Modern Alfa's

[Pistol Pete]

Looking at changing the tin top and as an exercise in car porn took my eldest for a visit to the local Alfa dealer (1 miles from my house which would probably be handy ) and took a 159 ti out for a test drive.

 

Wow - what a steering wheel, it is the most tactile things in the world, absolutely beautiful interior and a really nice car to drive.

 

Anybody got any experience of these, it was the 1.75 turbo engine as used in the 4C, a very nice drive but in the wrong colour (I think the salesman thought I was joking when I told him the red ones were faster) ?? 

[Rusty Nuts]

The red ones are faster than the res ones and the rosso ones are the fastest. Sorry couldn't add anything but it's a beautiful looking car.

[dave_t]

I've had a 159 jtdm 1.9 for a few years now ... dpf'ed and remapped. It serves its purpose well; its our family car, is comfy on long journeys (my folks live in France), does ok MPG (better since the remap, but still not fantastic ... the engine is showing its age). There are a few things that are known to go wrong with them, although ours hasn't suffered from any problems ... the Alfa Forum gives loads of details on the common issues.

And its a very pretty red Alfa ... which is the main thing

[SootySport]

The 159 only lasted 3 or 4 years, don't build them any more.

They are a bit in the wilderness at the moment, only 2 models in their range now,  were going to the VAG umbrella but not sure whats happening now.

Up to now Alphas suffered from electrical gremlins, and bad depreciation.  Been for test drives in the 147 and 156 in the past and yes I loved the interior and the styling but there was always the nagging doubt about being let down by reliability, and bad depreciation hence I've stuck with the VAG stable.

[Mark (smokey mow)]

An Alfa is an itch I would still like to scratch one day. as it happens I would looking at a 147 last week, and you certainly get a lot of car for the money and looks the only thing that put me off the 147 is the recommendation that the cambelt be changed every 3yrs/36k.

As I'm looking to expand my car collection rather than replace one, i'd rather something with a bit lower running/maintenance costs. Funnily enough I'm also looking at WRX's

[Pistol Pete]

A quick search revels 159 1.7 ti aren't so rare:

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201310129255186/sort/default/usedcars/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/price-to/13000/fuel-type/petrol/price-from/7000/model/159/make/alfa_romeo/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/100/page/1/postcode/cm26ub?logcode=p

 

If you would like to test drive a 73k mile 2004 blob eye just shout, yours for WBAC price once I find a replacement.

[Mark (smokey mow)]

 

If you would like to test drive a 73k mile 2004 blob eye just shout, yours for WBAC price once I find a replacement.

thanks Pete, I've driven a couple already, let me know before you get rid please

[darve]

the thought had crossed my mind when I read Pete's post Mark replace the carp fiesta lol but don't have the pennies

[Norman Verona]

One of my all time best cars that I've used (being in the motor trade "used" is better than "owned") was a 1970 1300 GT Junior. Fantastic car.

 

Modern Alfas seem to generate the same passion. There was an article in the Sunday Times about owener's who's cars had given real grief, been in the dealers more than with them. However they all said they would buy one again such was the driving experience. This was about 15 years ago and I think the reliability is much better now. 

[Wile E. Coyote]

Up to now Alphas suffered from electrical gremlins

 

Out of curiosity, have you first hand experience of this?

 

I only ask as none of the three alfas we had on our company fleet (2 x 146 + 1x 156) had electrical gremlins - well, not unless you include my boss's 156 which had a strange intermittent fault with its stereo (used to retune and/or set to random volumes) - he never did twig that it only happened on days when he'd left his keys on his desk... 

 

We did get through quite a lot of courtesy/hire cars though... two new engines in the 156 and a three month wait for a new wing mirror to be correctly fitted (combination of poor stock availability and colour blind paint shop)... before the fleet manager blocked the purchase of any more due to running costs (somewhat thirstier than the book says if you let the engine sing).

 

Likewise, I don't recall either of my mates with 156's mentioning electrical gremlins either.

 

Pete, if the leather interiors on the current ones as nice as the 146's then it's a box that you should make sure is ticked if you buy one.

[User0083]

I had a 145 cloverleaf in 2001 and a 156 GTA in 2004 (brand spankers!) and the 145 was a bit old and had been played with, no real issues and lovely. The 156 GTA is in my top three cars I've ever owned. at top, 1979 Mini Cooper in second and Alfa in third.

Was looking at the 4C, but have decided to wait a few years and get one second hand after depreciation has stolen someone else's money!

[blue ass fly]

I owned a Brera 2.4 210 bhp

diesel which is basically the same underneath

Stunning looking car in red with pan roof and black leather

Constantly showing glow plug faults which is part of the injector - replaced 4 out of 5 under warranty

Blew the oil cooler on a 3 week old driveway,then a month later the pipe to the cooler did the same

The bluetooth to the phone would randomly dial someone

Os mirror has the outside temp which showed 17 degrees when we were scraping ice off it

Brakes not up to much

Front tyres worn out after about 10k and cost a fortune

All above faults done under warranty but this was 18 mths old with less than 30k and the dealer was 20 miles away

On the plus side it was comfy,economical considering its performance,and seemed well screwed together

Ended up selling as i ended up feeling relieved when it started with no issues - and no real confidence of taking it on a long journey

Would i have another alfa

Hell yes

[Rhett Turner - Black Country AO]

Both my self and my wife had had Alfas in the past and we both loved them and would have them again. she had one of the very last boxer engined Alfas a 146 1.7 16V and kept it for 10 years. It was reliable and never broke down. As far as I am aware the chap who bought it (friend of a cousin) is still running it.

 

I think the 159 is the last of the really pretty (normal ie not 8c or 4c) Alfas and is better looking than the current crop.

[Meakin]

I had alfa 156 beautiful car. 2.5 litre so moved a bit. I only sold it as it was expensive to run and too powerful for my wife who only just passed her test.

Problems black box/intake sensor when first purchased and electric windows fixed with wd40.

Depreciation like a stone through wet paper bag.

Lovely car though a real pleasure to drive

All car fanatics should own one at some time in their lives imho.

[BEN99W]

I just got rid of my 156 last month. In the 3 years and 35000 miles the only problem was a failed Bosch crank sensor. The 3 year cambelt change is not something you can chance really. Mine also like a drop of oil, although the sticker Alfa put on the windscreen said this was on account of the race heritage!

I needed something less thirsty to run, but I have never felt so guilty getting rid of a car - felt like I'd sold a loved one into slavery. Id definitely have another. And the high depreciation suits me as I never buy new so you get so much car for your money.

Ben