Ask the Car People.SM


The real value of "old" cars?

143 messages,  Last post on Oct 05, 2010 at 6:53 PM

You are in the Classic Cars Forum.

What is this discussion about? Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 14 of 15

#124 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Sep 08, 2010 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 08, 2010 3:03 pm)
As you know, I value your opinion and I had arrived at the same conclusion..
 
I just thought I might be missing something.
 
I do like the way they look and sound. Maybe I'll look for one that is "done".
 
Thanks!

#125 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [isellhondas] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 08, 2010 (5:21 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Sep 08, 2010 4:57 pm)
One thing you'd enjoy---the convertible top is a brilliant design. A 5 year old child could easily raise it and fasten it.

#126 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [Mr_Shiftright] by euphonium

Sep 08, 2010 (7:40 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 08, 2010 5:21 pm)
That was easy on our 63 Fiat 1200 Spider, but with a factory steel top, it still leaked onto the passenger side floor. Fun little thing if performance wasn't expected.

#127 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [euphonium] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 09, 2010 (8:31 am)

Replying to: euphonium (Sep 08, 2010 7:40 pm)
The 124 Spider puts out decent performance, a very nice ride, comfy seats, plenty of cockpit room. What makes it nicer than an MGB is the comfort level. The B has a very low windshield and if you are anywhere near "tall", the wind blows your baseball cap off every time. Also the MGB suspension is about as advanced as a Roman chariot. Nonetheless, the MGB handles quite well on even roads.
 
Most hassles with both Fiats and MGs regarding electrics are the bad grounds. Just cleaning battery cables, or replacing old ones, and buffing up fuse box terminals, improves reliability considerably.
 
Downside on the Fiat is accessibility in the engine bay---it's tight in there. The MGB you could fix with plumber's tools from Home Depot. Few cars on the road today are as simple to repair as an MG. This presumes a modicum of knowledge, basic tools and a workshop manual.
 
I would definitely consider buying a Fiat 124, simply for the comfort level over other 60s or 70s open style sports cars---but never EVER buy a rat.

#128 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Sep 09, 2010 (8:49 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 09, 2010 8:31 am)
Teh one I looked at yesterday wasn't really a rat but it was rougher than it should have been. It had been stored outside under a tarp. This is never a good thing especially where it rains a lot.
 
I sat in it and I didn't realize hoe cushy the seats were compared to an MG. This interior was nice with no rips or dash cracks.
 
The paint and rust was enough to keep me away.

#129 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [isellhondas] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 09, 2010 (9:17 am)

Replying to: isellhondas (Sep 09, 2010 8:49 am)
Yeah all that and the fact that those electrics were exposed to weather, as was the braking system, various cables, nuts and bolts, etc. You can see where I'm going with this.
 
If you start with this $1800 Fiat, and calculate what it would take to make it look like a really NICE 124, you simply can't get there from here.
 
Here's the 124 you want---I bet with cash in hand you could get 'er for $5K or $5500. Looks like it's fuel injected, too. All the better.
 
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/1940364407.html
 
Compared to THIS, the one you're looking at for $1800 seems crazy to me. I know you aren't seriously interested, but on that particular car, I see no upside or happy ending.
 
Here's another, even CHEAPER that looks very decent and has had a good home:
 
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/1936241149.html
 
THIS is what old Fiats with "needs' are really worth:
 
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1942268201.html
 

#130 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [Mr_Shiftright] by euphonium

Sep 09, 2010 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 09, 2010 9:17 am)
If the Palo Alto Fiat were up here, I'd offer our 77 SeaRay 17' 302 I/O in trade. His four kids should learn to water ski.

#131 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Sep 09, 2010 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 09, 2010 9:17 am)
A couple of nice cars!
 
No, I'm well aware of what a decent paint job alone costs these days. It's staggering.
 
Thank you for your insights on Fiats. I've never driven one and until yesterday I never even sat in one.
 
I do remember when I was in the tool business, the shops either refused to work on them or they hated them and called them junk.
 
There was a shop in my hometown that had Pat's Fiat. He was the only guy in town that I know of that worked on them. His lot was always PACKED with cars.
 
You paid his price and waited weeks.

#132 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [isellhondas] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 10, 2010 (9:43 am)

Replying to: isellhondas (Sep 09, 2010 2:05 pm)
People tend to have contempt for what they do not understand. I have been guilty of this myself, but often, once I come to know a car, I change my mind---not ALWAYS, however. Sometimes I was right the first time.
 
Fiats are fine if you have your mechanic and your parts sources lined up. Sure, the switchgear is cheap and the upholstery is made of cardboard, but you get what you pay for---if you wanted a higher quality interior, you bought an Alfa Romeo.

#133 of 143 Re: What I ran into today.. [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Sep 10, 2010 (10:04 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 10, 2010 9:43 am)
So, what do you think of Alfa Spiders?

Messages Page 14 of 15

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement