912 vs. 944 Turbo vs. 930? Your input sought?, Contemplating another option-away from -6; your thoughts? Options

[R8CERX]

So…I am contemplating the next purchase… not in a rush.. the right deal at the right time…. heck…I may even go for a 1974 GTV Alfa Romeo--a whole different story!

I love the following three models:

All 912 coupe models (Ideally, Red, Silver, light blue, or the weird mustard color)
The 1989 930 (turbo) (Ideally Silver, Red, black)
The 1989 944 Turbo (S) (Ideally Red, Silver, Yellow)

Of course, they are all in different price ranges… so my interest is to get one of the above for fun, daily/weekend driver/ semi restored (I dont want to work on the cars too much aside from regular maintenance or basic work) and I do believe the wife will want to drive it more than the -6.

As I know how critical this group is, I would love to hear the pros/cons on the above models.

I pretty much have my mind made up, but want to check with the peanut gallery to see if I am in the right path… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

If you are aware of a car for sale within the above types, I welcome also the lead--PM me or email me.

[Seabird]

I am going to be the odd voice in the room. I just started driving a 914 1.8 on a semi daily basis. (Borrowing my dads while I get my track 2.0 ready for action.) Never had any of the other p-cars you are considering either. My perspective is on the Alfa.

I grew up on a steady diet of Alfas. Spiders, GTV-6, Milano, 164, you name it we had them all. Their great, fun, cars. I love their in line 4 cylinder motors. Easy to work on and great to look at. I resto modded a GTV a few years ago and put as many miles as I can on it. Love it. Lost interest in driving my C6 vette because the GTV is so much fun.

Part suppliers here in the states are plentiful. More expensive than BMWs from the 80s but less expensive than Porsche. The cars from the 60-70's have the most support. Once you get into the 80-90's the cars were more complicated and they sold few of them (exception here is the spider as they are fundamentally unchanged since 74.)

There are few mechanics that can work on them and less every day. I do all my own mechanic work on my GTV now. Maybe in your area you have more service stations but in most parts of the country good luck. If you are in California you will be okay.

My GTV weights 2100 lbs and puts out 160 at the crank. That's with significant work and a European twin-spark motor. A lot more is possible but at a price. 200-220hp motors are being built. Its a blast to drive! But there is a limit to the performance envelop and it is a live rear axle car.

My GTV wont be coming up for sale any time, ever. As an alternative to a 914/912/early 911 sure. If your looking for modern performance the Alfa's not your car.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/lh5.googleusercontent.com-16683-1388782884.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/lh4.googleusercontent.com-16683-1388782885.2.jpg)

[Maltese Falcon]

My GTV wont be coming up for sale any time, ever. As an alternative to a 914/912/early 911 sure. If your looking for modern performance the Alfa's not your car.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/lh5.googleusercontent.com-16683-1388782884.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/lh4.googleusercontent.com-16683-1388782885.2.jpg)

Miguel, awesome twin plug Alfa...never seen one here. International Auto Parts exhaust header, or Factory race item?
Beautiful hot rod !
Marty

[Seabird]

Miguel, awesome twin plug Alfa...never seen one here. International Auto Parts exhaust header, or Factory race item?
Beautiful hot rod !
Marty

Marty, thanks. There are a few floating arond the state's. More than you think. The header is a Alfaholics ss full system from the UK.

If you leave most/all cars from the 60s and 70s out in the rain and weather they will rust. If you don't clean out the weep holes that have been collecting dirt and debris for 30 years moisture is going to be present which is going to exacerbate the rust problems. Every car has its trouble spots, much like the 914 has the Hell hole and the 63-65 Riviera's have their front hood issues. There are just some aspects of every design that were not though out well.

Whatever you decide to buy research it, figure out it's problem points, and do the preventative maintenance. Once that is out of the way you will have no problems with any of these cars, Alfa included. To many people buy the most expensive car they can and then can't do the PM and have a poor experience.

If your heart is in the Porsche, don't buy anything else. You'll spend time and money and it still won't be a Porsche and you won't be happy with it.

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

Miguel