Euroitis - it's a genuine disease. Now I've really done it...

[euroshark]

For the past few weeks I've been looking for a later Volvo 740 or 940 turbo wagon to take over daily driver duty. I desperately want something with heated seats, a covered cargo area and a little more refinement than my '84 Toyota pickup can offer. Despite some really good local BMW deals popping up I managed to stay on track... until last night when I found a very nice and very underpriced Euro 6 just a few hours from where I live. I tried to talk myself out of it... tried to think about how much I would love those heated seats, that plush suspension, the ability to hear myself think while cruising at 40mph... but I just couldn't resist the urge to at least talk to the seller.

Fast forward to this morning and I've tentatively purchased a second Euro spec 6. I still have to drive out to check it out in person, but the seller seems very honest and he is going to send me a bunch of pictures later today. Going off of his description the car has been very well cared for and it very clean inside and out, so I'm pretty excited to see it in person and (hopefully) bring it home with me. The best part? It's not gold! The paint is supposed be very nice, the interior was redone recently, it runs and drives great and it's got 16" Alpinas.

I know this thread is worthless without pictures but I just wanted to share my little bit of excitement with you guys. I recently sold two cars so I don't feel too bad about picking up another "impractical" car... I guess the Toyota will have to do until the weather gets nicer.

I have a short wish list for this car already and I'm sure someone will be able to help me out. It needs a rear spoiler and a manual transmission. I've got a pedal box from my '81 and a couple of sideloaders but I need a gearbox and at least the front half of a driveshaft. A 265 or 260/6 would be lovely.

I'll update with pictures as soon as possible.

[jbd5015]

well if you can deal with the pick up, i dont think you made a bad decision! Are you just going to sit on this for a while and try to flip it?

ive got a 265 driveshaft that needs balanced or put together right. I got it and could never get the patience to keep pulling it and find its 'phase'. Its sitting in a box in my trunk, in two pieces. Id prefer to just ship the whole thing as is. PM if interested!

-Jeff

[BoldUlysses]

...but I just couldn't resist the urge to at least talk to the seller...

Yeah, that's when it happens :D

I'll tell you what the REAL disease is, though: Euro-hoarding-itis. You, Roku and Alex, man--you guys are on my hit list. :D Spread 'em around a little!

In all seriousness, congrats! Can't wait to see pics.

-Matt

[Roku35]

Yeah, that's when it happens :D

I'll tell you what the REAL disease is, though: Euro-hoarding-itis. You, Roku and Alex, man--you guys are on my hit list. :D Spread 'em around a little!

In all seriousness, congrats! Can't wait to see pics.

-Matt

Hey! I take full responsibility for MY euro-itis disease in the islands. Hahaha...there are only a handful located in our little State. But I do know that a new 6er Enthusiast is bringing in a very nice M635csi. There is still hope for a worthy Hawaii ManoFest yet :buttrock

If I ever started living on the mainland (CA), THEN, I would probably be a hoarder of Euros :D.

Ian,

Congrats on yet another Euro-6er. We all know you will do it up good (you always do). If I may ask, which two cars did you sell? I really thought you were locked into that Alfa. Can't wait to see your pics.

[Alex E24 E30]

Congrats! Definitely post up pictures when you bring her home. It's is a sickness, and I'm okay with that. It's funny how you sometimes end up with the opposite of what you were looking for initially. When I got my '83, I was looking for a subie as a dd, but I couldn't find one that was as nice for the price that I scored my "new" ride at.

Matt - there's always that euro project car in Houston. I suppose it would truly be hoarding if I went out and fetched that one!


Alex

[euroshark]

Thanks guys!

Jeff - I don't plan on flipping it. I really like the idea of having a mostly stock E12 based car and a very non-stock E28 based car!

Matt - We are all guilty as charged. Something about them is irresistable! US or Euro doesn't make that big a difference to me but finding a clean Euro model always feels like more of a score. :D

Carl - I sold the Volvo 760 turbo wagon (D'oh!) and my '87 Alfa Milano. Well... I sold all of the good pieces off of the Milano and sent the shell to the recycler. It was pretty rough but it got me out of a few jams. I would have loved to take on that GTV project but it was one of those things where transporting the car and all of the extra pieces across the country would have cost as much as the car and been a huge pain, so I let another Denver guy go for it. I'm fairly sure there will be a GTV project in my future though... Picking up a running and driving car that is only a few hours away is a much more attractive option at the moment!

[Taylor Marshall]

I suggest you consult a trained Eurologist and seek treatment. Failing to do so could result in a clogged Eurinary tract (aka a driveway).

[e24mpwr]

Congrats - can't wait to see the pix!

Get an E39 Touring - great car.

[smaglik]

Failing to do so could result in a clogged Eurinary tract (aka a driveway).

I suffer from that (holds head low).

[euroshark]

Haha! I'm going to have to look at some sort of storage option for the winter so that this car doesn't get beat to death by the sun and the snow. One of my coworkers stores some Alfas at a place that charges around $60 a month, so that could be a nice option except that it's 15 miles away. Do any of you guys have experience with weather proof car covers? I have a 6 car driveway and a half-acre lot at work where I can store the car but it would be outside in the open either way.

[jbd5015]

I had to store Wolfie at my parents place from January of this year til about March (the nasty weather season!). The only option was the yard, which kinda of scared me.

