Sporty's new shite. Pasta-power FTW

[sporty-shite]

Well, I've finally found something to replace the XR2! Fancied one of these for ages, so finally bit the bullet.

 

Have been struggling to get something that my awkward classic insurance would cover, so ended up biting the bullet and taking out a new "proper" policy. Luckily, I got someone to honour my nearly four year old NCB, so managed to get a reasonable quote, and will also revert back to full NCB at renewal!

 

So, found this on Autotrader, 15 miles from home and sub £500, with an accompanying bill for £590 for full cambelt service including variator, tensioner and aux belts last October. So, went and had a look, liked it, and bought it!

 

 

 

And gratuitous Alfa content!!!

 

 

Well pleased up to now, couple of bits to tidy, and a blowing exhaust, but all in all, it's not a bad one.

[dollywobbler]

Nice. That'll be enthusiast owned by the look of it then!

[trigger]

 

I bet your local mechanic/new best friend will be crying at that shot!.

 

That's the sporty Greenleaf model isn't it?, Is it quick?, Looks like a gem for the money anyway!.

[Guest]

Howwaaauuu shit, you've well got to come round to the unit in that. It's well fit.

[sporty-shite]

Yes, it looks like it's been well looked after. Comes with a wad of bills and a well stamped book. Bought it off a dealer who took it in PX against a 156 Sportwagon, and said the bloke was gutted to let it go, but needed something bigger. The guy I bought it off said the previous owner was disappointed that he didn't want to sit and look through all the bills and history.

 

Trig, that multi Alfa shot includes Mrs S's Sportwagon that my mate looks after (so I can keep the book stamped) and my little "project" which has slipped it's belt Just bought timing tools, and will be stripping it down when I get a bit of spare time.

[RedSparrow]

That is lovely, well done. Would quite like one myself.

[Mr Lobster]

Enjoy it, I absolutely loved mine! Despite the financial ruin I'd have another although the domestic management might have other ideas.

 

145 2.0 Cloverleaf FTW.

 

Course, you're going to be deeply skinted by it at some point, you do know that don't you?

[Cavcraft]

Bloody hell Chris that's mega, nice work old bean.

[trigger]

145 2.0 Cloverleaf FTW.

 

Greenleaf, What a nob

 

I was close!

[retrogeezer]

145 2.0 Cloverleaf FTW.

 

Greenleaf, What a nob

 

I was close!

 

 

If you had kept quiet we would have just thought you were being sarcastic!!

 

Car looks WELL FIT Chris.

[Mr Lobster]

145 2.0 Cloverleaf FTW.

 

Greenleaf, What a nob

 

I was close!

 

Soz trig, didn't want to embarass you!

 

I thought you were on about some sort of tea or something...

[KruJoe]

That's truly lovely: probably the best looking Alfa, with the best spec, in the best colour! Bargainous an' all.

Does it have much more usable space than the XR2?

[sporty-shite]

Does it have much more usable space than the XR2?

 

Probably not that much, to be honest, although it obviously feels like a much bigger car. More room in the boot, too, which was what I wanted.

 

Thanks for the compliments, everyone, I knew it'd go down well on here!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Hey dont beat yourself up Trig, it is a green cloverleaf innit, as opposed to a gold cloverleaf like what you get on old Alfasuds etc

[Pete-M]

Ooooh. Dodgy choice, but they're good while it lasts.

 

I keep looking at Alfa 164s again.

[Guest]

Has the driver's door been resprayed, or am I just being a twat?

[sporty-shite]

dodgy choice

 

Well, this is Autoshite. We're not exactly renowned for sensible buying decisions.

 

Has the driver's door been resprayed, or am I just being a twat?

 

I think it's been painted on the wings, Jon.

[Guest]

[qoute=Pete-M] dodgy choice

 

Well, this is Autoshite. We're not exactly renowned for sensible buying decisions.

 

Has the driver's door been resprayed, or am I just being a twat?

