Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Apr 30, 2013 14:34:15 GMT
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Hi all, I currently own this car:  I've had it for 2 years now, driven 20,000 miles with it, went to Startford-upon-Avon last summer and Sweden this winter, and around France quite a lot too. It's basically a pretty good car, noisy at the moment because every sound deadening and carpeting is gone, reliable enough (to be specific, it is when I leave it alone), funny to drive, and people love it. And I'm not kidding about the Sweden thing!  I've bought a new set of wheels for it (1973 Mille Miglia), a few 'performance' parts, I'm planning on lowering it. I've got a little welding to do on it but nothing major (lower rear quarter panels), the underside is perfect and everything... So far it's never been welded. Problems with it: - it's irredeemably slow - it's illegal to modify ANYTHING over here (and insurance won't cover you) - sometimes it doesn't feel really special. Sure, compared to modern bland boxes it's incredibly special but when you get used to the car, it's all plasticky inside and not that welcoming. Yesterday, I was looking at subito.it, which is the Italian equivalent of leboncoin/blocket/you name it, and I've had a look at the Alfa Giulias of the 60's & 70's (tipo 105). I've always loved them, always found them too expensive here but man do they seem cheap there. Look at that: www.subito.it/auto/alfa-romeo-giulietta-chieti-59876184.htm    Basically, that's a 1.6-litre twincam 100hp engine, in a relatively lightweight 60's saloon. S*ck on that Lotus Cortina! This one is a 1300 but is just beautiful: www.subito.it/auto/alfa-romeo-giulia1300-bari-63580489.htm  A 1300 Super is 90hp. My 1200 Cortina makes 48 AND A HALF horsepower  Basically, it feels like these cars are similar to the Cortina, only sportier and slightly more expensive (here anyway). Hence my considering a move to the car that doesn't just sound Italian but actually is. Don't even considering answering 'mk1 Golf', they're cool but not what I want at all (it's a trap, I know). Anyone here has had a Giulia like these? How bad/good was it? I've heard they can be reliable, if a bit more fuss than a good ol' Kent engine. Complementary question: what would my car be worth? That would help funding the new car... As a thank you, have these:      Cheers!  |
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Last Edit: Apr 30, 2013 14:35:15 GMT by Clement
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randywanger_
Part of things
Nissan Bluebird P510 SSS Coupe
Posts: 946
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Apr 30, 2013 14:37:46 GMT
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Giulia is a very pretty car! If I had the option, I'd go with the Giulia.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Apr 30, 2013 14:42:57 GMT
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I know, it's one of the cars that I've been ogling since before I bought the Cortina, which by the way is my first car (I'm 23). If it's any importance, I'll be driving the car to Stratford-upon-Avon again this summer, so if someone in the UK wants to buy it I'll deliver the car in person free of charge |
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Apr 30, 2013 15:10:03 GMT
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probably wont help ;D  |
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1984 Subaru GLF Hatch
1983 Skoda 120LE Super estelle
1977 Subaru DL Wagon
1978 Datsun 120Y Coupe
1995 Skoda favorit estate
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Apr 30, 2013 15:21:51 GMT
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As much as I love the Cortina it would be the Alfa for me, at least you'll look cool whilst parked broken down on the side of the road.
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Apr 30, 2013 15:24:57 GMT
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I'm such a Ford fan, and your Cortina looks great, but I'd say go with the Alfa. You only live once, you've had your fun with the Cortina, it's time for a new adventure.
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Apr 30, 2013 15:29:41 GMT
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These are all good points, and the Alfa is a more desirable car. But, there's something special about your first car, and you can't replace that... |
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thebaron
Europe
Over the river, heading out of town
Posts: 1,648 
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Apr 30, 2013 15:30:16 GMT
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Also the Giulia for me.
I am slightly biased as I have one on my shortlist for a classic buy next year.
That 1.6 Twin Cam engine is a cracker (I've rallied with a number of guys who run Giulias - fantastic kit)
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Apr 30, 2013 16:16:06 GMT
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Ouch. Even Ford fans go for the Giulia! That said, it's not just about the purchase price but also the maintenance costs. I'm quite afraid of leaving a pushrod-operated Kent sewing machine for a twin-cam piece of Italian engineering... I have nothing against regular maintenance, it's specialist-only operations that scare me. I was completely useless with tools just two years ago, I've done quite a bit of work on the Cortina now (front suspension overhaul, gearbox changed, and many little bits and bobs) but I'd be lost if I had to tune the carbs on something like this.  I want that real bad. ;D |
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Apr 30, 2013 16:22:22 GMT
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if it was a choice between the two id say giulia
because you have tina and youve done that - go alfa ;D
witht he price of them both you can always go back if you wanted
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786
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Apr 30, 2013 16:35:09 GMT
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For me it'd also be the Guilia.
As much as I like a MK1 'Tina (not a Ford 'lover', I just like them) the Alfa has always been high on my want list. Just never had the folding stuff to get a decent one, not the time to weld up a rotten one!
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omega
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,060
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Apr 30, 2013 17:22:11 GMT
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i love the alfa but with a alfa you think with your heart and not your head/wallet
or but another way
the cortina is like your wife/partner solid dependable and easy to look after
the alfa is like a 20 year old bit on the side goodlooking, fast, racey,and if you get caught its going to be expensive!
but you only live once.........................................................
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Apr 30, 2013 19:57:17 GMT
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When I read the title, I thought: easy, Guilia.
Then I noticed your Cortina and I thought: hmmm....
The Guilia would be the driver's choice, they aren't agricultural like the Cortina. So they need love and attention.
But your Cortina oozes history, it is a time machine.
Have both.
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 Click picture for more |
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Apr 30, 2013 20:00:56 GMT
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..........I've had it for 2 years now, driven 20,000 miles with it, went to Startford-upon-Avon last summer and Sweden this winter, and around France quite a lot too. It's basically a pretty good car, noisy at the moment because every sound deadening and carpeting is gone, reliable............. If you have this sort of use out of your system, go for the Alfa. You'll not be driving 20000 miles in a Giulia. On the face of it Giulia -v- Cortina is a clear win for the Italian, but only if you are happy looking at it rather than using it. |
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Apr 30, 2013 21:32:53 GMT
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Whatever the car, I won't be driving it any less than I'm driving the Cortina. I guess I should mention that while this is my only car, I walk to work so the maximum I use it is twice a week. When I take my car it's usually for longer runs, so the car would have time to properly warm up every time. As for the wallet part, the Cortina tends t drain any available money I have, but that's because I'm buying things like a Weber carb... After a bit of reflexion I'm sure I could pay for the bills of this Alfa. I'll do most of the work myself, there seems to be a good community for Alfas so I should be able to get enough advice not to blow it up  The Cortina was a perfect first car, a perfect first old car, ideal for learning DIY stuff, but I'm finding that it lacks something in the 'sporty' department. Looking at a car is nice enough, but driving it through the mountains around here is heaven... Nice flowing A and B roads, little valleys, passes, and whatnot. The Cortina is underpowered for that and if I keep pushing this engine (the 1200cc is of a 3 main-bearing construction) it'll blow up big time. I was reading a bit of literature I have on the Giulia, it seems the biggest problem would be rot but this is a concern mainly for later cars. For example, this is a 1970 1300 Super, which is pretty much exactly what I'd like, can be found quite easily... One owner, forty-thousand mile car! www.subito.it/auto/alfa-romeo-giulia-1300-super-sondrio-58760084.htm   With a bit of negociation I reckon it could be had for 4500... Stunning condition, one owner, known history, all-alloy twin-cam engine, 5-speed gearbox, for that price it's quite outstanding. Apparently the one is my first post, which is the same price, is entirely restored. I find that this has everything my Cortina desperately needs (horsepower, 5-speed, sporty feel), while retaining its qualities (four doors, seating space, boot, etc). I'm aware it's tough to evaluate this over some pictures on the internet but how much would a LHD four-door Deluxe pre-Aeroflow 1200cc bench-seat column-gearchange Cortina be worth? I'm thinking about 2000€ but I wouldn't be surprised if it's more around £2000/£2500 in the UK (I paid €1500 for it)... Thanks a lot for the opinions and advice, it's good to know that I'm not completely stupid in wanting to move from one to another! |
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Apr 30, 2013 22:10:25 GMT
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ask totti about early tinas ;D
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Giulia or Cortina? ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Apr 30, 2013 22:14:07 GMT
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Being a fan of Alfas in general I thought this would be a simple post. Upon seeing the thread and pictures of your Cortina it seemed as if the suggestion of sticking with what you know would be an easy one. But then after reading the post it seems as if you feel the need to try something new, so going for the Guilia seems like a good idea . Sure, some issues will be a little alien, but it is all part of the adventure with the retro scene. As dbizzle was saying, you have had a great time with the Cortina, it is time to look forward to new exploits in a future car . After being there previously with some cars I have enjoyed owning other cars afterwards. I guess that is the issue with when you like a variety of cars (but possibly part of the fun as well!). |
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Apr 30, 2013 23:16:40 GMT
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the alfa is like a 20 year old bit on the side goodlooking, fast, racey,and if you get caught its going to be expensive! but you only live once......................................................... I can relate to this ;D Expensive, hell yes, get the Alfa!!! Personally, I'd go for one with the full centre console, or retrofit one at least. I've always loved those angled gauges and for some reason an Alfa cockpit is, to me, somewhere special to be. |
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Rasta
Part of things
nuf respek
Posts: 20
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Rasta
Part of things
nuf respek
Posts: 20
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The sedan is a better riding car than the coupe; longer wheelbase, plus you get heaps of room inside.   Parts available at lots of places and a good following. Check AlfaBB and Alfaholics - they have cars for sale too.   I think both the Cortina and Giulia are straight forward to work on, both only 4 cylinders to worry about, both can be upgraded / moderised (brakes, suspension, engines etc etc) when the time comes if that's your thing. The alfa is one of the most beautifully designed sedans once you look at the details; more quirky and characterful than the cortina. You will soon be in love with it. |
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