Would you buy a 2007 Alfa 159

GusGus

Hey I'm looking at a An 07 159 1.8 with 65000 miles on the clock. Has an next until 07/15 . Has had a recent enough service and timing belt is done. Private sale and guy is looking for 5k for it .

Is there anything I should look out for in a major way ? I'll be honest I'm nervous bout buying Alfa but love their design and way they drive .

Any thoughts ?

Bigus

Secondhand alfas are all about price IMHO .

159 is better sorted than earlier models.
Biggest concern would be belt and suspension, NCT seems to have suspension covered and belt done



A lot of car for 5k € there's three 1.8 petrols for sale in uk asking 5k sterling .

Chance your arm offering 4 k but maybe 5 is ok

robertxxx

Make sur there's no knocking/ticking noise coming from the engine.

Dilbert75

Buying a secondhand Alfa is actually all about service history. If there is none, walk quickly away. My brother went to see a 159 before Christmas and the seller had had it for over a year without having serviced it, as he didn't think the mileage warranted it. He also didn't have any details about previous owners' service history. Unfortunately their looks and feel have put Alfas in the hands of many people who don't deserve them.

Bigus

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Buying a secondhand Alfa is actually all about service history. If there is none, walk quickly away. My brother went to see a 159 before Christmas and the seller had had it for over a year without having serviced it, as he didn't think the mileage warranted it. He also didn't have any details about previous owners' service history. Unfortunately their looks and feel have put Alfas in the hands of many people who don't deserve them.

Wouldn't bother me if the price was right, a whole year without a service,omg !

how dare he drive an Italian thoroughbred, there should be a law against it:eek:

bear1

GusGus wrote: »

Hey I'm looking at a An 07 159 1.8 with 65000 miles on the clock. Has an next until 07/15 . Has had a recent enough service and timing belt is done. Private sale and guy is looking for 5k for it .

Is there anything I should look out for in a major way ? I'll be honest I'm nervous bout buying Alfa but love their design and way they drive .

Any thoughts ?

What mileage do you do per year?
I ask as the 1.8 MPI 159 doesn't have great reviews. Slow, quite a thristy car due to it's size.
In fact you could get the 2.2 JTS which would probably consume the same amount and looks much nicer with the twin pipes
As for any Alfa, ask for proof of timing belt and water pump. don't just take their word on it as at that mileage it would be due one.
Check for knocking noises when driving (worn wishbones).
I honestly don't think you'd like the 1.8.
If you do do high miles per year:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-159-1-9jtd-turismo/6167745

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-159-2-4jtd-sportivo/6344395 quite a short NCT but they have either 200 pr 210bhp

This is a 2.2 but over budget http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-159-2-2jts-sportivo/6325534

Or if you really want a 1.8 bog standard 159:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-158-1-8-turismo/6208794

1,100eur cheaper

Lumpy_Custard

Beautiful cars, but from what I understand the 1.8 MPI is best avoided.

Since a '07 will be taxed on CC rather than Co2 emissions, the 1.9 would be a better bet. It's a JTS unit, with an extra 20bhp and a 6-speed box, and the tax difference would be minimal. It also has a timing chain, rather than a belt. They're both GM-sourced engines, though - the car was supposed to be part of a GM shared platform exercise that never happened. Build quality is apparently much better than the 156, but the disadvantage of this is that it's a good bit heavier.

I'm on my second 156 myself, and have considered the 159 as an eventual replacement.

I couldn't recommend the 156 highly enough, both of mine have had the older Twin Spark engine. There's plenty of power (my current '00 one has the 155bhp 2.0 unit) and the steering is super quick. The downsides are the awful turning circle (2 turns lock-to-lock mean parking is difficult at first), the double-wishbone front suspension's poor tolerance Irish roads, and the timing belt change intervals (every 35k miles). Other than that, basic maintenance will see them run reliably.

There's normally a few 159s on DoneDeal - they're generally the 1.8s or diesels, though. If you're happy with the 1.8, make sure there's proof of that timing belt change - and I mean receipts, not Tipp-Ex on the cover. At any rate, don't rush into it - it took me the best part of 6 months to find my 156, as there were plenty of dogs out there. With the 159 being newer, hopefully this won't be as much of a problem.

The AlfaOwner forum has plenty of info on the 159:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/

....and here's a decent review of the car:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/alfa-romeo/159/saloon-2006/

This might also be of interest (Check out the "Good & Bad" tab):

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/alfa-romeo/159-2006/

Good luck if you decide to pick one up, there's nothing quite like a good Alfa.

