So a friend of mine suggested I trade my BMW 2002 for his Lancia Fulvia.

The BMW is as reliable as a brand new car, where the Lancia is, well... Italian, and has some reliability issues.

But it's soooo damn sexy.

Thoughts? I'm very torn.





That's the car. The rims have since been replaced with the proper ones.


And that's my BMW...

The Lancia with a V8 or modern 4/6 cylinder swap would be awesome. I know you have the skills to get it done.

NO!!!!


2002 are epic and hard to find NOT rusted to powder and running perfectly.

I can't do modern engine swaps in cars like that. I feel it'd kind of kill the soul of the vehicle. I mean, if the thing was a hacked up bondo bucket without an engine, for sure... but it's pretty much original.

I'm very skeptical. How good of a friend is he? Why does he want to trade? How much restoration has the Lancia received? How do the values of the cars compare? How about the performance comparison?

Very good friend, and we have about... 50 mutual friends.

He's not really mechanically inclined, and that car is kind of like a mistress, it needs constant attention/nurturing and money...

Value is probably about the same, performance, the BMW has more power, but the Lancia weighs a lot less.

That's the original coat of paint on the Lancia, too.

BUT- I'm madly in love with my 2002...

dont do it!!!

the bmw has a better market and following / crowd.
if you ever wanted to sell it, it would be easy.

for the record, i think the BMW should be slammed

Yeah, definitely not slamming it...

I already have 3 lowered cars.

...actually a mild drop (like 2") would be tasteful.

Damnit.

Posted by bandi He's not really mechanically inclined, and that car is kind of like a mistress, it needs constant attention/nurturing and money... BUT- I'm madly in love with my 2002...

Don't do it. For these two reasons alone. I truly believe you would regret making the trade.

italian cars are like blonde supermodels... they're great for a weekend fling, but you wouldn't want to wake up next to it for the next 20 years; too much maintenance.

if the BMW has been good to you, stay with the BMW.

bmw 2002 sounds like vtech on steroids

It's by far the best sounding car I've ever owned... and I've owned a few really nice sounding cars. (Most of which were BMWs)

When you shift at like 4000 rpm, it makes this beautiful "BWAHHHhhh" sound when you clutch and the revs drop, and when you downshift while driving it enthusiastically, you get a very nice sounding like "pop, pop, crackle... BWAHHHHHHHHH!"

Kinda sounds like a de-tuned carburetted Ferrari. Or something. I dunno.

Upon reading what I just wrote, I guess I need to keep the BMW.

Posted by bandi Upon reading what I just wrote, I guess I need to keep the BMW.

YES!!!!

Posted by bandi Upon reading what I just wrote, I guess I need to keep the BMW.

Smart move man. Never get rid of your baby. Now, if he would be willing to trade for one of your other vehicles....

The funny thing is, I already sold her once... and got her back.

Posted by bandi The funny thing is, I already sold her once... and got her back.

why tempt fate?

A 2002 is one of my dream cars. I'd keep it. The ONLY way I'd think about it is if I had first buyback rights to the car. That way if he ever decided to sell it, you had the chance to get it first. Even then, I'd be afraid he'd crash it or otherwise neglect something that needs special attention.

Both cars are cool but you seem to love the BMW, if you sold it once and had to buy it back don't part with it again. The Lancia is a plaything, the Beamer is a classic that you could still jump in and drive cross country. Keep the BMW.