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Why wouldn't you buy an Alfa Romeo? (keep it civilized)

124»

Comments

  • #152
    NoBread
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 91 ✭✭NoBread


    swarlb wrote: »
    When you choose to buy a car based on everything but aesthetics your missing the point of the original design.
    Take Lancia for example. Prior to the company being sold in the late 50's, and Fiat acquiring them in the 60's, each car they made shared virtually nothing with the previous model. They built cars with straight 4 engine, then a V4, then a V8, then a V6, a flat 4 and finally back to a V4. Some had transaxles, some had gearboxes attached to the engine, some had front wheel drive, some had rear wheel drive. There was no consistency. Each car was designed from a blank sheet of paper, with little reference to what went before.
    As a result they built well engineered cars, and with a sold customer base. However, they made no money and eventually could not compete.
    Early Alfa Romeo could be considered along the same lines.
    These days the parameters lie around safety, market segment, user friendly media platforms, emissions... the design department is usually the last to be consulted, hence every car looks virtually the same, as designers are afraid to express themselves with something different.
    These days people are also afraid to express themselves and follow like sheep.
    I was at a football match recently, and if it wasn't for the fact the players wore numbers, I'd be hard pushed to pick them out, they all virtually had the same haircut !
    This is exactly it! It's the reason I like Lancia! The same reason I like Alfa, and in the past Fiat, and Subaru, and Mazda - (any company that persisted with the rotary engine deserves praise). The Italian brands were always more adventurous than the German brands, and so too were the French. But the German "sensible" method won out in the end, but engineering died a lot as a result. Even the Germans were once adventurous too, some more than others, but that died down to almost nothing. Now one of the cleverest things they do is VW's modular platform, which is excellent from a mass production point of view, but hardly sets the heart racing. Someone also said recently enough that BMW used to be an Engineering company that makes cars, now they're a marketing company that makes cars. Not all that far from the truth!
    Accountants run the world now. And the modern financially ruled world does not reward ingenuity, unless you've managed to engineer a solution to make some part more cheaply.


  • #153
    road_high
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,474 ✭✭✭✭road_high


    I think Alfa have invested heavily in the car and product which are comparably excellent-
    To then fall at the last hurdle- the sales, marketing, customer service support is utterly stupid. To sell a range of cars as good as the Giulia and Stelvio are, you need to utterly overhaul the business and sales/service channel. Just leaving it as it was is nuts.
    The likes of Audi and BMW don’t sell out of portakabin type dealers for good reason- I wouldn’t spend €50k plus unless I was sure it had the quality back up you need at that price. This is where they’ve failed.
    Not sure what their dealer network is like elsewhere in Europe, but it’s woeful looking here for a premium brand.


  • #154
    H3llR4iser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,028 ✭✭✭H3llR4iser


    road_high wrote: »
    I think Alfa have invested heavily in the car and product which are comparably excellent-
    To then fall at the last hurdle- the sales, marketing, customer service support is utterly stupid. To sell a range of cars as good as the Giulia and Stelvio are, you need to utterly overhaul the business and sales/service channel. Just leaving it as it was is nuts.
    The likes of Audi and BMW don’t sell out of portakabin type dealers for good reason- I wouldn’t spend €50k plus unless I was sure it had the quality back up you need at that price. This is where they’ve failed.
    Not sure what their dealer network is like elsewhere in Europe, but it’s woeful looking here for a premium brand.

    Well, it's a conundrum - they spent nothing here, as they most likely know it's a pointless effort; The ads are on the US TV constantly, and Munich Airport has been plastered with Giulia screens and posters for a long time.

    As for the showrooms, they ARE a bit better elsewhere - this is a completely random one in the outskirts of Rome:

    https://goo.gl/maps/HABtxp8aMdD2

    Although it's not always the case - unfortunate location in Manhattan, if you ask me:
    https://goo.gl/maps/2Qkju82iSAB2

    Boys and girls in there were sound and courteous when I paid a visit (literally stumbled on it by chance, walking back from the USS Intrepid museum), they were genuinely curious when they heard I was actually from Italy and a long time customet - albeit a bit out of touch with the brand's past; When I showed them my own 159 they thought it was an upcoming model for the US market :p

    Fair to them, the average prospective customer in the US won't know much either; Also, there were two couples in there who had just signed up for a Stelvios.

