Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Alfa Romeo 166 on Craigslist

I was sent this car by Dave over at Just a Car Geek. It's a 2003 Alfa Romeo 166 on Craigslist in Midtown Manhattan. As optimistic as I usually am, I have to admit thast this ad is dripping with scam telltales. Were the car truly for sale in the US it would be totally black market and not legally registerable, but the photos look like they're taken in Italy, and the seller's description is in British English aside from a few American keywords at the end. Find the listing here on Craigslist.




The 166 was the successor to the Alfa 164, which was the last Alfa Romeo sold in the US up through 1995. It was introduced in 1998, facelifted after the 2003 model year to a less-droopy, more edgy look, and discontinued in 2007. The replacement, to be called the 169, is tentatively scheduled for North American sales in 2011 and will share it's platform with the next-generation Chrysler 300. Another potential shared-platform Chrysler-Fiat was just shown this week at the Detroit Auto Show - the Chrysler-badged Lancia Delta. Check it out here on Autoblog.

Thanks for the tip, Dave!

UPDATE: Reader kashgar216 blew my mind with a link to Jalopnik that showed a dark colored Alfa 166 in Manhattan nearly three years ago, with PA registration and a British owner. Their source link, a post by justin on TheCarConnection.com, includes a bunch of photos as well as mention of AutoDelta (the illegal Alfa Romeo importers who have been shut down). I don't know much about AutoDelta, but I assumed that any of their cars must have been confiscated. Apparently not so, at least in 2007, unless this car was actually a legal Temporary Import by it's expat owner. This Craigslist car, however, has some visual differences to car in the Jalop/CarConenction story - the color, the location of the rear badges, the wheel size, and the rear license plate bracket (note the US plate on the Jalop/CarConnection car and the empty European bracket and frame on Craigslist). While I now believe there are black market 166s here on US plates (and as you know I'm officially opposed to black market cars), I'm sticking to my guns and calling this ad a scam with Italian photos. If anyone is in Manhattan and wants to set up a test drive with the seller, we'll know for sure. Thanks kashgar216!
Posted by at

22 comments:

  1. DWJanuary 13, 2010 at 1:45 PM

    I'm with you on it being a potential scam. The pictures could have easily been taken in an industrial area somewhere in Europe as they don't resemble what I've seen of New York City, and not only is this car considered contraband in the USA, but putting a blatantly illegal car on Craigslist with possible scam references in New York City (which has more than its fair share of crime) causes me to smell a rat.

    Personally, I'd wait for new Alfas to be sold in the USA if I were interested in this kind of car, rather than risk a scam, criminal and/or civil charges and losing this car.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MaxichampJanuary 13, 2010 at 5:36 PM

    It's sketchy but Jalopnik spotted it in Manhattan in 2007:
    jalopnik.com/alfa-romeo-166-spotted-in-nyc

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chris KeenJanuary 14, 2010 at 5:39 PM

    Doesn't sound like much of a scam, looks more like an uninformed seller who was going to sell his Italian-market car over here. From the updated listing:

    "I'M SORRY BUT I JUST HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS TYPE OF CAR CANNOT BE IMPORTED TO U.S. BECAUSE OF TOO MANY REGULATION. AT LEAST AT THIS MOMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPORT, BUT I HOPE THERE WILL BE A WAY IN NEAREST FUTURE "

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2010 at 11:57 AM

    you can bring over ANY car legally. The trick is to disassemble it and ship over only the body with no drive train or seats. It will legally pass customs. Then you must check with your local state DMV on registering a car built from multiple pieces. Generally all that is required is proof of purchase of all the components.

    Yes, youll have to ship the drivetrain seperately to a friend or family so you can purchase the parts for proof of purchase.

