Lancia Delta HF Integrale... the facts?!
Discussion
Hmmm, so i've just attended the Tour of Mull Rally in Scotland which i have to say rocks 
It has got me thinking again about a particular type of car i've always wanted to own, and i ran this by the GF last night, thing is you see, she has a car which she's thinking about selling as since we moved in together i take her to work etc and she hardly uses hers anymore... less than 200 miles in the last 2 months and that's just so it gets a run out. Her car is a very sought after hot hatch so would fetch good money in this market.
She likes the look of the Lancia Delta's now i've shown her them, and i've seen what looks like one or two decent ones for not a lot of money (£4/£5k), not the fancy Evo's or anything like that, but 1988/9 2.0 HF Integrale Turbos (4WD) with about 90k on the clock and decent enough body work and history.
So, would something like this really be a money pit
It seems a good time to get something a bit different as it wont be racking up many miles but would be there to muck about in at weekends etc. Also would be the first step towards me owning a proper jobby later on. Wouldn't mind opinions from anyone who's had experience of them or owned one 
Cheers,
Baldy881
It has got me thinking again about a particular type of car i've always wanted to own, and i ran this by the GF last night, thing is you see, she has a car which she's thinking about selling as since we moved in together i take her to work etc and she hardly uses hers anymore... less than 200 miles in the last 2 months and that's just so it gets a run out. Her car is a very sought after hot hatch so would fetch good money in this market.She likes the look of the Lancia Delta's now i've shown her them, and i've seen what looks like one or two decent ones for not a lot of money (£4/£5k), not the fancy Evo's or anything like that, but 1988/9 2.0 HF Integrale Turbos (4WD) with about 90k on the clock and decent enough body work and history.
So, would something like this really be a money pit
It seems a good time to get something a bit different as it wont be racking up many miles but would be there to muck about in at weekends etc. Also would be the first step towards me owning a proper jobby later on. Wouldn't mind opinions from anyone who's had experience of them or owned one Cheers,
Baldy881
This car would be one of those "love to drive, but would not be as good as I hoped" moments.
Rust springs to mind too, an absolute magnet for it apparently
http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/lancia/delta/r176...
Rust springs to mind too, an absolute magnet for it apparently
http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/lancia/delta/r176...
Edited by UncappedTag on Thursday 15th October 12:52
If you join the associated car club and can source all the parts then that would be a benifit. Its a car which you would always have something to fix/replace/improve, so as long as you and your gf don't mind this (and alot of squeaks and rattles) then it might be ok.
I know if I were chosing a car for a gf Id pick the dullest most reliable thing around...
I know if I were chosing a car for a gf Id pick the dullest most reliable thing around...
thiscocks said:
I know if I were chosing a car for a gf Id pick the dullest most reliable thing around...
Ah well you see it wouldn't exactly be the GF's car... 
She'd think it was hers of course 
, but infact it would be hers Monday to Friday (when she never needs a car) and 'ours' Saturday to Sunday 
Half the point of getting one now is that her current motor is just stood about, at a time in the market when the car she has is fetching good money and i dont thinkshe should miss the boat with that since the used market is showing signs of strengthening. She has the opportunity to sell her current car for more than what she paid for it (10 months later and 8k miles on its trade valuation is £800 more than what it was when she bought it and it's only a £5500 car!!), and then the Lancia could afford to be stood around and used just as a toy.
I know i'd need some brass to maintain a Delta no doubt, but i'd just love to own a decent one and because of the circumstances it seems a good time to do it
Baldy881
Edited by Baldy881 on Thursday 15th October 13:12
GPT said:
Might be worth watching this and parts 2-5 to get an idea about working on them yourself and sourcing parts, that alternator looks like a massive pain for example. You can skip past the Mike Brewer "oldoutchandfella" stuff.
Wouldn't be doing the work myself... bloody hell no! 
The dealership i work at, the service manager/my mate also does rallying and works on all his own cars and seems to think aside from the problem of sourcing parts as mentioned, that nothing would be too much of an issue... It does concern me that a lot of the ads say things like "£5000 spent in the last 3 months". Yes, that thought does scare me!! 
