Who has owned an Alfa

ds20prefecture · 15-11-2005 6:33pm #1

and would you buy one again?

el tel · 15-11-2005 6:44pm

Is it too late to insert a column for those who don't have one but would consider getting one?
I'm thinking ES30 here...

stormin · 15-11-2005 6:50pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

Have owned them, own one now and will again.

maidhc · 15-11-2005 6:52pm

No

Really I didnt own one, my uncle did. His stories put me off for life...

kdevitt · 15-11-2005 6:57pm

Would have been worthwhile having an option for No - wouldn't ever buy one, as well as No - would consider one...

You can stick me under the first option if you change it

Alfasudcrazy · 15-11-2005 6:58pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

Love Alfa's always did and especially since the introduction of the JTD engine these cars are now a viable option for an everyday car.:cool:

I still would be reluctant to buy a petrol version though as an everyday car. Alfa petrol classics are fine as they have a cossetted life.:)

jayok · 15-11-2005 7:45pm

No

Did have one but not again. Not going to flog this to death, nice car, but I had difficulties, changed brand and not going back.

ds20prefecture · 15-11-2005 8:02pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

maidhc wrote:

Really I didnt own one, my uncle did. His stories put me off for life...

This is precisely what I wanted to avoid. Everyone has heard horror stories in the past about makes and models. BMW? Don't they make other peoples bubble cars badly? Time moves on, and so do car companies.

maidhc · 15-11-2005 8:30pm

No

ds20prefecture wrote:

This is precisely what I wanted to avoid. Everyone has heard horror stories in the past about makes and models. BMW? Don't they make other peoples bubble cars badly? Time moves on, and so do car companies.

Point taken, Toyotas did once rust to pieces within 3years. I really fit into the "NO, and wouldnt buy one" category, because I dont believe Alfas have changed that much (this argument has been exhausted).

kdevitt · 15-11-2005 8:52pm

ds20prefecture wrote:

This is precisely what I wanted to avoid. Everyone has heard horror stories in the past about makes and models. BMW? Don't they make other peoples bubble cars badly? Time moves on, and so do car companies.

If the person (or people in this case) suffering the horror story is known personally to me, then I think its fair to accept it as fact. Its friend of a friend stuff that I wouldn't bother with. Hence why I think a NO - I wouldn't buy it option would have been appropriate.

I've previously posted about friends problems with Alfas, which have put me off them permanently, but how my missus had a Fiat which had been nothing but reliable despite the stereotyping. I obviously spoke too soon in the case of the latter, because the 14,000 mile Fiat has well and truly lived up to its stereotype and will be making way as soon as possible to be replaced by something that isn't a Fiat.

bmoferrall · 15-11-2005 9:10pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

ds20prefecture wrote:

and would you buy one again?

Well, they'll have to prise the current one from my <chuck_heston>cold dead hands</> first

nobodysfool wrote:

I won't buy one cos they're all muck - my brother's best friend's sister-in-law's uncle's mechanic said so.

To anyone contemplating buying an Alfa, at least take a test drive before you make your mind up.
Any risk involved in buying a (carefully-chosen) second-hand Alfa is more than offset by the driving pleasure it will deliver.

Alfa's are certainly flawed cars but, then, perfection can be dull.
Give me McEnroe over Borg.
Give me Pacino over DeNiro.
Give me an Alfa over a BMW.
Give me the train and a pair of legs over the latest Volvissafordoyota.

Manhandle an Alfa, neglect it and it's a canter away from the nacker's yard.
Take care of it and it might just get under your skin and stir a life-long passion for cars.

Cyrus · 15-11-2005 10:13pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

i have one and would biuy another, ideally with a v6

junkyard · 15-11-2005 10:42pm

No

Yes, I've had five of them over the years, and no I certainly won't be buying another, In fact I have a 1999 156 sitting outside my garage door with a blown engine at the moment ( not mine thankfully) i even remember patching up the rust on them for a main dealer in the city before they went on show as new cars.:eek:

unkel · 16-11-2005 12:42am

ds20prefecture wrote:

This is precisely what I wanted to avoid

No! The poll would have been so much more interesting with options of people that have not owned an Alfa but would or would not consider buying one

Now people that have never owned one themselves are voting as if they had...

Good thing though you decided to make the results public

Perhaps we can close this and do a new one with options for people that have never owned one as suggested above?

prospect · 16-11-2005 10:46am

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

I voted yes, and woud buy again.

But, technically i lied

My dad has had 2. A gulietta in the early 80's and currently he has a 166. The 166 has given its fair share of trouble, but weighed against the enjoyment it has given, well its no contest

.
So hopefully, all things going well, i will have my very own Alfa in January

stormin · 16-11-2005 10:51am

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

I always wanted one of those Giulettas in the eighties. Now that was an unreliable Alfa.