    Dan Seaman's in Cork is actually nice as a showroom...if you can find it.


  • #155
    Avatar MIA
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,750 ✭✭✭Avatar MIA


    H3llR4iser wrote: »
    they were genuinely curious when they heard I was actually from Italy

    * Mystery Customer Alert!!!*


  • #156
    zilog_jones
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,638 ✭✭✭zilog_jones


    H3llR4iser wrote: »
    Dan Seaman's in Cork is actually nice as a showroom...if you can find it.

    Yeah, I still haven't seen it, or I've passed it and never noticed. Whereas I pass Lee Garage every time I walk to or from the city centre - then again I would generally avoid driving in that area.


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  • #157
    swarlb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,244 ✭✭✭swarlb


    There is NO Alfa Romeo Ireland, it's basically run from the UK, and as probably most of you are aware from recent events, people in the UK, generally speaking, are not aware of our existence !


  • #158
    H3llR4iser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,028 ✭✭✭H3llR4iser


    Avatar MIA wrote: »
    * Mystery Customer Alert!!!*

    Yep, in all fairness, I realize it had all the hallmarks of a mystery shopper ambush :)


  • #159
    CrankyHaus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭CrankyHaus


    A Giulia passed me on the motorway today and made me think of this thread.

    A fantastic looking car. The rakish slant of the headlights caught my attention from a good distance.

    I actually had had no idea that Alfa were making all new cars of that standard. I thought it was just reheated old
    stuff. I've found the styling in that compact executive segment has congealed to utter tedium in recent years so fair play to them.


  • #160
    road_high
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,474 ✭✭✭✭road_high


    swarlb wrote: »
    There is NO Alfa Romeo Ireland, it's basically run from the UK, and as probably most of you are aware from recent events, people in the UK, generally speaking, are not aware of our existence !

    They should take a leaf out of the books of the UK retailers- they run their Irish operations very profitably and competitively indeed!


  • #161
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,790 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    162 posts on this subject shows motor fans have more interest in the brand than either the importer or the dealer (s)... .

    You literally never get this level of engagement on, say, .....an Auris. ...

    It really is like rolling a wheel downhill for their marketing Dept. ....if they had one....

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



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  • #162
    swarlb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,244 ✭✭✭swarlb


    galwaytt wrote: »
    162 posts on this subject shows motor fans have more interest in the brand than either the importer or the dealer (s)... .

    You literally never get this level of engagement on, say, .....an Auris. ...

    It really is like rolling a wheel downhill for their marketing Dept. ....if they had one....

    I don't think it is an interest in the brand per se, more that people will always be drawn to comment on anything that is 'different'

    Let's say for argument sake we start few threads on..

    Fiat Multipla
    Alfa Romeo Arna
    Toyota Corolla

    The Corolla, while probably being a decent car, is also incredibly 'ordinary' so don't expect too much comment.
    The other two however, will draw possibly dozens of comments simply on how they 'look', and probably zero comments on anything else about them.


  • #163
    fancy pigeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,865 ✭✭✭fancy pigeon


    swarlb wrote: »
    The Corolla, while probably being a decent car, is also incredibly 'ordinary' so don't expect too much comment.
    The other two however, will draw possibly dozens of comments simply on how they 'look', and probably zero comments on anything else about them.

    The thing with the Corolla is while normal people will generally discuss their experiences with them, express fond memories of one they had/their parents had and that they were a grand all rounder etc there's always one muppet who'll make a God out of the car and it just turns into a nasty battle against everyone else, regardless if it's good or bad, let alone anyone who dares say anything bad about them. You just have to laugh at how pathetic it becomes

    The Arna would be an interesting pile of dung to have a natter about though :D also I would like to keep my breakfast down and not see a pic of a modern Multipla :p


  • #164
    swarlb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,244 ✭✭✭swarlb


    fancy pigeon wrote: »
    The thing with the Corolla is while normal people will generally discuss their experiences with them, express fond memories of one they had/their parents had and that they were a grand all rounder etc there's always one muppet who'll make a God out of the car and it just turns into a nasty battle against everyone else, regardless if it's good or bad, let alone anyone who dares say anything bad about them. You just have to laugh at how pathetic it becomes

