Alfa Pages

[Mingo]

I bought my very first Alfa on Monday and have been enjoying it very much.

I hadn't planned on buying an Alfa at all as I was set on getting a Golf Gti to replace my BM (I like German cars ok), but when an Alfa owning friend of mine spotted a car for sale at his Alfa specialist, it looked interesting and we went to look at it the following day.

Unfortunately the 145 that we were going to look at had been sold, but they did have this old white thing outside that was for sale at £1k, which was less than the 145 was up for.

I wasn't interested at all because the car was white, which is my least favourite colour of car Plus I thought it would be in need of money throwing at it left right and center. But the guy at the garage proceeded to show me the history of the car and the amount of money it'd had spent on it in the last two years. I was just looking for a car to run around in for a year or 2 and this sounded like it might be worth looking at.

So I went for a test drive with two friends who had both owned 33's, and they both commented on how tight it felt. I was very surprised by the way it drove, it felt very nimble and the boxer engine sounded fantastic.

We got back to the garage and I was actually considering buying a white car I think if it was any other colour I would have driven the car home that day. But after a couple of days I decided to buy it as it had good history and evidence of work carried out. The guys seemed really genuine and were really friendly (I even got a lift from the son to pick the car up). As a first foray in to Alfa ownership, I wanted something that would be fairly reliable...this car has had new cambelt, head gaskets, shocks/springs, brakes all round, exhaust, radiator, track rods, alternator, battery, thermostat, water pump, heater matrix, fuel filler neck, and loads of other bits, just in the last two years! I have lots of history including the original sale receipt.

So i'm the owner of a white '91 33 1.7 i.e. 8v Injection (non-cat) in which i've driven 300 miles without a hitch and is proving to be a fun car. It's done 68k, has a 16v exhaust from the manifold back, k&n induction kit, boost valve and goes pretty well. It has a few quirks and some bits you wish were designed a little better, but overall i'm enjoying my first taste of Alfa ownership

Just want to ask how often do used Recaro interiors pop up, and how much do they go for? Oh and what sort of mpg should I be getting? I'm sure I should be getting more than I have been, but the engine sounds so good...

[stedee]

recaros are quite often for sale usually they go for between 50 - 100 quid for an interior. does sound a bit expensive though a grand for an ie, there are people on here who have sold mint 33 16v permanent 4 s for under a grand but if it very very clean and has no rust at all it`s probably ok
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[Mingo]

Thanks, i'm keeping my eyes peeled for interiors

I guess it was a little expensive, but to be honest I had no idea how much these things are worth, and it just looked like a good buy for the money. The body work is in very very good condition. Ramesh at Alfarama insisted on putting the car on the ramps to show me the underside, pointing to the places that normally rot away but on this car were fine. The car was owned by his nephew who was intending to keep it (hence all the money spent in the last two years), but he's since bought a 147.

I could have taken the easy option and bought something German and boring for the same money, but there was something about this Italian that had me curious for more

[lee16v]

Hi mate, welcome to wonderful world of 33 ownership!

Sounds like you've got a decent motor there but polish up your spanners as it will probably go wrong before Christmas only joking..........it'll be way before then.

Keep your eye on ebay as the interiors pop up from time to time

ps. really only kidding about reliability.... had mine for nearly 4 years and nothing major to report........

[Bellamachinna]

[gritsop]

Hi,

Congatulations, you have made a nice buy!

These are great little cars, very fun driving them, and most of all there is interaction between the car and the driver. The lesser is missing from mainstream cars and that's the spirit of Alfa ownership; driving something different with personality.

It is a nice opportunity to learn a thing or two about these cars as you will sooner or later find your self studying the workshop manuals which are easy to find on the web. In addition in case you are slightly technically inclined (meaning you know how to grab a screwdriver) then you will save your self enough cash otherwise paid to garages.

Finally you will notice with time that this car is not only meant for transportation from point A to point B but it will also become your "toy".

Hope you got the point.

Again, welcome again to this global community and whatever you need to ask don't hesitate so. Here are many people who have excellent knowledge of these cars and are willing to help.

Best regards,
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Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

[stedee]

yes it is true you will enjoy the 33 , i had one and i was hooked , ive had a celica since and i got rid of it cos it wasnt as fast or exciting to drive as a 33 ,i have since had about 6 33s.
they are usually pretty reliable but one thing to note is the cambelts - find out when yours were last changed, they need changing evry 30000 miles otherwise if they break or slip your engine will be knackered oh yeh the brakes are crap aswell.
the good thing about owning a 33 is the help and knowledge you will get from this site and alfaowner.com, most people are extremely helpful

and giv it some
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[RFlower]

You've made me realise why I like the 33 so much - it takes me back to when I started driving in the early 60's.
When every trip was a potential adventure, when you were never sure if the car would make it, and you always checked the toolbox was in the boot before leaving.
Thank you Alfa, for keeping alive the joy of motoring, at least until 1995!
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Dick Flower, Nr. Carcassonne. '94 Trofeo 1.4 ie (F), '93 Imola 1.3/1.4 ie (now for breaking) (F), '91 1.7 ie (GB)(spare car), '86 Sprint 1.5 QV (F). '87 VW Syncro camper (F), '73 NSU Ro80 (F), '99 Fiat Seicento (F)

[gritsop]

[RFlower]

I actually meant when the 33 was discontinued. I think it was still on sale in 1995.
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Dick Flower, Nr. Carcassonne. '94 Trofeo 1.4 ie (F), '93 Imola 1.3/1.4 ie (now for breaking) (F), '91 1.7 ie (GB)(spare car), '86 Sprint 1.5 QV (F). '87 VW Syncro camper (F), '73 NSU Ro80 (F), '99 Fiat Seicento (F)

[Mingo]

Thanks for the welcome guys

My cambelts were changed about 20k ago so I guess i'll get them done next year. I'll take it back to the garage I bought it from for the service, as they know the car inside out and are very nice people.

The brakes are definitely a little weak, but as the car seems so light, it's not as big an issue as it could be. No abs does make for some squirming emergency stops though . I have 16v outboard vented discs on my car, are there any worthwhile brake upgrade options? Is fitting braided hoses and 5.1 fluid along with some fast road pads worth it on these cars?

[stedee]

there are soooo many threads on uprating brakes - best to do a search
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