Prospect, that's a good way to start the new year.

unkel · 16-11-2005 11:09am

My uncle had a string of Alfettas and Giuliettas in the 70s and early 80s. They all broke down all the time. He had loads of Citroen CXs during the same period too and they didn't fare any better. Rust was a major factor too, but that would have been the case on nearly all cars back then

stormin · 16-11-2005 11:16am

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

I don't know if it's true but an italian alfa nut once told me that the problem with rust and alfa was that for years after WWII they were using recycled metal from tanks, planes, debris....pretty much anything metal in the cars.

ciarsd · 16-11-2005 11:20am

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

voted yes have one and would buy one again (this is my first one). currently toying with the idea of getting another one but a different model in the new year

gibbon75 · 16-11-2005 11:27am

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

I was a proud owner of two Alfas.
The first one was a MY1987 33 1.7 litre boxer with four carbs.
Never had any problems with it.
The second one was a MY1993 155 Q4 2.0 16V Turbo AWD (wich is basicly a Lancia Delta EVO 2 underneath the bodyshell).
After my mods it was pushing the 300 bhp barrier.Made many standing launches (and the factory clutch just gave it up after 10 launches:) ) and I was using all those ponies all the time.Never made a glitch...

beer enigma · 16-11-2005 12:14pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

Yes and have this morning just ordered my new 2006 Alfa !

prospect · 16-11-2005 12:19pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

So far 83% of owners are happy to buy another AR!

landser · 16-11-2005 12:24pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

junkyard wrote:

Yes, I've had five of them over the years, and no I certainly won't be buying another, In fact I have a 1999 156 sitting outside my garage door with a blown engine at the moment ( not mine thankfully) i even remember patching up the rust on them for a main dealer in the city before they went on show as new cars.:eek:

if you had five, can we presume that 4 of them must have been good'uns to make your revisit the marque.

i too have a 99 156 outside my house, with no problems to report (mine, thankfully

)

i hope to upgrade in the new year to a 02 156, and then, in three years, when the prices have plummetted a 05 159

unkel · 16-11-2005 12:25pm

Andip wrote:

Yes and have this morning just ordered my new 2006 Alfa !

What are you getting?

ds20prefecture · 16-11-2005 12:48pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

prospect wrote:

So far 83% of owners are happy to buy another AR!

The results at this time show
19 out of 22 former owners would buy an Alfa again.
3 out of 22 former owners would not buy an Alfa again.
12 people haven't owned an Alfa, yet bothered to vote. This implies that they feel strongly one way or the other.
Maidhc who voted "yes but not again" didn't own an Alfa.
Prospect who voted "yes and I would again" also didn't own an Alfa.

Sorry for not having "no, but I would" and "no and I never will" options.

So 86% of former Alfa Owners would buy another, either because they never had problems, or the benefits outweigh whatever problems they experienced.

Given that the poll is effectively of a community of motoring enthusiasts, the 3 votes of non-confidence should be enough to give pause to someone thinking of buying an Alfa. There's no smoke without fire.

At the same time, 19 people is quite a lot to be merely "blinded by love". Most of the owner's advice to prospective buyers has cautioned on the common faults and advised regular servicing with a competant specialist.

Like all polls, it answers nothing definitively but hopefully will give someone considering an Alfa an objective hint of former Alfa owner's faith in the brand.

I've no idea how to close a poll..

beer enigma · 16-11-2005 12:49pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

unkel wrote:

What are you getting?

Alfa GT 1.9 JTD M-Jet Sportivo ....gotta choose a colour by the end of the week...either Stromboli Grey, Moon blue or Radicofani Red

[IMG]http://www.andiplaster.utvinternet.com/images/stromboli grey.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.andiplaster.utvinternet.com/images/moon blue.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://www.andiplaster.utvinternet.com/images/radicofani red.jpg[/IMG]

It's my third Alfa & replaces a 2002 156 2.0TS

"over Hyped Fiat" me Ar** lol

unkel · 16-11-2005 12:53pm

Andip wrote:

Alfa GT 1.9 JTD M-Jet Sportivo

Excellent choice, good luck with it

prospect · 16-11-2005 1:07pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

Andip wrote:

Alfa GT 1.9 JTD M-Jet Sportivo

B@stard (;) )

Andip wrote:

either Stromboli Grey, Moon blue or Radicofani Red

If this is the dark, charcoal/graphite grey then it has to be your cohice.

Once again, you are a baxtard...... (not seething with jealousy here)

I want one too

nellieswellies · 16-11-2005 2:47pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

I own one and WILL own another one when the time comes.

Feel free to keep bad mouthing them, because its this type of thing that keeps the preception of them being unreliable ongoing. That, in-turn means lower prices in the second hand market.

16-11-2005 2:53pm

They are great cars, probably abit overstated on the unreliablity front.

