In reply to t25torx:
I'm pretty sure that I've seen that white car and spoken to the owner. It's a nice example of a nice car, and I like them, but they're just not $100k cars to me.
In reply to t25torx:
I'm pretty sure that I've seen that white car and spoken to the owner. It's a nice example of a nice car, and I like them, but they're just not $100k cars to me.
https://portland.craigslist.org/nco/cto/5423360293.html - Alfa Montreal, new engine, nice driver $65k
The three cars are very different from each other. No matter which one you get it will be complicated and expensive. It will probably be on display more than driven on a regular basis and will probably be outclassed by newer cars, so which one would you like to turn on the lights in the garage and look at after a long day? I like the Alfa but the Maserati is very cool looking. The Dino is a bit boring in comparison to the others.
Well I might be putting a hold on the quest for one of these. My dad has a line on a '93 Lotus Esprit that might be too good a deal to pass up. I'll keep you guys updated.
Well, I have to admit I have always liked the look of the Esprits too. Not much top end value once it is done, but a fast very nice handling car, great drive!
Alpha no doubt.
Though this is a nice alternate
....
I bet the 3 of these are nightmares to own unless you have deep pocket books. I can't imagine finding parts, lol.
Someone else said GTV6 and someone posted a Cosmo. Both of those may be on the "hard to own" side of things but I bet you could actually drive them and not worry about parts availability when breaking something.
I would probably go for a 4 cylinder alfa or gtv6.
Or..... Lotus Excel or Elan 2+2
I have owned my Merak for 15 years, not a nightmare at all. The main expensive part is fixing things that the PO left, did poorly. Regular maintenance is not too bad, and the things that wear out on every car due to time also is not crazy. Most parts are easily available and since the Montreal is basically a 105 underneath I would suspect many parts on that can be had. Yes, you have to know the sources, but that becomes easy with ownership. I haven't owned a GTV6 or the Mazda, but the Alfa is not crazy to own. those Busso motors are very stout and can go a lot of miles, the transaxle may be different than most but nothing too much scary.
Of those, Merak > Alfa > Fiat
I'm not generally a big Ferrari fan, but I'd throw the 308 GT4 in the mix as well.
Hello, I have a Dino 2.4 Coupe (not the 2.0 L like one on the photo) and can tell you it has the most awesome engine sound, definitely the best of the three, with independent rear suspension, disc brakes and ZF gearbox). I agree, that both the Merak and the Montreal are more '70-ish in appearence with the wedgy lines. Which one to buy? The Alfa's SPICA ignition is hard nuts to service, while parts avaibilty is scarce. Engine and gear parts for the DINO are there, but no body panels and trims (at all)! I do not know about the Merak, but would imagine on the long run the dagger sign will draw the best money, thus the investment may return. Last year however the Dinos (Spyder and Coupe) showed the highest appreciation (check out Hagerty). Anybody starting such a project with a budget and not endless opportunities must have a strong reason which can be explained at home. Mine was the British series "The Persuaders", because the Fiat Dino is a mixture of an Aston DBS and the Ferrari 246. I have gotten the right silhouette with the true heart:-)
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