    The Arna would be an interesting pile of dung to have a natter about though :D also I would like to keep my breakfast down and not see a pic of a modern Multipla :p

    'normal' people ! Are they the ones who chose Toyota ? Who buys a Toyota ? Or should I say who buys a particular model made by Toyota. And that is the basis of this thread.
    Is it 'Alfa Romeo' or a particular model made by Alfa Romeo.
    Because the person who choses to buy an Alfa Romeo cannot be categorised in the context of a person who buys a Toyota. A Yaris driver for example, would possibly never consider driving a Land Cruiser, and a Land Cruiser owner would probably cringe at the thought of driving a Yaris.
    A person who chooses Alfa, chooses the Brand first, and the model second, in my opinion.
    As for the Arna and Multipla. Arna was not sold in this country, although I did see an Italian one outside a chipper once years ago. I'd never seen one before, and to be honest I though it was some odd Japanese car that someone had stuck an Alfa grille to the front.
    The Multipla intrigued me, simply because of the looks. I was in France on holiday some 15 years ago, and there was available to hire, so I took it. Amazing car, 6 full size seats (not a Zafira with 4 seats, a middle rear section you could squeeze a teenager, and 2 extra seats at the back which are claustrophobic at best). I could comfortably carry 3 teens and 2 adults, along with luggage, with visibility that could only be described as panoramic. It's the only car I've driven where my travel prone kids did not feel sick. In fact I liked it so much I bought one for small money a few years later. I still have it, close on 200k on the clock, and while it's not used that much, it's an ideal bus when required. Plus with the rear seats removed it could carry a huge load and still have room for 3 up front. I read somewhere that in Italy they were offered as a van, as the loadbay area could take a Europallet as the floor is flat.
    Moral of the story, you actually need to drive a car to make a solid judgement. I couldn't care less what people think of it.


  • #165
    fancy pigeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,865 ✭✭✭fancy pigeon


    swarlb wrote: »
    'normal' people ! Are they the ones who chose Toyota ? Who buys a Toyota ? Or should I say who buys a particular model made by Toyota. And that is the basis of this thread.
    Is it 'Alfa Romeo' or a particular model made by Alfa Romeo.
    Because the person who choses to buy an Alfa Romeo cannot be categorised in the context of a person who buys a Toyota. A Yaris driver for example, would possibly never consider driving a Land Cruiser, and a Land Cruiser owner would probably cringe at the thought of driving a Yaris.
    A person who chooses Alfa, chooses the Brand first, and the model second, in my opinion.
    As for the Arna and Multipla. Arna was not sold in this country, although I did see an Italian one outside a chipper once years ago. I'd never seen one before, and to be honest I though it was some odd Japanese car that someone had stuck an Alfa grille to the front.
    The Multipla intrigued me, simply because of the looks. I was in France on holiday some 15 years ago, and there was available to hire, so I took it. Amazing car, 6 full size seats (not a Zafira with 4 seats, a middle rear section you could squeeze a teenager, and 2 extra seats at the back which are claustrophobic at best). I could comfortably carry 3 teens and 2 adults, along with luggage, with visibility that could only be described as panoramic. It's the only car I've driven where my travel prone kids did not feel sick. In fact I liked it so much I bought one for small money a few years later. I still have it, close on 200k on the clock, and while it's not used that much, it's an ideal bus when required. Plus with the rear seats removed it could carry a huge load and still have room for 3 up front. I read somewhere that in Italy they were offered as a van, as the loadbay area could take a Europallet as the floor is flat.
    Moral of the story, you actually need to drive a car to make a solid judgement. I couldn't care less what people think of it.

