Anyone near Reading with an urgent hankering for Alfa-shite?

[mercedade]

I know it's bad form for such a newbie to be attempting to shift other people's crap, but I said I'd try and help him out.

 

He's a shite-enthusiast, albeit more in spirit than practise, and he leaves the country tonight to spend 6 months working on a ship. Thus he must sell his 156:

 

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/156764/2000-alfa-romeo-156-reading

 

He bought this (having already taken my W124 260e and mk1 827 off my hands at points in the past), but never really found the love for it and, to be honest, never bothered getting on top of the things which needed sorting.

 

He knows it's a bit rough, but just doesn't want to give in and let the scrappers have it.

 

With a firm promise from an honest chap or chapette, he could probably be persuaded to leave it on his folks' drive until the weekend.

 

Beyond that, I know nothing about it - I've never even seen this car in the flesh, so normal Alfa rules apply... 

[beko1987]

I saw that on RR, and was interested until reading the immobiliser fault! Shame really, could make a nice snotter for mrs beko whilst we sell her Meriva. Only 15 miles up the road too!

[Cavcraft]

Fuck, that's cheap. The immobilisor thing is 'work-roundable' too so it's not that bad. It'd be worth the price alone to track day it until it explodes into millions of pieces then weighing it in.

[Station]

Well worth 200 quid! Great for the amateur tap dancer also, surely (feel free to use that in your advert).

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Doesn't appeal to me, looks/sounds a bit 'landfill' IMO

[mercedade]

It's not really my kind of thing either to be honest, but I do still have Alfa-want to be fulfilled at some point and I marvel at just how cheap these are.

 

I suspect that with more dedicated fiddling, he'd have fixed the immobiliser - from what I've read they are just a case of keep replacing bits until it gives in and works, and he's done 90% of that. Chronic laziness and being a fully paid up member of the 'start an easy job and watch helplessly as it spirals into a full weekender' club has put him off doing the stat.

 

That said though, it's still a car he's basically ignored whilst he's carted drums around in it.

[Six-cylinder]

I liked my 156 very much even if there was always a worry it would go bang. I think those who say no are missing out on a chance to experience an interesting car without any risk at £200. I am very temped but I have that problem again, where do I park it.

[Six-cylinder]

My wife has just said why don’t you just buy it? So I have.

 

Who can give me a lift to Reading over the weekend?

[Cavcraft]

Lol, top bombing!

[Tetleysmooth]

Isn't the seller leaving the country in the morning?

[Six-cylinder]

I am collecting it from his dad over the weekend when I can get a lift.

[Tetleysmooth]

 

I am collecting it from his dad over the weekend when I can get a lift.

 Excellent, well done chap.

I saw that on RR and thought what a bargain it was.

[beko1987]

If you break down by Marlow give me a PM and I'll come and find you and help!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Aren't we all going to pile on six-cyls for being a stingy git trying to cadge a lift now? JUSt BUY A TRAIN TICKET MAN etc etc

[CortinaDave]

Looks a worthy shout for 200 notes. Even running it til the tax is out you'd get your dough back from the scrappy.

[beko1987]

When are you coming? Can pick you up from Wycombe and take you to maidenhead for a much easier and quicker ride to reading if you need? Would avoid lundun if coming from oop north

[phil_lihp]

What a satisfying result, well done!  Can't really go wrong for a working motor with T&T for £200, plus it's Italian.

[Six-cylinder]

The plan is to collect it over the weekend, I need to get to from Buckingham to Reading and my neighbour has agreed to help. I just need a call from the sellers farther who is handing over the car to agree a time.

[mercedade]

That's excellent! The fella's father is called Tony and he's as nice a gruff Welshman as you're ever likely to meet.

 

Hope you enjoy it when you get your hands on it.

 

It looks ace / I never said it was good, not me guv, never even heard of Alfa, don't they make toasters? (delete as applicable)

[Six-cylinder]

Sad news - I have been over to Reading to collect the Alfa today but neither Tony or myself could start it. We both felt that we had put in the right code but it just would not start. In the end we had to give up so I am now 156 less. Tony says he will have it scrapped.

[mercedade]

Balls. Really sorry about that. I'm sure Owen, if contactable, could have coached over the phone but reception on the ship probably puts paid to that.

 

Well, it was worth a try anyway.