They look the f
king nuts though don't they?! Even late 80's one. Just plain classic and something really different that should, in theory, be a reet hoon to drive!Baldy881
Good friend ran one for years. Always something needed doing on it and the bills were always pretty steep. In the short periods it was running well, it was a fantastic car and a bit of a sleeper (the earlier cars). I think good specialists are few and far between so it would help if you're close to one
I had a 16v a while back - was quite reliable and a daily runner. Snapped the cam-belt though and cost a fair bit to fix (5 bent valves iirc).
Only car i've had since which would cover ground as quickly is the one i've got now - 911 C4S. Truly astonishing levels of grip on wet leafy lanes .. but I guess you knew that already!
Not sure I could live with the interior nowadays though .. it looked very dated even back then!
Only car i've had since which would cover ground as quickly is the one i've got now - 911 C4S. Truly astonishing levels of grip on wet leafy lanes .. but I guess you knew that already!
Not sure I could live with the interior nowadays though .. it looked very dated even back then!
I ran a HF turbo as my first car, and yes it was rusty and yes, the electrics were a bit suspect.
It is still one of the cars I miss most, absolutely loved it!
However, a well looked after Integrale doesn't have to be a money pit... If you stretched your budget a bit, I'd look for an early Evo and a local Italian specialist to look after it, then they are a good proposition.
I'll own one at some point, just don't have a garage to keep it in!
It is still one of the cars I miss most, absolutely loved it!
However, a well looked after Integrale doesn't have to be a money pit... If you stretched your budget a bit, I'd look for an early Evo and a local Italian specialist to look after it, then they are a good proposition.
I'll own one at some point, just don't have a garage to keep it in!
Yeh the interior is a bit gay, but i'd overlook that for the exterior and performance. There is a Lancia Delta specialist 27 miles from where i live which is helpful, Walkers in Northallerton. Maybe i'll have a drive over at the weekend and see what they've got and what they say to spares/repairs...
Some very useful replies and comments guys
thanks very much - i expected a barrage of 'don't go there!' but seems they may be worth a consideration...
Cheers!
Baldy881
Some very useful replies and comments guys
thanks very much - i expected a barrage of 'don't go there!' but seems they may be worth a consideration...Cheers!
Baldy881
Listen Rob - if you are going to get a Delta then you simply have to get 'grale. Otherwise you are always going to wonder what it would have been like to stick your neck out a bit further than 'just' the Delta.
Obvioulsy it's a potential money pit as with all older performance cars and parts will be a problem as has already been pointed out.
Didn't evo do a test against a contemporary fairly recently - at least in the last year - I'll see if i can dig out the copy and bring it down to Kent.
Cracking car and would be in my garage of 10 - but I have a sneeking suspicion it may be a case of "never meet your hero" and that would be a shame.
But you should deffo get one if you can - and come down and take me for a spin.
Loads here http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=52
Obvioulsy it's a potential money pit as with all older performance cars and parts will be a problem as has already been pointed out.
Didn't evo do a test against a contemporary fairly recently - at least in the last year - I'll see if i can dig out the copy and bring it down to Kent.
Cracking car and would be in my garage of 10 - but I have a sneeking suspicion it may be a case of "never meet your hero" and that would be a shame.
But you should deffo get one if you can - and come down and take me for a spin.
Loads here http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=52
I ran an '89 16v for a couple of years although it was a stripped out Martini rally replica (check profile).
Bear in mind it's a 20 year old italian car and then see how many other 20 year old italian cars are still on the road today and that will give you an idea of how they last, then again that is half the appeal. It is a well deserved icon with superb italian styling and rallying heritage (until recently the most rally wins ever).
Do your research, buy with your eyes open with a well documented service history and get friendly with a specialist. Parts are getting harder to find (most trim and body parts only available 2nd hand) but most everyday mechanicals can be had via Fiat or aftermarket sources.
Mine had at least £20k spent on it prior me buying it and had a history file at least 2 inches thick of bills. I wouldn't even have bothered without this. I probably spent another £4k on it over the two years (included new track suspension though) and never regretted a penny of it, it's a car you buy with your heart not your head.
