General advice on second hand Alfas?

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Hello all,

I'm thinking about changing my car for an Alfa, either a 156 or 146, depending on what I can afford when I go for it.

I'm going for an Alfa as I think they are beautiful cars, but you hear lots of reliability concerns about them (peddled even more by top gear criticism).

Does anyone have and genuine experience with Alfas, i.e. what to look out for when buying, what reliability issues I might expect?

Thanks in advance for any helpful comments!

Phil
 
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I agree, Alfa's are very stylish and typically Italian....nothing wrong with that!
However, the depreciation on these is truly massive and there has to be a reason for this. I don't rate them for reliability electrics wise, and they aren't liked in the motor trade - hence their lack of value. I don't think they like the British winter either.
Check out Honest John's website - you can get some good tips from there, and forgive my anti Italian bias....been well bitten in the past.
John :)
 
Ignore Top Gears critisism of anything, they are a joke. Toyota banned them from reporting on their cars, even when Yaris won Car of the year or something...
 
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Ignore Top Gears critisism of anything, they are a joke. Toyota banned them from reporting on their cars, even when Yaris won Car of the year or something...

you are aware car of the year and all that old tripe is all done by lobbying? it's more of a joke than top gear.

Excellent post!
'Er indoors bought a Fiat Bravo back in 1996, thinking as it won Car of the Year it should be great.
What a monumental pile of rubbish that car was. Italian motor products are now closed to me.
John :)
 
Ignore Top Gears critisism of anything, they are a joke. Toyota banned them from reporting on their cars, even when Yaris won Car of the year or something...

you are aware car of the year and all that old tripe is all done by lobbying? it's more of a joke than top gear.

Yes, I was aware, my parents went to buy a brand new car recently, I loved my '87 Celica, and '95 Celica, but the build quality of the Yaris was awful! Rough welds on show in the boot, shoddy quality..then shortly after the Toyota recalls. So my parents bought a Nissan Note instead. If a journalist, or individual hates something, doesn't mean you have to follow in their tract, just decide what is best for you. So for me, my Toyota is best of a generation, but Nissan suit my parents needs at present.

What's worst is when a commitee select a car design, enter the jelly mould mk1 Sierra, and the bad design of cars since then.
 
In the past I have had a 164 and two 156 Alfas all of which were company cars.

I therefore can offer the following advice.....

Alfa Romeos are absolutely awsome cars, I had a constant smile on my face whilst piloting them (particularly the 156 GTA)


BUT - never ever ever ever "own" an Alfa - it will bankrupt you!!!!!!

every service cost at least £1000
 
Alfa Romeos are absolutely awsome cars, I had a constant smile on my face whilst piloting them (particularly the 156 GTA)


BUT - never ever ever ever "own" an Alfa - it will bankrupt you!!!!!!

every service cost at least £1000


^^^^^^^^^^ This is spot on advice! If you can persuade someone to buy you one then tear there arm off but never part with your own cash for one :)

I remember always wanting a 155 because as a kid I used to watch them blast around in BTCC and alter on I really liked the 156 but they are just so unreliable its untrue! Shame really.
 
Ignore Top Gears critisism of anything, they are a joke. Toyota banned them from reporting on their cars, even when Yaris won Car of the year or something...

you are aware car of the year and all that old tripe is all done by lobbying? it's more of a joke than top gear.

Yes, I was aware, my parents went to buy a brand new car recently, I loved my '87 Celica, and '95 Celica, but the build quality of the Yaris was awful! Rough welds on show in the boot, shoddy quality..then shortly after the Toyota recalls. So my parents bought a Nissan Note instead. If a journalist, or individual hates something, doesn't mean you have to follow in their tract, just decide what is best for you. So for me, my Toyota is best of a generation, but Nissan suit my parents needs at present.

What's worst is when a commitee select a car design, enter the jelly mould mk1 Sierra, and the bad design of cars since then.

WTF are you on about?
 
I bought my 156 over 4 years ago, no complaints. Depreciation isn't really an issue if you are looking at a 156 or a 146 as they used to depreciate most in the first few years.

