I need oppinons guys

[Imowface]

Well, my plan is sort of set in place to buy an alfa romeo SZ when I go to Italy with my family in 2013, my mom is playing soccer at the world masters games in turin, but I have my own agenda, I have the cash set up so that with the money I have saves, and the money I will get from selling my current summer car, I plane on going there, buying the SZ, driving it around for my vacation, then shipping it back to my parents house in canada, I figure it is a good idea, as I already have imported my GTO from japan, so I sort of know what I am doing, but I always like to get a second oppinion, so what do you guys think, is it a good Idea, or am I a bit stupid for going through with it

[gyrene81]

my o-p-i-n-i-o-n is that you spelled opinion wrong...but, on a serious note...never been a fan of alfa romeo...nice looking but, when it comes to repairs and or getting parts...unless they have changed the way they source things, i'd rather try to find parts for a '36 ford 5 window coupe.

now, about your mom...very first actual soccer mom i've heard about...got a pic? 

[Imowface]

Ty gyrene, I realise parts might be a problem, there is a fiat dealer in town, which I might check out and see what they can source and cant source, this is going to be the second italian car I have ever owned/will be buying, and the first was a bit of a disaster as at the time I had it there was no dealership in canada that could get parts for me

[phatzo]

What side is the steering wheel on in Italy?

[Imowface]

Left, not that it matter though

[AAJagerX]

You left out the soccer mom pic!!!   

[phatzo]

Just that I've seen a few guys import cars from the US and not factor in the cost of a conversion, not that they have to, but it is easier to drive.

Edit: Pic

[Imowface]

sorry guys here you go

phatzo, I have two RHD vehicles atm, and it is really no different to drive, I just am more carefull when I turn left, and in canada I can not get full coverage insurance wise on them
but it will be nice to be on the left again if I can go through with this Alfa

[Ripsnort]

sorry guys here you go
(Image removed from quote.)

{BEER GOGGLES = ON}  


 























Sorry, couldn't resist!

[PFactorDave]

Don't worry about getting parts.  I have a vintage Fiat and I know of several parts suppliers in North Ameica that specialize in Fiat/Alfa parts.  They aren't hard to get.  They are a little on the pricey side though.

[mechanic]

soccer mum in Rip's post = more epic win than charlie sheen

 

[AAJagerX]

{BEER GOGGLES = ON}  
(Image removed from quote.)

 

 























Sorry, couldn't resist!

Man, we're really getting bad without our Wednesday Babe threads.

[Imowface]

Don't worry about getting parts.  I have a vintage Fiat and I know of several parts suppliers in North Ameica that specialize in Fiat/Alfa parts.  They aren't hard to get.  They are a little on the pricey side though.

yeah, I am somewhat prepaired for the price of some parts and general matenance, I am not too worried, as the car is 90's era, but due to my prior experience with a classic italian car, I could not buy anything older then this, I give you a big  though for keeping your vintage fiat, as I failed horribly with my classic haha

[gyrene81]

hmmmm...your mom looks like she could kick a guy for saying the wrong thing...the fact that she's actively playing soccer is impressive.


i had one of these once...


got it dirt cheap considering it was only 4 years old...didn't realize it was going to cost more to maintain than it did to buy...everything had to be specific...the only thing i could buy off the shelf was anti-freeze and windshield wiper fluid...everything else had to be ordered for a premium cost...and the flippin fuel injectors were finicky...fun to drive though.

[PFactorDave]

A lot of the parts can be bought from stores like AutoZone (etc).  They just won't be OEM parts.  For instance, I replaced the fuel pump recently.  An actual Fiat pump was available from a specialty parts supplier for $279, but I was able to get a third party equivelent (that looks identical) at AutoZone for $84.

Of course not everything you might need is available that way, but it is worth checking around when you need something before buying it from the specialty supplier.

Here's my toy.