Alfa 159: am I mad to buy one?

Arequipa

Hi! I hope you are all well!
I am looking at getting my next car. Looked at 3 series, A4, Ford fiesta etc...

But I really like the Alfa Romeo 159.
I would like to get a 2nd hand, high spec with leather seats etc..
Everyone I talk to says: 'Stay clear of an Alfa..!'
So are they worth getting or are they really so troublesome and unreliable.
If I went for an '07- '08 model...which engine would you recommend...
I currently drive a 1.6 petrol & would like more power..

Thank you for reading!

A

biko

Has any of the people telling you to stay away from Alfa owned or driven an Alfa?

Look into the 1.8 or 2.0 TS, edit sorry, you said 159 - check out 2.2JTS and 2.4 JTDM

Stheno

Arequipa wrote: »

Hi! I hope you are all well!
I am looking at getting my next car. Looked at 3 series, A4, Ford fiesta etc...

But I really like the Alfa Romeo 159.
I would like to get a 2nd hand, high spec with leather seats etc..
Everyone I talk to says: 'Stay clear of an Alfa..!'
So are they worth getting or are they really so troublesome and unreliable.
If I went for an '07- '08 model...which engine would you recommend...
I currently drive a 1.6 petrol & would like more power..

Thank you for reading!

A

The 1.9 diesel is often recommended in the 159

Saab Ed

One of the best kept secrets really. Pretty reliable and nice cruiser. Fit and finish is excellent and the looks, oh the looks. Wouldn't hold a candle to a 3 Series when driven hard (no shame there) but still streets ahead of any Audi or Passat when pushed.

dantastic

Have one. The 1.8 petrol.

I can't fault it. I drove a 10 Audi a4 there recently and it felt rough, cheap, loud and plasticky in comparison. The Alfa is fantastic to drive.

Buy the biggest engine you can afford to run. IMO the 1.8 is not powerful enough.

Buy one, it's a sound car. It won't give trouble.

biko

Alfas do require more than average attention so get one with FSH from someone who knows the car really well.
I was looking at some a while back and the owners didn't have the first clue about the car, last oil change etc. Then it's best to keep looking.

Also do a search in this forum. There a large number of Alfa threads already with many suggestions/experiences etc.
http://www.boards.ie/search/submit/?subforums=1&forum=47&query=159+alfa

Arequipa

I must test drive one asap... i was playing football last night and one of the lads has one & I just love the look of the 159... think his had red leather seats...

My bro-in-law is half Italian and absolutely loves Alfas.
Ideally I would go for a powerful engine: minimum 2 litre!

Thanks for the feedback!

A

Stheno

Arequipa wrote: »

I must test drive one asap... i was playing football last night and one of the lads has one & I just love the look of the 159... think his had red leather seats...

My bro-in-law is half Italian and absolutely loves Alfas.
Ideally I would go for a powerful engine: minimum 2 litre!

Thanks for the feedback!

A

2l in the 159 has gotten bad reviews.

Head over also to alfaowner.com and see what they post about them in the 159 forum

discombobulate

The petrols aren't great engines. I've a 159 Ti 1.9 JTD 16v and couldn't recommend it any higher. Theres an 8v diesel too which would be underpowered.

You'd be lucky to find a Ti on sale here though and they command a fair bit of a premium. The Lusso would be the next best spec.

There's a 2.4 diesel also which is supposedly great but you won't find one for sale here.

As said look for a service history and the timing belt should have been done on any 07 / 08's.

Buyers guide here: http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_159_guide.shtml

Heres mine

miller50841

Yes you are mad but if a petrol head it is one of those makes most petrol heads have had as they are fun to drive once looked after and the bits stay on.

Arequipa

Thanks! Will check it out!

discombobulate

Arequipa wrote: »

Thanks! Will check it out!

Big thread on them here also: http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056995401

Jesus.

Best looking Saloon out there, no doubt about it.

Stheno

miller50841 wrote: »

Yes you are mad but if a petrol head it is one of those makes most petrol heads have had as they are fun to drive once looked after and the bits stay on.

Whats your justification for saying he is mad?

