One for Andy Hewitt

You can get help for that, you know.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk  - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Fiat Marea 20v HLX -  COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

SteveH wrote:


Judging by your .sig it didn't yet work for you :-P.

--
Timo Geusch
'90 Range Rover Vogue SE LPG | '87 VW Jetta GTI

*cough*

--
The DervMan
www.dervman.com

Your sig gives a 403 error.

If by 403 you mean the website isn't there, you're spot on - I deleted it
this afternoon and it's uploading a replacement...

--
The DervMan
www.dervman.com

Nah, 403 is "Forbidden: You don't have permission" And, at nearly 7
o'clock it still is.

--
Skipweasel
Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes.

Thinks: awww crud.

Remembers: another hacker attack.

Yeah I reset everything overnight.  I'll wager I still have some problems
but most should be working now though... :-/

--
The DervMan
www.dervman.com

That's the snag now really, the CRX is a rather old car now, the last
ones are about 10 years old.

The main things to look out for are the roof, especially the electric
ones, they are *very* expensive to fix (like £800), and brakes. At this
age they are both prone to wear and corrosion.

You also need to check the seal around the top of the screen, they can
leak, and are £200.

Of course you've hit the biggest issue already, finding an unmodified
example is very hard now.

TBH though, the better CRX is the pre-VTEC 1.6i-16v. These were very
quick, and much more drivable than the VTEC models.

--
Andy Hewitt **  FAF#1, (Ex-OSOS#5) - FJ1200 ABS
Windows free zone (Mac G5 Dual Processor)
<http://andyhewitt.webhop.net/>
(updated Jan 2006)

Andy Hewitt wrote:


The advantage (to me) of the Del Sol is that it would be almost a
convertible. And I like convertibles...

I assume that your recommendation would be the second generation CRX
(ie the pre-Del Sol one), correct?

All this idle speculation may be completely moot if I can find an M5
that is within budget and doesn't need the purchase price spending on
it immediately but otherwise I would be looking into convertibles and
the list is rather shortish - 1st gen MX-5, CRX or RX-7 T2.

Obviously in your company I would never mention that the above list may
also include the 105-series Alfa Spider...

--
Timo Geusch
'90 Range Rover Vogue SE LPG | '87 VW Jetta GTI

Not a bad choice..... however, I prefer the Fiat 124 Spider personally.

Alternatively, why not a Bertone GTV? - or even a later Alfetta GTV6?

<thinks, clutches at straws>

X1/9?
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk  - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Fiat Marea 20v HLX -  COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

[Snipped Text]


<shudder again>


They have to be the rustiest car I've ever known!

Having said that, with Timo's luck, you never know.

--
Andy Hewitt **  FAF#1, (Ex-OSOS#5) - FJ1200 ABS
Windows free zone (Mac G5 Dual Processor)
<http://andyhewitt.webhop.net/>
(updated Jan 2006)

SteveH wrote:


Hmm. Double Hmmm.


Because the bloody thing has a *roof* on it. One that cannot be removed
without using an angle grinder.


Don't laugh, I've had two. I was toying with the idea of getting a
decent one and squeezing some more power out of the engine (which isn't
that hard if you're prepared to get some work done on the head). The
problem is the climate around here and the fact that about five years
ago (when I had my last one) even "consumables" like brake calipers had
to be imported from Italy and would turn up whenever Luigi in the
shipping department felt like it. The spares situation in the UK back
then was pretty dire and I doubt it has improved since. Which also
rules out two of my other ideas for classics - Lancia Beta Spyder and a
Lancia Montecarlo...

--
Timo Geusch
'90 Range Rover Vogue SE LPG | '87 VW Jetta GTI

Aye, but at that age, just not worth it, the open tops just aren't a
good motor. Nothing specifically wrong with them, but they didn't age
well.


Of that lot, and knowing *you* :-), I'd say the MX-5, just about a
classic, and *usually* bullet proof too. Don't bother with an RX at your
budget, that's almost certainly a recipe for tears.


Alfas, ah the memories (erm, read that as nightmares!)

--
Andy Hewitt **  FAF#1, (Ex-OSOS#5) - FJ1200 ABS
Windows free zone (Mac G5 Dual Processor)
<http://andyhewitt.webhop.net/>
(updated Jan 2006)

Andy Hewitt wrote:


OK, that is enough to put me off.


Hmm, I'll have a look but again the problem would be finding an
unmolested one...


Well, the thing is that the budget would be big enough to include an RX
Convertible that had a recent rebuild. Actually I'm hot on the trail of
two that of those at the moment... I do know rather a lot about RX-7s
so I know I could recognise a good one but the problem is finding said
beastie.

I take your point about the MX-5 and that's likely to be my choice -
compared to both an A**a and the RX-7 is probably the most rust
resistant, it doesn't drink petrol like it's going out of fashion (like
an RX) and the power difference to the RX can easily be overcome by
fitting a supercharger...


Heh. I've got "fond" memories of one that I partially restored for a
cnut who was supposed to pay me for the job...

I like their looks but compared to an MX-5 they are so *obviously* a
product of the 60s that's been tarted up over the years plus the usual
Italian car owner mentality doesn't help...

--
Timo Geusch
'90 Range Rover Vogue SE LPG | '87 VW Jetta GTI

[Snipped Text]


They're not bad, but they just make a good cheap runaround now, and you
need to be prepared for regular maintenance.


[Snipped Text]


They're just nasty if something does go wrong though.


The only problem with an MX-5 is their rather 'hair-dresser' kind of
appeal.


Personally I think the MX-5 is a no brainer really, it'll look OK, work
OK, and go well enough.

--
Andy Hewitt **  FAF#1, (Ex-OSOS#5) - FJ1200 ABS
Windows free zone (Mac G5 Dual Processor)
<http://andyhewitt.webhop.net/>
(updated Jan 2006)

Andy Hewitt was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Well, I dobn't have a problem with that but why would I want a
runaround for fun?


The only thing that tends to wrong with them is the engine and that I
can get rebuilt for reasonable money. But then we're back to M5
running costs...


HKS Turbo kit or JR supercharger and I'll be the fastest hairdresser
in town. I had one last summer and liked it (but this time I'd want a
better one). To me it's a proper sports car but it does allow you the
option of keeping your license. And if I feel particularly daft I can
still attempt to squeeze about 180 RWHP out of the engine...


Well yeah, I' slowly coming around to that conclusion myself...

Now all I need is to find someone who'll buy my Range Rover off me.
--
Timo Geusch

[Snipped Text]


That's how I look at them, a well built small sports car is more fun
than a big muscly car IMHO. Each has it's merits, but I think in the UK
the MX-5 is such a well suited motor.

Another couple of years and you could be looking at the Civic Type R as
an option too :-)


What, with your reputation!!! ;-)

--
Andy Hewitt **  FAF#1, (Ex-OSOS#5) - FJ1200 ABS
Windows free zone (Mac G5 Dual Processor)
<http://andyhewitt.webhop.net/>
(updated Jan 2006)

Andy Hewitt wrote:


I didn't say it would be easy...

--
Timo Geusch
'90 Range Rover Vogue SE LPG | '87 VW Jetta GTI

possibly in an effort to confuddle the world. It went like so;

I'll give you my 155 for it :-p


--
Pete M - Scouse Git Extraordinaire
Alfa 155, Ford Capri (still dead), Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2
OMF#9

"This is not 'Nam, this is bowling. There are rules"