the old FWD thread, American's, and a Jag

[PeteLaurel@domain.elided]

lurking mode ... off.

I find it rather ironic that most criticisms of Fiat/Alfas revolve around 
FWD. As if FWD Alfa's only came about with the 164. Although I've never 
driven one, from what I've read the AlfaSud (and 33's) were quite nice little 
cars. Except for the stalk switch. But performance wise, they are supposed to 
be super. I think most of my American brethren omit these cars when raging 
about FWD and the Alfa mystique. 

I have driven a 145 through Rome and up to Avenzanno. And my opinion of FWD 
Alfa's changed towards the very positive after that. I think before we 
criticize we should walk the proverbial mile in the other persons shoes.

Having said that, we just bought a 1993 XK6 Vanden Plas for my wife. Yes, 
these are post Ford cars. But they sure seem like a Jag to me. Plus, it is 
very much a buyers market. There is so much misinformation about Jags, that 
the prices are incredibly low. Plus, as a California car it suffers not from 
rust as do snow bound cars.

So we got a car that sold for US$56k new for US$14k. We'll drive it a few 
years and roach it (wink wink). Not like our two Alfas that we plan to keep 
long enough to be buried in, but a great car for my wife for a few years. 
Having worked in the technology sector for 20 years, I know that quality and 
quality systems have improved dramatically over the years. 

At the end of the day, I think the best thing for Alfa would be to get bought 
out by Son Of Romeo and returned to private hands. Failing this, I think the 
GM-FIAT deal is way too murky to predict what this spells for Alfa.

Life it short. There are no survivors. Enjoy your Alfa (and life) while you 
can. Bitching about how lame GM, or Ford, or FIAT, is like shooting fish in a 
barrel. Just not real sport. Let's move on ...

Peter Lundquist

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