    Well, yes, normal people would buy something bread and butter. There are exceptions and I can think of a few from here that don't follow the following blatant rambling load of crap stereotype :P but for the most of the masses the type that follow soaps, listen to modern scour on the radio, talk about celebrities, gossip and live a mundane boring life is how I'd see the "normal" average everyday normal person that scutters along to the shop for a gossip and natter with staff who don't care, talk sh*te in the local pub with other gombeens, force their unplanned offspring to go to sports events on Saturday mornings to spend the entire Saturday watching sports on the TV, have a huge mortgage in some pyrite ridden kip in the outskirts of ballygoaskmearse, consider the drive in bingo in some cow sh*te covered field with other normals an exciting bit of fun and have no spatial awareness of their immediate surroundings. Let's live things as cheap as possible seems to be their motto. Sheeple

    I may have spent the last year in a D4D Avensis, but it lived one hell of a life with me, anything but mundane about it's existence ;)

    I remember buying the 166 with the intention of shoehorning it's engine into a Fiat, but decided it was too good to shred and began the long process of putting it right, despite the car biting back several times with other hidden surprises I kept going on. The 156 SW really burned me and I have not forgotten it: no thanks, not for me

    These days I won't consider anything FWD/relatively recent from Alfa Romeo. I'd rather the likes of a 90/75/Giulietta 116 which would be worth the trouble to maintain to me and even then I'd think twice about thinking about it

    What would you categorize me under, using the above logics ;)


  • #166
    MTBD
    Registered Users Posts: 244 ✭✭MTBD


    fancy pigeon wrote: »
    These days I won't consider anything FWD/relatively recent from Alfa Romeo. I'd rather the likes of a 90/75/Giulietta 116 which would be worth the trouble to maintain to me and even then I'd think twice about thinking about it

    What would you categorize me under, using the above logics ;)

    You're missing out! The 156 is a wonderful handling car with a suspension refresh. Most are completely knackered by now though.
    swarlb wrote: »
    'normal' people ! Are they the ones who chose Toyota ? Who buys a Toyota ? Or should I say who buys a particular model made by Toyota. And that is the basis of this thread.
    Is it 'Alfa Romeo' or a particular model made by Alfa Romeo.
    Because the person who choses to buy an Alfa Romeo cannot be categorised in the context of a person who buys a Toyota. A Yaris driver for example, would possibly never consider driving a Land Cruiser, and a Land Cruiser owner would probably cringe at the thought of driving a Yaris.
    A person who chooses Alfa, chooses the Brand first, and the model second, in my opinion.
    As for the Arna and Multipla. Arna was not sold in this country, although I did see an Italian one outside a chipper once years ago. I'd never seen one before, and to be honest I though it was some odd Japanese car that someone had stuck an Alfa grille to the front.
    The Multipla intrigued me, simply because of the looks. I was in France on holiday some 15 years ago, and there was available to hire, so I took it. Amazing car, 6 full size seats (not a Zafira with 4 seats, a middle rear section you could squeeze a teenager, and 2 extra seats at the back which are claustrophobic at best). I could comfortably carry 3 teens and 2 adults, along with luggage, with visibility that could only be described as panoramic. It's the only car I've driven where my travel prone kids did not feel sick. In fact I liked it so much I bought one for small money a few years later. I still have it, close on 200k on the clock, and while it's not used that much, it's an ideal bus when required. Plus with the rear seats removed it could carry a huge load and still have room for 3 up front. I read somewhere that in Italy they were offered as a van, as the loadbay area could take a Europallet as the floor is flat.
    Moral of the story, you actually need to drive a car to make a solid judgement. I couldn't care less what people think of it.

    Not only would I consider a Landcruiser Amazon, I'd also consider a Yaris GRMN. But I will admit I probably account for my own segment of car buyers.


  • #167
    Roarsbaby
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭Roarsbaby


    An Alfista?
    I love 166s (I have 2 road cars and 1 track car (and 1 parts donor).
    My current daily driver is an 03 156SW 1.8 Twinspark (also have a parts donor for it
    -financial write off after van man crashed into the side of it).
    Finally for my sins/madness I have an 84 Alfasud (my first 2 cars were Alfasuds back in the early 90s)
    As you might guess I kinda have the Alfa bug.
    I've driven the 150BHP 2.2 diesel Giulia-very impressed.
    Not sure I'd buy any car new TBH


  • #168
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    It's not what you're like that's important, it's what you like


  • #169
    fancy pigeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,865 ✭✭✭fancy pigeon


    MTBD wrote: »
    You're missing out! The 156 is a wonderful handling car with a suspension refresh. Most are completely knackered by now though.

