alfa's return and the competition

[Ian Evans <iann@domain.elided>]

Seems to me I saw a stripper Jaguar sedan targeting the Gen-X crowd 
advertised as expected to retail in the low $30K range.  On top of that it 
was an AWD car.  MG is expected to return with a new saloon (what's the 
origin of that word?) and BMW will soon start marketing the new Mini.  The 
nostalgic retro styling will doubtless appeal to some on the Mini, and with 
BMW behind it it will likely be a decent car (I'm not trashing the early 
Mini), Jag has the advantage of not having left our shores, and as for the 
MG, well, my first car was an MGA so I have a soft spot for them, but I'm 
old enough to recall the Magnette and MG1100 so we'll wait and see. It is 
an attractive car though.  I think the Jag will likely be the tough 
competition amongst that group.  Wonder where the Alfa will fall in 
price-wise.  Like Jag owners, Volvo owners, Saab owners, MG owners, Alfa 
owners are somewhat of a niche market.  Nissfinity, Toyexus and Honcura 
cars have become generic enough to appeal to the unwashed 
masses.  Hopefully not too many of this niche will feel as I do that 
replacing the Alfa engine with some sort of a GM transplant is cutting the 
heart out of the car.  I'll wait and see, I'll go to the dealer and drive 
the car, but I'm inclined to wait a few years before considering a purchase 
to see whether the patient survives.

Now if Alfa were courageous enough to turn their engineers loose on a "new 
Giulietta" retro styled rear wheel drive spider priced somewhere between a 
Miata and an M3 and with something other than a Vega motor consider the 
possibilities.

Ian

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