Long (hopefully) philosophical discussion on selling expensive cars

[alexGS]

Hi,
I have to sell one of my cars (at least). Logic says it needs to be the Alfa (164 12V). I just don't use this car for its purpose anymore, it's sweet for long trips but the FIATs are so much more practical around town and for clubsport use (what you folks call 'track days').

The Alfa cost me $$$$ (NZ$8000 to be precise) and it's the kind of car I always wanted: fast, smooth, quiet, good-handling, awesome sound system ($1000 later!), etc. I love the shape.

So it's hard to get rid of my best car to date (I've owned 11), the most expensive, the nicest to drive, but also the least appropriate and the least driven. It has the most expensive insurance, the most expensive tyres and maintenance, drinks the most petrol, but I am the most proud of it. On a simpler level, it's also the newest car I've owned (1992) and it is in excellent condition (120,000km Singapore import).

It feels like a step downwards (selling it), a slippery slope to poverty, a silly move back towards rusty, slow, unreliable cars. But I can't buy any more cars until I do something with the other three. Trouble is, the other three serve their purpose so well: X1/9 for classic summer cruising, Uno Turbo for clubsport, Uno 60 for knocking around town.

What do you folks think?

-Alex

 

[serin]

The Alfa cost me $$$$ (NZ$8000 to be precise) and it's the kind of car I always wanted: fast, smooth, quiet, good-handling, awesome sound system ($1000 later!), etc. I love the shape.

8K??????? thats £3k!!!!!! you wanna come over here, you can pick em up for about NZ$3000!!

anyway, back on topic, i think you should sell it, mainly cause you dont need it, dont use it, and it costs too much money!!

let someone else experience it but make sure they know what their doing first!

with the money you save you could afford some usefull parts etc for your other cars, or make one of them into a nice cruiser!!! (dont ask me how tho!!!)

 

[alexGS]

Serin,
£3k - yeah, and then consider the wage/salary differences
It's a lot of money, 1/3 of my salary as an electronics engineer...

But it is in mint condition - try finding another car with no dings, no repaints, etc. I've seen cars a few months old in the UK in worse condition than my 164.

How do you feel about the risk of my other, older, cars not being as 'nice', street credibility etc. I guess that most FIAT forum regulars spend far more money on their daily driver and wouldn't sell up a newer car to go back to older cars?

And about your signature, it doesn't bear much resemblance to the (current?) picture of you as your avatar - is that a receding hairline?

Thanks for the input - anyone else?
-Alex

 

[serin]

But it is in mint condition - try finding another car with no dings, no repaints, etc. I've seen cars a few months old in the UK in worse condition than my 164.-Alex

well there are quite a few 164 in the UK that are crap, but they still dont go much above £2000

this is an example here btw P reg is 1996/1997

How do you feel about the risk of my other, older, cars not being as 'nice', street credibility etc.

and why should YOU worry about what other people think?? (or what about selling some others and getting a coup ) and peolpe who know will give your cars respect, also, if your other cars arnt as "nice", why not use the money from the alfa, to make one of the "nice"

And about your signature, it doesn't bear much resemblance to the (current?) picture of you as your avatar - is that a receding hairline?

HEY!! im only 18!! and anyway thats not me so

 

[wolfracepunto]

Ask the question: 'Would I miss it when its gone?'

For a start its an Alfa Romeo (I want a 156 for my next car ) and like you say its in great condition. Just think about the next owner getting their hands on it and mistreating it How many 164s are there on the road over in New Zealand? I hardly see any around where I live- theyre rare, but the ones I do see look their age if not older.

I think you've got a really nice car, which is in mint condition. It would be a shame to let it go!! :tempt:

 

[serin]

Ask the question: 'Would I miss it when its gone?'

For a start its an Alfa Romeo (I want a 156 for my next car ) and like you say its in great condition. Just think about the next owner getting their hands on it and mistreating it:

of course hed miss it when its gone, everyone would, but its surplus, its nice to have it, but theres no REAL reason to have one, is there???

thats why i said sell it to someone in the know about them, then you can make sure its looked after, and maybe even see it occasionly. i mean alex dont need NEED it does he, surely as there rare, a FIAT/ALFA freak somewhere would REALLY love to have one!!!

 

[Liam]

Alex,

Your 164 is a beauty but if finances dictate it must go then that's how it is.

Do you need 4 cars however? How about selling two of the others to keep it or is that a silly question?

Have you considered LPG conversion?

Liam

 

[wolfracepunto]

of course hed miss it when its gone, everyone would, but its surplus, its nice to have it, but theres no REAL reason to have one, is there???

thats why i said sell it to someone in the know about them, then you can make sure its looked after, and maybe even see it occasionly. i mean alex dont need NEED it does he, surely as there rare, a FIAT/ALFA freak somewhere would REALLY love to have one!!!

Ok......... eace:

If youre really passionate about Italian cars, thats a reason to keep it. But obviously if funds dont allow that, then it would have to go. I was only offering my point of view

 

[Nuova500]

what a decision to have to make.... personally Id lose the 2 Unos and keep the X1/9 and 164. I was in a similar position in the mid 90s, ended up selling everything and buying a Cinq!

 

[Steven]

I'm in a similar predicament Alex. We have a baby on the way thi year coming and I need to cut back on the 4 cars I have. I've advertised my Alfa, but I keep withdrawing the ad, I can't bring myself to sell it. I have the Brava as a daily driver, that's staying. The Panda is staying for sure as my wife loves it. My Uno is surplus to requirements but it's a bloody good car and I want to keep it. The Alfa makes me smile every time I drive it. What do you do???

 

[serin]

sell the uno, you have a cheap run around in the panda,

do a pro/con list and then you should decide

as you said yourself the reason for the brava is family transport, the panda is for the wife to pootle about in, the alfa is your toy, something you can play with and get away from said wife/kids.........the uno is there for????????? do you really need it? is it rare enough to try to preserve it? is it increasing in value??? could you never find another one??? NO!

 

[Steven]

That does seem fairly logical, but I'm a greedy bugger and I'm after a 127 at the minute as well...

 

[serin]

how about selling the uno, and using that to pay for a garage???

ps what about a 500 estate thing?? theres one down my way that needs looking after!!!

 

[Alex]

Sell the red UNO, and keep the track day car. Sell the Alpha, and buy a car that is comfortable, and costs less to keep... Its really nice to have a car for every mood, but when you can't afford it, you have to give a little, and for the money you'll get from both cars, you could afford something a bit newer.