    Been there and done that. Had a few V6's around the house along with several 4 pots, along with the pleasure of driving almost every engine available bar a Q4 and GTA. A V6 with konis/polybushes is quite nice to drive, try a GTV TS with uprated arb's and polybushes for a rewarding drive ;)

    I had the pleasure of pottering about in an Evo 7 one time. Now that's a wonderful handling car :cool:


  • #170
    trurl
    Registered Users Posts: 60 ✭✭trurl


    I didn't buy the Giulia because I can't afford a new petrol one, and I don't want a diesel.

    I think there is a major difference between alfisti and the general public. I want an Alfa, the general public wants a car. I filter for Alfa Romeo, fuel type and price, the general public filters for price, mileage, age and number of doors, and can end up with whatever white goods from Korea is on offer on the day.

    I'm not judging (well, maybe a little bit). I'm sure a lot of tea lovers would be shocked to see how I buy tea, because I know nothing about it. But it still hurts to see Dacias ruining the scenery all over this beautiful island.


  • #171
    fancy pigeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,865 ✭✭✭fancy pigeon


    trurl wrote: »
    I didn't buy the Giulia because I can't afford a new petrol one, and I don't want a diesel.

    I think there is a major difference between alfisti and the general public. I want an Alfa, the general public wants a car. I filter for Alfa Romeo, fuel type and price, the general public filters for price, mileage, age and number of doors, and can end up with whatever white goods from Korea is on offer on the day.

    I'm not judging (well, maybe a little bit). I'm sure a lot of tea lovers would be shocked to see how I buy tea, because I know nothing about it. But it still hurts to see Dacias ruining the scenery all over this beautiful island.

    The following excerpt is a general ramble and to be taken tongue in cheek :p

    Could be also the fear factor that if you have something different you stand out thus making a perceived unwarranted statement yet Johnny handwash and his knowitall barstool muppets will be mouthing about it down the pub, spouting absolute made up crap behind your back having a good sneer that you have something unreliable/non diesel/non blandbox etc... When all you want to do is enjoy the car you drive

    All you can do is stand back and laugh at their ignorance as they bicker over how their cough bottle sized diesel engine dishwasher is getting 200mpg, getting 80k miles from a set of tyres, how it has "serious torque", is described as "nippy", they shot by a *insert much larger, powerful prestigious vehicle here* on the Naas dual carriageway, pulled a massive trailer they don't own behind it and it never needs servicing, knowing they will never understand or learn what it's like to stand out and have a car very different to everyone else on the road ;)

    Our roads are plagued with all sorts of generic rubbish to get from a to b, often used to get to destination c. Anything that's so called "modified" almost always with pwurpel fogs, some absolute crap wind deflectors, squiggly writing somewhere on said washing machine, cheap oversized aftermarket black wheels wrapped in cheap crummy part worn remoulded knock off China tyres and a farty exhaust (boyband/generic d*ckhead haircut/non sock wearer modifications) is usually some half clapped out ex PCP scrapbox that Biddy never minded cos she was getting a new one anyway. Biddy was SAVING money on unnecessary running costs like servicing "shur I only tip about there'd be no point I LOVE SAVING the pennies"

    It's rare that I'll encounter something that will make me look twice in elation or go "goodness I haven't seen one of those in a while!" The smugness of most Dacia Dustbin drivers is eyewatering; their cheapness putting penny pinching Cavan people to shame. King of the road is the Nissan Kumquat and other similar sized identity crisis pedestal bins on wheels, or so the vast majority of their owners like to think :rolleyes:


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  • #172
    Arthur Daley
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭Arthur Daley


    fancy pigeon wrote: »
    All you can do is stand back and laugh at their ignorance as they bicker over how their cough bottle sized diesel engine dishwasher is getting 200mpg, getting 80k miles from a set of tyres, how it has "serious torque", is described as "nippy", they shot by a *insert much larger, powerful prestigious vehicle here* on the Naas dual carriageway, pulled a massive trailer they don't own behind it and it never needs servicing, knowing they will never understand or learn what it's like to stand out and have a car very different to everyone else on the road ;)

