[dmck]

Folks,
The missus wants to buy a 2001 Alfa Romeo 1.6 TS, 8,500 ono (bit pricey for me), usual spec, 31k on the clock,car looks ok on paper, i have heard very bads things about the Alfa Romeo's, in your opion is this substatianted? I am trying to steer her in the direction of a second hand Focus. What do you think?

Ta

[Mr Magnolia]

And so it begins:

I wouldn't touch them!

[Fabritzo]

Wrong Forum, post in the 'Should I buy an Alfa' forum.

[Mr Magnolia]

Originally Posted by Fabritzo

Wrong Forum, post in the 'Should I buy an Alfa' forum.

[pontovic]

Check out www.parkers.co.uk and they will tell you the newer alfa's actually arent that bad. They have a poor rep because the older cars were very unreliable.

Parkers are quite comprehensive in their reviews. Mike, maybe you could include the link to them as a sticky, if you havent already done so ?

[Eoin]

Originally Posted by dmck

Folks,
The missus wants to buy a 2001 Alfa Romeo 1.6 TS, 8,500 ono (bit pricey for me), usual spec, 31k on the clock,car looks ok on paper, i have heard very bads things about the Alfa Romeo's, in your opion is this substatianted? I am trying to steer her in the direction of a second hand Focus. What do you think?

Ta

Seach this forum, there have been comprehensive threads about the 156 in the last couple of weeks. By the way, 8,500 is not pricey at all for the year, engine size and mileage of the car.

Here are a couple of threads: here, and lots of info on this thread

[ds20prefecture]

Originally Posted by dmck

Folks,
The missus wants to buy a 2001 Alfa Romeo 1.6 TS, 8,500 ono (bit pricey for me), usual spec, 31k on the clock,car looks ok on paper, i have heard very bads things about the Alfa Romeo's, in your opion is this substatianted? I am trying to steer her in the direction of a second hand Focus. What do you think?

Ta

I'd agree it's too pricey. The Focus is an excellent car, certainly much more practical than a 156. You're clearly not happy with the Alfa. Surely this is enough to make up your mind?

For what it's worth - the Alfa 156 is in my opinion an excellent car. Regarding reliability, you hear a lot about them, and there can be no smoke without fire. However, when we did a poll here of people who had actually owned an Alfa, almost 80% said they would buy one again. Personally I never had a problem with my 156, or with any of the 5 that my company ran at that time. I've never had a Focus, so I cannot comment on them reliability wise (this rule does not seem to apply to Alfas - if you know someone who heard that someone else's grandmother's dog was once hit by an Alfa, this is enough to loudly proclaim how crap the cars are)

Let me put it this way: if your wife is passionate about cars, wants the best second hand deal on the market, wants one of the best looking saloon cars ever made, and is willing to spend a bit more on servicing, she should buy the Alfa 156. Otherwise she should buy the Focus.

If you do decide on an Alfa, you should get an 01 1.6 for about 7500. There isn't much difference in the cost for bigger engine size, so if you can take the tax & insurance, go for the 1.8 or 2.0. The diesels are deservedly more expensive.

Have a search of this forum for common problems with the 156 so that you're not buying blind.

Oh, and enjoy the Focus !

[Eoin]

Originally Posted by ds20prefecture

If you do decide on an Alfa, you should get an 01 1.6 for about 7500. There isn't much difference in the cost for bigger engine size, so if you can take the tax & insurance, go for the 1.8 or 2.0. The diesels are deservedly more expensive.

The 1.6 actually tends to have a higher resale value than the 1.8 and 2.0 litre engines, even though their list price is lower when new. This is probably because they are rarer, and only came out in 2000. The 1.8 and 2.0 versions came out in mid to late 1998.

Looking at a carzone search, the price does not look to be over the odds, especially with the low mileage. If it has the Sportivo trim level, then it would be a good buy for that money in my opinion. Here is the carzone search.

[bazz26]

Originally Posted by eoin_s

The 1.6 actually tends to have a higher resale value than the 1.8 and 2.0 litre engines, even though their list price is lower when new. This is probably because they are rarer, and only came out in 2000.

In Ireland the 1.6 is cheaper to tax, insure and fill at the pump than the 1.8, 2.0 or 2.5 so demand for the 1.6 tends to be higher.

[ds20prefecture]

Originally Posted by eoin_s

The 1.6 actually tends to have a higher resale value than the 1.8 and 2.0 litre engines, even though their list price is lower when new. This is probably because they are rarer, and only came out in 2000. The 1.8 and 2.0 versions came out in mid to late 1998.

No doubt you're right. The 1.6 is certainly more tax & insurance friendly which could help it's case. I still think €8500 for a 5y.o. alfa is stretching it.

[Eoin]

Originally Posted by ds20prefecture

No doubt you're right. The 1.6 is certainly more tax & insurance friendly which could help it's case. I still think €8500 for a 5y.o. alfa is stretching it.

Compared to what car? The focuses from the same year seem to be averaging higher prices.

[ds20prefecture]

Originally Posted by eoin_s

Compared to what car? The focuses from the same year seem to be averaging higher prices.

Compared to any car - no other brand (except maybe Fiat) seems to attract legions of ill-informed VW and BMW fans droning on about how unreliable Alfas are. That's one helluva smear campaign, and it's really hit the resale value of the 156. As a result, it is the best used purchase on the market.

[colm_mcm]

Originally Posted by ds20prefecture

legions of ill-informed VW and BMW fans droning on about how unreliable Alfas are. That's one helluva smear campaign, and it's really hit the resale value of the 156. As a result, it is the best used purchase on the market.

the fact is that the 156 was flavour of the month 6 years ago, and that they have numerous weak points and aren't exactly in short supply, that's why it is the best used purchase on the market, not because of any smear campaign!

[ds20prefecture]

Originally Posted by colm_mcm

the fact is that the 156 was flavour of the month 6 years ago, and that they have numerous weak points and aren't exactly in short supply, that's why it is the best used purchase on the market, not because of any smear campaign!

Well it was flavour of the years for about 3 years in a row (99 to 02), selling strongly where Alfa never had in Ireland.

I agree they are not in short supply.

Regarding numerous weak points, I believe they have no more than most. i.e. Front wishbone bushes are weak, the timing chain interval was halved from 70000 to 35000 miles and ... ? Variator issue is not critical - it causes a diesely sound when cold.
Compare to, say, and Audi A4 of similar vintage:
Coil packs failure on 1.8T, mutitronic gearbox failure, waterpump failure on some models (1.6, 2.0 and v6 petrols)

Alfa's biggest fault is the dealer network - go to a specialist instead and smile.

[kyote00]

oh gawd, not another......here goes......

I have had 156 (99) from new. No issues, done 80k miles now. Know about 5 other 156 owners. Only one had gearbox problem. I also know a Passat and Golf owner who has regular engin e warning lamps (about every 3 months)

Some facts now:
- variator is a real issues. Check if it has been changed
- wishbones on suspension are prone problem which only causes a squeky sound when goes over bumps.
- V6 is heavy on juice and front brakes (discs and rotors)
- MAF unit seems to cause rough idle on some cars (check it also)
- Dealers are sh*8te

IMHO, the 1.8 is probably a better option than 1.6