Talk me down: cheap Italian

So I just sold three cars to thin the herd (though the Laforza Ebay buyer has flaked out on me... really weird... good feedback (over 100 and 100%), he communicated throughout the auction, contacted me as soon as the auction was over to arrange to pay and pick it up, and then disappeared off the face of the earth) and was doing well behaving myself.

There was a BMW 850i thread here a couple of weeks ago and I knew where one was really cheap... contacted the guy and he just got back to me. Sold the drivable 850 for $1500 (really!)... but had decided to sell his early Lancia Scorpion.

Now I like these cars (like 'em more with a hot 2L in them, etc) but I don't absolutely love them, especially in stock form. (Think I've posted on this before) But I tell him to send me some pix anyway.

Turns out the car is a 68k mile survivor... completely stock except for exhaust, original paint (dings and scratches but virtually no rust... anywhere), beautiful original leather interior, car spent its life in south Texas and was just driven 2000 miles here, so mechanically sound..

Has the original fabric top (ratty, but a new one is included) and the windshield has the normal Scorpion stress crack (~$1000 issue and his motivation to sell).

Price is under $2000 (not sure how far under, but if the 850 is any reference...).

Tell me why I don't want this car... my wife would appreciate it.

Under 2k for a car in that condition? I cant help you other than to buy it out from under you if I knew where it was.

Saw one with an alfa V6 from a 164 swapped once...would be my dream car right there.

Kinda cramped inside though so sit in it and try it on for size. Everything is a pain to work on and they are porky and slow compared to an X1/9 or similar....but dayum, I do love em.

A Lancia, that was driven and has no rust? Don't think it's possible! I'd say go for it, it's a Lancia, it's awesome, like Top Gear said haha

Just let me buy it and it'll make your wife happy.

Just let me buy it and it'll make your wife happy.

If you can fit and don't mind that windshields cost $1k then why not? You can experience all the fun and excitement of owning an Italian car like learning to smell a fuel leak while driving and stopping before anything bad happens, watching the temp gauge to make sure the fan comes on when you sit at a stoplight, etc.

You aren't helping... ;-)

I love the Alfa V6 and have dreamed about dropping one in an X1/9 or Scorpion... but I know I'd be unlikely to tear apart a low mile original car like this.... and that's the best reason I can think of not to buy it...

Well Bill, you'd probably like it. It's quirky, like you.

Having driven both Scorpions and X1/9s over the years, I don't see much going for the Lasagna over the Fiat other than the exoticar looks. The windshield isn't worth bothering with, IMO. These cars aren't fast, and they actually aren't physically much larger than the X1/9. As you know, parts aren't plentiful and can be costly. It's not a bad driving car. The shifter is rather clunky. Performance is "meh"; neither horrible nor exciting. The general public has no idea what it is and will mistake it for a Ferrari. Not really any more troublesome than any Fiat (take that for what you think it means). May be important to see if you can fit in it first, but I don't recall you being taller or more long-legged than I, and I can make it happen no problem (five-eleven-ish).

Given a really cherry X1/9 or a Scorpion for the same price...I'd probably lean toward the Fiat. It's just a little more nimble and fun to drive IMO.

the early scorps are the prettier ones with the solid "sail" panels from the roof down to the taillights.

Don;t take it out in the rain, and all will be fine. Italian metal likes to dissolve in rain and the scorp has a well known problem with locking the fronts under braking at the merest hint of moisture

You really expected anyone on this board to try to talk you out of something odd. I am sure more then half of us want it. I say do it.

^^^ hahaha

ddavidv is right, its not a better car than an x1/9 Its slower, handling isnt quite as crisp, harder to work on and parts aren't quite as available.

Mine was silver, less mistaken for a ferrari than a delorean.

Really no logical reason to own one. But as you've already figured out, italian car ownership has exactly NO relationship to logic.

Seriously if you pass on it, tell me where to go get it....and the name of a good divorce lawyer ;)

JThw8 wrote: Really no logical reason to own one. But as you've already figured out, italian car ownership has exactly NO relationship to logic. Seriously if you pass on it, tell me where to go get it....and the name of a good divorce lawyer ;)

true

harder to work on than an X? I found the engine compartment of the X to be seriously cramped. At least the Scorp has the full rear of the car to access everything

OK, why you shouldn't buy it. Quality parts are next to impossible to find. Oh, you'll find some parts, but they're crap.

The electrical system will make you envy a pure Lucas '50s British car. And you'll be buying fuses and relays by the bucket full. Oh and carry a fire extinguisher for the inevitable under dash fire.

Then there's the fuel system. Overfill the tank, and you'll have fuel in the evaporative pollution control tubing/plumbing. It will smell of gasoline until it all evaporate out. Your wife will love that when you park it in your garage to keep it from rotting in the rain. Don't even think of driving it in the spring until after a couple of heavy down pours have washed all the road salt away.

Don't park it near the Chesapeake--the fog/morning dew will start rust to form.

If you're taller than 5'5", you may find it a bit cramped. You'll love the lack of flow-through ventilation on a hot day. It has A/C? HA, ha, ha, ha,.....in name only.

Finally, you will be hearing, "I still don't understand why you spen out money on THAT car. " A lot. more than a lot--wwhenever it's blocking access to an area or something she wants in the garage.

Buy it, post pictures, let us live our Lancia fantasies through you...

In all seriousness though, it's a cool car, unique, cheap, what's the downside?

mad_machine wrote: harder to work on than an X? I found the engine compartment of the X to be seriously cramped. At least the Scorp has the full rear of the car to access everything

I've owned them both....one is not easier than the other. Remember they jammed the twin cam in the back of the scorp.

Buy it so I don't. I've had one Lancia, and that was probably enough.

Just waltzing by. Oops, I dropped something. Oh well, I think I'll just leave it here.

and only about 13.3% of the stock version is left

Hey, whatsa matta for you? The last guy who tried to apply reasinin like dis ended up swimmin wit da fishes! And who da hellarya callin cheap?

Better buy it, before someone else here does.

^^^ That's akin to an addict performing an "intervention" on another addict.

wc, if you have the urge to go Italian, find a good X1/9 and put you're money there. Scorpions are rare but lose on the parts-availability/cost and looks factors. I spent enough time with my Dad's exxie and a good friend's Lancia to appreciate the foibles of the mechanicals and electrics.

If you have to Lancia, bite the full-bore bullet and get a restored Fulvia. Otherwise, go exxie and enjoy yourself. There are some nice examples with serious engine transplants, too!

oldsaw wrote: ^^^ That's akin to an addict performing an "intervention" on another addict.

If you only knew the truth of that statement...

I appreciate all the info. After sleeping on it (and reading the posts), as much as this car/deal tugs at me, it sort of boils down to one thing... this type of car absolutely has to be stored inside and I'm currently full up.

I honestly think I'd prefer a less nice car that I wouldn't mind cutting up and playing with... I still get shivers thinking about this body with a Webered Alfa 3L V6 in it...

Plus two of the 3 cars I just sold were Italian (or essentially Italian) and I still have a couple of cars and a couple of bikes that more than fulfill that Italy quota...

So anyone who is seriously interested can drop me a line and I can provide photos and contact info to the seller. Car is right on I-95 at the MD-DE border (near Rising Sun, MD).

My wife sends her thanks... though she thought it was a really cute car as well....

wcelliot wrote: Car is right on I-95 at the MD-DE border (near Rising Sun, MD). My wife sends her thanks... though she thought it was a really cute car as well....

Gah...so its about 30 minutes from my house.

My wife sends her thanks for not providing me further info.....but photos might be nice ;)