    I do enjoy your world weary rambles I must say:pac:


  • #173
    H3llR4iser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,028 ✭✭✭H3llR4iser


    fancy pigeon wrote: »
    [...CUT]The smugness of most Dacia Dustbin drivers is eyewatering; their cheapness putting penny pinching Cavan people to shame. King of the road is the Nissan Kumquat and other similar sized identity crisis pedestal bins on wheels, or so the vast majority of their owners like to think :rolleyes:


    Love the rant sans frontieres...more on point, on Saturday I was sitting at a traffic light behind a car that had a "the closer you get, the slower I drive" sticker on the rear window. It was of course a Dacia "Dustbin" :D:D:D.


  • #174
    road_high
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,474 ✭✭✭✭road_high


    I see for curiosity Tractamotors in Blanch have a brand new top of the range model Stelvio in stock- a snip at €125 k!
    Seriously, can’t see too many buyers for that? Though I guess you’ll get the odd mega rich person who just wants it regardless of the price and deprecation.


  • #175
    Chris_Heilong
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,974 ✭✭✭Chris_Heilong


    This seems fitting for here.


  • #176
    ELM327
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,217 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    road_high wrote: »
    I see for curiosity Tractamotors in Blanch have a brand new top of the range model Stelvio in stock- a snip at €125 k!
    Seriously, can’t see too many buyers for that? Though I guess you’ll get the odd mega rich person who just wants it regardless of the price and deprecation.


    I'd love to spend 10 seconds in the head of someone who would buy that over an m5.


  • #177
    ELM327
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,217 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    Roarsbaby wrote: »
    An Alfista?
    I love 166s (I have 2 road cars and 1 track car (and 1 parts donor).
    My current daily driver is an 03 156SW 1.8 Twinspark (also have a parts donor for it
    -financial write off after van man crashed into the side of it).
    Finally for my sins/madness I have an 84 Alfasud (my first 2 cars were Alfasuds back in the early 90s)
    As you might guess I kinda have the Alfa bug.
    I've driven the 150BHP 2.2 diesel Giulia-very impressed.
    Not sure I'd buy any car new TBH


    I've spent my time as an alfister but moved on. I loved the twinspark 156 I had and it was to this day the nicest sounding 4 pot engine I've ever driven.
    Damn thing was plagued with electrical problems.


  • #178
    Skylinehead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,690 ✭✭✭✭Skylinehead


    ELM327 wrote: »
    I'd love to spend 10 seconds in the head of someone who would buy that over an m5.

    Why are you comparing an SUV to an ultra-sports saloon? :confused:


  • #179
    ELM327
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,217 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    Nixonbot wrote: »
    Why are you comparing an SUV to an ultra-sports saloon? :confused:
    Same price bracket :confused:


    You could have an X5 M50d for that money too.


  • #180
    Skylinehead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,690 ✭✭✭✭Skylinehead


    ELM327 wrote: »
    Same price bracket :confused:


    You could have an X5 M50d for that money too.

    You could have a lovely John Deere for the money too.

    It's like asking why someone bought a Tucson when they could have an MX-5.

    Oh and an M5 is 165k, not 125k.


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  • #181
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,874 ✭✭✭John_Rambo


    Nixonbot wrote: »
    Why are you comparing an SUV to an ultra-sports saloon? :confused:

    It's a 500bhp 3 litre petrol twin-turbo SUV.


  • #182
    Skylinehead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,690 ✭✭✭✭Skylinehead


    John_Rambo wrote: »
    It's a 500bhp 3 litre petrol twin-turbo SUV.

    Aye but it's 40 grand less and a completely different bodystyle of car...


  • #183
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,874 ✭✭✭John_Rambo


    Nixonbot wrote: »
    Aye but it's 40 grand less and a completely different bodystyle of car...

    I think it's still comparable. If we were talking Nissan Cashcow v M5 I'd be raising an eyebrow!


  • #184
    MTBD
    Registered Users Posts: 244 ✭✭MTBD


    John_Rambo wrote: »
    I think it's still comparable. If we were talking Nissan Cashcow v M5 I'd be raising an eyebrow!

    €40k is a hell of a price difference. I've driven the Stelvio QV and been in a new M5. You could argue Stelvio is more fun because its kind of ridiculous going that fast in something as high as a Stelvio. You wont be able to use even a fraction of the M5s ability on the road. You absolutely need a track to enjoy a car like that. The M5 is also massive without being particularly practical. It's a different proposition altogether.

    The Stelvio is in a completely different handling league to a X5 M50D not to mention the engine difference. No comparison in terms of excitement.


  • #185
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,874 ✭✭✭John_Rambo


    MTBD wrote: »
    €40k is a hell of a price difference. I've driven the Stelvio QV and been in a new M5. You could argue Stelvio is more fun because its kind of ridiculous going that fast in something as high as a Stelvio. You wont be able to use even a fraction of the M5s ability on the road. You absolutely need a track to enjoy a car like that. The M5 is also massive without being particularly practical. It's a different proposition altogether.

    The Stelvio is in a completely different handling league to a X5 M50D not to mention the engine difference. No comparison in terms of excitement.

    OK, cool. You know a lot more about the cars and have driven them. Unlike me!


  • #186
    H3llR4iser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,028 ✭✭✭H3llR4iser


    Chris_Heilong wrote: »
    This seems fitting for here.

    It's pointless to blame the independent "specialists" shortcomings on Alfa Romeo, as well as the fact his mechanic mate doesn't seem to know a lot about the 159, but on the general attitude he's absolutely right - and unfortunately I know exactly why that happens and can explain it.

    He's especially on the money when he says this kind of attitude comes from the top - it's actually the attitude most Italians have.

    Walk into a mildly pricey clothing store in Italy and the staff will start looking you up and down, trying to figure out if you can actually afford spending money with them; Go into a furniture showroom, and they will treat you like you're the beggar at the corner who somehow got in; Essentially, go anywhere they sell anything expensive and you'll be treated like a time waster that's just trying to look at stuff he/she can't afford.

    Trying to book a test drive (even for a foreign brand...) down there is infinite amounts of red tape - they ask you dozens of questions, from what job do you do to how many monthly repayments you have (Italians are very very very fond of buying anything in "small monthly payments", way more than here - even stuff like an Xbox gets financed), to quite frankly ridiculously sneaky questions like "what do you currently drive" (as in, if it's old / a ****box they go "ah, no money" and find a way to deny the test). Then they never have cars available, there's some issue or the other and in the end will tell you "we'll call you back", never to bother again.

    Personal experience - I booked a test drive of the 159 in Italy, back in 2005 when the car came out, through the Alfa Romeo website. After a few months a dealer called me; Already, the tone of the lady on the line made it clear she was only calling because she was supposed to, then she proceeded to ask me a lot of questions including job, age, if I was married, children - basically stopping just short of asking "how much do you earn?". Then started asking about what I drove (an 1997 Alfa 155 at the time), and THE question: are your intentions to buy a 159? Eh...how am I supposed to know before I actually even see the bloody thing in the metal, my dear lady?

    It figures that an Italian company gives direction to apply this model to their foreign sales methods (if you look around, the same issue seems to apply to FIAT and in the past plagued Lancia), without even realizing how damaging that is outside of national borders; unless you are Ferrari and will have a queue of rich customers even if your policy was to kick them in the bollox/f@nny to have the "honour" of giving you money.


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  • #187
    ednwireland
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭ednwireland


    ok not a car person - can never afford what i really want but always intriguid by alfa's (ever since loving alfasuds)

    so theres a guilietta for sale near me for 8k 132 98000 miles

    the only thing that bothering me is servicing but any decent indy should be ok

    or am i overthinking this?

    My weather

    https://www.ecowitt.net/home/share?authorize=96CT1F



  • #188
    swarlb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,244 ✭✭✭swarlb


    ednwireland wrote: »
    ok not a car person - can never afford what i really want but lawayds intriguid by alfa's (ever since loving alfasuds)

    so theres a guilietta for sale near me for 8k 132 98000 miles

    the only thing that bothering me is servicing but any decent indy should be ok

    or am i overthinking this?

