| Author | Message | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 330 Registered: 12-2002 |
Not worry about parking anything at my school...everyone drives BMW's and Benzes...and I mean nice new ones! Thats the one thing bad about Irvine, everyone has a BMW but my family  | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
New member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 17 Registered: 2-2003 |
Definitely take your time in looking. Being in school, I'd get something that you wouldn't worry parking, ran like a sewing machine, and easy to maintain. Doesn't mean it doesn't have to look bad or isn't luxurious either | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 322 Registered: 12-2002 |
I agree Sunny, this car had all the records and was in great condition (the XJS) Yea DES, I honestly don't like American cars, more from a stylistic point of view. However, they may be more reliable than some european cars that I even prefer from a asthetic point of view. Im taking my time looking for a car, no real rush. Im even thinking now I just wont get a car, take the minivan to college, and just save up for a 308 GT4 or a nice 911 or something similar. That might be the wiser thing to do. | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Intermediate Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 2114 Registered: 8-2002 |
Well said Sunny | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
New member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 16 Registered: 2-2003 |
On that XJS, 13/21mpg city/highway is what you can expect unless you have a heavy foot (like me). Also, rear passenger space is limited. I posted a note re: the engines in Off topic. Plenty of records is the key. Would you buy a 512 you knew nothing about with no records if the asking price was around market price? Not unless your name is Master "J".. | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 331 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jordan, just be Patient. You will find something that you like. A great looking car for the money is a 1984 380sl M-Benz- its the car from American Gigalo. You can probly find them for about 6K. A M-Benz can be a low maintenance car if it has been properly maintained. I have a wonderful M-Benz Mecahnic if you want to have any inspected | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 2059 Registered: 8-2002 |
Jordan- i'm no wise man of the mountain, but take my advice- don't by an american-made car...! They just don't last as long... | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 320 Registered: 12-2002 |
Nope...no car yet. We have been back and fourth so many times...several close purchases but we just cant make a descision. We decided against the Jag...even though we all liked it and it drove so well, just because gas would be so expensive. Despite how much I dont like Mustangs and Probes, We are looking at some of those that fit our price range. | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Intermediate Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 2073 Registered: 8-2002 |
Jordan, Did you get your car yet? | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 300 Registered: 12-2002 |
Thanks for the info guys...Check out my post in the off topic section. I have one more car Im looking at... | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Junior Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 234 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jordan, If you are not very mechanically inclined-stay away. Your repair bill could easilly be more expensive then the car if something goes wrong. I love Fiat's but it is hard to get parts and find honest people to work on them. | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Intermediate Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 1923 Registered: 8-2002 |
That's ok Dom. | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Intermediate Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 1922 Registered: 8-2002 |
Thanks ok Dom. | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Junior Member Username: Dom Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2002 |
Oh, and one more piece of advice. Like a ferrari, get a PPI. For a fiat or alfa, figure about $50/hour for labor and 2 or 3 hours to check out the car. Well worth it for a car you are really interested in. Dom | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Junior Member Username: Dom Post Number: 58 Registered: 11-2002 |
I'm going to have to disagree with Matt (sorry). A fiat or an alfa will be great practice for owning a ferrari. Old cars are old cars. My GT4 doesn't have power steering, has carbs, etc. A very different driving experience from a newer car. Italian cars tend to be similar. The key is PREVENTATIVE maintenance. Don't wait for it to break down. Keep your senses open, look listen and smell changes. Regarding old cars, the best thing you can do is to find a club or internet site like this one. Generally, the same things keep happening, and they are well documented by other users. So, when my Alfa 164 had a slow starting problem, I searched through the Alfa Digest, and found out that the cure was a leaky line at the fuel pump. Easily replaced, and I didn't have to get the mechanic to try to figure out what was wrong. So the key is RESEARCH. Do alot of it beforehand, and it will help you get a good car, and help your maintenance. You can see the same kind of thing with the Ferrari's. If you search this site, the same type of problems keep coming up. Using the info I had collected about 308 GT4's from this site and others, I believe I made a good purchase decision, and my maintenance in the future will be facilitated. Have you thought about an Alfa? They may be a little more reliable than a fiat, but maybe a little more expensive. What kind of fiat did you drive. I really like the X1/9, and I understand that they can be picked up really cheap. Also, one more piece of advice. If you can find one from a club or website owner, you will be better off. If the person is actively involved in a fiat or alfa club (or site, like the alfadigest), they were more likely to maintain their car, and I think you will get a better car. Dom | ||
| Ron Shirley (Easy_rider)
Junior Member Username: Easy_rider Post Number: 119 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jordan, I would recommend a car just like I bought last month for my son, a Honda del Sol. They are a two seater and you can take the top off and roll the back window down and it is just like a convertible with a roll bar. They are really fun to drive and you can do a lot of aftermarket customization. Best of all, they are reliable and fairly cheap. They were built from 93 to I think 97. I was telling Matt and Wayne today about my Fiat experience from 1979-1980 or 81. It almost broke me and it was fairly new. I chose it because I had such a good experience with one in Europe in the early 70's but I would strongly suggest you stay from them. also my $0.02 | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 294 Registered: 12-2002 |
Really Matt? Im sure confused now. Ive gotten nothing but mixed replies twoards older cars and the reason Ive been looking at Fiats lately is because a lot of guys here told me that they were great reliable and fun cars? Im willing to maintain it as much as it needs it. The other appealing thing about the car is that the insurance for it would be less than a Porscheand being only...well...young...my insurance is already skyrocketed. I guess I just have a weird love for the car now for some reason. Maybe like the Porsche 914. I just have a thing for crappy cars lol... Thanks for your input though, I guess I need to rethink this. I gotta post a poll to settle this once and for all in the off topic section... | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Intermediate Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 1893 Registered: 8-2002 |
Jordan, Nothing is more disappointing then a young driver and an old car. Fiat's have the build quality of Ferrari without the markup. They are noisy, leaky, creaky and always breakdown. Unless you have the funds to keep dumping into it I would stay away from them. My 308 is a 1978 and I have not had a weekend when I have not done something to it or have had to replace something. After all, Fiat stands for Fix It Again Tony. Look around. Also, a 1977 fiat uses a manual choke and it needs time to fill the carb(s) with Gas. my $23 dollars | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 290 Registered: 12-2002 |
Today I looked at my first Fiat with the intention of buying...it was a nice 77' Spyder up in LA. It was pretty old and the interior could have been better...but I liked it. It was silver with a red interior. The steering was pretty stiff, and it took me 3 tries to start it without stalling. However when my dad took it for a spin *he is more proficient at manual than me...* it started up no problem. It ran really well and shifted smoothly, but the breaks squeeked a lot. It was still a pretty quick car, even with only 95hp. It was pretty tough to turn though. I dont know how well I would do in a small tight parking lot The exterior was ok, some painted over rust spots and a couple tiny dents. Not bad though... Overal it was a good car. Asking was 3,200 but I would probably just over 3k. I decided to wait and see what else is out there before I commit to buying one...Just thought I would post my story here Can't wait til I get one though, then I can join you guys on the drives and not have to bum seats If you guys know of anybody selling a Fiat, let me know...I'm also looking at Porsche 944's but I would prefer a Fiat... |