Categories
Automotive Classifieds of Interest

1984 Alfa Romeo GTV – Great Shape, Even Better Price!

Paul sent me an IM tonight with this link and it’s too good a deal not to share. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest and looking for a modern-classic Alfa Romeo, this could be your car:

1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6-Silver – $3500 (SW Portland)

1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6 For Sale in Portland1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6 For Sale in Portland1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6 For Sale in Portland1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6 For Sale in Portland

quote from the Craigslist ad:

For sale is a very good condition GTV6 with 78k miles. I have owned it for about 10 years. Runs and drives great but has the usual fragile 2nd gear synchro. Tires are nearly new on period correct 15 inch OZ wheels. Windows work great, all gauges work as they should, as does all lights and signals. AC system is intact but missing the belt. Leather interior in good shape. Paint is shiny with minor defects here and there, no major dents or dings. Surface rust in spare tire well only. No leaks of any kind. I just had the timing belt, tensioner, water pump and all seals at the front of the engine replaced so I can drive it around for the summer. Always passes DEQ with ease. Sale includes original Campy wheels with tires.

Being a 1984 and 25 years old, this car qualifies for all kinds of ‘classic’ category events. It’s been on my mind recently when thinking about shows, vintage racing, etc… For $3500, this looks like it’d be a great entry into that arena.

dc

Categories
Automotive

What’s Going On Over at theS2000Blog.com?

As previously mentioned, I’ve started a new blog on Honda S2000 ownership. It’s such a wonderful car and it’s easy to find things to write about. Plus, a new author is now helping out with his experiences. Turns out Gabe bought a Silverstone S2000 about the same time I did! He brings a lot of autocross experience to the blog and has a lot of tuning information to share. Our goal is to document our experiences as new owners that might serve as a casual Honda S2000 buyer’s guide.

Here are a couple of links I think you’ll enjoy:

My Silverstone S2000 Wallpaper:

Honda S2000 Autocross Report:

My First Autocross with the S2000 and Video:

I hope you’ll consider stopping by. Let me know if there is anything specifically I could add to make the site or content better. Thanks!

dc

Categories
Automotive

My 2001 Honda S2000, Let Me Show You It

2001 Honda S2000 at the car wash 3.26.2009

After years of lusting after an S2000, I finally have one. I rule! In all seriousness, it was a tough call between this car and a Boxster. Regulars know that I’ve been on the lookout and waiting for the right time since I sold my M3. I was pretty certain I wanted Boxster as I had convinced myself it was more special. But all the examples that have come up for sale near me, that were in my price range, were all 97-99 models for the most part, and most had higher miles than I was comfortable with. There was also that little voice that kept telling me that I’d have to have a 2000+ in the ‘S’ variety — which in almost all cases was out of my range or would require a dedicated trip to source.

2001 Honda S2000 at the car wash 3.26.2009So I hit crazedlist.org for S2000’s on a whim and I was shocked to see how much the values had fallen for these cars. 18 months ago, most clean and cared for examples were nearly $20k. Now the market is plentiful with lots of variety in the 13-15k range. Which is when I spotted my 01 in Medford. Only a 4 hour drive away, I just needed to find time to get down there! This proved difficult as I spotted the car before leaving on a trip to Georgia to see our man Ed for his birthday. Then I returned to catch up on work and my brother made a surprise trip out for two weeks. During that trip we made several trips to Portland and a long weekend in Seattle. Nearly 4 weeks later, the car was shockingly still available for sale! So we made another long weekend of it and drove the car. The previous owner is realtor and grandmother who only put 4k miles on the car in a little over a two years of ownership. And the owner before that must have hardly driven the car either as the car sits today with less than 35k miles on the clock! Combine that with the factory fitted hardtop and zero modifications, I knew we were going to buy.

And then we test drove the car. If you’ve been skeptical about this car from what you’ve heard or read, forget about it and find one to drive. This is a real sports car and Honda did an amazing job with this package. I keep describing it as focused and the best value out there right now. The motor is flat out amazing and perfectly matched in this balanced package. Plus we got 27mpg on the way home, with several spirited runs up the rev range!

As you can tell I’m smitten with the purchase and ready to drop the top this spring! I’ll have the occasional update related to the S2000 on this blog, but I have also started a new S2000 blog that will detail the experience of ownership, the best of the aftermarket, and buying tips for those now in the market.

