I currently run a 2002 Alfa 156 2.4JTD Sportwagen with 116k on the clock. It's showing it's age a bit, with a few knocks and scrapes here and there and the traditional 156 clonky suspension. I have spent £600ish in the last 6 months with a clutch and DMF change, although a timing belt change is looming.
Changing financial circumstances mean I have a opportunity to change my 156. My thoughts are:
1. A '56'ish plate 159 1.9JTD (I love the look of them)
2. A '55'ish plate Freelander TD4. A 4x4 isn't essential, but it would allow me to tow etc.
3. Keep my 156 and sort out the issues, although this will likely cost around £1k.
What to do, what to do..... Hmmmmmmmm.....
|
|
Alfa any day of the week...!
|
Heart = Alfa.
Head = Anything but a Freelander.
|
The Alfa, but not he old one. I would lay money on it falling to bits, big time, anytime soon.
Get the 159
|
159 every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
If it was the newer shape freelander then maybe but you'd just spend all your money polishing a turd with the old shape, even though that's not the K series engined one, the engines were just part of the problem - droopy rear doors, dodgy door locks, broken cd changers, electrical gremlins (refuse to start).
|
|
159 definitely. I'd possibly take it to bed with me too. Get the petrol 2.0 though. Hang the fuel costs.
|
Subaru Outback 3.0 auto with a towbar.
|
|
There is such a thing as a 3.2 V6 petrol 4x4 159 sportwagon....Yes indeedy....
|
|
Well known for trouble-free lives well past 100k miles.... ;-)
|
Yes, but no. but well, yes, but.....
Just look at it....They are outrageously gorgeous. I always was a sucker for the pretty one who couldn't cook...
:-)
|
|
In fact if you find BK55 HMC you will find it is an excellent Outback, well cared for, drives beautifully, but given to sliding down snowy slopes at this time of year - but I still miss it.
|
>> Get the petrol 2.0 though. Hang the fuel costs.
Was looking on Autotrader and at the risk of being pedantic they do a 1.9 (160PS) and a 2.2 (185), but not a 2.0. SWMBO says she wants an Alfa, so one of these might well be our next car as well.
Last edited by: Focus on Fri 31 Dec 10 at 15:14
|
|
My mistake / typo ! I meant the 2.2. Had a shot of one in the saloon "Lusso" trim when they first came out. Glorious engine. Beautiful car. One I had a go of was black with a tan leather interior. Love them to bits. Not sure I'd have the courage to buy one but I think other people should so I can look at them...
|
|
a new alfa would be nice but ive given up on alfas but a freelander would give me many sleepless nights aswell
Last edited by: nyx2k on Fri 31 Dec 10 at 14:21
|
|
i had a 3.0ltr gtv on a 99 plate and it was faultless for nearly 10yrs. superb engine and a great driver but when the bigger bills for suspension rubbers etc looked likely i sold it to a friend and it still only had 35k on the clock
|
Am I mad?
Well yes.. And the post above mine says it all.
glad you asked the question as it has bothered me for a while.. :-)
Last edited by: madf on Fri 31 Dec 10 at 14:31
|
My neighbours have a 159 Sportwagen. which occupies the parking space next to me in the underground car park. It's Ferrari red with tan leather interior and absolutely gorgeous and I find myself casting longing glances at it when I park mine. Makes my 5 Series look rather mundane.
I've driven a couple of them so know that they have their little foibles but, hey so do I, and my wife has stuck with me for the past 10 years.
|
|
159. And let me have a go when you've got it.
|
|
I'd just want to stroke it.
|
Get a 159 Sportwagon. Why wouldn't you?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/2251023.htm
|
|
That's almost pornographic Corax !
|
>> Get a 159 Sportwagon. Why wouldn't you?
>>
>> www.pistonheads.com/sales/2251023.htm
See those ergonomically shaped seat adjustment switches mounted conveniently on the side of the seat cushion in picture 5? Well (unless they've subsequently redesigned it) you can't actually reach those when the door is closed. I can mentally picture the design engineer in Turin shrugging his shoulders when this is pointed out to him.
|
Just details BP....details. Look at it, just look at it....sigh.... If you think it makes your car look bad, it makes mine look like an over-inflated spacehopper.
:-)
|
Ownere selling after 15k miles as it's unreliable, uncomfortable and costs a fortune to run.
Only idiots with more money than sense...buy a new one...
Designed by Italians, built by Italians.. you know it will be crap..
|
>> Designed by Italians, built by Italians.. you know it will be crap..
Well, normally Madf, I would think the same, but as Dieselboy knows all about owning Alfas I don't think you'll persuade him to buy a sensible Toyota Yaris! My first car was an Alfasud Sprint Veloce, far from sensible I know, but then I was only twenty, and I had a lot of fun in that car.