Lumpy_Custard

That 1.9 diesel 159 is just down the road from me. It's the 8v, according to MyWheels.

Very long NCT!

Irishcrx

Agree with above poster on the 156, have the same car myself and love it but unfortunately mine is growing in age and I looked at replacing it with a 159 but decided not to, if anything I'd buy another 156.

Couple of points to note, the 159 is not quick, it's heavier and has a smaller and less powerfull engine than the earlier twin spark, it also doesn't have the same grunt. A lot of Alfa owners/enthuisiasts were put off by it and don't consider it a 'real' alfa along the lines of the 156/GT/GTV models.

In saying that , it's a fine looking car and reliability has been better on them with good service history and timing belt changes they are aging well. Would be a good cruiser and has lovely design, engine really lets isst down in the 1.8.

Anan1

Irishcrx wrote: »

Agree with above poster on the 156, have the same car myself and love it but unfortunately mine is growing in age and I looked at replacing it with a 159 but decided not to, if anything I'd buy another 156.

And another vote from me for the 156 over the 159. IMO it's just a nicer car.

Lex Luthor

I'll say it again - I miss my 156, should never sold it.

cabb8ge

Bigus wrote: »

Wouldn't bother me if the price was right, a whole year without a service,omg !

how dare he drive an Italian thoroughbred, there should be a law against it:eek:

+1

No one worry if Vectra not serviced for a year.

Lumpy_Custard

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I'll say it again - I miss my 156, should never sold it.

Been there...

Had a Rover Coupe and then an E36 after my 1st, but wasn't happy 'til I got back in a 156.

Flirted with the idea of getting a GT though!

Anan1

cabb8ge wrote: »

+1

No one worry if Vectra not serviced for a year.

No one worry if a Vectra fall into the sea.

cabb8ge

Anan1 wrote: »

No one worry if a Vectra fall into the sea.

yes but 159 and Vectra similar mechanicals, 1.8 engine
159 not the true Italian like 156 was.

discombobulate

Big threads on the 159 here and here

Buyers guide here also

bear1

Lumpy_Custard wrote: »

That 1.9 diesel 159 is just down the road from me. It's the 8v, according to MyWheels.

If it's an 8v then it will be 120bhp, the 16v are 150bhp.
Take it for a spin and see what you think of the diesel. Your annual mileage will need to merit a diesel though.

Very long NCT!

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I'll say it again - I miss my 156, should never sold it.

Try watching it being trailored to the scrappy
single worst decision I've ever made

Lumpy_Custard

bear1 wrote: »

Try watching it being tailored to the scrappy
single worst decision I've ever made

I could imagine!

Nope, the thought of a diesel Alfa still doesn't appeal to me. I'd have a Busso if the tax wasn't so crazy. It's mostly city miles for myself, the car's hitting about 25mpg around town. The V6 probably wouldn't be much worse, I suppose.

I'll be looking at classic cars in October anyway, when I'm 25. There was a Lancia Delta HF Turbo on DoneDeal a few months back, I kinda regret letting that one slip by.

Anan1

Lumpy_Custard wrote: »

I could imagine!

Nope, the thought of a diesel Alfa still doesn't appeal to me. I'd have a Busso if the tax wasn't so crazy. It's mostly city miles for myself, the car's hitting about 25mpg around town. The V6 probably wouldn't be much worse, I suppose.

I drove a V6 and, while it's undoubtedly a lovely engine, it is noticeably more nose heavy than the four cylinders.

bear1

Lumpy_Custard wrote: »

I could imagine!

Nope, the thought of a diesel Alfa still doesn't appeal to me. I'd have a Busso if the tax wasn't so crazy. It's mostly city miles for myself, the car's hitting about 25mpg around town. The V6 probably wouldn't be much worse, I suppose.

I'll be looking at classic cars in October anyway, when I'm 25. There was a Lancia Delta HF Turbo on DoneDeal a few months back, I kinda regret letting that one slip by.

I'd be looking at a minimum a 2.2 159 then, I believe they are 180 odd bhp.
And if it's a V6 you want:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-gt-3-2-v6-fsh-39503950/5828607


Now it doesn't have EVERY extra possible as it states but I'd imagine you'd get that easily for 3.5k.
Those 3.2's have around the 250/260bhp mark.
Now if you want something extremely rare both here in Ireland in the UK I know a guy selling a 3.0 156..
The only downside is that it's still on UK plates but from what I've heard the car is mint!