Click the pics for full size links.

dc

Categories
Automotive Classifieds of Interest

One Silver NSX, One Black NSX: Take Your Pick for $25k

Looks like the NSX market isn’t immune to the recession either. A scan of NSX Prime Marketplace (the place to surf NSX anything online) a year ago and you would’ve been hard pressed to find any NSX for less than $28-30k. There are at least 3 right now for less than that and with decent mileage. Both of these stood out to me because of the color combination’s, decent mileage, and the somehow reasonable looking $25k price tags.

First up is this Black on Ivory NSX For Sale in San Diego:

1991 Acura NSX For Sale Black on Ivory

quote from seller’s NSXPrime listing:

Black/Ivory

5 speed
72,044 miles

Only mod is Flowmaster Exhaust, but it still looks stock with the original tips.
A/C Head Unit was replaced a few months ago.
Clean Title. Runs strong. Selling because it doesn’t get driven enough.
Extra set of Stock 1991 Wheels+Tires Included.

Next is a Silver on Black NSX For Sale in Florida (I presume):

1991 Acura NSX For Sale Sebring Silver

quote from seller’s NSXPrime Listing:

1991 Acura NSX
5 Speed Manual transmission
Not in snap ring range
68,000 miles
Only 467 sebring silver cars ever produced!
Car has only ONE OWNER before me. It has never been in an accident.
I trailered the car to PA at the end of 2007.

All original with the exception of
-new koni adjustable struts (originals ones included)
-custom exhaust
-8000k philips HID (self installed)
-window film
-upgraded chrome wheels from 00 model (original ones included)

No issues except
-climate currently only blowing on high, needs hvac rebuilt
-super tiny ding on lowest part of front right fender
-front spoiler is scratched, I will include a new one, but you install.

Service Records
-When I was reviewing the records I left it outside overnight during a rain storm, all of them blew away and I had to go hunting for them. I believe I lost about 20 pages.
-engine serviced, timing belt and water pump around 55,000 miles
-clutch and transmission rebuilt around 45,000 miles
-lots of other work, 90% of work done at Acura of Pompano Beach / Rick Case Acura.

Buyer will have one choice of
1. chrome wheels currently on the car.
2. solaris silver wheels nearly perfect

I would soooo love to have an NSX in the garage. Even though a collision would bankrupt me, the rest of the package is so well balanced and reliable. As prices come down, it’s even easier to justify the thought. I’d go with the black one for the great color combo, but that’s getting a bit nit-picky as both are beautiful. I wouldn’t kick either one out of bed for that price!

dc

Categories
Automotive Classifieds of Interest German Cars For Sale

1970 Porsche 911 For Sale Under $20k in California

I think I may have found another candidate for Eric, who’s looking for an early Porsche 911 driver for under $20k. Check out this 1970 Porsche 911 For Sale on Craigslist:

1970 Porsche 911 For Sale in Silver on Black1970 Porsche 911 For Sale in Silver on Black1970 Porsche 911 For Sale in Silver on Black1970 Porsche 911 For Sale

quote from seller’s Craigslist posting:

This is an amazing car that has been covered and stored in a dry So Cal. garage for 15 years. It has the 2.2L engine with dual Zenith carbs. About a year ago, I replaced the fluids, got two new batteries, replaced some fuel pump and line and started it up. I then pumped up the tires and drove directly to my local Porsche specialist. They rebuilt the carbs, did full tune up, rebuilt brakes and changed lines, installed water shields, replaced exhaust return tubes and conducted a general safety inspection. Next were four new Kumo 205/60 15’s and an Audio Shoppe custom installed Pioneer P4900 IB CD deck (detachable face and Ipod ready) and 4 speakers. It’s been back to the mechanic for a few adjustments since, but that is the major work done. Since then I hve put on about 900 trouble free miles. It has a period aftermarket steering wheel with Porsche emblem.. and the horn works! The original manual, full set of service manuals and tool kit bag.

Now for the other side of the coin. The car backfires something fierce when down shifting. Mechanic says it’s a timing issue. It has the Marelli distributer and needs to be converted to the Bosch. That will allow the timing to be set properly and should cure the problem. Only the seals that could be reached with the engine in the car were changed. It leaks a bit (most do) but new seals won’t hurt. Paint is not original, but a very good match, I think it was painted in 1979 or so. It has a couple paint dings, the biggest is in the right rear quarter (a slight crease about 2 inches long). The dash has a couple of cracks, the headliner is a bit dingy and the right turn signal works every other day or so.

All in all a VERY GOOD car, and with a little more attention would be a GREAT car.

The previous spot I had for Eric was $15k but needed paint. This car likely needs some freshening from the long time it sat, but the paint should be good (though maybe not original color or quality). Worth a look as early 911’s still show good value and are rarely spotted at this price… for now.

dc