[Syenitic]

Hey there all,

I am about to buy my first Gaggia Classic and I am obviously a newbie, so would like to ask for some advices. It is Gaggia Classic, manufactured in Italy (model Q96162) together with gaggia grinder (photo), price for both is 150€. So my question is if this is reliable model, what should I look after before buying it, which part of the machine are sensitive and tend to cause some problems in future. In the ad is writtten that steam wand should be replaced, so I am planing to get rancilio silvia.

Any tips, advices about these two products are welcome and thank you in advance for your help!

I am a little curious why the steam arm is disconnected despite the wording of the advert saying it should be replaced, it is simply a bit of bent stainless steel pipe and not likely to be a problem in itself, maybe there is an issue ahead of the arms connection (steam valve for example), replacing the pipe/arm will not unblock or fix such a problem. Maybe you should ask the buyer to be more descriptive of the reason they think it should be replaced? Opening the steam valve without the arm will still produce the steam - ask the seller if that can be done?

The machine looks identical to the - new - Classic I bought in the UK back in 2002, and it is still going strong in my daughters hands. It has had the odd bit replaced but shows how 'maintainable' they are.

The tank silicone pipework is still in place, as is the SS exhaust from the OPValve. Another item that might need addressing on an older machine is replacement of the group gasket.

The grinder will be fine for a starting point, you can obviously buy better, but it will get you going I am sure. Worry about the upgrade later.