Lumpy_Custard

Saw that GT alright, very nice car. Last of the Bussos too, I think?

A 3.0 156, now that sounds tasty... not down by much over the GTA I'd say, power-wise. Did he take the engine from a GTV?

I'm not in the market for a new car at the moment anyway, the classic would complement the 156 rather than replace it. I'd have no problem running something like a GTV6 as a daily though :-)

bear1

Lumpy_Custard wrote: »

Saw that GT alright, very nice car. Last of the Bussos too, I think?

A 3.0 156, now that sounds tasty... not down by much over the GTA I'd say, power-wise. Did he take the engine from a GTV?

I'm not in the market for a new car at the moment anyway, the classic would complement the 156 rather than replace it. I'd have no problem running something like a GTV6 as a daily though :-)

I believe the engine is from a 3.0 166. So I would guess GTA territory power wise, 250?
If it's something you'd be interested in I can let the guy know about this thread.

Lumpy_Custard

Ah no, the tax would kill me. A 30 year-old classic is what I'll be after, vintage tax and all that. I'll be looking properly near October.

Serious car tho I'd say, best of luck to him. 220bhp IIRC, the 166s are an underappreciated machine too.

Marcusm

bear1 wrote: »

I'd be looking at a minimum a 2.2 159 then, I believe they are 180 odd bhp.
And if it's a V6 you want:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-gt-3-2-v6-fsh-39503950/5828607


Now it doesn't have EVERY extra possible as it states but I'd imagine you'd get that easily for 3.5k.
Those 3.2's have around the 250/260bhp mark.
Now if you want something extremely rare both here in Ireland in the UK I know a guy selling a 3.0 156..
The only downside is that it's still on UK plates but from what I've heard the car is mint!

The best of the lot is supposed to be the 1750TBi which produces at least 200bhp - don't think it's 235in a 159 (although it can be in a Giulietta). UK import and possibly more expensive than your bufget.

Lumpy_Custard

Marcusm wrote: »

The best of the lot is supposed to be the 1750TBi which produces at least 200bhp - don't think it's 235in a 159 (although it can be in a Giulietta). UK import and possibly more expensive than your bufget.

+1, UK import should be much better specced too. You won't get one for anywhere near the £5k the OP's car will cost, though. Cheapest on PistonHeads is a '09 in West Sussex:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alfa-romeo/159/alfa-romeo-159-1750-tbi-lusso-2009/2003968?isexperiment=true

bear1

Marcusm wrote: »

The best of the lot is supposed to be the 1750TBi which produces at least 200bhp - don't think it's 235in a 159 (although it can be in a Giulietta). UK import and possibly more expensive than your bufget.

Yep it's 235bhp in the Giulietta, the Cloverleaf.
There are 1 or 2 driving around Galway

RichyX

I test drove a 1.9 159 a few months back. It had a full history, which was massive as it had had numerous repairs done to almost every part of the car.

The most disappointing thing I've ever driven.
After years of wanting one it killed my desire completely.

bear1

RichyX wrote: »

I test drove a 1.9 159 a few months back. It had a full history, which was massive as it had had numerous repairs done to almost every part of the car.

The most disappointing thing I've ever driven.
After years of wanting one it killed my desire completely.

Was it the JTS or JTDM?

discombobulate

bear1 wrote: »

Was it the JTS or JTDM?

There's also a 16V (150bhp) and 8V (115bhp) JTDM.

bear1

discombobulate wrote: »

There's also a 16V (150bhp) and 8V (115bhp) JTDM.

120

Nonoperational

The 1.8 MPI 159 is a different animal to the any alfa that came before it. It's based on a bland GM 1.8 140bhp engine. The timing belt, wishbones etc are far less critical than they were in the 156 before it. It's a grand car, reliable, but quite slow.

The car to get if buying a cheap 159 is the 1.9 diesel, but if the 1.8 drives ok to you then it is a good car.

discombobulate

bear1 wrote: »

120

Smart arse :P

Great selection of higher spec'd 159's on sale here at the moment compared to this time last year. 8 Ti's on Carzone at the minute.

There were exactly 0 Ti's for sale when I had to go to the UK last Summer.

This looks the pick of the bunch for sale over here. Mileage is crazy low though for an 08

Nonoperational

That's very nice alright.