We took an old pool cover and folded it up to about half its width but its full length and set it under the swing set. Then I put some PVC blocks (resist rotting) under the tires and drove the car up onto them and onto the tarp. Then we wrapped the tarp over the top of the A frame and tied it under the rear bumper. Then we tied down a few other choice sections.

Exhibit A:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/jbd5015/PICT0018.jpg

Exhibit B:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/jbd5015/PICT0022.jpg

It worked great to keep the snow and ice off, but let it breath. My biggest fear of keeping contact with a cover is ruining the paint (well, that would be my fear if I had good paint...haha).

What about one of those car tents they have at some surplus stores? You can put some traps or moth balls around the tires to keep the vermin away?

-Jeff

[Roku35]

I did some research on those car enclosures myself, and it wasn't pretty. A good one would easily amount to $700-$1000+ per car. And like you mentioned, the car is still exposed to the full range of humidity and temperature changes (must avoid). If you can get a stall in an enclosed facility for $60/month, it doesn't seem bad unless you're planning to be there for a long while.

In Hawaii a covered parking costs $350/month, and the car would still be in an open garage. For me, it would be better that I build out from my existing garage, but that wouldn't fly with Mrs. Roku. :nonoMaybe if I give her a brand new and expanded kitchen...hmmmm, I might be on to something here.

[Seeker]

Hi.. My name is Blaine and I'm a Euroholic....

[Alex E24 E30]

Haha! I'm going to have to look at some sort of storage option for the winter so that this car doesn't get beat to death by the sun and the snow. One of my coworkers stores some Alfas at a place that charges around $60 a month, so that could be a nice option except that it's 15 miles away. Do any of you guys have experience with weather proof car covers? I have a 6 car driveway and a half-acre lot at work where I can store the car but it would be outside in the open either way.


I'm a bit plagued at the moment with not having any access to covered storage with my '85 that leaks rain into the car. I went out about a month ago and snagged a waterproof/weatherproof carcover from wally world (~$75, IIRC) and it has not let a drop of moisture hit the car. All nice and dry on the inside. It's got a soft lining that touches the car, so presumably it won't mess up the paint. I'll have covered storage here shortly, so I won't (fingers crossed) have to worry about the long term effects, but it has worked perfectly since I've owned it. Even has some elastic band at the back that I use to tie it into the exhaust so that heavy winds won't blow it off.


Alex

[euroshark]

Well.... Got the pictures today. The seller was very honest but I am not digging the car like I thought I would. The repaint looks shiny but it doesn't reflect like factory paint. I'm guessing it's full of orange peel or maybe they used cheap clear. The car was originally white and the engine bay was obviously masked off for the paint job... The door jambs appear to have been painted though which is a plus.

It doesn't look terrible but I know that it would bother me enough to start ripping it apart for a new paint job in no time, and that's NOT what I need right now! The body appears very straight though, and I didn't see any rust in the shock towers or any bubbles on the body.

The interior was redone in BRIGHT blue vinyl... It's rip free but it doesn't match the original stuff. The carpet looks good so I'm guessing it hasn't suffered from much or any sunroof leakage or a bad heater core / valve. The wheels are genuine Alpina from what I could see and they look nice.

I will probably pass on this car since I don't need another project of this scale right now. Two in a row... how depressing! But if any of you guys would like the sellers contact information just send me a PM. He's a really nice guy and he is very up front and honest. The car is located in NM and it really would make a nice restoration project or a nice driver for someone.

I think I'll hold out for a clean US spec car in a nice color and then do the euro conversion. I have a NOS euro tail panel for the wrap around bumper! :devillook

[danny2010]

85' Burgundrot US spec has your name written all over it. its only a short drive away lol

[spc808]

Hey! I take full responsibility for MY euro-itis disease in the islands. Hahaha...there are only a handful located in our little State. But I do know that a new 6er Enthusiast is bringing in a very nice M635csi. There is still hope for a worthy Hawaii ManoFest yet :buttrock

If I ever started living on the mainland (CA), THEN, I would probably be a hoarder of Euros :D.

Ian,

Congrats on yet another Euro-6er. We all know you will do it up good (you always do). If I may ask, which two cars did you sell? I really thought you were locked into that Alfa. Can't wait to see your pics.

Hey Rokumado ... thanks for the shoutout ... Im very excited. Tracking it via gps, my //M6er is now at "terminal destination" in Gardena, CA (Long Beach). You should've seen how many times a day I checked its location as it made its way from chilly Foxboro, MA (in a covered trailer, of course:)). It should ship out mid-week, across the Pacific; destination: Oahu!! :alright

[Roku35]

Well I stumbled on a original 1985 Euro E23 for sale in the islands again. I think it is the same 5-Speed 745iT I was looking at several month ago. 70K miles, black on black with buffalo ints (right up my alley). I know I don't and I shouldn't want another classic E-car, but oooooooooh so tempting. Asking $5K, I think thats kind of high for a E23.

I emailed and called the seller and come to find out it was an old classmate. The car is on another island (thank goodness), so I'm talking myself out of it because of the added shipping costs and I really need another Euro like I need a hole in the head. If it were on island where I could go take a look at it quite easily, I don't think I would have the same will power.:rolleyes

Damn Euro-itis!

[Roku35]

Small Hi-jacking of Ian's euro-itis thread...

Euro-itis!

Euro 745iT is back.....lol! And it is even higher this time around. Anybody interested? I got some information on this one.

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/mau/cto/2481219157.html