    Yes, you are.
    Buy a car you want, not one someone else thinks you need. Any decent mechanic will be able to service it.


  • #189
    H3llR4iser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,028 ✭✭✭H3llR4iser


    ednwireland wrote: »
    ok not a car person - can never afford what i really want but always intriguid by alfa's (ever since loving alfasuds)

    so theres a guilietta for sale near me for 8k 132 98000 miles

    the only thing that bothering me is servicing but any decent indy should be ok

    or am i overthinking this?


    Yes, a decent independent should be ok for servicing; There's normally a good test for who is a "decent" independent - if he goes "oh, why did you buy an Alfa?", walk out. I am dead serious - I've regularly found, over the years, that mechanics with such attitude end up doing a completely sh1t job, regardless of their actual level of skill. This is valid for other brands as well - some go "oh why a Renault/Peugeot/Citroen".



    Most recently, I've got the radiator replaced in my 159 at a local, extremely well known independent garage in D13; Hundreds of "5-star" reviews on Google et all. They forgot to bleed the darn cooling system after doing the job - something a teenage amateur knows to do.



    I found out because I instinctively didn't trust them, and kept checking the levels for the first few days after getting the car back. Someone less inclined would be dealing with a seized engine now.


  • #190
    fancy pigeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,865 ✭✭✭fancy pigeon


    H3llR4iser wrote: »
    Yes, a decent independent should be ok for servicing; There's normally a good test for who is a "decent" independent - if he goes "oh, why did you buy an Alfa?", walk out. I am dead serious - I've regularly found, over the years, that mechanics with such attitude end up doing a completely sh1t job, regardless of their actual level of skill. This is valid for other brands as well - some go "oh why a Renault/Peugeot/Citroen".

    I generally find these types are lazy, incompetent muppets who don't know how to work on something that different from the masses thus absolutely bollox up simple jobs, sometimes out of spite

    I do get asked every so often what I think of the car I now drive/hows it treating me, usually followed by "you don't see many of those about!" or "2.2, that's a rare one" or "that looks so comfortable" and it's a nice change than being asked why I bought it (which was originally to break for parts and weigh in!)


  • #191
    carsfan2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,574 ✭✭✭carsfan2


    One less Alfa dealer to buy from now. The Limerick dealer, Clareview motors has closed down.


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  • #192
    MTBD
    Registered Users Posts: 244 ✭✭MTBD


    carsfan2 wrote: »
    One less Alfa dealer to buy from now. The Limerick dealer, Clareview motors has closed down.

    I drove past yesterday alright and saw all the cars gone off the forecourt so not surprised actually. Sad. They seemed like a decent enough bunch.


  • #193
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,289 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    They are gone about 2 weeks.


  • #194
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,538 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    Maybe the answer to this thread is "I wouldnt buy and alfa because nobody else seems to want on"....Its hard make a big purchase like a car from an unpopular brand. Much more reassuring go with something more tried and tested.


  • #195
    terrydel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,881 ✭✭✭terrydel


    Damari Rapid Illness wrote: »
    Maybe the answer to this thread is "I wouldnt buy and alfa because nobody else seems to want on"....Its hard make a big purchase like a car from an unpopular brand. Much more reassuring go with something more tried and tested.

    A lot of that is because, just like houses, we Irish seem to buy on the basis that we will sell again in the near future.


  • #196
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,538 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    terrydel wrote: »
    A lot of that is because, just like houses, we Irish seem to buy on the basis that we will sell again in the near future.

    I dont think its irish or unreasonable to sell your car/house to buy another. Depreciation is a valid concern. Houses generally appreciate over time. Alfa need to put a good guaranteed residual value system in place if they want to shift more new cars.


  • #197
    terrydel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,881 ✭✭✭terrydel


    Damari Rapid Illness wrote: »
    I dont think its irish or unreasonable to sell your car/house to buy another. Depreciation is a valid concern. Houses generally appreciate over time. Alfa need to put a good guaranteed residual value system in place if they want to shift more new cars.

    No, but buying with that mindset is a problem if it is stopping people buying good products or things they like. Just my opinion.


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