Back to where I started...
Discussion
For the first time ever I'm rebuying a car I used to own and shouldn't have sold (with the benefit of hindsight). It's been an expensive lesson but I suspect I was reeling from the sudden loss of my wife and part of me thought 'I have to draw a line here and start afresh' and I ventured forth, clouded by grief and with no clear thinking.
All being well, next month I'll be buying back my 159 from the chap I sold it to in early 2021. I did say to him at the time 'Can I have first refusal?'
The timeline...
• Feb 2021: Meet the buyer at a half-way point outside a dealers I was picking up a Guilia Quadrifoglio from. Say goodbye to the 159.
• Apr 2021: Trade in the QF and get a far more sensible and plenty-fast enough Veloce
• Nov 2021: Indulge in a long-held dream of owning an Alfa SZ.
• Jan 2022: Decide to move and with that realise I need something more practical so trade Veloce in for a 159 TBi Ti Sportwagon.
• June 2022: Sell the SZ to fund another dream-car purchase, an integrale
• Oct 2022: Now moved and realise that the roads around here will ruin the 159 (it bottoms out a lot) so decide to sell it before it gets ruined
• Nov 2022: 159 owner contacts me asking if I'd like it back. Very tempted but I really need something that carries more. Regrettably decline the offer.
• Jan 2023: Stumble across a mint 205 GTI not too far away at a good price. Buy it, briefly enjoy it, sell it on
• Feb 2023: Buy an old Q5 to haul people, large dog and general stuff in. Dull but capable.
• June 2023: While looking for a Skoda Yeti for my partner, find my old 159 for sale again. Contact seller who was getting used to the idea of keeping it...
Throughout all the above, every time I've seen a 159 on the road I did get misty eyed. It was such a good car - just enough of everything.
I dread to think how much has been lost but I've learnt a very salient lesson; appreciate what you've got.
All being well, next month I'll be buying back my 159 from the chap I sold it to in early 2021. I did say to him at the time 'Can I have first refusal?'
The timeline...
• Feb 2021: Meet the buyer at a half-way point outside a dealers I was picking up a Guilia Quadrifoglio from. Say goodbye to the 159.
• Apr 2021: Trade in the QF and get a far more sensible and plenty-fast enough Veloce
• Nov 2021: Indulge in a long-held dream of owning an Alfa SZ.
• Jan 2022: Decide to move and with that realise I need something more practical so trade Veloce in for a 159 TBi Ti Sportwagon.
• June 2022: Sell the SZ to fund another dream-car purchase, an integrale
• Oct 2022: Now moved and realise that the roads around here will ruin the 159 (it bottoms out a lot) so decide to sell it before it gets ruined
• Nov 2022: 159 owner contacts me asking if I'd like it back. Very tempted but I really need something that carries more. Regrettably decline the offer.
• Jan 2023: Stumble across a mint 205 GTI not too far away at a good price. Buy it, briefly enjoy it, sell it on
• Feb 2023: Buy an old Q5 to haul people, large dog and general stuff in. Dull but capable.
• June 2023: While looking for a Skoda Yeti for my partner, find my old 159 for sale again. Contact seller who was getting used to the idea of keeping it...
Throughout all the above, every time I've seen a 159 on the road I did get misty eyed. It was such a good car - just enough of everything.
I dread to think how much has been lost but I've learnt a very salient lesson; appreciate what you've got.
I’ll be using the Q5 on the bumpy coastal roads to and from the holiday let; the 159 will be more of a plaything or something to use when heading onto decent roads.
I know it’s not the highly regarded Alfa but a) it looks incredible - still and b) sentimental reasons.
Edit c) it is a rare spec. Maybe not the best but I loved everything about it.
Having had a TBi subsequently I didn't feel it was leagues ahead in performance, economy or driving feel.
I know it’s not the highly regarded Alfa but a) it looks incredible - still and b) sentimental reasons.
Edit c) it is a rare spec. Maybe not the best but I loved everything about it.
Having had a TBi subsequently I didn't feel it was leagues ahead in performance, economy or driving feel.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 17th June 16:36
CarlosSainz100 said:
How was the SZ? That is my dream car!
Brilliant. Useless ventilation (even with aircon) made it like driving a greenhouse during the summer but in every other respect it was amazing. The handling was incredible, the engine note just gorgeous and then the looks...
The verdict to this article sums it up perfectly;
https://drives.today/articles/490/comparison/alfa-...
Ha! Noooo, I know my comfort zone and a QF is way outside it.
I don’t have a thread for the integrale but it can summed up thusly:
Disappointing.
SZ was a better drive in every respect & I used it as a daily driver.
The Lancia I’ve barely driven and when I have I’ve never felt 100% confident I’d get home again - and it’s a cherished example which has been in very capable ownership.
The two cars are the same age yet the SZ, for all intents and purposes a show car, felt sturdy and reliable; not words I’d use for the integrale.
When tinkering with the Lancia I’ve been amazed at how shoddily put together some parts are. It’s like a car that I’ve built and that not a glowing commendation.
There’s a real ‘That’ll do’ feel to whole thing.
The man in the street loves it and every time I’m out it will get a thumbs up or somebody taking pics in a petrol forecourt, and that’s great. It makes people happy to see one, but they wouldn’t be so chipper if they had to run one.
I’m not a fan. Love the looks, dislike pretty much everything else. It’s up for sale.
I don’t have a thread for the integrale but it can summed up thusly:
Disappointing.
SZ was a better drive in every respect & I used it as a daily driver.
The Lancia I’ve barely driven and when I have I’ve never felt 100% confident I’d get home again - and it’s a cherished example which has been in very capable ownership.
The two cars are the same age yet the SZ, for all intents and purposes a show car, felt sturdy and reliable; not words I’d use for the integrale.
When tinkering with the Lancia I’ve been amazed at how shoddily put together some parts are. It’s like a car that I’ve built and that not a glowing commendation.
There’s a real ‘That’ll do’ feel to whole thing.
The man in the street loves it and every time I’m out it will get a thumbs up or somebody taking pics in a petrol forecourt, and that’s great. It makes people happy to see one, but they wouldn’t be so chipper if they had to run one.
I’m not a fan. Love the looks, dislike pretty much everything else. It’s up for sale.
DrBrule said:
Brilliant.
Useless ventilation (even with aircon) made it like driving a greenhouse during the summer but in every other respect it was amazing. The handling was incredible, the engine note just gorgeous and then the looks...
The verdict to this article sums it up perfectly;
https://drives.today/articles/490/comparison/alfa-...
Yep, still want one! I hadn't quite realised they were that tardy but then I suppose it's not about outright speed and well, look at it! I wonder if anyone ever converted the Busso into a 3.7?Useless ventilation (even with aircon) made it like driving a greenhouse during the summer but in every other respect it was amazing. The handling was incredible, the engine note just gorgeous and then the looks...
The verdict to this article sums it up perfectly;
https://drives.today/articles/490/comparison/alfa-...
CarlosSainz100 said:
Yep, still want one! I hadn't quite realised they were that tardy but then I suppose it's not about outright speed and well, look at it! I wonder if anyone ever converted the Busso into a 3.7?
I think modifying SZ would be sacrilegious but a good friend in Surrey owns a 3.7 Busso powered Alfetta GTV6. Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff