DrBoost
UltimaDork
8/30/15 10:48 a.m.
Back at the end of June I posted abut an eipisode I had, where my vision went all katty-whompus on me. Turns out it was a mild stroke (don't remember the term the doc used). The question that was on my mind was weather it was linked to Multiple Scleroses. My dad had just died from MS (MS-related issues really) and his sister died years ago. So, I had an appointment with an opthamalogist (SP?) to look at my optic nerve because my stroke was vision related, and because the scleroses can occur on the optic nerve. All clear. Then I had an MRI of my brain bucket to look for scleroses. I got a call Friday, all clear.
I'm sure the doctor will want to do a few more tests to find out why I had the stroke, but at this point, it's not MS and that's all I really care about.
I'm posting this because a number of people in that other thread asked for me to keep the group updated. If you read the other thread you'll understand this question:
So, what Italian car should I buy?
DrBoost
UltimaDork
8/30/15 11:16 a.m.
That line in the ad about nothing sounding like an Italian V6 hooks me. That's one reason I want an Italian car. The sound is simply glorious.
NGTD
UltraDork
8/30/15 1:00 p.m.
Lancia Stratos, preferably in Alitalia colours
Good to hear that it is not MS.
I'm trying to get money to research the connection between strokes and Italian cars. I would assume that they caused strokes but it seems many people get them after a stroke. I would recommend against a Biturbo unless you were really confident in your doctor and meds.
DrBoost wrote:
That line in the ad about nothing sounding like an Italian V6 hooks me. That's one reason I want an Italian car. The sound is simply glorious.
For Alfas, I'd rank the V6's here in the US:
1) GTV6- great car. Amazing if you swap in a 3.0l
2) Milano- particularly the Verde with the 3.0
Then the 164. It's not a bad car, but feels quite different than regular Alfas.
Good to hear the news is positive.
I bought a Z06 after mine. Still can't decide whether it's 'me' or not.
Good news on your results. I've been through a million tests since April.
My dad went through something similar recently. Everyone in the medical community seems quite relaxed about it, nothing to worry about. But it's scary.
alfadriver wrote:
2) Milano- particularly the Verde with the 3.0
I have a problem with a car that is called merde.
Glad to hear.
I'd suspect your doctor called it a TIA.
Transient Ischemic Accident
Aren't most Italian car owners strokes?
Gary
Dork
8/30/15 4:54 p.m.
Glad to hear the tests went well for you. Are you planning to purchase the Italian car "sight unseen?"
DrBoost
UltimaDork
8/30/15 5:23 p.m.
TIA sounds familiar. I want an Alfa. There are others I want more, but alfas are within my reach, sorta. One day...
DrBoost wrote:
TIA sounds familiar. I want an Alfa. There are others I want more, but alfas are within my reach, sorta. One day...
Lets find one- which one do you want the most?
DrBoost wrote:
TIA sounds familiar....One day...
Yes, she has a sister named Mia, pretty sure they're twins, definitely aren't Italian.
DrBoost
UltimaDork
8/30/15 6:59 p.m.
alfadriver wrote:
DrBoost wrote:
TIA sounds familiar. I want an Alfa. There are others I want more, but alfas are within my reach, sorta. One day...
Lets find one- which one do you want the most?
I'd love a Montreal, but I don't have that many lungs to sell.
Guilia or GTV. BEAUTIFUL cars.
DrBoost wrote:
alfadriver wrote:
DrBoost wrote:
TIA sounds familiar. I want an Alfa. There are others I want more, but alfas are within my reach, sorta. One day...
Lets find one- which one do you want the most?
I'd love a Montreal, but I don't have that many lungs to sell.
Guilia or GTV. BEAUTIFUL cars.
We'll focus on GTV, including the earlier GT Veloce, and maybe even a GT Jr- but while the latter can be good deals, there are not many in the US.
There's a GTV in the current Alfa Owner for $9000, but I can't link to it from work- the AROC website is now blocked.
The most important thing for these cars is body condition- the engine and trans are easy to rebuild. So the body can't be beyond what you can do. And they can be pretty bad, and attempted to make look good- there's a GTV on Ebay right now that's pretty clapped out, but looks like someone put a fresh coat of paint on it. Ugh.
Sometimes you see more truthful cars like this one- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alfa-Romeo-GTV-GT-Veloce-/121740082950?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c58463f06&item=121740082950
Which is a mess, but at least you know.
Really good ones seem to be asking over $35k, and I'm not really sure why. I doubt they are getting it- this is the only one on e-bay right now without an obnoxious reserve- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alfa-Romeo-GTV-Giulia-GT-1300-Junior-/171908946528?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2806925a60&item=171908946528
I'll look again tonight when I get home- see if there are good ones in the magazine.
Geez- all of those make my $20k race car look to be a bargain! Cut out the cage and put in a real interior, and walla- a $30k street car.
DrBoost
UltimaDork
8/31/15 9:01 a.m.
Beautiful!! Wow. When I get the LSx 944 done, I might sell it to fund something like that. I think the 948 would be fun, but I think an Alfa will scratch a long-standing itch.
So, AROC is banned at work? That's gotta be tough haha. Thanks for the link, and inspiration.
You said shop for body condition (I typically do that anyway). How expensive is the engine or transmission to re-build at home?
DrBoost wrote:
Beautiful!! Wow. When I get the ls 944 done, I might sell it to fund something like that. I think the 948 would be fun, but I think an Alfa will scratch a long-standing itch.
So, AROC is banned at work? That's gotta be tough haha. Thanks for the link, and inspiration.
You said shop for body condition (I typically do that anyway). How expensive is the engine or transmission to re-build at home?
Apparently, I've not gone to the AROC site enough, so it got dropped off the approved list. Or they have not found the GRM site to ban.
Engines are really easy to rebuild- and as long as there is bearing clearance (which can be done) and no holes in the side of a block- they are parts for everything. The engine in my GTV, we paid to have done, but the engine in the GRM spider, we did ourselves.
The trans, I'm a little more intimidated over- but there are locals who don't hesitate to work on them.
edit- I should say that the driving experience is unique. From a pure driving perspective- a Miata is a better car in every single way- ride is better, handling is better, the limit is easier to deal with. But I think the Alfa is more interactive, which is why I always would choose to autocross my Alfa over my Miata. Much more rewarding.
The position is really odd- typical for Italian- short leg, long arm. But one can fabricate a simple gas pedal to solve the worst problems. We have managed to get used to it- and have taken our GTV on a cross country drive (to Oklahoma/Kansas for a covention). Great GT car that can cruise all day long at 70.
If you get really serious, and want to find out- we can do some work to get you to drive my car. Not for a while (it's up in the air over my Miata- neither of which have moved in about 12 months), but we can do something.
While a 944/968 may not be a Miata, I'm sure they are better than an Alfa designed in the 60's. But if you like it, well, it's time to get one.
DrBoost
UltimaDork
8/31/15 10:14 a.m.
Will do Eric. I'll let you know.
The porsche is on hold right now. Other obligations came up that are eating all my time. I think we all know how that goes.
This one is a heck of a project- http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfa-romeo-cars-sale-wanted/433961-1974-gtv-western-canada.html
A lot of the metal can be found here.
http://alfaparts.net/105_115gtv.html
But the windshield rust is interesting to work on. Had to do that on my race car.
DrBoost
UltimaDork
8/31/15 8:09 p.m.
When the 948 is done, I think it's my last project. With a wife and three kids, the time just isn't there any more.
DrBoost
UltimaDork
8/31/15 9:40 p.m.
Dr. Hess wrote:
Do you smoke, Boost?
Only tires and the oil that gets past the rings