NeilMH

You may find this one interesting and informative: http://www.dvapower.com/

Never tried a 220 but definitely worth considering. These guys used to be really good re servicing, upgrades etc assuming that they are still going.http://backontrackmotorsport.co.uk/index.php Also worth looking at SELOC http://www.seloc.org/ Parts http://www.eliseparts.com/?kohana_uri=shop/index.php and http://www.hangar111.com/ good 220 dealer when they have them http://www.adrianblyth.co.uk/

Yes - I have good memories of past Alfas. However, when I had the Flying Bread Van (145QV), the dealers I encountered were the worst I have ever dealt with - but I think they have done something about that now. Engine was best 4c I have had.

Am disappearing for 3 or 4 days shortly but very briefly: - Had '98 standard Elise S1 with, initially, totally standard engine and suspension Good: - Presence - its a very pretty car - I changed the S1 seats to the later seats (straight in and out) - they were remarkably comfortable - There are some really good after market roof options now - they address some of the issues of the original roof - Best steering of any car I have ever driven - Beautiful balance between ride and handling on original suspension set up (there is an upgrade to and S2 kit - LSS) which also lowers the ride height - I did that but regretted it - the S2 is heavier so I think the kit is too stiff but that is just me - Need to slightly cautious about lift off oversteer in the wrong conditions - totally reliable for 2 years of ownership - I have met people with S1s on massive mileages - there are solutions for head issues - see DVA power for upgrades etc - many don't have issues if they are warmed up properly and have the prescribed coolant changes - Probably won't depreciate that much now Not so good: - in standard form the car doesn't sound great - induction kits and sports exhausts can help - not easy to get in and out of with the roof on - some elements of build quality are a bit questionable (the bonnet catch is a good example where you think surely they could have done better but other stuff is better than you think) - there are some generic issues to which there are now very good after market solutions - eg gearchange quality, pedal sticking issues, heater controls getting stuck, windows sticking, etc. There is a solution to almost everything. There is probably a whole lot more but short on time now. Hope this helps. Very glad I had one for the experience. Wanted more comfort without being boring hence 350Z Good luck.

Thanks - yes re fuel on IS - the update model is slightly better (ie. another 2 mpg or similar). However, I also know that you can squeeze more fuel out of a V6 if you have to. I am going to have another look at some of the bigger booted fords and the newer Avensis - even though it is not the most attractive car in the world. The only downside with some of these is they are massive now - the IS is quite a good compromise in size.

Sorry if someone has said this already but one of things you need to be certain of is that everyone is quoting for exactly the same thing. At certain mileages and intervals extra operations are recommended so that could explain some price difference.

What luscious suspension arms you have

Good luck - hopefully something will be resolved this time round.

Thanks everyone. In response to the additional ones: Lexus RX - will look at next week - tried IS250 today and very impressed £10,750 for '57 car - had everything. Even though writers say it has a niggly low speed right we thought it was perfectly acceptable and that was on 18s - I would choose 17s. Seats infinitely adjustable and softer and less germanic than some which suits Caroline because of the amount of metalwork in her back. Boot just about big enough. Definitely now on the short list. Pug 3008 - will look at Quashai - my friend has one and I thought the ride was pretty hard but he knows nothing about cars and probably had the tyres on 75 psi! Volvo - tried S40 - because of the amount of safety stuff in the doors it's quite difficult for Caroline to get in and out of (or so we perceived) E-Class probably a bit big but we have discovered that the new C-Class is a contender - we just need to find a cheaper one Alfa 159 - need to look at - also slightly nervous about reliability although I have had 2 reliable Alfas myself as weekend toys Mondeo - new one a bit big but last one excellent - has annoying wheel thing on seats but maybe a Ghia X might have and electric passenger seat - will look at CRV - to look at Golf Plus, Scenic, C4 Picasso, Altera, C-Max and Insignia all to look at Thanks again to all my readers

Thank you docwra and smd. I'm taking it all in and will follow up when back home.

Many thanks Chris and Stew.

Thanks Arkwright - I will have a look at both of those. I keep finding myself telling salesmen that I don't want big wheels and low profile tyres - I want small wheels and big tyres! You have also reminded me that we still haven't given up on my wife driving again - so I ought to consider how she would get on in the driver side as well.

To try and cut a long story short: My wife has a very serious back problem following many surgeries and procedures. For day-to-day transport we are still using a 19 year old Toyota Corolla 1.6 Auto Liftback, for the following reasons: 1. It's easy to get in and out of (modern cars often require a sponsored walk to get from the outside of the door to the middle of the seat!) 2. It has very good ride quality 3. It has a big boot (we often have to take quite a lot of stuff with us) 4. It has never gone wrong 5. We average around 37mpg 6. Most importantly she has to travel with the seat reclining at 45 degrees, the Toyota uses a sprung lever - you pull it up and back you go and release it and the seat is sprung to return forward - so she doesn't have to carry her own weight when coming back up again. Having said all that, we can't expect it to go on forever and it is a bit light on safety features So we are looking for a saloon or hatchback but it must have: 1. Seats that recline either electrically on the passenger side or with a lever (the revolving knob thing is a pain to use on a day-to-day basis to put it mildly) 2. Good or very good ride quality 3. A boot of at least 400 litres 4. Four doors (or 5) 5. Be easy to get in and out of - neither too high or too low 6. Automatic 7. Cost no more than £11,000 - for whatever age that would get us 8. Ideally be economical but that might have to be a secondary consideration 9. Be reliable - it would be a big deal if we got stuck somewhere 10. Not too big (eg. the last Mondeo would be as big as we would want to go - the latest one is too big) The Prius boot is too small, the new C Class looks good but isn't cheap enough yet, the Octavia has the dreaded wheel to lower the seats, The L&K version only has electric reclining on the driver side, etc, etc. Trying a Lexus IS250 today but boot a bit small and a question of ride quality and petrol cost! Worried about X-type reliability. Given the wealth of other cars that 350/370 owners have out there - anyone got any cars that meet the above criteria or any suggestions. Even though I have some brand hang-ups I would put them to one side for the right car. I look forward to any ideas. I continue to poor over my old what cars and parkers web site every evening

I find myself wondering how it is that another human, in theory from the same basic genetic ingredients as ourselves, can think "it's an absolutely stunning example of the real carâ€

Like the 370.

Looks good

Just seen your comment in middle of text. Yes - mods first and uprev after - otherwise you won't get the benefit.