Alfa reputation

JP 1800

Finally the girlfriend is getting her learner permit sorted and will be learning to drive after a few years off the road which leaves me with the problem of which car she can use to learn in, the P1800 is out of bounds as is the CL500 and the SLC 450 as they are both automatics not to mention big V8 engines with the smallest being 4.5 litres. She could learn in the E30 316 as it has a small engine and is a manual but I love that little car and it is in such good original condition that I don't want scratches or dents on it. One of the guys in work was thinking of getting an Alfa and knowing that I am handy with all things automotive asked me for some pointers when viewing such cars as he said they have a bad reputation. This got me thinking, Alfas have the depreciation of AIB shares and a tidy one can be got for sub 1K not to mention the interiors are beautiful in leather trim, my question is why do Alfas have such a bad reputation and is it justified or are these cars that just need a little more care and attention. Am I mad to consider one for a learner?

TURRICAN

JP 1800 wrote: »

Finally the girlfriend is getting her learner permit sorted and will be learning to drive after a few years off the road which leaves me with the problem of which car she can use to learn in, the P1800 is out of bounds as is the CL500 and the SLC 450 as they are both automatics not to mention big V8 engines with the smallest being 4.5 litres. She could learn in the E30 316 as it has a small engine and is a manual but I love that little car and it is in such good original condition that I don't want scratches or dents on it. One of the guys in work was thinking of getting an Alfa and knowing that I am handy with all things automotive asked me for some pointers when viewing such cars as he said they have a bad reputation. This got me thinking, Alfas have the depreciation of AIB shares and a tidy one can be got for sub 1K not to mention the interiors are beautiful in leather trim, my question is why do Alfas have such a bad reputation and is it justified or are these cars that just need a little more care and attention. Am I mad to consider one for a learner?

Don't know boss. You would have to ask sombody who's handy with
All things automotive. ;/

Nonoperational

They're a grand car for a learner. The twin sparks are easy to work on and the parts are cheap. Timing belt every 36k or 3yrs, top up and change the oil, and maybe the odd thermostat or wishbone bush. That's about it really. Great little cars the 147 and 156.

smcgiff

TURRICAN wrote: »

Don't know boss. You would have to ask sombody who's handy with
All things automotive. ;/

Well, he did spell alfa correctly

Mar4ix

smcgiff wrote: »

Well, he did spell alfa correctly

thats enough .... To get parts.

166man

JP 1800 wrote: »

Finally the girlfriend is getting her learner permit sorted and will be learning to drive after a few years off the road which leaves me with the problem of which car she can use to learn in, the P1800 is out of bounds as is the CL500 and the SLC 450 as they are both automatics not to mention big V8 engines with the smallest being 4.5 litres. She could learn in the E30 316 as it has a small engine and is a manual but I love that little car and it is in such good original condition that I don't want scratches or dents on it. One of the guys in work was thinking of getting an Alfa and knowing that I am handy with all things automotive asked me for some pointers when viewing such cars as he said they have a bad reputation. This got me thinking, Alfas have the depreciation of AIB shares and a tidy one can be got for sub 1K not to mention the interiors are beautiful in leather trim, my question is why do Alfas have such a bad reputation and is it justified or are these cars that just need a little more care and attention. Am I mad to consider one for a learner?

They're not as bad as some make them out to be on the forum to be perfectly honest. The timing belt just has to be done every three years/36k miles otherwise you're asking for trouble. But your girlfriend probably won't do many miles so this shouldn't be an issue.

The suspension apparently can be weak too but never had this problem myself. If you're handy with the tools you can sort most issues on the suspension yourself.

The TS engine's I think are great tbh, plenty of go in the lower gears and a great sound even from the 1.6. You should be able to get a really nice one with leather and NCT for about €1.2k

Anyway best of luck with getting one and if you want more info head on over to Alfa Owners site there's proper threads over there with the buyers guide to the 156 and 147.

JP 1800

JP 1800 wrote: »

........... are these cars that just need a little more care and attention........

That's about it really. Problem is if they haven't got that care and attention you could get stung.

As mentioned the oil needs frequent checking and topping up, if one was ever ran on low oil than it might start knocking eventually, could happen a fair bit down the line from when it was actually neglected.

Belt failures before 36k miles or 3 years aren't unheard of, a friend worked in an engine overhaul centre years back and almost 50% of what came in were Alfa twin spark engines, many with less than 36k miles on them and not over 3 years old.

The suspension issue isn't one to be understated as it's very very common, possible DIY as mentioned but half a day on the drive replacing anti roll bar bushes isn't fun or easy for most folk. The top wishbones often have a lifespan of 30k miles, the bottom ones aren't worth worrying about as they last as long as any other car really. Easy to spot suspension issues on a test drive if you are looking out for it.

Could well pick up a perfect one

If you buy a cheap one that needs a belt and suspension work over the next 12 months and then the crank sensor gives trouble too (failure to start when engine is hot) you might well wish you hadn't bought it, the synchro rings wear too, a member on here encountered that at less than 80k miles, he wasn't the first 156 owner to either.

Mar4ix

i think alfa would be too big for learner,why wouldnt get some small nissan micra k11, 500 -600 euro, for a year, just about feel road, and learn observe other trafic on road,get full driver license, than move for to bigger car.

jimbomalley

JP 1800 wrote: »

.... the P1800 is out of bounds as is the CL500 and the SLC 450 as they are both automatics not to mention big V8 engines with the smallest being 4.5 litres. She could learn in the E30 316 ....

Looks to me like all you really wanted to do was to list out all your fancy cars!!:D:D

Saab Ed

RoverJames wrote: »

.

Belt failures .

Did someone say belt failures

Nonoperational

RoverJames wrote: »

That's about it really. Problem is if they haven't got that care and attention you could get stung.

As mentioned the oil needs frequent checking and topping up, if one was ever ran on low oil than it might start knocking eventually, could happen a fair bit down the line from when it was actually neglected.

Belt failures before 36k miles or 3 years aren't unheard of, a friend worked in an engine overhaul centre years back and almost 50% of what came in were Alfa twin spark engines, many with less than 36k miles on them and not over 3 years old.

The suspension issue isn't one to be understated as it's very very common, possible DIY as mentioned but half a day on the drive replacing anti roll bar bushes isn't fun or easy for most folk. The top wishbones often have a lifespan of 30k miles, the bottom ones aren't worth worrying about as they last as long as any other car really. Easy to spot suspension issues on a test drive if you are looking out for it.

Could well pick up a perfect one

If you buy a cheap one that needs a belt and suspension work over the next 12 months and then the crank sensor gives trouble too (failure to start when engine is hot) you might well wish you hadn't bought it, the synchro rings wear too, a member on here encountered that at less than 80k miles, he wasn't the first 156 owner to either.

That was probably me...still going with just a little grind if your hard on it 30k miles later, the girlfriend doesnt even notice it! Kinda expected it to have gotten worse but so far so good.

gpf101

gpf101 wrote: »

That was probably me...still going with just a little grind if your hard on it 30k miles later, the girlfriend doesnt even notice it! Kinda expected it to have gotten worse but so far so good.

Nope, Confab I was thinking of, that makes two so

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

Nope, Confab I was thinking of, that makes two so

Confab was extremely unlucky with that car. Was a pity as it looked a minter when he bought it...

I reckon it was a well cared for example, bad luck with the gearbox me thinks so shortly after getting the crank sensor sorted, with the timing belt being due it was an economic write off really though. Such is the game of bangernomics.

JP 1800

Thanks for the useful replies, Working on the car is not a problem as I have access to a full workshop and have done plenty of suspension work myself. I have done electrical and diagnostic work for my own and other peoples cars so I am not afraid of electrical problems. I am a car enthusiast and work on all my own cars, from Mercedes to Volvos and I like to get experience with new makes and their unique issues.

dgt

An enthusiast that hasn't owned an Alfa??!! :eek:

They need a little more attention than your everyday econo blandbox.

The attention to detail for example "10w40 is the standard oil but for spirited driving 10w60 is recommended" as my handbook says...

Heavy on brakes and suspension parts (look for wear on the inside of the rear tyres on a 156 or 166 for example)

A 156 or 147 is the way for a learner. A 166 is just a bit too big... :cool:

Keep on top of the little things and you won't regret buying one

JP 1800

dgt wrote: »

An enthusiast that hasn't owned an Alfa??!! :eek:

I aim to change that someday, as said a real petrol head must have owned at least one Alfa in their lifetime, once I clear up a bit of space I will get a GTV for myself, I nearly bought a Lancia HF2000 but the body was far to gone.