was a lovely touch. They are definitely on the list of possibles I think!

They do indeed, the same dash as my 159 with three small clocks (mine are Turbo boost, temp and fuel) also pointed at the driver.



The 2.2 is not a rocket but more than adequate. They are chain driven cams too.
Alfa still suffers from the problems they had in the 70's and 80's in that the price for secondhand cars are low. I recommend as you would Ferrari, probably Porsche too, that you only use a specialist if you go down that path.
Service history and all that just as any other car, you'll pay a bit more but arguably have a little more peace of mind.

If it has belts then just like a Ferrari it is every three years or 30k usually although the diesels are five years. Obviously a belt change is far cheaper than your average Ferrari but arguably more expensive than your average car (which is what Alfas are more or less).

 

[dave964]

Thanks.

I must admit, I'm really liking the look of them. Something a bit different, which is quite appealing and it looks like ~£5K would get something half decent, and £10k something very good indeed.
There are one or two not too far from me, so assuming the insurance company don't scare me with their Z4 estimate I may go for a browse at the weekend.

ETA : There's actually a black 2.2 Spider for sale from a dealer a couple of miles from home - will stop by on the way home from work and have a look around one.

 

[mon the fish]

Watch the tax on a V6 Brera - I looked at them a few months ago and from memory anything registered after 23/3/06 is subject to the £515 tax.

It's a sore one to pay almost 10% of a car's value every year on road tax

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[dave964]

I'll be careful to check the tax.

I stopped on the way home to take a look at the spider at the local car dealer. I really liked it!

Enough so, that I want my insurers to give me a quote for that car. I'd need a proper look around and a test drive, but definitely liked it a lot.

 

[dave964]

So, turns out the insurance company are being very nice - only one quote, based on a 2009 £12K Z4 - ~£140 a year. Ah, the joy of being old.

I'm not expecting a cheaper less powerful Alfa to be much different, so I am definitely shopping properly now.

 

[Kyodo]

:thumbsup:

 

[Mike01606]

So, turns out the insurance company are being very nice - only one quote, based on a 2009 £12K Z4 - ~£140 a year. Ah, the joy of being old.

I'm not expecting a cheaper less powerful Alfa to be much different, so I am definitely shopping properly now.

Who's that with? I might need to change .....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MalcH]

:dude: I see you have registered on AlfaOwner.
There are some good buying guides there, you know the sort of thing, about what to look out for and such.
AlfaWorkshop have plenty of useful information too.

 

[dave964]

Who's that with? I might need to change .....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's through Pace Ward - with Chaucer I think. I get a discount on cars just because I'm the only named driver.

:dude: I see you have registered on AlfaOwner.
There are some good buying guides there, you know the sort of thing, about what to look out for and such.
AlfaWorkshop have plenty of useful information too.

Yep, I plan to have a good read.

I saw my second spider today - but in fact, I think it's caused common sense to kick in. It was lovely condition, but the roof didn't work properly (the dealer says it's already booked somewhere on Monday to get fixed). So I think I'm favouring the Brera coupe - although I haven't completely ruled out the BMWs.

 

[MalcH]

It's through Pace Ward - with Chaucer I think. I get a discount on cars just because I'm the only named driver.



Yep, I plan to have a good read.

I saw my second spider today - but in fact, I think it's caused common sense to kick in. It was lovely condition, but the roof didn't work properly (the dealer says it's already booked somewhere on Monday to get fixed). So I think I'm favouring the Brera coupe - although I haven't completely ruled out the BMWs.

Not sure about the mechanics of the 939 Spider but our 916 Spider is almost identical to what Ferrari had on the F355 Spider.
Known issues are hydraulic, motor and the most common is a plastic cog that loses teeth. We had an episode last year where ours would not raise/lower but if you bashed the clamshell release mechanism with a big stick it worked. It seemed to correct itself at the end of the Summer.

A new cog is about £40 off eBay and a little DIY time.

 

[dave964]

Not sure about the mechanics of the 939 Spider but our 916 Spider is almost identical to what Ferrari had on the F355 Spider.
Known issues are hydraulic, motor and the most common is a plastic cog that loses teeth. We had an episode last year where ours would not raise/lower but if you bashed the clamshell release mechanism with a big stick it worked. It seemed to correct itself at the end of the Summer.

A new cog is about £40 off eBay and a little DIY time.

The dealer theory was some kind of switch, since it did raise / lower but never quite finished.

In some ways, it would be a good thing - if he has to fix the roof, hopefully that means a few years until it breaks again. There were a few other negatives with the car - it's last service was only 10k miles ago - but that was 2013. And it was noticeable that part of that service was an air con recharge, complete with dye..... I suspect that's never been fixed.

