Is the 850 a modern classic?

[Prufrock]

Originally Posted by biggbn

I find the 166 a distinctive car of unusual elegance.

Agreed, I launched the 145, 146 and the 166 (and as previously - yawn - mentioned, the 156).

Oh, and the Coupe Fiat.

Jon.

N.B pic of the Coupe Fiat launch material, large yellow* film tin with video and various items of literature.

*Broom Yellow

[m0bzy]

I used to belong to a local Alfa club but left when all the older cars disappeared to be replaced with new cars that were on hire ,when I sold my 156 I struggled to get £600 for it and it was immaculate ,not that fast nor reliable but always put a smile on my face ,knee operation meant it had to go.

[biggbn]

I ran a 20vt coupe fiat for several years, one of the cars I have loved the most. Beautiful, well screwed together and a stonking engine. Another car I would have again in a heartbeat.

[jm1489]

I have had three saloons, Sportwagon and a GTV when they came out in the late 90's.. love 'em, love 'em, love 'em! Especially the Sportwagon! All were 2.0. Rust has killed quite a few plus dodgy ownership, they are thin on the ground, went through a chav period as they were same price as a used Zafira.
My brother-in-law has offered me his 03 1.8 for the price of collection due to a new company car, tempted but I know he doesn't look after stuff and Alfas need love and the finest fluids money can buy... plus our are roads are ****e in Lincolnshire and I don't fancy changing any more wishbones etc.
There is a really nice late 156 2.4 jtd veloce sportwagon for sale in the next village for a bag of toffees but I just couldn't be doing with arse clench every time I went over a pot hole!

[jm1489]

Hi bigbbn,
Forgot about the Fiat coupe, sweet car. I had a turbo as loan car or possible purchase if my Wife liked it. Went like the clappers but didn't like the idea of having to take the engine out for stuff like cambelt changes. Few years back and you couldn't help tripping over them in the freeads, these days they are a rarity and should get modern classic status a long with GTV, 156, 164, Mazda 323, seicento, Punto 90elx etc.. etc.. stuff the idea that the new Mini, KA and MX5 are future classics! The Jaguar XJ40 has reached classic status, I have owned four and they have been the biggest piles of ****e, never learnt my lesson!

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by jm1489

Hi bigbbn,
Forgot about the Fiat coupe, sweet car. I had a turbo as loan car or possible purchase if my Wife liked it. Went like the clappers but didn't like the idea of having to take the engine out for stuff like cambelt changes. Few years back and you couldn't help tripping over them in the freeads, these days they are a rarity and should get modern classic status a long with GTV, 156, 164, Mazda 323, seicento, Punto 90elx etc.. etc.. stuff the idea that the new Mini, KA and MX5 are future classics! The Jaguar XJ40 has reached classic status, I have owned four and they have been the biggest piles of ****e, never learnt my lesson!

Engine out cambelt swap is urban myth, fiat dealers did in the main do it that way but with a bit of manipulation it can be done in situ. I do love mk1 Ford ka, it's hard to buy so much fun so cheaply but they do rust...i ran a streetka for about 10000 miles, absolute blast.

.. And I loved my xj40!!

[jm1489]

I think like most stuff from the 90's, find a good one etc.. I tried that with the XJ40 but then used to get alarm/immobiliser/electrical faults and rust would just appear, I think Ford owned at that time? Like Alfas, I wouldn't have an early one. i would happily have an XJ6 XJ8 or older XK even another S type, wasn't that keen on the X type and sold mine after a short while.

[Prufrock]

Originally Posted by biggbn

...i ran a streetka for about 10000 miles, absolute blast.

Streetka's will surely become a classic, for me always associated with Kylie Minogue - so a girlie car !

Sportka is altogether a different proposition, together with the McQueen Puma and the Hopper Cougar.

Jon.

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by Prufrock

Streetka's will surely become a classic, for me always associated with Kylie Minogue - so a girlie car !

Sportka is altogether a different proposition, together with the McQueen Puma and the Hopper Cougar.

Jon.

Ah, Jon, I find this stuff fascinating as it identifies the power of advertising. Yup, wee streetka is, to my eyes, achingly cute and pretty, but it had relatively meaty, direct steering and an old school rorty engine with low down torque. Modern day frogeye? I refuse to adhere to stereotypical views of any sort and drive exactly what I like. Odd you mention puma, we adored ours, one of the finest handling cars I have ever owned!!

[capt jack]

Having just acquired a 1997 S90 to add to the 1998 S70 we already had, I'd like to think that 700, 800, 900 and early S/V/C70s will indeed achieve modern classic status.

When you think that a few years ago even the smartest 240s were changing hands for £500, now you could multiply that times ten for a really good GLT.

The thing about cars from perhaps the early nineties and older is that they are eminently practical as everyday cars, and being relatively simple, can generally be looked after by the home mechanic.

But once you get into the mid-nineties and later the proliferation of computerised systems on many cars mean that DIY service and repairs become more of a challenge.

Jack