Alfa SZ

[sng45]

I've had quite a few cars but never an SZ - does anyone of any experience of these i.e performance,road holding, drivability etc ?

This one's coming up for auction http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa... any opinions welcome

Thank you

[bryn_p]

I had an RZ a couple of years ago and it was brilliant, much better than I expected. Handled well and had enough power to be fun. Of course the looks are the main event, but it didn't disappoint in the driving experience and I will definitely have another when space allows. I presume the SZ would be even better with the extra rigidity.

Cheers,
Bryn.

[wrinx]

They're a grown up go-kart!

Handling is very direct and sharp but with a slippery rear end in the wet. Suspension is very firm but not backbreaking, lots of communication with the road.

Very easy to drive, transmission needs to be treated gently because the rear mounted gearbox takes longer to warm up.

Styling is marmite, personally I love them but not everyone does.

Speed is not in the supercar league (0-60 in around 7 sec) but they're more than able to keep up with (and pass!) modern traffic and they come alive once you enter the 4,000 revs area.

They make a great GT car imho, but make sure the seats don't cripple you!

wrinx

[PhilipAlfa]

^^
What he said! They are an acquired taste but I think they're brilliant. I've had mine 5 years now and still think its great fun.

[sng45]

Thanks for the replies, are they reliable ? are parts ( particularly body panels) still available ?

[sng45]

Thanks for the replies, are they reliable ? are parts ( particularly body panels) still available ?

[wrinx]

Problems arise from lack of use, but they're pretty reliable although sourcing some parts is challenging. Some parts are shared with the 75 but many others are SZ specific...for example, the rear discs are SZ only and cost £300+, that's if you can find some!

Body panels are rare although I've read that some were remanufactured but have no idea about the quality. Failing that second hand panels or repairing the damaged ones are the only way to go.

Glass is a problems, front screens were remanufactured a few years ago but don't fit very well apparently...I hear "proper" ones are now available but I'll worry about that when the need arises....which is the whole point really, if you worry about every little problem you'd never buy one.

Go for a drive and decide...

wrinx

[PhilipAlfa]

Mines been 100% reliable, never let me down. I've probably done around 20,000 miles over the last 5 year, so not huge mileage but enough to show up any faults. It has just been off the road for 6 weeks waiting for a few parts (propshaft couplings mainly) but that is the first time ever.

Generally if you find a good specialist who has knowledge of the cars, then there are few real problems. Yes body panels can be difficult - but not impossible. Likewise as Steve points out, windscreens can be difficult, but again not impossible to source. I think the most difficult parts to find are the headlights. However I put 3M transparent film over mine, so no longer have to worry about a stone chipping them.

Do go and sit in one, the driving position, as with most Alfa's of the period, is a little unconventional and if you are much over 6 foot then you may struggle to fit inside. Obviously they are all LHD, but to be honest as the car is pretty small it's rarely an issue. Gearbox has a long throw and compared to modern machinery is not so slick. However I've been driving a 147 selespeed for the last week and after that I actually quite like the 'mechanical' action and the feel of doing it properly...

I finally got my SZ back yesterday and spent most of the evening simply driving it - it is wonderful.....

Edited by PhilipAlfa on Thursday 23 June 08:24

Edited by PhilipAlfa on Thursday 23 June 08:40

[PhilipAlfa]

Just been looking at the ad - looks a nice car, but that low mileage might actually put me off. You may need to put a bit of money aside to re-condition it for proper use...

[Parabola]

Love these cars. Here's four of them parked outside a pub in York!

[wrinx]

Including mine

wrinx

[Robbo101]

Musy say, I prefer these to the 8C (& the spare £150K would come in handy as well........).

[shokan]

sng45 said:

Thanks for the replies, are they reliable ? are parts ( particularly body panels) still available ?

i looked at these carefully....there are 9 sz's, 2 rz's on the market here in tokyo now (& most all have been on the market for a long time).
they all have about 35,000km on the clock, priced in the range of jpy2.5million....so prices not bad.

broker i spent some time with warned me away & suggested i stay more mainline with a early model gtv, unless i was a hardline collector because:
-parts can be difficult to source for sz, rz edition.
-fine handling car, but generally considered slow for the expressway
-funky styling (not his term, loose translation from nihon-go for 'very strange') which makes resale on the edge of impossible
-his personal view (long time pure alfa broker) they were not a successful limited edition model.

not my views.....but have turned my attention to alfa gtv TB or back to alfa 147gta which i had on my last stint here.

this is the car the broker has, that i went to see....
http://www.carsensor.net/usedcar/detail/CU03483929...

[nosha123]

Hi SNG45
I have posted on an old old old thread of yours but dont think you are probably aware...

Sory to hijack this thread but wonder if I can ask you a question about your new build with the car lift in the garage.

As I am a new user I cannot PM you yet...

Would you mind if I posted a question here for you?

Thanks

Tasha