But I think the wet weather yesterday has made me think that although they are very lovely looking things - a spider probably isn't a sensible choice. I want year round use, and storage outside - I think it's a decision I'd live to regret.

 

[MalcH]

The dealer theory was some kind of switch, since it did raise / lower but never quite finished.

In some ways, it would be a good thing - if he has to fix the roof, hopefully that means a few years until it breaks again. There were a few other negatives with the car - it's last service was only 10k miles ago - but that was 2013. And it was noticeable that part of that service was an air con recharge, complete with dye..... I suspect that's never been fixed.

But I think the wet weather yesterday has made me think that although they are very lovely looking things - a spider probably isn't a sensible choice. I want year round use, and storage outside - I think it's a decision I'd live to regret.

I agree in that they do look lovely.
I assume the Z4 if you bought one, would be the coupe too? I like both but more the coupe.

 

[dave964]

I agree in that they do look lovely.
I assume the Z4 if you bought one, would be the coupe too? I like both but more the coupe.

I think of I went Z4, I'd favour the hard top convertible although that means higher outlay. But I've been thinking seriously about it the last day or two and I don't know if the Z4 is really a possibility after all. I want something 'interesting' and I think the Alfa ticks that box, whereas I don't think the BMW does.

However - although it's not my current intention, at the back of my mind I'm also wondering that if I bought something reasonably practical - I.e the Brera rather than the Spider - that maybe I'd eventually decide that I didn't need the Cayenne. I guess the BMW coupe kind of gives a bit of practicality although limited I suspect!

 

[MalcH]

Sounds good. not sure that it is an issue but the rear seats in a Brera really are 'token' seats by all accounts.
There is plenty of room in my 159's rear but they don't look nearly as striking as the Brera other than from the front (and rear IMO).

 

[dave964]

Sounds good. not sure that it is an issue but the rear seats in a Brera really are 'token' seats by all accounts.
There is plenty of room in my 159's rear but they don't look nearly as striking as the Brera other than from the front (and rear IMO).

My immediate reaction was that back seat space doesn't matter - I was thinking more that it's useful to have a car with a decent boot and fold down seats, which makes it more practical than a 360 / AM Vantage. But maybe that's not true - I very very rarely have rear passengers these days but it is kind of useful having the ability.
My heart is still telling me I should buy a Spider but we'll see!

 

[Carlo348]

Loving the options you're going through Dave. ��sadly my missus is looking to change her coopers convertible(too small now for an 8yr old in the back). Its one of the best go-karts ive had the pleasure on slinging around the B roads in Hampshire.
I've lost count on many options I've thrown her way...Aston,Maserati, , etc

and she comes back with . MUSTANG��������ffs.
That'll teach me to say im not interested , its your car, get whatever you want.���� on the upside i can piss myself laughing watching her try to park one��


Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[Kyodo]

I'll bet a lot of us look at similar options when deciding on an interesting daily. To replace our old MX5 with a budget of up to 8-9k, we looked initially at the below:

BMW Z4
It had to be the facelift model but that was a bit more than we wanted to spend. If it was the earlier shape, we'd simply buy another early Boxster, a no-brainer.

Porsche Cayman
Nice but did we need a Boxster and a Cayman?!

Alfa Spider or perhaps a Brera
A very attractive car. An interesting prospect but it never quite happened!

Audi A4 convertible
Nice but a bit bland.

Mk3/3.5 MX5
We love the Mazda but these aren't different enough from our Mk2 to warrant spending 8k on.

Aston V8V
They seem to be holding their money quite well but a bit pointless at this point for us as it'll end up in the gym car park on a daily basis (the main source of my wife's little Mazdas 'meteor shower' effect bodywork).

Ended up with the Mk2 TT coupe - reasonably quick with its Golf GTI engine but it cruises like a larger saloon. First impressions are very good. A 2+2 (just) with fold down seats. Now we have a car I can throw my bike into. Result! :grin:

The above are just our thoughts, no offence if anyone owns the cars I've mentioned.

 

[MalcH]

Hijacking a bit.

I'm looking to replace my DD next year. I've only done Man maths which really allows anything :laugh:

When I bought my Mondial I said to my then missus that the daily could be any old tat, it didn't matter because I had a proper weekend car. It's not true though because I get bored quite quickly.

That has been the case since, mostly. I had some crappy Rover at one point (I was scared how much my impending divorce was going to cost). I followed this with an Alfa Spider which we still have. Fast Forward to today and a couple more Alfas which IMO are a bit different. I've personally not bought a brand new car since 1994, my ex has had a few and most whilst I was with her but new cars always seemed expensive (depreciation). However I realise there are benefits from having new.

