Having recently listed an Alfa or 2 for VERY sad sale, it has become increasingly obvious that many of the enquiries come from potential "Bargain Hunters". Having had the pleasure to have owned 4 other Alfas, I have had my fair share of problems but as the saying goes 'love is blind'. I too have previously been guilty of trying to buy ALfas 'on the cheap' and at first, they may look good, even sound good, but the honeymoon is short lived. The lesson I have learned is if the seller is willing to allow you to cut corners and grab a so called bargain, then the seller too is sure to be guilty of doing the same thing in terms of maintenance and sevicing of his car. If it seems to be too good to be true then it usually is!

I in fact saw a 1988 Alfa 33 on the SA forum and it was priced at $800. A phone call made this prospect sound promising. Low kilometres, piles of 'receipts' and a plausible excuse for the sale and it did indeed look good and sound good with an "overhauled gearbox and clutch". "Just reg it and enjoy" the buyer said after counting his money that came out of my wallet. Well sure enough a few days into ownership of my little toy, an awful crunching started occurring upon changing gears. A call to a local northern Alfa specialist who had overhauled the gearbox revealed he had "done everything" for $1200, except the clutchplate!!! to save himself time and a lousy $50 for a clutchplate. Kind of important to do I discovered! (the hard way).

I write this because a lot of potential buyers of my cars quote at me other Alfas for sale at cheaper prices. Indeed one chap on Ebay even offered me $9000 for my 166!! declaring he wanted a "bargain" Alfa. Needless to say he didn't buy my 166!! Please, please use a value guide as found on Carpoint or carsales or in "Just cars".

I only ever buy good Alfas now and if necessary pay that little bit more for them, I am an Alfaholic, and am always willing to buy, trade intersting antique and classic Alfas. I also maintain my cars to the highest standards with the immense help of a fantastic Adelaide Alfa specialist, Tim Ringwood (08) 8339 4247. What Tim doesn't know about properly maintaining Alfas is not in existence, he owns many beautiful Alfas himself and is a master craftsman and a PERFECTIONIST.

My cars, reluctantly may be purchased due to some temporary fiscal issues. However they have been PROPERLY MAINTAINED and will give many, many years of trouble free motoring. They are my babies, I love them and it shows. They are ready to drive and enjoy anywhere. I will not race them, although I do enjoy motor sport too many road cars have been forever lost to racing. Thanks for your enquiries and happy Alfa'ring

Regards
Edward

You are right John re depreciation, I paid $20 GRAND in JANUARY 2008 that is less than 4 months ago and not being especially modest I am happy to produce that receipt as I have retained it. HOWEVER as all us Alfa diehards know, finding a good one with nil problems is a VERY VERY rare thing, and yes you are right some 166's can be bought a bit cheaper BUT I saw some of these cars 'in the  flesh / metal so to speak and they are definitely best to stay away from as often they are plagued with problems!!!! I think there is an element of suspicion amongst Alfa enthusiasts (who have ever owned anything other than a near new Alfa (of which I have had 4 old bangers) that anyone advertising an ALfa with no problems must be a liar or a bloody nutta.

Rest assured, I did my research before buying this beauty it IS as good as I say it is and even 20 or 30 000 km less is definitely worth taking as it is 20 or 30k km less time in the hands of an ignorant owner who fails to maintain these beauties properly. Mine has an authorised service history IN the LOG BOOKS, not on bits of paper stuffed in a dossier as some persons will try to convince you represents a 'service history'. I have looked on carsales and carpoint and believe my price is spot on. There are cheaper ones, BUT they are generally older, have higher mileages, fewer options or unverifiable ownership / service histories.

These cars I have learnt are largely misunderstood and 'ignorance breeds contempt' I feel. However I am pleased to report that on Thursdaya potential SA buyer is having my beauty inspected by MAS motors in SA (an Alfa specialist I understand, not mine however, I use and HIGHLY recommend, TIM RINGWOOD ph (08) 8339 4247.

I am sure if this guy knows his Alfas he will be pleasantly surprised. However don't stop asking questions and further inspections are more than welcome. Happy Alfa'ring everyone

Everything eg electrics, etc works superbly, after all it has only had around 6 years of use and cost $90, 000 6 or so years ago, perhaps to be fully appreciated this car should be more than $17k? after all a New York hooker cost the prosecutor more than that didn't she? And the thrill (of this car will)  LAST A LOT LONGER..........................

The service history is by the NSW dealer and is completely in accordance with and recorded in Log book, the 166 does not have factory sat nav available for Australian purchasers according to the Prestige Formula Alfa dealership in Adelaide as apparently the factory did not make any Australian maps. There is an aftermarket VDO nav system that I do not know how to use so do not know if it works or not.

Rego expires Jan 2009, paint is excellent as is the interior, tyres, etc

 ALFA 166 MY 2001- First registered on 30th June 2001, FULL Service History from new. ONLY 97,000km and still drives, looks like a new one, only this is much cheaper at $18,350 neg even though I paid $20k for it in Jan 2008. All options and Reg / Warranty till JAN 2009. Car located in eastern suburbs of ADELAIDE. You can see it on EBAY AUST as a classified ad with pics. Your inspection is most welcome. Pls ph EDWARD on 0405 356 584

Alfetta GTV 1977 - NEW RECOND ENGINE as at MARCH 2008, less than 50km on it. Work all done by legendary Alfa specialist TIM RINGWOOD to the highest of standards (A mastercraftsman if ever there was one) White enamel duco with black leather interior both in very neat and supremely presentable condition. ORIGINAL LOG BOOKS with some service history seeming to confirm a total of circa 146,000km from new but this cannot be guaranteed but the superb original condition would support this as being correct km's. I truly don't know what it is worth so pls call me to talk about this. Will trade / swap etc for another ALFA eg 1960's or 70's BERLINA or GIULIA SUPER etc in a similar original, neat, reliable condition, ALL ENQUIRIES MOST WELCOME. SA REG and located in eastern suburbs of ADELAIDE. This must be one of the nicest, cleanest and most original GTV's left. Your INSPECTION most welcome by phoning EDWARD on 0405 356 584

Regrettably for sale is my immaculate, FULLY OPTIONED eg sunroof, tinted windows and CLUTCHLESS MANUAL/AUTO GBOX 166 sedan. Sad Sad sale of a recently purchased long desired 166. Car has only covered a genuine 97,500km from new with FULL SERVICE HISTORY. It is under warranty until January 2009. It is ducoed in Dark Blue Metallic with very light creamy grey LEATHER interior. It was first delivered new in Sydney on 30th June 2001. It is likely to have been built in late 2000 but a 2001 MODEL YEAR and according to the log books never touched the road till june 2001. This is a very exciting car to drive and a true Italian Muscle car. buying it, so it must go. I paid 20 grand and see other examples for sale with fewer options and ugly colours for sale all the time well above this figure, but due to my sad personal predicament you may even get it cheaper if you want to buy it. It must go to an Alfa enthusiast. This is not your usual Alfa, it has NO RUST and NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. Inspection and enquiries most welcome to Edward on 0405 356 584.


$17, 000 NEG NEG NEG SUPERB BUYING FOR A TRUE ITALIAN PRESTIGE MUSCLE CAR