    Anyways, dont take my word, look it up and you will see to bring in a "vessel" is not the same as bringing in a vehicle.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    It's in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
    Review my website ; Perth

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2013 at 4:44 PM

    Hi! Quick question that's completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when browsing from my iphone 4. I'm trying to find a theme or
    plugin that might be able to resolve this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share.
    Thank you!
    Look into my blog : www.ncesc.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2013 at 12:39 AM

    Pretty component of content. I just stumbled upon your web
    site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact
    loved account your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing for your feeds and even I fulfillment you access consistently fast.
    My web page ; unemployment benefits

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2013 at 6:05 PM

    I like what you guys are usually up too. This type
    of clever work and reporting! Keep up the good works guys
    I've included you guys to my own blogroll.
    my page: click the following internet page

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013 at 8:47 PM

    Whаt I prеfer to аdvіse is that you ѕimply ratheг increase yοur normаl
    dаily activities like ωalkіng by аbout ten to 15%. These 5 enzymes boosters, within the correct quantities and mixture make Phen375 a highly effective appetite suppressant. Most automobile financing agreements allow a creditor to repossess your car any time you are in default without notice.
    My webpage :: phen375 review

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013 at 8:57 PM

    When your stomach is crying out for food, it's all you're going to
    have the ability to take into consideration so by having the urge for food suppressant there
    that can assist you treatment this, it is possible for you to
    to turn your focus and focus back to other areas of your life your profession, your training, and
    your relationships. These are of course not healthy, but will result in dramatic weight loss, and are seldom fatal.
    For that reason what negative effects could Phen375 have.
    Here is my web site ; lose weight fast

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMarch 3, 2013 at 1:44 PM

    Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting company you're working with? I've loaded your blog in
    3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot
    faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a
    honest price? Thanks, I appreciate it!

    Also visit my site :: gabba

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 3, 2013 at 1:44 PM

    I savor, lead to I discovered just what I was taking a look
    for. You've ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

    Feel free to visit my web site - canon digital camera

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousMarch 14, 2013 at 6:36 AM

    Excellent goods from you, man. I've understand your stuff previous to and you are just too fantastic. I actually like what you've acquired here, certainly like
    what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still
    care for to keep it wise. I cant wait to read far more from
    you. This is actually a terrific website.

    Check out my page ... escort amsterdam

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousMarch 14, 2013 at 6:36 AM

    I blog frequently and I really appreciate your information.
    This great article has really peaked my interest.
    I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once a
    week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

    Also visit my webpage; amsterdam escorts

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousApril 7, 2013 at 4:22 PM

    First off I want to say awesome blog! I had a quick question
    that I'd like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your head prior to writing. I've had a tough time clearing
    my mind in getting my thoughts out there. I truly do enjoy writing but it just
    seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted simply just trying
    to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?

    Thank you!

    Feel free to surf to my blog: get more pinterest followers

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousApril 14, 2013 at 10:06 PM

    Keep on writing, great job!

    Feel free to surf to my web-site ... juegos para pc

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousApril 14, 2013 at 10:06 PM

    I don't know whether it's just me or if everyone else encountering problems with your website.
    It seems like some of the written text in your content
    are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me
    know if this is happening to them too? This might be a problem with my internet browser because I've had this happen before. Appreciate it

    Check out my blog ... juegos para pc

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousMay 28, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    Hi, I do believe this is an excellent web site.
    I stumbledupon it ;) I am going to return yet again since i have bookmarked it.
    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you
    be rich and continue to guide other people.

    Also visit my homepage: Http://Hotgirlsexcam.Com/Channel/Sex-Cam-7/Most_Discussed/All/7

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownNovember 21, 2014 at 2:47 AM

    Looking for car bidding, buy and sell website design and development, visit us.

    Website Designers Bangalore | Website Developers Bangalore

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownMay 11, 2015 at 5:00 AM

    I was working and suddenly I visits your site frequently and recommended it to me to read also. The writing style is superior and the content is relevant. Thanks for the insight you provide the readers!
    facebook entrar
    facebook entrar iniciar sesion
    facebook en español descargar
    facebook entrar direto agora

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousNovember 26, 2020 at 1:44 AM

    "When I was applying for a loan to purchase my building as a small business owner in a tough situation, conventional banks said they could not help me. The loan firm from Mr Lee sat down with me, heard my situation and decided that I was worth taking a chance on. Here we are 5 years later and I have just renewed my loan for another 7 years. I couldn’t have purchased my building without the help of the loan from mr lee and will be forever indebted to them for giving me a chance when no one else would."Here is mr lee contact Email: 247officedept@gmail.com Also on whatsApp: +1-989-394-3740So I will advise anyone here looking for a loan to contact Mr Lee for assistance with loan fundings.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousNovember 21, 2024 at 6:05 AM

    Thanks and that i have a nifty offer: How Long Do House Renovations Take house renovation exterior

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)