Have a look on a the owners websites, alfa156.net, and alfaowner.com are good.

Generally Alfa's are pretty reliable, better than many cars that don't have the stigma, check reliability rating, interestingly TUV rated the 156 more reliable than the BMW 3 series. Subjectively, mine has been more reliable than any german, french or japanese car I have owned.

For me, servicing at a good independent is about £120 PA, cambelt £250/36k miles, spark plugs every 60k about £60 plus fitting. Like most cars buy a good one look after it and you will be unlucky to get problems. Main issues to look out for on Twinspark Alfa's is the full cambelt and balancer kit (if 2.0 ltr) is changed properly and at 36k, and the oil is checked every week. Minor creaks and groans from the suspension are usually about £100 per corner depending on problem. But don't buy a semi auto selespeed, stick to a manual box.

Again look after them and you will have great fun, and can smirk at the so called experts politely.
 
Ignore Top Gears critisism of anything, they are a joke. Toyota banned them from reporting on their cars, even when Yaris won Car of the year or something...

Car of the Year award is totally pointless though....Top Gear where banned from showing any Toyota cars because they said the Corolla was dull!.......which is 100% true :LOL:

Quite petty from Toyota really
 
I bought an a 156 2 years ago (02 reg) 2.4 jtd

the only dissapointment i have ever had with it is when i turned up to view it after a 50 mile train journey - it was advertised as a multijet engine but wasnt.

i've driven over 35k miles in it since buying it.. it drives beautifully .... nice pickup when putting my foot down..leaves petrol engines in its wake .... still getting 45 mpg even at a steady 90mph on the motorway

downside ..... have had to replace 2 tyres .. rear pads ... and a headlight bulb

awesome car ... love every minute behind the wheel ... big plus side ... everything on the dash is angled towards the driver - so my wife can never see the speedo !!!
 
I have a 164 which I've scrapped at 20 years and 250,000 miles. I'm keeping the good bits off it for my next 164!

My wife had two 156s, a 1.8 twinspark and a 2.0 JTS. The 1.8 snapped it's cam belt at 57,000 (when the published replacement interval was 72,000). I got two fingers from Alfa UK when I approached them for recompense. Other than that, it wasn't a bad car.

The 2.0 JTS was a lovely car - really quite quick, and nicely appointed. We had it for only a year before is met its demise in the Cockermouth floods (she now has a 4x4)! Just prior to the "drowning", it had put its engine managment warning light on and I had made a few (unsuccessful) attempts to fix the problem, so it looked like it was going to be trouble too!

Basically, they're beautiful cars, go well, handle beautifully for a front wheel drive, and come with a reasonable spec. They're dirt chep second hand (and by and large, for good reason)! They absolutely drink oil (mostly - some don't, but most do)! Front wishbone bushes last about 40-60,000 miles depending on the enthusiasm with which they're driven. Rear trailing link bushes last a similar amount of time. Cam belts at 36,000 are a must. The "Twinspark" engines need pretty expensive spark plugs (8 of them)! Airflow meters commonly fail between 60,000 and 80,000.

I am very fond of Alfas and I do my own work, so I don't mind the problems given the low purchase price. I'd recommend finding a good independent garage in your area (the Alfaowner website has a good set of technical fora on which to ask).
 
Hi,
I realise this is an old thread but i'll post a reply in case its still active.

I've owned several alfas, my dad also. As long as you look after em, source them well if buying used etc then they're just like any other car. Great cars if you like driving, cars etc. If you just want to pootle about, get something mundane and cheap to run.

Never ever use an alfa garage for parts, work or servicing cos it'll hurt your wallet. Independent gargage will be just fine as theres nowt special about engines.

Expect them to sound a bit tapperty when they're a few years old, especially JTS engines.

I've owned GTV's, 156's (various engines), i doubt i.ve been lucky as between me and my dad we've had over a dozen with no real issues or costs.

At the end of the day, they will cost you par with running a Audi, BMW etc, nothing special with them, too clinical and driven by the robots that make em!!

Worse car i've had, VW Golf. Water pump went, warped cylinder head, needed new engine etc etc. Solid as a rock mind!!
 
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