Alfa Pages

[james]

Hi all, im looking to get another alfa 33 i got given one when i was 15 it was a 1.5 on a "A" reg, if failed on its MOT and i had the chance to do it up. But i never did, so i sold it for £20 after beening sat for 2 years.

Now i have the need to get an alfa 33 1.7 of some kind. I like the idea of a P4 but i thought these were only on the sportwagons? also someone told me to stand clear of them as they have the same diff or 4X4 gearbox as a fiat panda.

I would like to spend about £1000 - £1500 on one but i like the mark 3, as i feel it might be better on rust, there for i will not have to worrie about it.

So if anyone has any comments on which one i should go for i would love to hear.

One more thing it has to be Red or Black


Many Thanks

James

[james]

oh i have found a picture of one that i like, it seems to be lowered a little and is a P4

[Admin]

Hi

Dont know if the P4 was every sold as a Sportwagon to the general public, certainly not for the UK. Think there were some made for some markets though.

The P4 rear diff, etc are basically reliable. The problems with the 4x4 are mainly electrical or the rear gearbox mount (which is very difficult to find new)

The UK had the early switchable 4x4 as an estate, no 4x4 series 2s were officially imported, and with the series 3 we only got the P4 (there were also a 1.3 and a 1.7 switchable 4x4 made but not imported)

All the best

Keith

[james]

Thanks keith

So the P4 mark 3 will be a good car to get hold of ?

Is the P4 more fun that a 2 wheel drive or does it lose the 33 style, but as i have never driven a 33 above 5 mph, i will not know any different.

Many Thanks

James
_________________
Umm thinking of getting a Alfa 33 P4 16v cloverleaf.

I would have done but i could not see any nice ones, so on the end i went for a 145 QV. Very happy with it

But still looking for a nice cheep 33 cloverleaf.

[james]

[Lee]

Hi James, this car has been lowered, and looks really nice, BUT, from personal experience beware.

I had a `94 33 16v which had been fitted with Koni shocks, it sitted lower and handled well, but the camber angle of the wheels wasnt set correct, and wore tyres below legal limit on the inside edge within a few 1000 miles.

As standard all my 16vs ( all four of them ) sat lower at the front with higher back end, giving that ploughing the tarmac look

Lee
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`97 155 2.0 16v sport
`91 33 1.7 I.E

[james]

Well im taking the pludge, im going to have a look at one on friday but its a nice 3-4 hour drive away so hopefully it we be a nice one.
_________________
Umm thinking of getting a Alfa 33 P4 16v cloverleaf.

I would have done but i could not see any nice ones, so on the end i went for a 145 QV. Very happy with it

But still looking for a nice cheep 33 cloverleaf.

[Admin]

Hi

That P4 does look lowered. The P4 always seems higher at the back than the 2wd cars.

The 2wd car is, in some way, slightly more fun than the 4wd ones as it is somewhat unruley. The P4 is quicker on bumpy roads and the wet, and you can certainly push it harder round corners

All the best

Keith

[james]

Well i went to look at some 33 P4's but all the ones i could find were right dog's even one that one had 41K on the clock.

But on sunday i went and had a look at an alfa 145 QV "N" reg 2 owners full history and 94K miles, in red.

Heres some pictures of my new baby



_________________
Umm thinking of getting a Alfa 33 P4 16v cloverleaf.

I would have done but i could not see any nice ones, so on the end i went for a 145 QV. Very happy with it

But still looking for a nice cheep 33 cloverleaf.

[Admin]

Hi

As a matter of interest, how much did you pay for that? When were the front suspension arms last replaced?

All the best

Keith

[james]

I paid £2,100 for it.

Im not sure if they have. Do they go then?
_________________
Umm thinking of getting a Alfa 33 P4 16v cloverleaf.

I would have done but i could not see any nice ones, so on the end i went for a 145 QV. Very happy with it

But still looking for a nice cheep 33 cloverleaf.

[Gary UK]

No Comment.(ish)

I hope FSH below 50k.

I've never been to an auction in my life.

[Admin]

Hi

Compared to what they are advertised at, not a bad price (assume it is a 2L)

Change the cam belt. They do not last as long as Alfa originall claimed. The problem is that the original tensioner pulley wheel breaks up around 50000 miles, taking the cam belt out and wrecking the engine. The newer tensioners are far better apparently

The front suspension arms have the bushes bonded to them. At about 40000 miles the bushes fail, requiring you to replace the arms. First obvious sign is that the insides of the front tyres disappear very quickly. The problem is common to all the Fiat Tipo based cars (including the 156, etc). Think the arms are about £100 from Alfa or about half that from a decent Alfa specialist (plus fitting)

All the best

Keith

[james]

Yes it is the 2ltr.

It does have fairly new tyres at the front so i will keep my eye on them.
as for the cambelt is was change at the 72K mile service. Now we are 22K on, i think i will get it changed at the 96K service.

Thanks for the help guys


James
_________________
Umm thinking of getting a Alfa 33 P4 16v cloverleaf.

I would have done but i could not see any nice ones, so on the end i went for a 145 QV. Very happy with it

But still looking for a nice cheep 33 cloverleaf.

[Admin]

Hi

Take it along to a half decent specialist and get them to check the pulleywheel. If it is the original one then worry! If it has been changed for another early style one then think about doing the cam belt, but if it is the later one then it should last well and I would not worry until at least 120000 miles

Alfa originally claimed a 72000 mile cam belt change interval. My step mothers GTV had its cam belt done then, with the original tensioner and our local Alfa specialist was somewhat surprised it had lasted that long

All the best

Keith