Fix vs decommission

[Howard and Pat Warren <warrenwood@domain.elided>]

I want to thank everybody who responded to my dilema about fixing my Milano 
versus looking for another Alfa.  I spoke to my dealer (also a mechanic) 
and his mechanic today.  Both men are very honest, have decades of Alfa 
knowledge... and have different opinions! <g>  The mechanic is wondering 
how bad some of the problems are, the dealer thinks it's time to stop 
putting money into the Milano.

Now coincidentally, the dealer is selling his wife's Milano Gold.  Like 
mine, it is an automatic (great for commute traffic!) a 1988 model as well, 
but with a LOT fewer miles... only 26k miles total.  I've driven the car 
before, and it's nice.  There is one area of bad paint (sun exposure) but 
the car has been maintained well (no surprise, eh?)

An advantage of the Gold is that the brakes are "normal".  No ABS pump to 
die.  And the price is fairly reasonable: $4500.  Silvery-beige exterior, 
tan cloth interior.

What I've decided to do is invest in a couple of hours of shop time for 
both men to drive my car, listen to the engine, tranny, check the steering 
rack.  Then I'll take their reports and make a decision.  Even though the 
dealer wants to sell me a car <g> I've known him for a number of years and 
can trust him for an honest opinion.

Thanks again, folks!  (And if you're going to Eureka Springs this weekend, 
have a safe trip and I'll see you there!)

Howard K. Warren, Little Rock, AR
1984 GTV-6, "Falconi", 132k miles
1991 164L, "Peregrine", 63k miles
1988 Milano Platinum, "SnowHawk", 164k miles

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