James Junior 0 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Hi guys and gals, After a brief hiatus I am back in the fold as of tomorrow hopefully. Just had a disastrous 4 months in an Audi TT which I bought as a track and fast road project, but had to abort quickly due to numerous issues that I'd rather not go into! Have just traded it in for an Alfa Spider JTD which I should be collecting tomorrow from Mangos. This will be my third Alfa (previously ran a GT and a 159 Ti) and I doubt it will be my last. Whilst the brand has its faults I do really enjoy the whole Alfa ownership experience and like what it stands for. I am no fanatical Alfa fanboy though by any means and have big love for all fast cars regardless of marque or providence! I have been a member of AO for a few years and have found it a great resource and met some nice people through the forum, though do find some of the posters a little narrow minded and obsessive about the marque! Like the idea of what sounds like a slightly more relaxed forum environment so happy to be a part of things if you'll have me. Look forward to talking Alfas, cars, life and random oddness with you all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anjenha 44 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Welcome in Sorry to hear about the TT.... Excellent news about coming back to Alfa though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiffy 99 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Plenty of oddness in here welcome to AD james Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Junior 0 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Thanks both. Naturally I get onto some serious pic-whoring ASAP once I have the car. When does the GTA arrive then BBIAB??? I was playing the 'I-wonder-how-much-these-cost-now' game with GTAs on Autotrader and Piston Heads last night. Amazing that £6k will get you a nice low mileage one now. Pipedream for me though as I need a car for business miles, hence the Spider 'JTD'... I especially love the white pearlescent colour they do. Nom nom nom! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACAPULCO AL 2 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 welcome aboard james - long time no see Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiffy 99 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Thanks both. Naturally I get onto some serious pic-whoring ASAP once I have the car. When does the GTA arrive then BBIAB??? I was playing the 'I-wonder-how-much-these-cost-now' game with GTAs on Autotrader and Piston Heads last night. Amazing that £6k will get you a nice low mileage one now. Pipedream for me though as I need a car for business miles, hence the Spider 'JTD'... I especially love the white pearlescent colour they do. Nom nom nom! dosh is in the bank, would like to pick it up tomorrow, but it needs some work doing on it so will have to wait another week gonna ring the garage tomoz and see what they can do Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jhc 28 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Hello. What were the problems with the tit? A friend of mine had one that used to randomly dump its oil and/or pas fluid on a regular basis. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redmatt75 0 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Welcome! Perhaps it's time for a "currently driving an Alfa, but had a nightmare with my last German car" lounge?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Junior 0 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Hi Al, hope all is well with you and family. :-) BBIAB - bet you can't wait, my anticipation is killing me waiting for the spider and it's only been a week! Look forward to hearing more soon... I bought the TT off a trader selling high end Bentleys, Porsches, Rangies et . It seemed pukka with low mileage, but then the problems started...and went on and on. Soon discovered the trader's premises had been raided by police not long after I bought the car. Equipment for clocking cars, forging service history and suspected proceeds of money laundering were seized by Bolton police. Double checked the mileage against Vosa and confirmed service history and it was genuine. Had the car inspected by TT specialist and discovered it had been damage repaired (not listed on HPI) and had been in the receiving end of a phase 1 engine transplant and it was a phase 2 TT, hence all the problems! Trading standards as much use as a chocolate teapot so opening a case with small claims court as I am over £3k down. Very stressful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jhc 28 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Oddly familiar tale! He bought a 225 for 2 grand less than it should have been, despite my warnings. It turned out to have been in a serious front ender and had the engine from one of the vw's that share it bodged in, and a new front end pretty much attached with filler and selotape. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Junior 0 Report post Posted October 7, 2011 Amazing that these things go on, just goes to show how careful you need to be. In this case they had deliberately disabled the EMS warning light too, to help hide what they had done. The paintwork was a bloody good job really and was only really visible under proper lighting. I am usually pretty good with cars and still cannot believe I got stung. Oh well, life goes on. Roll on small claims court. I have written off the money now anyway, so if I do get anything back then I just see it as a bonus... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anjenha 44 Report post Posted October 7, 2011 (laughing as it sounds familiar) The previous owner of my Spider removed the thermostat internals so she looked like she was running a bit cold She actually has a bit of a head gasket blow Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Junior 0 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 (laughing as it sounds familiar) The previous owner of my Spider removed the thermostat internals so she looked like she was running a bit cold She actually has a bit of a head gasket blow God that's awful - sounds like a costly repair? Is the car running okay now? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anjenha 44 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 I'm still saving Hubby is my mechanic, luckily, but parts (at trade) are still £300 It's ok though, at least then I can guarantee the belts/pulleys/water pump etc are all new positive outlook and all that Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