GusGus

discombobulate wrote: »

Smart arse :P

Great selection of higher spec'd 159's on sale here at the moment compared to this time last year. 8 Ti's on Carzone at the minute.

There were exactly 0 Ti's for sale when I had to go to the UK last Summer.

This looks the pick of the bunch for sale over here. Mileage is crazy low though for an 08

That really looks well . I really don't know if I should spend that money on the car thiugh

discombobulate

GusGus wrote: »

That really looks well . I really don't know if I should spend that money on the car thiugh

I don't think it's too unfair given the mileage. The Ti's demand a fair bit of a premium than the lower specs.

I'd just be worried about the DPF and EGR being clogged up with such low mileage and whether its been serviced yearly as it'd only be due its second service on mileage alone. The belt would be due based on age too.

bear1

I want to have it's babies...... I mean nice car

Nonoperational

I'd be slow to pay it for a 2008 I think. Very tempted to go to the UK during the Summer and puck up a 2010 Ti.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alfa-romeo/159/alfa-romeo-159-ti-jtdm-170bhp--leather--sat-nav/1752730?isexperiment=true

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alfa-romeo/159/alfa-romeo-159-2-0-jtdm-16v-ti-4dr--factory-sat-nav/1930391?isexperiment=true

They're an awesome car.

Zoney

I was sort of thinking this might be a nice car to aim for, for next car (based really just on looks, price and size, looking for a bit of luxury/comfort/style inside too!)

This thread has me reconsidering though!

discombobulate

Nonoperational wrote: »

I'd be slow to pay it for a 2008 I think. Very tempted to go to the UK during the Summer and puck up a 2010 Ti.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alfa-romeo/159/alfa-romeo-159-ti-jtdm-170bhp--leather--sat-nav/1752730?isexperiment=true

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alfa-romeo/159/alfa-romeo-159-2-0-jtdm-16v-ti-4dr--factory-sat-nav/1930391?isexperiment=true

They're an awesome car.

Very rare to see the 2.0 here in Ti spec. so would probably be your only option. In my experience there aren't savings to be made by getting the 159 over there just a better selection.

Here's my own attached. Wonder would they take mine and a grand for the 2.4. Would like an extra exhaust out the back!!

Nonoperational

Stunning man. Is it a 1.9 150bhp?

discombobulate

Nonoperational wrote: »

Stunning man. Is it a 1.9 150bhp?

Yup. Off to get a couple of dents and a scratch repaired on Wednesday. Joys of living on a narrow lane where people seem to like bashing into it when im not around!

Was originally hoping for a black or red in it but when scrubbed up the grey looks great.

Nonoperational

I think it looks great. Really great.

Lumpy_Custard

Lovely car :-)

Little dents keep appearing on mine too, kids in the park always playing around it. That, and the neighbour's cat loves to camp out on the bootlid...

I'm not so bothered when it's barely worth a grand though!

Zoney

Does look beautiful, esp in that silver/grey!

discombobulate

Got to keep showing it off. Get more Alfa's into the country! Someone buy a 1.75 Ti that I can then buy off them next year!!

bear1

Some 159 that... the Ti just sets it off IMO.

RichyX

bear1 wrote: »

Was it the JTS or JTDM?

JTS.

markfla

discombobulate wrote: »

Very rare to see the 2.0 here in Ti spec. so would probably be your only option. In my experience there aren't savings to be made by getting the 159 over there just a better selection.

Here's my own attached. Wonder would they take mine and a grand for the 2.4. Would like an extra exhaust out the back!!

Man that car is a stunner, how are the running costs? much work to mind it well. Never had an Alfa in my life but feckin hell your car is tipping me that way. Thinking of taking a spin to look at that 2.4 this week.

pred racer

discombobulate wrote: »

Got to keep showing it off. Get more Alfa's into the country! Someone buy a 1.75 Ti that I can then buy off them next year!!

More Alfas +1

discombobulate

markfla wrote: »

Man that car is a stunner, how are the running costs? much work to mind it well. Never had an Alfa in my life but feckin hell your car is tipping me that way. Thinking of taking a spin to look at that 2.4 this week.

No more than most. Have had for 10,000 miles. Nothing other than servicing and tyres so far. Just make sure their serviced on time, belts done etc. and shouldnt be any less reliable than anything else out there.

Parts can be a little more pricy than lesser makes if things go wrong and the Ti has pricy enough tyres.

shamrock55

If there is a better looking car then a 159 id like to see it:cool: