RE: You Know You Want To: Alfa Romeo 33S 1.7i 16v P4
Discussion
I've always really liked the idea of these, but couldn't really resolve the driving position, or that of the later 145. I do remember chatting to a Scottish couple who had driven down to Bordeaux in their SportWagon back in the mid-90s, and thinking it was a lovely looking car (I'm more a fan of the 75 than the 156 
)
As far as I remember it was a late-model Q4 like this:
)As far as I remember it was a late-model Q4 like this:
marcosgt said:
I test drove one of these new in the early 90s (the FWD one, I'd never heard of a 4WD variant!).
It was a hateful thing.
Worst, though, was that the salesman told me it had "Manual ABS"... WTF? "Discs on the rear wheels".
What an idiot...
Often I think "No, I don't really want to", but in this case it's "No, I REALLY don't want to"!!!
M.
I had the chance to drive one in the early 90s too, very similar to this one, and it has to be the worst car I have ever driven. And that includes an original Beetle. Truly terrible in almost every respect.It was a hateful thing.
Worst, though, was that the salesman told me it had "Manual ABS"... WTF? "Discs on the rear wheels".
What an idiot...
Often I think "No, I don't really want to", but in this case it's "No, I REALLY don't want to"!!!
M.
The price is ludicrous. Like I said, I bought mine at 3 years old in 1996 on the same K plate, for £6500. I traded it in for £4500 by the end of the year, and was happy to take that depreciation hit, that's how much I hated it by then. How this can still be worth £2200 is beyond me. They'd have to pay me that amount to take it away.
Funny the comments people make.......
Someone says the original Top Gear 75 is in an "expedition" in Beaulieu....no it isn't, its in the driveway in that picture...I know because I delivered it to the current owner, and its history is well documented - there was even one of the Top Gear "challenge" bits of paper still inside it...and gravel from where it had been dragged into the kitty litter at Rockingham....Here's a pic of it on its way up to Newcastle: http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c318/Lancsbreake...
And someone says - "two spare gearboxes - what does that tell you?" I'll tell you what it tells me
Again - I sold them to the guy who's advertising the car - I had them in stock - I break Alfas for a living, hence the username - and knowing how few of these cars were left on the road, thought he might as well have them as I didn't expect anyone to need them......of course since then I've bought (and sold) another P4 - to another man with the Alfa virus well and truly in his blood......who has subsequently voyaged all the way up to Stornoway to buy yet another P4.....
So as ever with forum comments....be careful what conclusions you draw from armchair experts
Someone says the original Top Gear 75 is in an "expedition" in Beaulieu....no it isn't, its in the driveway in that picture...I know because I delivered it to the current owner, and its history is well documented - there was even one of the Top Gear "challenge" bits of paper still inside it...and gravel from where it had been dragged into the kitty litter at Rockingham....Here's a pic of it on its way up to Newcastle: http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c318/Lancsbreake...
And someone says - "two spare gearboxes - what does that tell you?" I'll tell you what it tells me
Again - I sold them to the guy who's advertising the car - I had them in stock - I break Alfas for a living, hence the username - and knowing how few of these cars were left on the road, thought he might as well have them as I didn't expect anyone to need them......of course since then I've bought (and sold) another P4 - to another man with the Alfa virus well and truly in his blood......who has subsequently voyaged all the way up to Stornoway to buy yet another P4.....So as ever with forum comments....be careful what conclusions you draw from armchair experts
I've pointed a good friend toward this article, as he insists his 33 1.7i 16v P4 was amazing, utterly reliable, totally rust free, the best handling car ever, had 170bhp with only a chip, and could destroy any hot hatch from the '80s or '90s.
I've cast doubt on both those claims and his manhood, but he says he has a rolling road print out which backs it up. (I've not seen it though.)
Still, my doubts aside he loved that car.
I've cast doubt on both those claims and his manhood, but he says he has a rolling road print out which backs it up. (I've not seen it though.)
Still, my doubts aside he loved that car.
I need to own up too....
Loved it. Had a Nissan Sunny before it - my first car and everyone kept saying is that your Dad's car !
No such issues with the Alfa - handled great as long as you kept your toe down.... lift off oversteer like you wouldn't believe.
Day I moved into my first house the engine let go - top end (side end?) rebuild but some crap had gone down the bore.... was never the same
Loved it. Had a Nissan Sunny before it - my first car and everyone kept saying is that your Dad's car !
No such issues with the Alfa - handled great as long as you kept your toe down.... lift off oversteer like you wouldn't believe.
Day I moved into my first house the engine let go - top end (side end?) rebuild but some crap had gone down the bore.... was never the same
Had the FWD 1.7 16v in black as my first 'sporty car' ( ...for that read more than 1L ).
Best moments were:
1. the smirk on most mates faces when i pitched up in this wierd thing, while they all had Pug 205 GTIs.
2. the lack of smirk on their faces when they realised it was as quick as the 1.9 GTIs.
3. most of them also then agreeing that the boxer engine sounded utterly brilliant.
Unfortunately, the driving position was auwful, the interior trim was terrible, the torque steer got boring and everntually the timing tensioner pullys disintegrated at 10pm sunday night on the A1.
I did love its boxy looks though !
Best moments were:
1. the smirk on most mates faces when i pitched up in this wierd thing, while they all had Pug 205 GTIs.
2. the lack of smirk on their faces when they realised it was as quick as the 1.9 GTIs.
3. most of them also then agreeing that the boxer engine sounded utterly brilliant.
Unfortunately, the driving position was auwful, the interior trim was terrible, the torque steer got boring and everntually the timing tensioner pullys disintegrated at 10pm sunday night on the A1.
I did love its boxy looks though !
After having many 'Suds I had a 33 1.5ie, which was slow and uninspiring. Terrible brakes, dreadful rubbery gearchange, lacklustre interior and oh yes, terrible brakes.
I then got 1.7 16 valve, which went like stink when you nailed it...but had terrible brakes, dreadful rubbery gearchange etc etc. It was lovely when you wound it up, but with those brakes you had to think 90 or so cars in front. Not enjoyable.
I think the tin worm got it in the end, that and a lack of spares. A shame really because the 'Suds and Sprints had bags of character that allowed you to forgive their faults, but the 33 was a so disappointing in comparison.
I was always tempted by the P4 though, they had rear discs instead of drums so the brakes may have been marginally better - but I doubt it.
I then got 1.7 16 valve, which went like stink when you nailed it...but had terrible brakes, dreadful rubbery gearchange etc etc. It was lovely when you wound it up, but with those brakes you had to think 90 or so cars in front. Not enjoyable.
I think the tin worm got it in the end, that and a lack of spares. A shame really because the 'Suds and Sprints had bags of character that allowed you to forgive their faults, but the 33 was a so disappointing in comparison.
I was always tempted by the P4 though, they had rear discs instead of drums so the brakes may have been marginally better - but I doubt it.
I Love an Alfa but this does nothing for me...I should try a Sud, would love an original GTV6 but my favourite of the three Ive had is my missed 164 Cloverleaf. Our 156 V6 now is special enough but not a patch on the 164. I do have the AR bug but am all too familiar with their unique tie to my wallet.
So we have an Alfa 33 1.7 16v with 4WD. Excellent. Not sure I could be tempted, being a fan of '80s BL tin - but a neighbour had an Alfa 33 1.3 which held a certain fascination when I was 15 and I could fancy a 1.3 or 1.5 possibly.
But an Alfa 33 1.7 with a 16v head? It's a boxer engine...
Who writes this garbage??? They should be ashamed.
But an Alfa 33 1.7 with a 16v head? It's a boxer engine...
Who writes this garbage??? They should be ashamed.
I ran a modified p4 for 3 years. It didn't cost that much to run and was utterly brillliant. It's the only car I've owned that I regret selling and wish I could have back.
Did my first ever track day at castle combe in it. There were a number of track prep'd hot hatches there. 206 gti's and that sort of thing. They would catch up on the straights, but after a corner they were way behind only to reel me in on the next straight. I can safely say this has nothing to do with my driving ability. I had so much fun in that car......
If I had the spare cash I would buy this straight away.
Did my first ever track day at castle combe in it. There were a number of track prep'd hot hatches there. 206 gti's and that sort of thing. They would catch up on the straights, but after a corner they were way behind only to reel me in on the next straight. I can safely say this has nothing to do with my driving ability. I had so much fun in that car......
If I had the spare cash I would buy this straight away.
Anyone who wants to see more about Minty (the top gear 75) then here is a link, no need to join the forum just read if you want (all 18 pages) must go update that thread lol
http://www.alfaromeo75.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&am...
http://www.alfaromeo75.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&am...
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