However if you don't look after them they will sulk!

MercMad · 16-11-2005 3:41pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

I owned a 1997 2.0 TS 155 for about 2 1/2 years ! It was a great car. My father in Law bought it new and he ordered a new 156 when they were announced in 1998.

Mine was Northern blue metallic, never let me down and we had two problems with it between Feb '97 AND March '01. The first was the usual Timing Variator which went twice, our Alfa dealer denied there was a problem so I drove to the HQ on the Naas road and explained the situation. The car was sent to a new dealer (Barrables) the next day and fixed perfectly. The other problem was the drivers door internal handle got dodgy !

Uoprated brakes, suspension and a Superchip conversion gave it a bit more performance (see below). The 156 that replaced it was equally reliable with zero faults, though it was nowhere near as fast. I wanted a 166 V6 to replace it but then figured a used Benz made more financial sense ( it didn't ! ).

landser · 16-11-2005 3:45pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

where were the pics taken?

Angels · 16-11-2005 4:06pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

ds20prefecture wrote:

and would you buy one again?

Ok im not the owner but my boyfriend bought one a few years ago had it for a few months lost alot of money on it when he sold it again then went on to buy a Lexus IS200 sell that & now we have a Clio, but he dreams that one day he could have his red one back, it's the only car that he has ever said that was a fantastic drive.:D

beer enigma · 16-11-2005 4:10pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

prospect wrote:

B@stard (;) )

If this is the dark, charcoal/graphite grey then it has to be your cohice.

Once again, you are a baxtard...... (not seething with jealousy here)

I want one too

That's the Lipari grey...almost impossible to get over here sadly, my current 156 is a similar colour, but if I want one before March, it has to be the Stromboli grey (which is bluey grey) the moon blue which is a real deep blue or the red which is sorta maroon red...all metallic

prospect · 16-11-2005 4:33pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

Colour and alloys should be chosen together.

I have seen one GT in a classic red with wide, flat spokes, about 8 or 10 of them. It looked stunning. But it was immaculate at the time, so this probably made it look that bit better.

ciarsd · 17-11-2005 9:32am

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

fantastic choice Andip - I had the pleasure, going back about 2 months ago now.
It was also the 1.9 JTD MJet with full leather, full sportivo spec and the 18" alloys option.

these may well be the ones prospect is referring to (about 10 spokes) :cool:

I hope you got a good deal with your dealership ! congrats on your fine choice and purchase

beer enigma · 17-11-2005 10:42am

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

I eventually got a good deal !!...the main Cork dealer wouldn't budge from book price, in fact wouldn't even throw in any extras & I want lots of extras !!

Phoned round the dealers and eventually got one for Jan delivery at €4,500 off of the price quoted by the Cork dealer...thats almost 10% saving on a phone call, just goes to show the margin these guys make on them.

maidhc · 17-11-2005 11:02am

No

Enjoy your car, I'll wave if i see it around town.

Looked at an Alfa 147 before in a certain dealership in Glanmire (hadn't the price of it anyway), but the Salesman suffered from some kind defect where he made stuff up if he didnt know the answer.

unkel · 17-11-2005 11:04am

Andip wrote:

Phoned round the dealers and eventually got one for Jan delivery at €4,500 off of the price quoted by the Cork dealer...thats almost 10% saving on a phone call, just goes to show the margin these guys make on them.

Well done! Probably the easiest money you'll ever make in your life

I'm surprised you got that much off through a phone call, you must have sounded like business alright

MercMad · 17-11-2005 11:14am

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

where were the pics taken?

...........Kirkistown !

Had it up there 4 times with some other serious machinery. The Alfa held its own and was repeatedly within 3 sec/lap of the Imprezzas and Evos !

Ahhh the truth is the boyz couldn't drive for nuts !!

ds20prefecture · 17-11-2005 12:09pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

maidhc wrote:

Enjoy your car, I'll wave if i see it around town.

Looked at an Alfa 147 before in a certain dealership in Glanmire (hadn't the price of it anyway), but the Salesman suffered from some kind defect where he made stuff up if he didnt know the answer.

I hate that. Never found it with that "certain delaer" though - we bought all 5 Alfas from them.

Julesie · 17-11-2005 12:20pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

Awww... i loved my Alfa 147. I was gutted when the folks decided to buy a Scenic... A SCENIC for christ sake!!!! The 147 was only a 1.6 but with the twin spark it felt like a flyer. Lovely car and id buy one again in a heart beat, if only i had the money

beer enigma · 17-11-2005 12:21pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

ds20prefecture wrote:

I hate that. Never found it with that "certain delaer" though - we bought all 5 Alfas from them.

