Alfalfa salad
This weekend I have been getting to grips with the robotic gearbox attempted by the Italians - the selespeed - in the loaner Alfa Romeo 156, while our car is getting some attention.
I *get* the Alfa-ness (passion) of it all; the 2.0 twinspark lump is lovely, tractable with great character - good for round town or a fang through the twists. It's just that compared with a German car of similar age and mileage, this one's at the end of its useful life (barring a LOT of money in parts and fettling). A BMW 318i from 1999 would be a better drive with 190-something 000kms on it, more solid, more comfortable, no under-steer, still responding to all steering inputs, and stopping solidly and predictably.
I do dig the 70's Italian Super-car interior, and imagine the steering on a tight version is fun.
I don't get the continuance of the classic Italian short legs with very long arms driving position; it took me right back to Alfa Suds of the 1970's.
Still, I haven't overlooked the fact that its very nice of my mechanic to provide a loaner vehicle!
Alfalfa salad
This weekend I have been getting to grips with the robotic gearbox attempted by the Italians - the selespeed - in the loaner Alfa Romeo 156, while our car is getting some attention.
I *get* the Alfa-ness (passion) of it all; the 2.0 twinspark lump is lovely, tractable with great character - good for round town or a fang through the twists. It's just that compared with a German car of similar age and mileage, this one's at the end of its useful life (barring a LOT of money in parts and fettling). A BMW 318i from 1999 would be a better drive with 190-something 000kms on it, more solid, more comfortable, no under-steer, still responding to all steering inputs, and stopping solidly and predictably.
I do dig the 70's Italian Super-car interior, and imagine the steering on a tight version is fun.
I don't get the continuance of the classic Italian short legs with very long arms driving position; it took me right back to Alfa Suds of the 1970's.
Still, I haven't overlooked the fact that its very nice of my mechanic to provide a loaner vehicle!