£600 for a clutch and DMF change Dieselboy? That seems pretty reasonable for one of those.
|
|
Well, it was £630... Very reasonable, especially as main dealer wanted £1200. It was a local backstreet garage...
|
>> It was a local backstreet garage...
Amazing what can be done with a straightened-out coat hanger.
|
So a rousing response for the 159 then... Apart of course from the Outback suggestion (niceish looking car but I can't justify a 3 litre!).
56 plate 159s with around 85k on can be had for £6500. Hmmmmm.
|
£6500?
There's gotta be a a budget of at least £1k on top of that for suspension repairs plus clutch and various sensors etc..
|
Get a life unless you've got dosh to spare.
I've seen Women with smoother curves than that and they are all wind.
|
|
I might be lucky and find an ex-lease where all that has been done....
|
Isn't it a FIAT under the skin?
/~
|
>> I might be lucky and find an ex-lease where all that has been done....
A lot of lease cars will go back before any major work is needed, often before warranties are up. Most of ours now are 3 years/80k miles whichever is first.
|
>> >> I might be lucky and find an ex-lease where all that has been done....
>>
>> A lot of lease cars will go back before any major work is needed, often
>> before warranties are up. Most of ours now are 3 years/80k miles whichever is first.
>>
Lease companies detest spending money.
If it the warranty doesn't cover a fault, that fault often goes without being repaired. (in my experience of 30+ years in the motor trade)
The idea that a lease car is well maintained is often no more than a fallacy!
|
Maybe I've just been lucky with the ex lease cars I've had. Both came with printouts that showed major work just before the end of lease. For example, one had a clutch and pads/discs all round just 3000 miles before it was returned.
I will have a contingency fund for anything like suspension. Infact, I might go to a main dealer and pay a bit more for peace of mind (or is that a fallacy as well?!).
|
Hmm, a search has thrown up a 57 plate 2.4JTD Lusso 210bhp(!!, 150bhp in mine is quick enough!) with 50k miles for £8495.
It's black with cream leather. The perfect combo...
|
Is it calling out to you Db ? Buy me...buy me.... I've been waiting for you....
:-)
|
|
Post the link. I'm sure plenty on here can't wait to rip it to shreds :)
|
|
I'd probably have a crisis.
|
|
That looks like an Alfa addict's dream.
|
Uh oh, i don't really crave Alfa's but that car does have a seductive aura, pretty and in proportion where the Brera messrs ClakHamMay swoon over is not.
2 questions, what insurance group and which VED band, yes i know one shouldn't think of such things...BUT, unless it's in the highest VED or over group 15 or so (old groups) then it would be a lovely and not too extravagant prospect.
|
|
VED is £200. Insurance? Who knows?!
|
|
VED £200, got to be worth a butchers then.
|
bit of a nightmare on the wobbly bits underneath though and its just out of warranty
personally i would be doing my own mot on it before i threw 81/2 bricks over the counter
and yes i do think they are a looker but as said only with full leather anything less is pish
|
I had an Alfa 156 2.0 JTS Lusso for a couple of months once when my Passat was off the road. I didn't really want the Passat 1.8T Sport back. The (smaller) Alfa 156 was so much more fun and alive.
My next car I thought would be a company one again. But I did like the Alfa. And even knowing they could be unreliable maybe worth the risk? I'd get a reasonable amount of extra pay after tax/NI if I opt to sort my own car.
I don't think the OP is (totally) mad at all.
|
Car Mechnics did a suspension rebuild on an Aflfa: also needed a sump plug helicoil insert.
Cam belt changes on 3 litres are complex .
They make Renaults look well designed imo.
|
|
madf - I get the feeling you don't like Alfas....
|
That looks seriously nice!
Great looks, fantastic handling, bags of power, and a very reasonable price considering what you're getting.
|
"Apart of course from the Outback suggestion (niceish looking car but I can't justify a 3 litre!). "
Oh you can! You can!
|
I don't get the Alfa thing - yeah that car looks stylish from the front and inside looks luxurious enough.
But the back end, did they run out of money when they came to design that? Blander than a bland thing?
And last time I saw a car advertising it had a 2.4 JTD engine, I think it was a Fiat Marea Estate thingy!!
|
>> And last time I saw a car advertising it had a 2.4 JTD engine, I think it was a Fiat Marea Estate thingy!!
Alfa Romeo's 1.9JTD was the first time common rail diesel was available in a car. And they had spent time getting it right.
|
My distaste for Alfas is not unique.
I watched the last 15 mins of Zen- BBC Italian police drame. Hero- Sewell- was driving an Alfa to get away from the baddies.
It broke down...
(gearbox I think).
If it's on a series, it's gotta be true..
(lots of sex, violence and driving - in the last 15 mins....so what the two hours were like!)
|
It broke down...
The baddies had put sugar in the fuel tank.
|
>> The baddies had put sugar in the fuel tank.
Yes, it was a bit strange how he was stirring the gearbox when it was the engine spluttering to a standstill.
|
Am I mad? - R.P.