Anyway next year I am going to (or was) buy that boredom thing, brand new car as I'm a bit tired of older cars needing things doing. So my thought was a new Alfa Giulia, not the QF (I have a rule whereby my daily can't have more horses than the toy :tongue3 and besides for me £60k is too much, so I have decided on either a 2.0 Turbo or Veloce (same engine more HP).

Then I started looking what was about for approx £30k and there's a lot. Some here will tell me I should leave some of these options well alone (hopefully ).

1. That Giulia
2. Maserati Granturismo http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/maserati/granturismo/maserati-granturismo-v8-skyhook-20-inch-alloys-fsh-nav/6902926
3. DB9 http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/aston-martin/db9-coupe/aston-martin-db9/6594832
4. V8 V http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Mar...926459?hash=item2a7c97727b:g:BOcAAOSwCU1YvTLi
5. Possibly an early F-Type depending on how much they are come summer next year.

Problems with all except the sensible Giulia, is the mileage. I guess they could all be a can of worms. Second to that I'm thinking of doing my bike test and mostly using a bike for work.

I have come across Maseratis with less miles and maybe the F-type would be lower miles.

Not happening for a while and I might have mentioned this nearer the time but I want to be told how stupid my idea is then I can get back to an Alfa.

I don't need to know if these cars drive well, because to me they will. I prefer the Maserati over all and that would be my first choice.

PS Dave, sorry for the hi-jack.

 

[mon the fish]

I'm looking to replace my DD next year. I've only done Man maths which really allows anything [emoji23]

When I bought my Mondial I said to my then missus that the daily could be any old tat, it didn't matter because I had a proper weekend car. It's not true though because I get bored quite quickly.

That has been the case since, mostly. I had some crappy Rover at one point (I was scared how much my impending divorce was going to cost). I followed this with an Alfa Spider which we still have. Fast Forward to today and a couple more Alfas which IMO are a bit different. I've personally not bought a brand new car since 1994, my ex has had a few and most whilst I was with her but new cars always seemed expensive (depreciation). However I realise there are benefits from having new.

Anyway next year I am going to (or was) buy that boredom thing, brand new car as I'm a bit tired of older cars needing things doing. So my thought was a new Alfa Giulia, not the QF (I have a rule whereby my daily can't have more horses than the toy :tongue3 and besides for me £60k is too much, so I have decided on either a 2.0 Turbo or Veloce (same engine more HP).

Then I started looking what was about for approx £30k and there's a lot. Some here will tell me I should leave some of these options well alone (hopefully ).

1. That Giulia
2. Maserati Granturismo http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/maserati/granturismo/maserati-granturismo-v8-skyhook-20-inch-alloys-fsh-nav/6902926
3. DB9 http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/aston-martin/db9-coupe/aston-martin-db9/6594832
4. V8 V http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Mar...926459?hash=item2a7c97727b:g:BOcAAOSwCU1YvTLi
5. Possibly an early F-Type depending on how much they are come summer next year.

Problems with all except the sensible Giulia, is the mileage. I guess they could all be a can of worms. Second to that I'm thinking of doing my bike test and mostly using a bike for work.

I have come across Maseratis with less miles and maybe the F-type would be lower miles.

Not happening for a while and I might have mentioned this nearer the time but I want to be told how stupid my idea is then I can get back to an Alfa.

I don't need to know if these cars drive well, because to me they will. I prefer the Maserati over all and that would be my first choice.

PS Dave, sorry for the hi-jack.

I'm looking at the £30k bracket as well, funnily enough at Granturismos and V8 Vantages! What about an E90 V8 M3? Or Jaguar XK?

The M3 makes a lot of sense to me

 

[dave964]

Don't worry about the hijack - happy to talk various car options!

As a V8V owner, I'm glad to see it mentioned on a couple of peoples lists. I don't think you should need to pay ~£32k for a 70k mile example though - that's about what I paid for mine almost 2 years ago, and that had 35k miles on it. I would expect mine to be worth about that now and it's at 41k miles.

Big miles are not a major concern for them - the engines are pretty bullet proof. But be aware that if you buy one and it needs a clutch, it will hurt you badly. On a £30k car, it will be 10% of that.......

When I bought mine, I expected niggling faults and wondered how long I'd keep it. After almost two years of ownership, I've found it just as reliable as any other car I've owned (including the 996 turbo it replaced) and wish I'd known I would like it this much, in which case I would have bought newer.

Back to the subject of Alphas, my heart is still saying Spider - however, I'm going on a fairly long drive north over the weekend and there is a prodrive Brera that is only a 30 mile diversion, and it's only just had the timing chain replaced (they stretch). It's more than I really wanted to spend - at least for a car which has a roof - but I am tempted to see it. However, I suspect I'll conclude that I really don't need to turn a 4 hour journey into a 5 hour journey.