Andy M3

Hi,

I am an ex Alfa owner, I had a 156 with the mjet JTD that is in the 159. I spent thousands keeping my low mileage late '04 on the road. Gearbox went @ 60k, clutch and dual mass flywheel was £1000, EGR failure, heavy wear on bushes/droplinks/wishbones etc, the injector wiring loom needed repairing and a leaking radiator need replacing at 5 years old. Insurance was expensive for what it was, it was ok on fuel @ 40mpg.

Great looking cars, people's attitudes towards them is generally positive and there is a feel good factor. They are cheap to buy for a reason, I will never own another.

P.S I had a 1.9 16v petrol as a loan car once, it wasn't a bad car [nearly new] perhaps looking for an early petrol will reduce your initial outlay, avoid some of the nasty diesel car bills, and get the Alfa thing out of your system?



here
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...12py?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

rickya

iTrader: (18)

Looks like this thread was a good idea to get those silly Italian car ideas out of my head!!

mbayley77

iTrader: (4)

I had an Alfa 156 2 ltr Petrol and its a car that just makes me smile when i think about it.

Sure we all know reliability can be an issue, but then if we were all so sensible we would be on mopeds that do 100 to the gallon with pedals just to make sure we get home!

The Alfa 156 was a great car, went so well as expected, and served me very well for many years of business and personnal use. Once it let me down with a head gasket failure, but then dont a lot of cars head gaskets fail around 100k?

Cambelts ave always been delicate on the Alfa's but with good servicing there isnt much reason for it to suddenly go. If you drive hard, service more regularly.

My brother has an Alfa 147 and it is just starting to show its age with niggly problems.

I think bottom line is, get a good one, get a warranty to settle your mind if you wish, and service it well. The car will make you smile every time you drive it and look at it on the drive way. As said earlier though prices do drop quicker than the German variety of cars.

If you have a flair for something different and styled then the Alfa is for you. If your uber sensible youd go German.

From me - get an Alfa

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

I've got a 159 2.4 jtd Lusso, that's now done 88k, so far it's been ace. The 159 is a real step change in quality from the 156 /159 and the constant MAF and bush failures, but the Vauxhall influence has diluted a little of the Alfa flair. As mentioned earlier, steering rack / pump failure can be a weakness, and setting the front to zero toe prolongs the tyres. I average 35 mpg (a lot of m'way and fast a roads) which is hardly class leading, but it's really enjoyable drive, feels special and good consolation when you spend 3 hrs communting each day and need something "sensible". It may need a bit more attention than a dull BMW or Audi, but you'll save loads of time when people keep letting you out in traffic. Find a decent independent and keep aware from the main dealers, dare to be different !
Mine:



D

Scotsman

iTrader: (3)

I've had 3 156's over the years - one saloon and two sportswagons. Very lucky in that I didn't have any problems with any of them. Loved the looks and interior.

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

Not the same car but had a 52 156 sprtwagon nearly a year and have to say its not very good, nothing has gone wrong with it (except thermostat) and been to south of France twice without issues but it just doesnt feel very good, its a good car to keep your licence cos it doesnt make you want to cane it
ive hated it since day one but it has grown on me

my old Marea 2.4 diesel felt a hell of a lot better, I had this car for over 5 years and is a cracker of a car for luggin stuff about and felt better put together

alfas do look better than some tho and estates are quite rare

I think id opt for an older A4 with 159 money but then again ive just clicked that front view pic of the 159 above !