[alfa] Re: alfa-digest V10 #98

[Iopsycheng@xxxxxxx]

I've just got to weigh in with my two cents worth... As a wanna be Ferrari 
owner, I aspire to a 308GTS QV but will probably be able to afford a GT4, I have 
often considered the cost of ownership. As a 16 year old I purchased my first 
Alfa. I didn't have the money to pay the dealer and my parents certainly 
weren't going to foot my car bills so I had to learn to maintain my car. I did, 
and now I do all of my own work. Owning a 70's vintage Ferrari would have to be 
considered along the same lines. If you are a checkbook mechanic I would 
suggest that you stay away from any Ferrari unless you are rich. Assuming you are 
rich I can't imagine why you would be looking for advice on the AD, you could 
simply pay someone to care for the fleet. Owning a vintage Ferrari, at least 
for me, would be a chance to vicariously bond with the mechanics both past and 
present who have taken the Prancing Horse to victory. Further, on a real note 
no one in their right mind is going to buy a 25+ year old Ferrari as a daily 
driver. Besides, a 3 liter V-8 is no more difficult to maintain than a Fiat 
Spider. Both engines are basically the same configuration, true the Ferrari is 
Fiat X 2, but specifications are specifications. The myth surrounding Ferraris is 
just that, if you can set the valves correctly in an Alfa you can set the 
valves in a Ferrari. Same for the webers, the V-8 is basically two I-4s running 
side by side on a common crank. Set up an Alfa dual point distributor, set up 
the ignition on a Ferrari. Having said all that there are some things to 
consider... Buy the best car you can and maintenance records are a must but think 
about it... Ferrari does not use unique switches, belts, brakes or other 
components. Brake pads from a Mercedes fit the 308 and the timing belts cross to 
another car as well. All of the switches are stock Fiat. As long as you don't care 
about the boxes the parts come in you will save money with a little effort. 
Thomas Gonnella   
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