Hallo again - after a year!

Hi all. I joined the forum around a year ago as was swithering whether to get a GTA. I do love the look of them but in my "wisdom" plumped for a 1993 Mercedes SL500 instead. Bad move. Been nothing but trouble ever since I got it and if you think Alpine spares are dear, try £5400 for an ABS module from Mercedes!!

Anyway, need to get rid of the SL and back to something more enjoyable - even if not more reliable. There are a couple of Alpines on Pistonheads which seem to have been around for ages - early blue one at "eclectic cars" (trader, bad idea probably) and a funky purple one (which possibly hasn't sold due to the non original colour). Did have a look but can't see any discussion about these 2. I had originally wanted an Atmo, as the turbo is just added hassle given it will do around 1500 miles a year if that. What do folk think?

[BIG_MVS]

Hello again!

I was disappointed with the performance on the ATMO to be honest, however they look very good value at the minute if you can find a good one. They seem to be fetching at least £1k less than a like for like blown example.

Turbo is the way to go I think after a 5.0 Litre sports coupe. We will be selling our Grey 1989 Turbo in early spring when the weather gets better to do the small jobs for it's MOT.

Can do you an atmo with 3l efi lump and hot cams
All here just needs engine installing

Can do you an atmo with 3l efi lump and hot cams
All here just needs engine installing

That sounds interesting. Stock 200bhp 3.0 Renault V6 (sure it isn't 200, 193, 204?). Got a car for it to go into? Would be ideal really. Got any more info?

All here and priced to sell in various shapes and forms
http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/ ... php?t=4793

All here and priced to sell in various shapes and forms
http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/ ... php?t=4793

What is the donor car like - needs paint? Imminent cos looks like a shed or usable and can be done to make perfect? What are the options on it - leather, air, abs - the less the better as far as I'm concerned. A non shagged interior would be nice.

What kind of money involved with the 3.0 lump fitted and an MOT?

Tatty paint ,no damage ,certainly usable .Grey cloth interior all there in good nick ,needs headlining doing .Have better rear cluster that can be put in etc
Cracked headlight lenses but have a nosecone with good glass ,not MOT fail in any case .
All put together with MOT £3K ish

Have sent you a PM

While I debate the merits of the 3.0 atmo offer, any comments on these 2?

And apologies, you must have a few folk come on here asking daft questions about cars for sale, but I do intend to get one. cheers.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2112881.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1959950.htm

The purple one has been for sale for over a year. And was written off my list when i was looking for one last year.

The 67,000 mile, light blue one looks a bargain at 5k. Especially given what mine just sold for.
I would go and see it, and go over it with a fine tooth combe. Look at the paint in close detail to look for cracking and bubbles.
Ensure the engine warms up correctly and the fans run, and that it does not over heat. Note the oil pressure at idle when fully hot. Should be around 3 to 4 bar. Turbo should pull nice and hard under full power. But its hard to check if its running at the correct pressure without a plumbed in boost gauge. The dash gauge is just a giggle meter.
You should also check for rust along the side chassis rails, on the lower suspension arms, and in the suspension turrets.

The purple one has been for sale for over a year. And was written off my list when i was looking for one last year.

The 67,000 mile, light blue one looks a bargain at 5k. Especially given what mine just sold for.
I would go and see it, and go over it with a fine tooth combe. Look at the paint in close detail to look for cracking and bubbles.
Ensure the engine warms up correctly and the fans run, and that it does not over heat. Note the oil pressure at idle when fully hot. Should be around 3 to 4 bar. Turbo should pull nice and hard under full power. But its hard to check if its running at the correct pressure without a plumbed in boost gauge. The dash gauge is just a giggle meter.
You should also check for rust along the side chassis rails, on the lower suspension arms, and in the suspension turrets.

Thanks for that. Can I ask why you discounted the purple one?

make an effort to go and see both.

Bit of a logistical exercise when you are 30 miles north of Aberdeen!

I did not realise that as your profile is rether lacking.
Anyhow, you will need to overcome that challenge and see as many cars as possible.
try a liftshare website and see if you can hitch a ride. This could suit a tight budget.

The light blue gta was in a magazine a couple of months ago, I think it was EVO mag at the back where they look at secondhand bargins. They said the car was good but was not running right at the time but was nothing major and the trader will get it sorted.

Here is another in yorkshire for sale and looks tidy.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0725855877

To be fair though it would not take much to make clees atmo really tidy, if it is just a bit of paint Andy the forum painter could respray the whole car for a very cheap price, then the car would be mint and still cheaper than of thers that are for sale.