Alfa Romeo Would you buy one ??

paulysoprano · 13-03-2012 11:53PM #1

Hi Folks,

Ive being asking about and everyone Ive asked have been telling us to stay away from them, the wife is looking at buying an Alfa Romeo 159 1.9 JTS TURISMO its 2007, hes looking for 7400e for it. What do any of yes think about them have u had any experience with them??? Any feed back would be much appreciated Thanks :pac:

Limbo123 · 14-03-2012 12:07AM

Nice looking motors. Never had one. Had a drive in one and it was great but Alfa are renowned for burning a hole in your pocket when something goes wrong. Alfa and problems go hand in hand from what I have been told and read.

14-03-2012 12:10AM

I wouldn't be put off by fears of increased maintenance costs over other yokes these days tbh, unless the alternative is a petrol Accord

gowley · 14-03-2012 12:16AM

nice looking car but have heard horror stories about reliability.would look at a hyundai coupe although it would be a petrol engine. Good reliability and easy to source and sell on. Accord is a great car as well but is not as sporty looking as the gt or hyundai in my opinion

gowley · 14-03-2012 12:19AM

sorry thought it was the gt u were talking about. Would agree with the accord against a 159 and u could also look at a mondeo

Stheno · 14-03-2012 12:24AM

On my second alfa, first a 01 and second a 00

Love those cars, adore them.

But if you are a fair weather driver, and don't take note of funny noises, weird flucuations in behaviour, and generally expect to get in and go, don't buy one.

Alfas in my opinion are for people who love cars, will take care of them, and are willing to learn about their foibles.

The 1.9 diesels are considered a great car, not my cup of tea as I drive petrol alfas, but don't take the reputation for granted.

Head over to alfaowner.com and ask there you will really get honest opinons

From enthusiasts

pred racer · 14-03-2012 12:43AM

The 1.9 jts is generally considered to be not as good as the 1.8 from what i read on alfaowners. ( ie no more power but uses more petrol)

I have a 159jtdm lusso and i love it, no horror stories (yet;)

Isnt the tourismo the base spec?

I would still love my car without cruise, blue&me, leather, fog sensor, rain sensing wipers, etc but not as much:)

If its exclusivity you are after, its great, i have only seen 4 other 159s since i bought mine in jan.

Buy A 159 they are lovely cars, but do your homework and buy the right one for you.

Twin-go · 14-03-2012 01:04AM

gowley wrote: »

nice looking car but have heard horror stories about reliability.would look at a hyundai coupe although it would be a petrol engine. Good reliability and easy to source and sell on. Accord is a great car as well but is not as sporty looking as the gt or hyundai in my opinion

Off topic for this thread but gowley, your not seriously touting a Hyundai Coupe as an alternative to an Alfa GT are you? The Alfa is in a completely different league. The only Hyundai coupe worth getting is the 2.7l v6. And try selling that on!

Back on topic:
OP, if you get the Alfa 159 you won't regret it. And as with any modern car, look after it and it will look after you.
The JTDm is one if the best diesels around. It's the same unit that is used by Opel and other GMs.
If you can get one in TI spec with leather interior. Won't get more when you sell it on but it will be easier to sell.
If you don't get it you'll regret it. And every time you pass one on the road you'll wonder.... What if, what if!

dgt · 14-03-2012 01:12AM

I got my first Alfa, a 166, in December. In these days of fuel economy and running costs I got a.... 2.5 V6 :pac:

Parts are expensive
There are some electric niggles (airbag lights go bananas, cl works when it wants :rolleyes:)
Strange cabin leak...

Would I recommend one? I sure would for the thrill alone

Would I get another one? Hell yes, I'd go for a 3.0 if one cropped up

bazz26 · 14-03-2012 01:52AM

Shhh!, they are a good car but don't tell everyone or their resale values will increase.

As for what people say, I tend to ignore it as the man down the pub knows nothing about cars and will probably steer you towards the likes of a VW which he sees as the pinnacle of reliability.

Fiona · 14-03-2012 08:00AM

If you really want it then just buy it and forget what everybody else thinks. Apart from the people supporting your decision of course! Yes cars break some more than others and they need costly repairs but thats life. Go on ya know you want to.

Soarer · 14-03-2012 08:06AM

Twin-go wrote: »

And every time you pass one at the side of the road with the bonnet up, you'll wonder.... What if, what if!

Fixed it for ya!;)

Jimdagym · 14-03-2012 08:37AM

mrs crilly wrote: »

If you really want it then just buy it and forget what everybody else thinks. Apart from the people supporting your decision of course! Yes cars break some more than others and they need costly repairs but thats life. Go on ya know you want to.

He said it's for the wife though. I wouldn't let me wife buy one, she'd kill it.

dudara · 14-03-2012 08:44AM

One of our cars is a Alfa GTV (the other is a 318). It's like comparing chalk and cheese. The 318 is my regular drive, it's steady and has a real sense of solidity.

The Alfa is like something that is barely touching the road, constantly looking to take off. I mean this in a good way - it's a real fun car to drive. It doesn't have the sense of solidity, but it's got character. And it moves pretty damn fast too.

Fiona · 14-03-2012 08:47AM

Jimdagym wrote: »

He said it's for the wife though. I wouldn't let me wife buy one, she'd kill it.

Well not all women are car killers :rolleyes:;)

Frank Black · 14-03-2012 08:55AM

I had a 156 which I loved but it kept breaking down on me - left me stranded around 4 times on the side of the roads in 3 years and there were numerous trips to the Alfa garage in Finglas in between, where I was actually on first name terms with most of the mechanics by the end.

I likened it to dating a supermodel who kept cheating on you, you'd swear the next time she did it, it would be the end of the relationship, but you kept taking her back, telling yourself 'this time would be different'.

I eventually had to end my affair with my Italian supermodel when I had kids and have settled down with a more reliable German partner, but I still dream of those times we spent together.

Anan1 · 14-03-2012 09:09AM

black francis wrote: »

I had a 156 which I loved but it kept breaking down on me - left me stranded around 4 times on the side of the roads in 3 years and there were numerous trips to the Alfa garage in Finglas in between, where I was actually on first name terms with most of the mechanics by the end.

I likened it to dating a supermodel who kept cheating on you, you'd swear the next time she did it, it would be the end of the relationship, but you kept taking her back, telling yourself 'this time would be different'.

I eventually had to end my affair with my Italian supermodel when I had kids and have settled down with a more reliable German partner, but I still dream of those times we spent together.

You brought your Alfa Romeo to a main dealer for servicing? No wonder she got the hump with you.

Fiona · 14-03-2012 09:14AM

black francis wrote: »

I likened it to dating a supermodel who kept cheating on you, you'd swear the next time she did it, it would be the end of the relationship, but you kept taking her back, telling yourself 'this time would be different'.

That is the best description of a car I have ever heard! Brilliant!

BuzzFish · 14-03-2012 09:26AM

Have owned a 156 for 4 years now and it currently has just over 200,000 miles on it. They need to be looked after and if you let the little things pile up you will soon find a big hole in your wallet allright, but I honestly can't fault it for a car with such mileage. I have had no major work done, just servicing and a couple of other bits a bobs.
On the 159 I know the early ones had a massive issue with the steering rack so make sure this has been looked at/replaced. Other than that, as with all Alfa's, make sure it has a full service history and verify it!

paulysoprano · 14-03-2012 10:15AM

black francis wrote: »

I had a 156 which I loved but it kept breaking down on me - left me stranded around 4 times on the side of the roads in 3 years and there were numerous trips to the Alfa garage in Finglas in between, where I was actually on first name terms with most of the mechanics by the end.

I likened it to dating a supermodel who kept cheating on you, you'd swear the next time she did it, it would be the end of the relationship, but you kept taking her back, telling yourself 'this time would be different'.

I eventually had to end my affair with my Italian supermodel when I had kids and have settled down with a more reliable German partner, but I still dream of those times we spent together.

HA Ha Brilliant, i think we ill go for the Supermodel feck it, thanks again everyone you were all great help

GavMan · 14-03-2012 10:56AM

OP,

Read these treads:

Buying a 159

Advice about alfa 159 Ti (in case you're thinking of pushing the boat out)

Main thing is to check for full service history, regular oil and filter replacements, validate the mileage and service work done with garages.

If it doesn't check out or doesn't have full service history, WALK AWAY. Another one with the documented history will come up. Thats the best advice I can give you buying an Alfa. Wait for the right one, with the right history.

Also consider the UK too. You wont save any money, in fact it might cost you a little bit more, but you'll get a wider selection with a better spec. Again, check and validate the service history and Mileage.

Mr Benevolent · 14-03-2012 10:56AM

I'd buy a diesel 159 but not a petrol 156.

Anan1 · 14-03-2012 10:57AM

Confab wrote: »

I'd buy a diesel 159 but not a petrol 156.

I'd be the opposite!

no1beemerfan · 14-03-2012 11:06AM

Whatever you do DON'T powerhose the engine. My father did his. Got to know the Alfa dealer VERY well over the following 6 months!!

He'd two 147s.....cracking car to drive and gorgeous interior. I'd buy and Alfa no problem....especially the 159 but would love a 156 GTA.

14-03-2012 11:54AM

Confab wrote: »

I'd buy a diesel 159 but not a petrol 156.

I thought you were a HUGE fan Confab?
Surely a gearbox on a 10 year old car failing wouldn't turn you off the petrol 156s totally?

Mr Benevolent · 14-03-2012 12:09PM

RoverJames wrote: »

I thought you were a HUGE fan Confab?
Surely a gearbox on a 10 year old car failing wouldn't turn you off the petrol 156s totally?

Nah not a huge fan, bought on a whim really. I'm not put off Alfas, just the 156. I'd gladly buy a 159 in the future.

Chonker · 14-03-2012 12:15PM

mrs crilly wrote: »

If you really want it then just buy it and forget what everybody else thinks. Apart from the people supporting your decision of course! Yes cars break some more than others and they need costly repairs but thats life. Go on ya know you want to.

This is the answer pretty much in a nut shell,

You have to really want one to buy one, other wise it makes no sense buying an Alfa. You may never find anyone who will tell you its a good idea, but you will find many who love driving them. You can usually identify these people by the oily fingers and cut knuckles.

Great to drive and look at, scary to think about!

Veloce · 14-03-2012 03:50PM

I think the whole unreliability stigma attached to modern alfas is a bit over-hyped IMO. They are not half as bad as some people make them out to be.

The 159 is a great car, esp the 1.9 diesel. If I was going for a petrol 159 I would go for the 2.2 JTS (I wouldn’t like to be paying tax on a 3.2JTS Q4 even though they are super nice).

The Ti spec is the one you want, they look awesome.

smash · 14-03-2012 04:14PM

I've had 2 Alfas and I would buy another, but I wouldn't buy a 159 unless it was a jtdm. I had the 1.8 petrol for a weekend and it was a dog.

Matt Simis · 14-03-2012 04:23PM

We have had an Alfa 156 2.4JTD Sportwagon for about 2years now. Only issue that really stands out is its hard on suspension bushings, certainly original ones. The engine itself is quite unlike the petrol models by reputation at least, doesnt consume oil (and its a diesel!) and rock solid. So much so that family members joke that its been the most reliable car Ive had.. which is mostly true.

As it happens, its for sale (see here). The original plan was to buy a 159 Sportwagon, but I have a wacky plan for a (very cheap) old BMW e34 Touring that caught my eye instead. But I would absolutely buy another Alfa at some point.

Veloce · 14-03-2012 04:29PM

Very nice sportwagen Matt! Love those Ti wheels

Alfa Romeo Would you buy one ??

Comments