Re: Alfa advice- pile on the miles or weekend car??

[jonathan coates <alfa@domain.elided>]

In message , Dave Shimano <dshimano@domain.elided> writes
>Dear fellow digesti,
>
>I own a 95 164Q with 67k mi. A career change now has me looking at a 150
>mile round trip commute each day vs. my previous 10 mile round trip. The
>answer to this question may seem obvious to some, but I find myself
>confused and appealing to the collective wisdom of this forum-
>
>My company is offering the option of a commuter car, likely of the
>antiseptic Japanese kind, or the option of a car allowance that would
>almost cover my cost on the Alfa before maintenance is factored in. I do
>want to drive the Alfa- there is nothing more satisfying than spending
>3-4 hours each day with a great car like this one. In a way though it
>hurts me to think of piling all this mileage- 40k a year on the Alfa
>just to head straight up the interstate through some stop and go and
>back. It's not as if I=92d be taking a winding route to work- there isn't
>one- and the car would have 150k+ in no time. This is NOT a resale issue
>to me- 164 values drop like stones any way you look at it, and my
>feeling is I don't want to ever part with this car. Since Alfa has
>abandoned us, and the possibility of purchasing a new Alfa as a daily
>driver is a fading dream I'm dazed and confused=85 to top it all off I'm
>unsure of how far one can practically take a 164- 200k, 300k?
>
Firstly you would probably crash the car provided by your employer,
either because it didnt go round corners properly, or because you got
sick of it and they pay the insurance.
Secondly if your career change has anything to do with meeting people,
you will definitely benifit from having a special car AMHIK. I am a
self-employed engineer fixing furnaces for steel companies etc. and very
often get asked about my car. People remember the guy with the "bloody
racing car that, init?" so I get calls.
On to the pros and cons bit  -

>I worked the pros and cons in my mind and here is how I see it:
>
>Con:
>1. 100k this year, 140k next=85
So buy more Alfas, I run three at a time, with a toy for summer. Not all
are working at any one time, as I'm working on them. Mostly two are
available to drive, legally, at any one time.
>2. cost of maintenance- timing belts, wear items=85
Plastic cars dont wear out?
>3. 65 mph speed limit- first name basis with all the state troopers?
Very good point.
>4. Can my marriage withstand another =93weekend=94 car in the garage?
>
Hmm
>Pro:
>1. What's an Alfa for?
Exactly
>2. I can't bear to think of driving anything else, worst of all a
>ToyonissmitsmazhonGMforchrysake
Exactly
>3. I can't bear the thought of leaving it in the garage
You could if you had another Alfa, leaves you space to get round to
those donuts, timing belts, strut bearings etc.
>4. On ramps and off ramps.
A good place to get your blandmobile replaced with another
>5. Working through the gears out of every toll booth.
>6. Spreading the Alfa faith on a daily basis.
>7. The law of =93You always see another Alfa on the road when you're in
>the other car=94
If your employer would pay for any kind of allowance for you to run your
car, then go for it. I drive 40-50K miles each year and I'm convinced
that I'd fall asleep or get cancer of the arse sitting in something
else. If you intend to sit in a car for three hours a day or more you
had better like sitting in it.
- -- 
jonathan coates
164 getting new engine at 160 K miles
75 (Milano) 2 litre TSpark got new engine at 140K miles 26 Feb. currently 144K
miles
33 wagon standby car 120 K miles
Alfetta GTV getting insured and taxes paid for April if it passes the road test
BMW 318i and other stuff

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