 

I think it's been painted on the wings, Jon.

 

Pffft, you wouldn't get that sort of paint finish on a Golf.

 

However, a 145 is a way nicer car.

[flat4alfa]

Fun cars, those! Cheap cars, those! Pastashite.

 

The reputation is mainly down to iffy maintenance: low oil, not replacing the tensioner, blah. But looking at your fleet you know that anyhow

 

If they were as flaky as some make out, the missus wouldn't have used one (146ti) as her 40-mile daily, for 3 happy years.

The bowed wings can make Proteo Red look a different shade from some angles - did on her car.

 

[Barry Cade]

Bloody hell- I just bought one last Friday... already had BBoB (Black Box of Bollox) troubles, and shelled out nearly 50 quid on a thermostat.. need to get the belts done too. I have to say though, that I reallly reallly love it. Its kinda like going out with the bird on Basic Instinct. Great ride, but you get the feeling you're gonna get stabbed in the eye at any moment.

 

Here's mine. 550 notes was the price.

 

[sporty-shite]

Tiff, that looks pretty good. It'd be wise to get belts done sooner rather than later, but otherwise, I reckon you've done pretty well. OK, there's been a couple of niggles, but it's a 12 year old car, and at £550, it's a cheap one.

 

Even Mrs S likes mine, and that's saying something!

 

Like the Basic Instinct analogy, too. Sig quote, I think, if that's OK.

[Barry Cade]

Tiff, that looks pretty good. It'd be wise to get belts done sooner rather than later, but otherwise, I reckon you've done pretty well. OK, there's been a couple of niggles, but it's a 12 year old car, and at £550, it's a cheap one.

 

Even Mrs S likes mine, and that's saying something!

 

Like the Basic Instinct analogy, too. Sig quote, I think, if that's OK.

 

LOL, fame at last

 

I've ran loads of Fiat's,Lancia's and the odd Alfa for years, so i'm well aware of their niggles- part of the reason I luv 'em so much. I saw yours advertised, and thought " bugger me sideways, that's a cracker" It would have been mine, if I hadn't bought mine, if you see what I mean..

 

Bloody parts prices are an eye opener though. £60+ for plugs, £50 thermostat, £60+ belt kit and special tools. Its gotta do 2500 miles in a week next month so all needs done. Ouch.

 

P.S. I also need a pair of headlights, an air con rad and a little welding.. This list may self destruct if the wife enters the room.

[flat4alfa]

You only need two sets of plugs a lifetime. Well there are 8 of them - platinum tipped, for your pleasure.

 

Belt kit would have the tensioner in there too. Changed the hefty tensioner on my Sportwagon diesel and it had its own damper!

How much would that be on a Vetra or summat?

 

Thermostat fail is typical of the twinks. It's a five-way funny old casting with a weak spring in there. I just change with good ones off a wrecker. This tactic was after shelling-out £60 for the first one! Through a motor factor too, not an Alfa-Showroom-Shafting.

 

Before you shell-out on the aircon rad, check the piping going to and from it as they rot. Might be better to ring a breaker and buy a known-good whole gubbins. autolusso.co.uk can help there

[Barry Cade]

Thanks for that! The aircon rad is twisted and in bits- everything else seems OK and the compressor kicks in when given +12v.

 

Having a strange problem with the clocks now- every now and again they all go up to max, then cut out completely, then come back to almost normal.. ah well, something to do at the weekend...

[Barry Cade]

 

Having a strange problem with the clocks now- every now and again they all go up to max, then cut out completely, then come back to almost normal.. ah well, something to do at the weekend...

 

All sorted now. The clocks,headlights,horn and Lambda sensor! all earth through a bolt behind the front bumper...all through seperate wires crimped into a ring terminal..

 

P.S... I need a pair of headlights, the adjusters have all turned to dust.

[RoadworkUK]

That's extra magnificent. Very well done.

 

I'm sure I have a 146 poster somewhere, must try to find it. Heavily overdue some wall-time.