Why is owning an Alfa Romeo more that just owning a car?

Well my first 3 cars were all alfas:
1988 Alfa33 1.5Ti
1991 Alfa33 1.7 16V Cloverleaf
1993 Alfa 155 2.0l

Since then I've sold out and gone bavarian.. :rolleyes:

Yes the alfa's all had reliability issues to varying degrees, but the experience I gained from looking after them means that I can now do most jobs on the family cars myself..

But as others have said, on those days when everything is ticking along, they do put a smile on your face and the engines are usually pretty easy on the ear too...

I saw an old 33 Cloverleaf for sale recently, identical to my old one, for not much money and was very tempted to pick it up as a classic... wouldn't mind a 75 either, always liked them.....

LTD

OK.. confession time.

I'm going to agree with the reliability stuff.. I've defended Alfa Romeos quality / reliability in the past. Yes there are issues. I've owned dozens of them. I love the sound, feel and look of them. IMO they are beautiful (well most of them).

Some time back I nearly opted for a 2007 520 SE for my wife... but she wanted a 159 instead, based on looks and the interior. Yes apples and oranges etc etc. please don't flame.. it's a personal opinion, not scientific fact.

Regarding the Alfa Romeo brand as a consumer product :

Yes the 2.0 TS (Twin Spark) engine is a pain in the a$$ to work on. Ask my knuckles and blood pressure.

Yes the depreciation is terrible.

Yes the DPF clogs on the 1.9JTDm.

Yes 8 spark plugs are expensive for a service.

Yes the petrol JTS engine is not economical.. and some days feels sluggish.

Yes the plastic tensioners are dumb.

Yes the sump nut rounds off..

Yes the variator is a stupid idea with it's stupid nylon washer.

Yes the harmonic balancer belt is silly for a small 2l engine.

Yes the suspension needs to be replaced... (depending on condition of roads). Drop links on the 156 every pay day!

Yes the Rosso red paint falls off the car.

Yes FIAT own Alfa..... as well as other manufactures.

Yes the JTS has a GM block.

Yes the cruise control sometimes goes to to farfarawayland.

Yes the clutch peddle goes for a little nap on the floor once a month, usually on a roundabout or junction :eek:

Yes yes yes yes..................


But, OP to answer your original question, I don't know. A car is a car, it's metal/plastic/rubber etc....... but I enjoy these cars greatly. Generally if you look after Alfas, they will look after you. I have never had to walk because an Alfa left me down, never.


EDIT: I've removed photos of cars and cut some of the post.. don't want some across as a d***head... although I'm sure some have formed an opinion already...

Cheers. T

well op .

have an alfa 156 1.6 - she is 2001 ,have her 6 years and up to this year gave me no issues what so ever (since then its just been 1 issue after another but there are reasons behind all of it -most of it not the alfas ) and to me the one reason why owning Alfa is more then just owning a car is because of how it makes me feel . i have never felt a desire to get into a car and just go for a drive until i got me alfa . dropping her into third and hitting 5000 revs justs makes me giggle like a schoolgirl . from the quick steering in the corners to engine noise it just oozes excitement. just see me at 7:00 in the morning driving into work , i am the only idiot smiling and singing on the 40 mile journey in.

i look out the window at work into a parking lot of opels / mercs / beemers / fords and the alfa just sticks out , even with an older car it is still in my opinion better then most new cars .
will admit
car isnt the quickest , isnt the best handling , and isnt the most comfortable out there but i wouldnt trade it for anything but a newer alfa.

my two cent - hope you enjoy the guiliatta - missus is looking to get one soon (she drove my car and since then wants an alfa )