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The Antithesis of Alfa Romeo.

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:57 am
by Fernando
Crikey guys but the site has been a bit dead of late. :wink:

Anyway thought this might help to get some replies and dialogue going again.Just read on another local site an Aussie chap refer to a Lexus as the antithesis of Alfa Romeo. :D I have to agree with him as I couldn't imagine driving a duller car than a rebadged Toyota trying to pretend it's something else. :evil: I mean just how stupid do they think people are ?

I was at the local Ferrari Club day at Kyalamy this Saturday past and as usual the car park has some very tasty cars.Parked one next to the other was a new Lexus 4 something or the other,a BMW 645 in black and a Alfa 147 GTA in red.My uncle was with me and he is an avowed Porschofile and BMW nut,reckoned he would take the GTA over the others.The Lexus,he reckons,looks like the bastard love child of a Mercedes and BMW,only problem being only the crap bits came through. :lol:

Anyway compared to my first sighting in the flesh of the new 599GTB they all paled badly.Lust guys,serious lust,I have for that particular Ferrari.It appeals to me in the same way I love the GTV6.Front engine,rear box and gorgeous looks and a sound to die for.

My evening finished off on a nice high,as my drive back from my uncles home in Pretoria was via my favourite 'top speed' highway with almost no traffic at all.With the 3.6 motor,winter air,this car just hauls with a sound that reminds me why I love cars and Italian ones in particular. :D
As I just love to be politcally non conformist at the best of times I will concede the speedo went off the clock a few times... :twisted:

Now come on guys lets get some life back here????

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:26 am
by Mats
Lexus is antithesis?

Let's see,
Reliable? yes
RWD? yes
Sound insulation? yes

hmm, maybe you're on to something here... :shock: :wink:

So Lexus is shit because it's build by a manufacturer that makes boring cars? Who builds Alfa then? Surely you cannot call the later Fiats anything else then "yawn"?

I'd say that the antithesis of Alfa is something like Lincoln or Maybach...

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:59 am
by Fernando
I just knew you would reply Mats.. :D We need a bit of controversy and dialogue again. :lol:

Mats I honestly think this chap,myself included,had the pre Fiat Alfa's in mind,even so would you take a current Lexus over an Alfa GT ? Seriously ?

Fiat has made some horribly bland cars I agree.

What is it that makes us all love Alfa's and GTV6's in particular ? Mats I have driven BMW M3's,been in some of the most potent Scooby STI's available in SA and yet I still hanker after my Alfa. :roll: :lol: Maybe I need medication who knows... :lol:

I have been in a Lexus and I would be the first to concede to all the points you raised about them,but did I feel my soul stir and and overwhelming desire to own one ? Not a chance,more likely was the chance of me falling into a coma from utter boredom.

I concede if I were given the choice of an Alfa 166 versus a Lexus,I would choose the Alfa.All this despite me knowing I would lose at least 20% or more of it's residual value the moment I drove off the dealers floor. :lol:

As I said to Barry,an Alfa can take you to both extremes of the emotion spectrum and all in one day at times. :twisted:

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:09 am
by Zamani
Lexus IS (Altezza) series look good actually. The others aren't too good looking.

But as with almost all new cars, they aren't too involving.

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:22 pm
by mjr
sure alfas are special ( the old ones though), I think the new ones are not that special from a soul sturing point of view at all. they are plastic, clunky, more fragile than ever, and whats with the ugly lack of attention to detail with the engine asthetics? cam covers a case in point. they have IMHO diluted the very essencve of alfa in the last few years with this fascination for front wheel drive. bring back rear wheel drive. but I suppose they have to to remain competetive in the market place.

Fernando, offered a 147GTA, brera GT or M3, you would go for the alfa? Not me mate, id choose the M3 every single time, and still have my old GTv6 too :wink:

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:42 pm
by Mats
Amen!

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:16 pm
by x-rad
antihesis of my Alfa is my recliner...

Mitsu Eclipse should be rear wheel drive v6 twin turbo...

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:53 pm
by Fernando
Glad to see this topic got you guys going again.

Please don't get me wrong,I reckon a Lexus's build quality is excellent it just don't have no soul as Z so rightly pointed out.To me life is to short to waste driving something akin to a kitchen appliance.

Choice between the GTA,Brera and an M3....mmmmm.Can I turbo the Brera motor ? :D :lol:

Do you think Alfa will ever bring a replacement out for the GTV anytime soon ?

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:07 pm
by Mats
Dude, the Brera is the replacement for the GTV... :roll:

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:45 am
by mjr
:lol: big hint. Brera GT.... V6.... 8)

you wanted controversy, so now you got it, youre not allowed to turbo the brera, you have to make the painful choice in front of the whole forum. :wink:

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:37 am
by Mats
:lol:

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:09 am
by Fernando
Mats to me the Brera is not the replacement for the GTV6.The GTV nomenclature has way to much Alfa heritage to have been replaced by the Brera.Secondly I don't recall reading that it was to replace the GTV name. :shock:

So you want me to choose.I am hardcore Alfa lover so it would be the 147GTA as I don't consider the Brera to have a real Alfa motor.I love the looks of a Brera although I still prefer the Alfa GT.

Please note guys this doesn't make me a BMW hater because I am not one.I admire BMW for sticking to rear wheel drive all these years.

No modding of Alfa's....that's not something us South African's would understand very well.... :lol:

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:38 am
by Fernando
Guy's just to clear up some confusion,I was refering to a proper replacement by Alfa using the GTV name once again. :oops:

Oh yes and they had better darn well make sure it's a rear wheel drive coupe,with a genuine Alfa,or at the very least,an Italian designed engine.

I recall talk a few years back that Ferrari were considering developing a V6 engine for their Dino replacement and that Alfa would use a development of this engine in their line up. :D Having read the latest about Ferrari's new baby model it seems this V6 idea has been shelved for now. :cry:

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:20 am
by Barry
Alfa are now bringing the "Alfa GT junior" out shortly..Opel piece O` shite with a turbo..
They are talking a whole 180-200 hp..WHOOPEEE!!!!!!!

Only problem I have with M3`S is that they're a bit like assholes..everyone has one..
Other than that,brilliant car..No individuality no more.

Mats,I sold the e34 535i btw..Sorry to see her go..

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:22 am
by Barry
Alfa are now bringing the "Alfa GT junior" out shortly..Opel piece O` shite with a turbo..
They are talking a whole 180-200 hp..WHOOPEEE!!!!!!!

Only problem I have with M3`S is that they're a bit like assholes..everyone has one..
Other than that,brilliant car..No individuality no more.

Mats,I sold the e34 535i btw..Sorry to see her go..