General Why buy a Barchetta?

[BarchettaCanada]

I am considering a Barchetta... please give me reasons why i should buy one.

What are your favorite things about your Barchetta?


Paul

 

[patches]

Hi Paul,

As a Canuck in the UK, I would bring my Barchetta back to Canada if I returned for the following reasons:

1. It has the same spirit of the classic Italian roadsters of the 60's but is more reliable and has some modern safety features.
2. Less common than the Mazda (MX-5 or Miata) and better looking (in my opinion)
3. Front wheel drive which is better in snow and rain but still handles like a sports car. [Not a winter car though!]
4. Engine and handling make it a hoot to drive while compact size and smallish engine make it still reasonable economical to drive.
5. Decent boot (trunk).
6. Great head turner.
7. It is the most fun car I have owned.

Good luck,

Kerry

 

[desert rat]

I am considering a Barchetta... please give me reasons why i should buy one.

What are your favorite things about your Barchetta?


Paul

2 easy steps.....

1. Take one for a test drive......

2. Step out of the car and look in the mirror at the big grin on your face

smile factor.... 10+

If you are serious about buying one then you have already seen how good they look and have found this forum you have probably read up on all of the quirks and problems they have and are still interested in them then I would say you have already answered your own question..... You are now looking for a Barchetta

Also as Patches said. It is A good reliable, practicable car that can be used on a daily basis (but the roof will probably leak)! (MX5's leak too)!

Unlike all of the other convertables of the same age and price range people will still turn there heads to see what what was that lovely car that just passed.....

 

[Blue Sailfin]

I am considering a Barchetta... please give me reasons why i should buy one.

What are your favorite things about your Barchetta?


Paul

I first fell in love with these cars more that 10 years ago, the first time I saw one I went green with envy, My friend got one and he said to me why have you gone green!!.
So 10 years on I saw the car that I now have 2002 Riviera LE model for sale on eBay in Swansea, I live in France, it had only 28000 km on the clock , which is about 17000 miles, so I flew to the UK bought the car and I haven't stopped smiling yet, the ride is very comfortable and being full leather quilted upholstery looks really stunning. I had to buy a new Mohair top for the car but this really made it look fantastic.
One of the other reasons to buy a one of these cars is because there are not many on the road and I like to be different, people ask what is it, and how nice it looks.
I would think that if you keep it nice it will increase in value in years to come
Would I buy it again? you bet I would, it is really a big grin machine.
I can't really think of anything that I would change about the car except maybe remove the 3rd brake light on the boot lid, that apart it's just perfect.

Practicality

4 / 5

Reliability

4 / 5

Running cost

4 / 5

How it drives

5 / 5

 

[bumble]

I agree with all of the previous. I can't wait for the spring when I wake mine up from hibernation. Love it.

Steve

 

[RightGuard]

It is very rare.

Due to that fact, it is more desirable than a ferrari in my opinion.

It is also an extremely pretty car. Much better looking than a MX-5 etc.

 

[doblo832]

Hi, I think you've answered your own question by asking a bunch of avid Barchetta owners why they bought them. They are obviously all unbiased and will give you warts and all advice. If you like it buy it and send in pics !! Good hunting.
Peter

 

[Blue Sailfin]

I am considering a Barchetta... please give me reasons why i should buy one.

What are your favorite things about your Barchetta?


Paul

One thing I forgot to mention is the roof, it is so easy to put up and down and when it's stored it looks stunning, I have also just got myself a Hardtop so all year round driving, and if like France you drive on the right in Canada then the LH drive Barchetta has got to be a must for you.
I hope all the above comments have made your mind up for you and we all look forward to hearing about the car you ARE going to buy.
Good luck searching for one.
Roy

 

[BarchettaCanada]

Thank you for the great information... time to find a nice Barchetta to keep next to my X 1/9 and Coupe 20vT


paul

 

[doblo832]

Hi paul, glad you've been convinced that it's the right thing to do! Like you I was an X1/9er of 15years but found that now I'm an creaky 75 it was becoming a tad difficult to get in and out and sadly she had to go. The Barchetta was an easy choice and certainly easier on the back and as much fun to drive. Still miss the exxie though. Have a great time choosing and living with the B.
Peter

 

[BarchettaCanada]

Three years later and I finally have a Barchetta. I could not find a good one in Canada as they were never sold here and the couple that have been imported were not spectacular. So in the mean time I picked up a new Lotus EvoraS GP Edition, a MB SLK 230 and a BMW 328I Xdrive and wouldn't you know it....my importer buddy called to say he found a great Barchetta.


It was sourced from Japan. It is a 1996, has approx. 50,000 kms. and is currently getting new belts, variator, water pump and new top because it did not have a trustworthy service history (no service records from Japan can be trusted in my opinion).


I should have it safety approved, licensed, and emissions tested and on the road in a couple weeks.


Pictures as soon as it gets on the road and in my garage....so exciting!


Paul

 

[gar074]

Wow - that's persistence! Delighted that you managed to land one at last!

 

[HP]

Nice one, hope she treats you well!

 

[BarchettaCanada]

Brought her home today. She is a fun little car hence the MITYFUN tag.
I also ordered new wheels and tires today....pictures of those next week.


Here she is today


Paul

 

[digger58]

Lovely, I fancy one of these! What year should I go for?

 

[BarchettaCanada]

Installed new 16" wheels and tires and painted calipers today.

 

[BarchettaCanada]

Hard to believe a 18 year old car with 55,000 kms looks so clean underneath.