Wait for the new series of Top Gear, they have filmed a feature on Lancia:
http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?p=26071...
Bear in mind it's a 20 year old italian car and then see how many other 20 year old italian cars are still on the road today and that will give you an idea of how they last, then again that is half the appeal. It is a well deserved icon with superb italian styling and rallying heritage (until recently the most rally wins ever).
Do your research, buy with your eyes open with a well documented service history and get friendly with a specialist. Parts are getting harder to find (most trim and body parts only available 2nd hand) but most everyday mechanicals can be had via Fiat or aftermarket sources.
Mine had at least £20k spent on it prior me buying it and had a history file at least 2 inches thick of bills. I wouldn't even have bothered without this. I probably spent another £4k on it over the two years (included new track suspension though) and never regretted a penny of it, it's a car you buy with your heart not your head.
Wait for the new series of Top Gear, they have filmed a feature on Lancia:
http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?p=26071...
Sure there'd be a few beers in it for you I know it's not useful to this post in any way, but...
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...
A car that spawned this must be worth owning at some stage. Oh, just to hear that engine scream...
Sorry and back to topic.
My mother used to own a standard Lancia Delta many years ago, I loved that car, though I was 7 years old! I have never seen another non Integrale/HF Turbo on the road in this country since.
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...
A car that spawned this must be worth owning at some stage. Oh, just to hear that engine scream...
Sorry and back to topic.
My mother used to own a standard Lancia Delta many years ago, I loved that car, though I was 7 years old! I have never seen another non Integrale/HF Turbo on the road in this country since.
GPT said:
Might be worth watching this and parts 2-5 to get an idea about working on them yourself and sourcing parts, that alternator looks like a massive pain for example. You can skip past the Mike Brewer "oldoutchandfella" stuff.
Like how he takes those nasty pedals out...then replaces them with Ripspeeds! On an Integrale!
GPT said:
Might be worth watching this and parts 2-5 to get an idea about working on them yourself and sourcing parts, that alternator looks like a massive pain for example. You can skip past the Mike Brewer "oldoutchandfella" stuff.
Ignore that, he talks bks. Go here. Bunch of jumped up tts but really do know there stuff http://forums.delphiforums.com/evoforum/startIve had two of them, both 16v and absolutely love them, wouldn't hesitate to have another but will probably wait until I can afford a nice evo (not for any reason other than snobbery). Personally I wouldn't want an 8v model but then the purist say thats the one to go for. HTH if you want any more info just ask.
Oh and steer clear of RHD converted vehicles
Mike
funkyboogalooo said:
GPT said:
Might be worth watching this and parts 2-5 to get an idea about working on them yourself and sourcing parts, that alternator looks like a massive pain for example. You can skip past the Mike Brewer "oldoutchandfella" stuff.
Ignore that, he talks bks. ks but the bloke off wheeler dealersYour idea is great in theory, not viable in reality.
The shells. It comes down to the shells. They weaken and get stressed round the windscreens, front and rear and that is where the rust attacks. Now this isnt an endgame probelm, yet get it stripped, treated and repainted. It isnt cheap though and here is your problem. On an Integrale it is worth it because a good Grale is 10k all day long. On at 5k HF then the owners most likely will not spend the money, so the job wont have been done.
The rule with the Delta is very simple...spend 10k, because you will, one way or another. Just because the HF could be had for 5k DO NOT presume you will be spending less on upkeep than a full fat Integrale.
Oh and parts? Some body parts are almost impossible to lay hands on.
The shells. It comes down to the shells. They weaken and get stressed round the windscreens, front and rear and that is where the rust attacks. Now this isnt an endgame probelm, yet get it stripped, treated and repainted. It isnt cheap though and here is your problem. On an Integrale it is worth it because a good Grale is 10k all day long. On at 5k HF then the owners most likely will not spend the money, so the job wont have been done.
The rule with the Delta is very simple...spend 10k, because you will, one way or another. Just because the HF could be had for 5k DO NOT presume you will be spending less on upkeep than a full fat Integrale.
Oh and parts? Some body parts are almost impossible to lay hands on.
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