ALFA's and other makes as we ALFA people see them (got long)

["Mike Nakamura" <mike_nakamura@domain.elided>]

The 911 to GTV 6 thread got me thinking.

I have to say that Porsche has done a great job with their cars and I
believe they are very nice, just not my cup of tea.  I'm into green tea,
however not into NSX's or other Japanese makes.

In my view ALFA owners should be a bit careful making fun of the
engineering or design present in other cars.  Sometimes we (if I may be
so forward as to generalize) say that "it works even if it's obsolete"
like live rear axles or de dion rear suspensions, so it is good.  I
would love if the Montreal had a better weight distribution and
independent rear suspension.  It's a great fun car and for 30 year old
technology very nice.

Other times we're not happy even if it works> front drive GTV's or
Spiders. They do drive nicely, maybe not up to year 2001 sports car
standards, but I don't want to get into what is a sports car.  I'll go
out on a limb and say that a 1995 front driver Spider and a 1991 Spider
are beyond comparison.  The newer Spider is so much soother over rough
pavement and handles great.  Shifts great.  We drove a 1.8TS in the
rain; it was solid on the road.  We never went over 95 mph, but it is
about (no surprise) 30 years better than our 1991 Spider.  Yes, I've
owner a 1971 & 1972 Spider and a 1974 GTV.

I can remember reading criticism of swing axles on other makes, however
they seem to serve their purpose and sometimes beat ALFA's on the race
track.  Some swing axles were executed better than others, same goes for
live rear axles.

I'm not into the BMW make, but I do think they make nice cars.  Some are
very fast.

We ordered an Audi S4 Avant, but had to cancel when my wife in the
airline industry was laid off.  Better to save cash and avoid payments
right now.  It's a nice car.  Not perfect either.  I found the shifter
vague, but I hit every gear.  Six speeds kinda nice.  The one we ordered
had a tiptronic 5 speed, a reasonable transmission.  250 hp can't be all
wrong.

I find the window switch location on Milano's (owned an 87 Plat),
GTV-6's and the Montreal (window switches on the dash) a bit strange,
but I don't mind.

I do not find it strange that a Neon can beat a stock Spider at an
autocross.  Drivers vary a lot AND the Neon has new technology and
design.

So, NOT selling 164 (no Audi).

Still looking for a good to great GTV 6 (1985 to 1986).

So, ALFA's are not perfect, I just like them.

Mike Nakamura

mike_nakamura@domain.elided
Fall City WA USA

71 Montreal
91 Spider Veloce
94 164LS

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