Would you buy or walk away

johnos1984

Well as some have seen I've been taking my time walking around the garages and looking for a new used car for myself.

I *may* have a Passat coming in this weekend, TDI Baseline hence I'm not overly excited.

However I did spot an Alfa 156, 2003, today.

After a test drive I really liked the car, makes a change from the Snorolla anyway.

Anyway to make a long story short there are a couple of things I'm not so sure about that are making me hesitant however the salesman was straight up about them when we set down.

The car was originally a 1.8l but the t/belt failed and they replaced the engine and many other parts (suspension etc.). The new engine is a 1.6 with a warranted 61k miles. The car reads 72k on the dial. The tax book etc. has been updated accordingly. Should I be concerned about this?

The next issue is the nct due date which is 04/11. Close but not close enough for the dealer to cover. He said the car will leave ready to do it. Again is it something to be concerned about?

There were a few small issues to be sorted but they shall be done such as a broken window switch.

There are a few small dents and I think the front bumper has been replaced at some stage but nothing major. Couldn't get the bonnet open to do a better check.

The car is for sale in an approved Alfa service center and I was able to get a price of €3750 plus 3 months warranty (engine, gearbox and labour) on a straight deal.

The price seems high given the history and short NCT.

Now its over to you folks. I had no interest in one, especially a petrol until I drove it. Heart over head eh :rolleyes:

What do you make of it all.

johnos1984

johnos1984 wrote: »

The car is for sale in an approved Alfa service center and I was able to get a price of €3750 plus 3 months warranty (engine, gearbox and labour) on a straight deal.

The price seems high given the history and short NCT.

Price is high and the warranty is more or less worthless as the gearbox or engine will hardly fail in the next 3 months unless it's overdue a belt change. In a years time you'd struggle to get €2000 for it. Anything with a history like that is hard to shift. Also they are not great on petrol so it doesn't really suit your needs.

Sure you had a 147 before and you swore never again :pac:

Why didn't the bonnet open by the way ?? If you reckon she's after a bumper and the bonnet is a bit dicky is may be all misaligned.

Alanstrainor

I wouldn't touch it either. It's far too expensive and it's a Frankenstein car. There's plenty more out there.

johnos1984

But it was nice to drive!:D

Ya this history is a pain in the arse and is the biggest stumbling block.

T/belt etc. has all been done, he showed me the history printoff from the garage.

I'm starting to think my mileage may be dropping back now but it will still be in that grey area between petrol and diesel.

I's say it will outlive the 3 months alrite, it was fairly solid

Boardmaster

Walk away, or let them come back with a better offer.:)

johnos1984

Boardmaster wrote: »

Walk away, or let them come back with a better offer.:)

I've a few more to check out in the coming days, I'll know about the Passat come the weekend, it will be super cheap but not revealing more until I know for certain.

If that falls through I may just head north as I may be up on Saturday

johnos1984

johnos1984 wrote: »

But it was nice to drive!:D

You'll get an original 1.6 with service history and recent belt etc for €3750 no bother if you really really really want one.

Abelloid

johnos1984 wrote: »

Well as some have seen I've been taking my time walking around the garages and looking for a new used car for myself.

I *may* have a Passat coming in this weekend, TDI Baseline hence I'm not overly excited.

However I did spot an Alfa 15....

I've walked.

Nonoperational

Too expensive.

homer90

IMO that's going to be stuck with them for a while.. As mentioned plenty out there.

kerten

So this is a history of car that previous owner let timing belt snapped because of lack of maintanence so guess about things you don't know about car.

It sounds like a mechanic paid 250 euro for the car with nonworking engine and throw an engine into it and trying to make a huge profit.

And it is not a diesel vag car that worth something at market, it is an alfa romeo(I like them though) which is very hard to sell plus scary history.

So I would steer away. I would look for facelifted 156 or 147s(private sale of course) for this kind of money.

johnos1984

Right I think everyone has just vocalized what my head is saying.

DAM YOU ALL, DAM YOU ALL TO HELL :D:D

I suppose it was just the feeling of enjoying driving something again. The Corolla has really lowered my expectations of what driving enjoyment is

Sometimes it best to just ask someone else

Dilbert75

If you're interested in 156's, PM me - I know someone who might have what you're looking for.

Iron Hide

Considering you can pick up 10 year old 156's for 1k and under, i'd run a mile from it. Its a pile of scrap.

bazz26

Walk away, too much baggage with that car. Here is a clean looking facelifted example which could probably be bought for less:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201018197910724

-Corkie-

johnos1984 wrote: »

Right I think everyone has just vocalized what my head is saying.

DAM YOU ALL, DAM YOU ALL TO HELL :D:D

I suppose it was just the feeling of enjoying driving something again. The Corolla has really lowered my expectations of what driving enjoyment is

Sometimes it best to just ask someone else

Would you not get a comfortline Passat. The poverty spec is horrid..

itarumaa

johnos1984 wrote: »

Couldn't get the bonnet open to do a better check.
.

This would be enough for me to walk away.

Blazer

walk away..way overpriced.
Cousin bought a 2003 alfa 156 1.8 in immaculate condition...the guy was looking for 3200 for it and the cousin haggled him down to 2700..even came with the bluetooth audio system for the iphone..
so far he's had it about 2 months and it's been perfect for him..couldn't be happier..
donedeal he saw it on ..

johnos1984

itarumaa wrote: »

This would be enough for me to walk away.

It wasn't a major point at the time and obviously would of had to of been checked before I would of bought.

At least it wasn't a major point until I realised the engine had been changed so it had been used recently enough.

johnos1984

-Corkie- wrote: »

Would you not get a comfortline Passat. The poverty spec is horrid..

I'm in full agreement but I know where its coming from, whats going to be done to it and it will be in the poverty bin price wise.

I would only keep it about 12 months if I did go ahead which suits me as I like to change fairly often

barochoc

Even for €1K I'd be hard pushed to buy that car.

I like Alfas but you either need to buy it knowing the previous owner or at least with a full service history.

Those 1.6 T Spark are as thirsty as any 2.0Ltr car out there. Better off with the 1.8 or 2.0 Ltr anyway.

There's loads of them out there for similar or less money but in better condition.

Shop around