ALFAGTV6.COM

[zambon]

Hi,
I have recently decided that I am going to part with one of my Milano Verdes. Before I send it on, however, I intend to make it very nice so that it will find a good home and bring me a greater sum to invest in my next Alfa and other Alfa .
So far I have rebuilt the trans with all new synchros and sleeves and had the diff locked up to around 40% (Platinum trans). It has less than 500 miles on it currently.
I was planning to do the manual brake mod, but now I am thinking it might be better to just get a new ABS accumulator since that is less work. Which would be worth more to the next owner? I think it is a wash.
I think that I will overhaul the engine because the true milage is unknown due to the non original final drive. This way the next owner will know what he/she is getting under the bonnet. Will this be worth it?
All dings will be touched up and a respray will be in order. Paint is currently faded and it is definitely time. I have an ok paint hookup and I will do most preparation myself to save money.
I will have the worn Recaros recovered with non original fabric.
Also a new headliner will be installed.
Tires are worn. I am on the fence about buying some new ones. Seems to be a losing proposition. I would want to choose the tires myself if I was buying. Then there is a school of thought that says not to have any glaring weaknesses in a vehicle that is for sale.
The other major weakness in the vehicle is that the speedo does not display the proper speed. This is a result of the non original gearbox that is out back. Should I bother getting one of those aftermarket adaptors? I sure dont want to deal with that.
I am planning to have a rollbar made for my other Verde. I have thought about having two made at the same time. Would this be attractive to most buyers?
Does anyone have any suggestions about thes and other things I should do before I sell?
Thanks
James
Ps-What do you think that such a car could bring if it has paint, interior, and engine work completed?

[zambon]

Now I am leaning toward not overhauling the engine. It runs well and doesnt smoke.

Nobody is going to pay more for an engine overhauled by a clown like myself

Better to use the money for cosmetics and perhaps a set of Kumhos.

[Greg Gordon]

People really buy based on how it looks. Put your effort into paint and interior. If the motor runs well and doesn't smoke you would be crazy to overhaul it. A good tune up so it starts and runs well is a plus. Also change the timing belt. Every single person who asks about the car will ask "when was its last timing belt change?" Converting it to non ABS would be a plus for me, but not for most buyers. Generally you want to keep it original from a value standpoint. I probably would not bother with the speedometer error issue.
An original Verde that runs and drives well and looks good inside and out will bring top dollar.
Most good condition original Verdes with everything working seem to bring about 6k. Now that's assuming no body damage etc. I have seen low mileage examples sell for 8k-10k!
Not too long ago Greg Armstrong's personal Milano was for sale for 12K. Dang, I wish I had the money! A full built eaton supercharged 290+ hp 2.5, 4.10 lsd, 17 inch rims and the best of everything everywhere on the car.

[ar4me]

Greg,
Was Greg Armstrong's milano advertised online? I have been to his shop and know of his work - his shop is very close to me. Anyway, I'm curious to see a little more of his milano - any pointers?

From a sale perspective, originality is usually a plus, unless you find someone with your taste for modifications.

If possible, make sure you have good engine, working brakes, no leaking power steering, working instrumentation (no lacy tach), do you have a verde box you could put in instead (I would actually care), or get a proper conversion?, clean the engine bay (a filthy engine bay with corroded aluminum is a total turn-off for me and indicates neglect of the most important on an Alfa), working sunroof, good interior though I would be hesitant to do something non-stock. BTW, I have a roll of the original Recaro material that I may want to part with. Oh, and personally I just hate a misrepresented car - be honest.

Jes

[Greg Gordon]

I agree with everything Jes said. Most people will prefer an original spec car so it may be better to put in the original transaxle.

Jes, I don't recall where I saw it. However I do recall figuring it would cost 20k-30k to duplicate it even if you could get all the cool stuff he had on the car. A lot of the things you can't get anymore like the Shankle dash set up which puts the radio up higher and the ARC down lower. It's a first rate car that beats most M3s. If you are near his shop just go over there and ask him about it.