Arequipa

On the basis of that thread...the 2.4 Diesel would be a nice drive...?

discombobulate

Arequipa wrote: »

On the basis of that thread...the 2.4 Diesel would be a nice drive...?

Yes but you'd have to go to the UK to buy one

Stheno

Arequipa wrote: »

On the basis of that thread...the 2.4 Diesel would be a nice drive...?

Yes, but you'd probably have to go to the UK to get one.

Very very few here, they are like hens teeth

edit: snap lol

miller50841

Stheno wrote: »

Whats your justification for saying he is mad?

Meant partially as a joke.

You seem offended?

I have had the pleasure of driving a lot when use to work in the car trade, they were great fun and styling was stunning but found the likes of the trim and little bits very cheaply put together.

I was in a few where between 55k and 75k bits would be very loose and found the air bag covers would be protruding.

I am not putting down any ones car and would not as someone may have a absolute sh1tbox but it could be their pride and joy.

Stheno

Just curious as you didn't do much more than generalise with no justification as to your opinon

Arequipa

From what I have read, the 156 had more reliability issues and is more fun to drive...

While the 159 is more reliable than previous Alfas, but maybe not quite as fun to drive?!

miller50841

Stheno wrote: »

Just curious as you didn't do much more than generalise with no justification as to your opinon

Is above an okay answer.

As I said I was not trying to or would not put down some ones car.

I started in a micra and worked my way up and sure people probably laughed at a 6ft lad getting in and out which I found difficult.

The Alfa brand has the branding similar to FIAT.
The way cars are these days it doesn't matter what price or make there will always be something wrong.

Stheno

miller50841 wrote: »

Is above an okay answer.

As I said I was not trying to or would not put down some ones car.

I started in a micra and worked my way up and sure people probably laughed at a 6ft lad getting in and out which I found difficult.

The Alfa brand has the branding similar to FIAT.
The way cars are these days it doesn't matter what price or make there will always be something wrong.

Forget it, seriously it doesn't matter.

Arequipa wrote: »

From what I have read, the 156 had more reliability issues and is more fun to drive...

While the 159 is more reliable than previous Alfas, but maybe not quite as fun to drive?!

Probably a good synopsis, it's not got quite the same style internally or externally as older alfas, has less relability issues, but hasn't quite the same level of "fun"

Arequipa

Miller...no worries mate!!

Alfa do get a bad rep...maybe the older models justified this, but i think more modern Alfa's seem to be quite reliable...

thing is you could buy a BMW or Audi and be unlucky enough to get a run of problems...


Advantage of the 'dodgy' reputation...is great value when buying second hand & when you have one, they stand out as there're not many on the roads!

miller50841

Arequipa wrote: »

Miller...no worries mate!!

Alfa do get a bad rep...maybe the older models justified this, but i think more modern Alfa's seem to be quite reliable...

thing is you could buy a BMW or Audi and be unlucky enough to get a run of problems...


Advantage of the 'dodgy' reputation...is great value when buying second hand & when you have one, they stand out as there're not many on the roads!

Exactly and well put.;)

I really like them and the style especially when they really done something you would never see with the reg plate to the side.

discombobulate

OP what kind of mileage are you doing? The other slight issues with the Diesels (and all other modern diesels) is that they don't suit short runs / city runs.

Arequipa

I do short runs around Dublin daily & every other weekend I travel to football matches and surfing along west coast and back to Dub!


So would it be worth sourcing a high-spec 2.4 diesel in the Uk or N Ireland?

Stheno

Arequipa wrote: »

I do short runs around Dublin daily & every other weekend I travel to football matches and surfing along west coast and back to Dub!


So would it be worth sourcing a high-spec 2.4 diesel in the Uk or N Ireland?

Probably best shot is the UK, not NI tbh.

Seriously go and check out alfaowner.com, post a query in the Ireland section as those guys track what alfas are for sale, and check out the for sale in the UK section

discombobulate

Arequipa wrote: »

I do short runs around Dublin daily & every other weekend I travel to football matches and surfing along west coast and back to Dub!


So would it be worth sourcing a high-spec 2.4 diesel in the Uk or N Ireland?

A diesel wouldn't be ideal for short runs but if your getting good runs on the motorway every week or 2 you should be ok.

Whats your budget? An 08 2.4 would probably be a minimum of 12k inc. VRT etc. more if its a Ti or lowish mileage.

Will be hard to find up north also. Theres only been one 2.4 for sale in Irelan in the past year. That was an 08 Ti listed for 14,750 although not sure what it went for.

discombobulate

Also there is a guy on Alfa Owner looking to sell his 2010 1.9 Ti soon although that may be out of budget if your looking at 08 / 10. Try get a drive in one of them listed on Done Deal even if its not the colour, spec etc. you want.

Which engine has your mate got?

Arequipa

Would the 1.9 diesel be sufficiently powerful for the size of the car?!
Ideally i would spend around 10 K...
Its a pity there're so few engine options in Ireland..!

Stheno

Arequipa wrote: »

Would the 1.9 diesel be sufficiently powerful for the size of the car?!
Ideally i would spend around 10 K...
Its a pity there're so few engine options in Ireland..!

It gets good reviews, pred_racer on here has one, so he might see this and respond.

discombobulate

Arequipa wrote: »

Would the 1.9 diesel be sufficiently powerful for the size of the car?!
Ideally i would spend around 10 K...
Its a pity there're so few engine options in Ireland..!

Yes its 150bhp. I find it pulls well. Plenty of power for overtaking etc. As I said theres 2 versions of the 1.9. A 16v and 8v. The 8 v is 120bhp so may be slightly underpowered. 1.8 petrol will be underpowered also. 2.2 petrol is ok but its high tax under both emissions and the old tax system with not much more power than the 1.9 Diesel. The 1.9 Diesel can also be remapped to between 180 and 190bhp.

Stheno

discombobulate wrote: »

Yes its 150bhp. I find it pulls well. Plenty of power for overtaking etc. As I said theres 2 versions of the 1.9. A 16v and 8v. The 8 v is 120bhp so may be slightly underpowered. 1.8 petrol will be underpowered also. 2.2 petrol is ok but its high tax under both emissions and the old tax system with not much more power than the 1.9 Diesel. The 1.9 Diesel can also be remapped to between 180 and 190bhp.

Sorry forgot you said you had one too

Supergurrier

If i was told i needed to sell up and buy a 4 door saloon in the morning i would be after a 159 2.4 Diesel fo sho

Stheno

Supergurrier wrote: »

If i was told i needed to sell up and buy a 4 door saloon in the morning i would be after a 159 2.4 Diesel fo sho

I'm jobhunting at the moment, and if (god forbid) I get a job which either includes a car or pays a car allowance, and I need to have a four door (tends to be part of the policy) it would be a 159, with an Accord a very close second for me.

I'd probably go for the Accord *waits for the shunning*

power pants

Was looking at one the other month but it was sold the next day, dark blue 1.9 on the m50 dealers. The only alfa I think that looks half decent.

Somone on here has a 159 in jet black and it looks unreal -not sure who though

Stheno

power pants wrote: »

Was looking at one the other month but it was sold the next day, dark blue 1.9 on the m50 dealers. The only alfa I think that looks half decent.

Somone on here has a 159 in jet black and it looks unreal -not sure who though

Think it's pred, I've never noticed it's proper color as it's always manky though, so it might be someone else

power pants

I think you are right. Whoever it was had really nice spec alloys and tyre size and the rest -looked very very good. I wonder why alfa stopped the production on them with such a short existence?

bigroad

The best model to get op is a 1.9td estate 120bhp.It wont be underpower and if you need more power get a good remap.The 120 is less trouble and the estate has a better resale.I remember when a 1.6d 54bhp jetta was ok in ireland so i think a 120bhp alfa will be grand.good luck and good hunting.

Stheno

bigroad wrote: »

The best model to get op is a 1.9td estate 120bhp.It wont be underpower and if you need more power get a good remap.The 120 is less trouble and the estate has a better resale.I remember when a 1.6d 54bhp jetta was ok in ireland so i think a 120bhp alfa will be grand.good luck and good hunting.

I'd say no to that.

First off what's the justification for an estate? And a 120 hp as opposed to higher?

Stheno

power pants wrote: »

I think you are right. Whoever it was had really nice spec alloys and tyre size and the rest -looked very very good. I wonder why alfa stopped the production on them with such a short existence?

They have a habit of doing that, look at the gtvs, they ran for about eight years.

Alfa are about to launch five new models over the next couple of years, getting back to more "traditional" alfa approaches, so that's probably it, alfa snobs consider the 159 to be a bit of a cop out.

If you compare it to the gtv which was called the poor mans ferrarri and designed by the same man who designed ferraris you can see why

power pants

yeah I saw some of the designs for the new alfas (maybe on here?) did look very impressive!

bigroad

Stheno wrote: »

I'd say no to that.

First off what's the justification for an estate? And a 120 hp as opposed to higher?

Well if you knew what you were talking about you would agree with me.The justification for an estate is a better resale if the op likes.On the other hand the saloon is sexy.The 150 bhp needs a manifold replacment to save the engine going bang.120bhp can be brought up quiet easily to the same if not more power with more reliabilityand can be bought with better spec cheaper.

Stheno

The alfa sportswagon estate is absolutely tiny though, so I think you are on the wrong path, I'm in my fifth year of owning alfas, and drive probably the most impractical alfa out there apart from the spyder, but I'd never ever consider an alfa sportswagon

bigroad

Alfas were never about practical estates its the look and the driving experience.Check the Alfa history book.

from_atozinc

Arequipa wrote: »

Hi! I hope you are all well!
I am looking at getting my next car. Looked at 3 series, A4, Ford fiesta etc...

But I really like the Alfa Romeo 159.


A

Are you sure you meant to say FORD FIESTA above ?

Seems a strange car to be in the mix in comparison.

Stheno

Frankly I'm not interested, I'd not want to move from a gtv to a sportswagon

It simply would be incomparable, whereas back OT the accord offers a lot of what the 159 does which is a sad reflection on the 159

bigroad

You stay in your GTV,no one is forcing you out of it.This thread is to help the op into his next car.The honda is a very good car but people buy alfas for a reason.

Stheno

bigroad wrote: »

You snctay in your GTV,no one is forcing you out of it.This thread is to help the op into his next car.The honda is a very good car but people buy alfas for a reason.

To be honest I think I've contributed far more to the OP than you as I've given them a fair assessment of the machine they are buying, unlike you who has jumped on the underpowered estate bandwagon throughout

So I'm going to ignore you using boards functionality and give the op some direction based on the fact that I like alfas, have owned them for a while, but recognise their faults, and realise I may not always drive one.

I actually think you couldn't ask for more as a newbie to a brand to be honest.

bigroad

You sir just like to let everyone know you have a gtv or do you i wonder .Just because you have driven an alfa does not mean you are a guru.If the op wants a saloon 150 jtd so be it who am i to stand in his way .Or can you enlighten us about the 2.4 as you know so much .What is the 2.4s downfall.

Scortho

Jesus stheno you'll scare him of the thread. The reason why people see the 159 as a cop out is because they replaced the 166 and 156 with one car, that 156 drivers didn't really want and neither did 166 drivers.

If I needed a diesel I'd be going out and buying a 2.4 jtd. It'd be the 156 though as they're cheap as chips and can also be remapped to 210 bhp+!:D

If you can get a 159 in ti spec that's the spec to go for. I'd also go for the jtdm engine. The petrol jts engine is a bit meh!

They're not like alfas of old. Most of the "I'd never buy an alfa brigade" have never owned one, I'd listen to what owners of the cars are saying.
They're super fun to drive, look stunning and contrary to popular belief don't blue up. :P my 156 has 217,000 km on the clock and is running great!:D
Another user has a 2.4 jtd 156 with 400,000 km on her. Look after them and they are reliable.

If you do go to look at one make sure that the coolant bleed valve is metal as opposed to plastic and that the power steering fluid is green.