You're very lucky.....I've dealt with them twice on warranty issues and will never EVER touch them with a bargepole again - my car was off the road for two weeks last time it went in for a simple airflow meter problem that had been pre-diagnosed....having still not fixed the problem, they tried to charge the warranty company for two weeks worth of work !!. I took the car into Lee Garages & they fixed it within 4 hours.........

prospect · 17-11-2005 12:28pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

Andip wrote:

You're very lucky.....I've dealt with them twice on warranty issues and will never EVER touch them with a bargepole again - my car was off the road for two weeks last time it went in for a simple airflow meter problem that had been pre-diagnosed....having still not fixed the problem, they tried to charge the warranty company for two weeks worth of work !!. I took the car into Lee Garages & they fixed it within 4 hours.........

This kinda stuff seems to happen regular.
We were having awful hassle with a certain dealer and I posted about it here. Ciarsd meanwhile mentioned how happy he was with his dealer, and it turns out it was the same place!??!

I don't understand it?

garthv · 17-11-2005 12:48pm

No

My Dad bought an Alfa 166 last year.
Absoloutely beutiful car to drive, such a nice drive and it looked the biz but he had nothing but trouble with it from day one...If it wasnt for the sh*tty work done of making the car Id buy one myself

ds20prefecture · 17-11-2005 1:04pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

GaRtH_V wrote:

My Dad bought an Alfa 166 last year.
Absoloutely beutiful car to drive, such a nice drive and it looked the biz but he had nothing but trouble with it from day one...If it wasnt for the sh*tty work done of making the car Id buy one myself

@Mods: Is there a way to modify the poll results/options?

We have 2 votes for "yes, but never again" from maidhc and GaRtH_V who have not owned one.
There is 1 vote for "yes, and I would again" from prospect who also has not owned one.
This is wrecking my neat little "for every unhappy Alfa owner there's 4 happy ones" stat.

Failing that, how does one close a poll?

Sincerely, G.W. Bush.

Interceptor · 17-11-2005 1:14pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

bmoferrall wrote:

Manhandle an Alfa, neglect it and it's a canter away from the nacker's yard.

I've had several Alfas - the most unusual was one of only two Alfa 90's to ever reach Ireland. I did nothing but drive the nuts off them and fix them when they broke. I will continue to look out for a 1983 GTV and until then I will be driving my ultra-reliable 1996 155 2.0 Tspark (256,000miles and going strong).

'c

prospect · 17-11-2005 1:17pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

Slight overreaction there DS20 dude,

Although i did not pay for the car, I lived with my dad, and worked with him. Therefore we travelled to work together, 20miles each way. I drove 'most' of the time.
So personally i put up approx 250miles a week from February 2002 until October 2003 (when i moved out). So that is about 20,000 miles. I think this does put me in a fairly strong position to cast good judgement.

el tel · 17-11-2005 1:39pm

With regards the poll, seems some people have genuinely owned Alfas and some people have 'owned' them by proxy.

Saw this on pistonheads and couldn't help but post...

ds20prefecture · 17-11-2005 3:11pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

prospect wrote:

Slight overreaction there DS20 dude,

Ah no! It was a poor attempt at humour, Prospect, even though I didn't use smilies. You're opinion is as valid as the next person's, but in the interest of fairness I wanted to keep it to those who had actually owned an Alfa. It would be unfair to complain about maidhc and GaRtH_V voting incorrectly but not complain about you, no?

I suppose if I was to do this poll again, I'd phrase it
"Who has owned an Alfa or used one daily" and include options
"Yes & I would buy one again"
"Yes & I'd never touch another"
"No, but I'd consider one"
"No, and I never will"

If I do that now everyone will lose the will to live, if they haven't already.

I find the result of this moderately interesting. I would have thought that around 40% of people had problems with Alfas, given the amount of whining that goes on about them. 18% i (27 vs 6) is better than I had hoped, but if I were CEO of Alfa Ireland, I'd be pretty disappointed.

prospect · 17-11-2005 3:44pm

Yes and I wouldn't touch another

ds20prefecture wrote:

Ah no! It was a poor attempt at humour, Prospect, even though I didn't use smilies. You're opinion is as valid as the next person's, but in the interest of fairness I wanted to keep it to those who had actually owned an Alfa. It would be unfair to complain about maidhc and GaRtH_V voting incorrectly but not complain about you, no?

I suppose if I was to do this poll again, I'd phrase it
"Who has owned an Alfa or used one daily" and include options
"Yes & I would buy one again"
"Yes & I'd never touch another"
"No, but I'd consider one"
"No, and I never will"

If I do that now everyone will lose the will to live, if they haven't already.

I find the result of this moderately interesting. I would have thought that around 40% of people had problems with Alfas, given the amount of whining that goes on about them. 18% i (27 vs 6) is better than I had hoped, but if I were CEO of Alfa Ireland, I'd be pretty disappointed.

Sounds Fair.

Who has owned an Alfa

Have you owned an Alfa 49 votes

Comments