GTV or Mini?

["The Csank Family" <csank@domain.elided>]

> >Without a doubt, the Mini is the most fun you can legally (and almost
> >safely) have on the road...

Not to get on anybody's case or anything, but haven't a lot of you commented
negatively about FWD?  Personally, I have a great deal of respect for the
handling characteristics of a well-balanced FWD car (Mini Cooper 'S', GTI,
Saab, Volvo, Integra, CRX, various Alfas and many more).  I ice-raced a mini
(cooper 'S' engine/transaxle in a mostly un-rusted mini body) many years ago
when you could still buy one new in Canada.  Without a doubt, they were the
winningest cars in the 'under 2L' class back then...and boy were they 'fun'
to drive!  Although the FWD/ Transverse engine placement 'Issigonis' design
(first-used successfully in the mini) was designed for packaging rather than
handling, the reduction in heavy parts combined with the weight over the
driving wheels made for a very 'tossable' package.

But Henry, if you are worried about having the car 'in the shop' too often,
then neither a GTV nor a mini should be your choice.  The minis have
terrible electrics, rust faster than an any Alfa, and (although they are
easy to work on at home) require pretty much constant attention.
Additionally, although parts are plentiful, they are a little pricey and the
shops that do good work on minis are getting harder to find and usually
charge pretty high hourly rates.  The GTV is probably one of the least
troublesome Alfas to own, but the purchase of any older, interesting and
somewhat rare car means making a commitment to either learn how to fix it
yourself, or to find a good shop to take the car to on a regular basis.

Good luck in your choice!  Oh and by the way, I thought the cops did a
pretty good job of driving their Alfas in 'The Italian Job'!

Cheers,
Alex Csank
69 Spider 1300 Junior (RWD, very tossable and top-less)
78 Alfetta Sprint Veloce (RWD and corners like it's on rails)
87 Milano Gold (RWD and very balanced)
98 VW Jetta TDi (my concession to FWD)

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