Lancia Beta Forum

General Category => New members => Topic started by: RichB on November 07, 2015, 08:37:52 PM

Title: Hello there
Post by: RichB on November 07, 2015, 08:37:52 PM

HI
I've always like Betas though my first car was a Delta 1500 in brown, back in 1986. A mate had a 1600 coupe in pale blue, boy that was cool in 1980. I have an old S2 Alfa Spider and would like a Beta as a semi regular drive. I'm looking for something that's in good condition and would appreciate advice. Thanks in advance.
RichB

Title: Re: Hello there
Post by: Neil-yaj396 on November 08, 2015, 08:09:49 AM

Check the buyers guide on here, it covers pretty much everything.

Your main choices are engine size, although a big proportion of the surviving cars are 2 litre, then whether you want an older or newer car: Pre-facelift/facelift/injection/Volumex?

ebay tends to be the place to look for cars.

Title: Re: Hello there
Post by: RichB on November 08, 2015, 09:23:14 PM

Thanks for the welcome Neil. I do prefer the aesthetics of the older car but I've only driven a 1982 2000, the weather was so bad all I can recall was that it seemed very low geared compared to the car I drove at the time - a 156 sportwagon. I'm not sure what the non pas models will feel like, my Alfa Spider is quite heavy to park and sometimes feels ponderous, I'm looking for a responsive drive, have a feeling a well set up beta coupe will feel more modern than the Alfa. I'm planning to go to NEC show and will hope to see some cars there.

Title: Re: Hello there
Post by: peteracs on November 09, 2015, 07:50:59 AM

Interesting comment about the steering. Given a number of comments/threads on here about the upper bearing on the front struts etc it is quite easy to think that the Beta has heavy steering without PAS whereas it is a worn out/badly lubricated top bearing or other setup issue. Obviously difficult to know how acceptable it is, but trying a well setup version is recommended to get a feel for it.

Peter

Title: Re: Hello there
Post by: Neil-yaj396 on November 09, 2015, 07:39:57 PM

Agree, steering should be light and precise at all but parking speeds, unless outsize tyres are fitted.

Title: Re: Hello there
Post by: RichB on November 12, 2015, 08:46:04 PM

Does anybody have a beta I could have a look at? I'm in North Glos. Thanks

Title: Re: Hello there
Post by: HFStuart on November 12, 2015, 10:36:10 PM

Why not make the trip up the M5 to the NEC this weekend ?

Title: Re: Hello there
Post by: RichB on November 17, 2015, 08:20:50 PM

Was planning to go but my father was taken ill and taken to hospital, we suddenly had to go south. He's a little better, thankfully.