Re: New Alfas/FWD

[Nizam Zambri <nizam@domain.elided>]

Here's my spin on this now-boring subject.

I've been around Alfas for a long time, all my life, literally.  The family has had a Giulia, Alfasuds, Alfettas, 116 Giuliettas etc. right up to the 164 and 155 (now waiting for 156 GTA).  To us, it's the driving pleasure, the stigma, the exclusivity of that cross and serpent, the sound the engine makes, and the versatility of the chasis and engine that allows daily driving as well as track-time flogging.  Newer ones do better at both than the older ones, period.  Engineers learn over time what works and what doesn't.

If Alfa were to come to the US, would I buy a new one?  Absolutely.  FWD, RWD, AWD, who cares.  The bottom line is, Alfa has to make cars that appeal to the mass market.  Yes, that's unfortunate.  How many on this list purchased their Alfas new?  How many have raised their hands and said "I'm glad used Alfas are cheap so I can enjoy so much car for so little money."

Of course, this doesn't benefit the manufacturer very much.  They have to sell to the "commoners" and yes, Alfas may end up being "common" which is just fine by me as long as I get to buy new Alfas.  BMW and Audi have managed to make their badges exclusive even if there's a great number of BMW's and Audi's out there.

The true Alfa lovers will be on this digest and we'll all show up to track times to have a good time.  The poseurs will end up at cocktail parties discussing how beautiful the lines on the Spider is compared to that butt ugly Z3.  The rest of the Alfa owners will just relish on the fact that they have something other than a Camry, and proceed to drive their basic Alfas as Camrys.

If Alfa ever comes back to the US, I'll be the first in line with my checkbook to buy a NEW FWD/AWD/RWD Alfa and retire my RWD 75 and FWD 164 Super as much as I love them.  Let's move on with the technology already.

Nizam
(see http://www.nizam.com/history.html for reference)

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