I enjoy cars for more than transportation, but will not spend big dollars on the same. I have owned two Alfa Romeos which I became interested in during college due to a friend's interest, and found them to be more to my liking and more to my pocket book's liking than other european sport sedans or coupes. I prefer high output, smaller engine sport cars, and particularly like cars you might find in road rallys. I owned a '76 Alfetta GT which I used to drive on the track for time trial and track day events and now own a '71 Berlina, which is a four dour sedan. It seems the asian cars have taken over much of the market in the "genre" I prefer, but I don't generally like the asian seating and prefer euro seating styles.
All of that said, I don't buy new cars, and don't buy expensive cars. We own my Alfa, a '99 Suburban for pulling the boat over high mountain passes and for camping, etc, and a '93 Toyota Previa minivan. My hobby, but daily driver Alfas were both purchased for around $3000, and despite the reputation they get, they have taken no more upkeep than any american or german or asian car I or my family has owned. In fact, it seems that our '93 Toyota Previa, which has been a workhorse for years, has taken the most upkeep and repair.
BTW, here is a shot or two of my Alfa:
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson