I'm now 2 weeks into my search for a 33 replacement.... and so far have not even come close to buying a car :-(
Latest one was a 155 2lt 16v TS. Looked pretty good with sportspack and nice black alloys. But it sounded like a diesel. That'll be £400 to change the belts and variator, then. The trader selling it got well stroppy with me when I pointed this out. Oh well.....
Just about every 145 / 146 I've seen is either overdue or just about to need the belt and tensioner service, which is both inconvenient and expensive. Anything that has had it is for sale at silly money privately.
There's some 156s around, ex-lease (or company) but I _really_ don't feel like spending close on £5k on an 80k miles old car.
Also looked at a Bravo HGT (lovely motor), but it's not an Alfa, and insurance companies want as much to insure it as it would cost to cover a 155 V6 :-(
Last option that I have at the moment is a very nice-looking 33 P4. Had a gearbox rebuild about 20k miles back, and a new P4 ECU within the last couple of years. Full history for last 6 years, 84k miles on it. For sale at under a grand. That's more like it.
Does anyone know if the P4 is to be avoided (due to P4-related problems), or is it worth a punt - at the right money?
Someone _must_ have a car I want to buy ;-)