Hmm, as an Alfa owner in the past (even a member of the owners club!) I can testify that they can be good to drive. The trouble is, you need to be prepared for Alfa ownership to turn into a 'hobby' (i.e. spend lots of time fixing things, researching faults that the clueless dealers don't know about, etc.).
I suspect 'Mrs O' might just want a car that gets her from A to B in comfort; starts every time on a cold morning etc, etc. The Nissan fits the bill.
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am really enjoying this thread, in particular: it comes down to following heart or head - Italian emotion versus Oriental practicality....what a pity one cannot satisfy both with one vehicle!
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Mazda RX-8???
oh no, don't start that one again! {grin}
see the notorious windup thread at www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=20...8
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Don't be too put off by the car by car breakdown. The GF has a 147, has had it a year now and 18k miles, and except for a couple of rear window heater elements not working, its been faultless.
There was an excellent thread on here recently that pointed out that the difference in % points between the most satisifed and least satisfied customers is not all that large.
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I suspect 'Mrs O' might just want a car that gets her from A to B in comfort; starts every time on a cold morning etc, etc. The Nissan fits the bill.
...and from personal experience, the 147 fits that bill perfectly as well ;-)
It think it's true to say tho' that if you get a friday Alfa, it really can be a nightmare but it's equally true to say there are fewer and fewer "fridays" :-)
The dealers can be pretty cr@p tho' :\ but again they don't have exclusive rights on that territory either :-D
JaB
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Mx5.... but stick with the 147 for a bit more practicality.
& shop around, plenty coming through from good homes in user chooser fleets. Should get a proper service history that way.
The dealer would need to back it up with more than 30 days warranty anyway.But enforcing the recent new consumer legislation is another thing!!
VB
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Ford Puma 1.7
Ford reliability good looks and a great drive.
Cheap too...
Plus 35mpg
madf
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Seat Leon - you should be able to get an early TDi 110 for that money by now. 55 mpg, loads of overtaking ability, good ergonomics, looks well, decent boot space. HJ himself owned a hot version (1.8?) which he seemed to be impressed with.
--
andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmmm, doughnuts
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Seat Leon is a good choice, but they do seem to hold their price (and it's due for replacement, so the residuals will take a dive just after you buy if you aren't careful). Also consider the Civic 1.6 S(port).
As an alternative, if t'missus liked the 147 initially, shop around for one at a dealer that will give a proper warranty. Sounds more like the dealer is to blame for the volte face than the car itself.
Having driven all kinds of cars from pretty much every mainstream manufacturer, modern Alfas are no worse than "reliable" VAG cars and have more "va-va-voom" than the sensible options.
But then I would say that, wouldn't I?
No Dosh
Cuore Sportivo - Says it all really.
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But then I would say that, wouldn't I? No Dosh Cuore Sportivo - Says it all really.
;-) doesn't make it any less true tho'
JaB
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Thanks for all these.
A car to Mrs O is something to do A to B without getting wet in. She doesn't mind what sort, though thinks Golfs are overpriced, and doesn't even mind the colour! She works 150 miles away from me during the week, so something that breaks (or is likely to break) regularly is not something that she (or I) is prepared to put up with. We both loved the Alfa, and interestingly Vansboy, an MX5 is a strong possibility, though I didn't mention it for fear of going off on a red herring chase.
Will certainly investigate other dealers for Alfas, and check out an Almera and Leon. The cash is stretchable for the right car. Any other ideas?
I tried an XJS the other day, but I don't think she believed me when I said it was nice and practical and cheap to run...
O
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Orson,
Not sure if the XJS was a joke, but Mrs Vansboy had a Sovereign, for years (too long really) before it started costing £$£$£. Other than fuel, it wasn't a dear car to own.They represent very good value, when you consider their price new.
& she tested 147 before choosing Mx5. Get her to try one!!!
VB
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No, the XJS wasn't a joke, but she'd never go for it - she thinks it's too large. When I need another car, on the other hand...
She has tried an MX5 twice now, and is very taken. She can't decide between fun car (luggage space in MX5 is small;security worries with Norwich/Sheffield's finest young erks who have nothing better to do than trash a softtop) and something more sensible, which is where we came in with Alfas, Focusses (Focii?) and so on. I've tried to point out that she's not getting any younger and once urchins come along, that'll be it as far as sports cars go for a while. It's just finding the right words to say all that.....
O
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No, the XJS wasn't a joke, but she'd never go for it - she thinks it's too large. When I need another
I've tried to point out that she's not getting any younger and once urchins come along, that'll be it as far as sports cars go for a while. It's just finding the right words to say all that..... O
The way I think of it is: Life's for living, once you're dead they take you to the church in an emminently practical car.
Decide exactly how practical your next car NEEDS to be, then within that limit get the most fun enjoyable car you can. If you can cope with the lack of practicality, MX-5 seems a wonderful idea. If not, the Alfa has a zest for life few similar cars can match.
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Just finished reading all the above posts. Thank you all for your very helpful suggestions. I think I've decided that a 147 is not for me, because even if we can find the right warranty, I don't want the hassle of a car that keeps breaking down on me, especially as I do a 300 mile round trip on country roads most weekends. Very taken with the idea of an MX5, but I will also be having a look at an Almera and a Leon.
I've tried to point out that she's not getting anyyounger and once urchins come along, that'll be it as far as sports cars go for a while. It's just finding the right words to say all that.....
Ps. Before Orson gives anybody the wrong idea, I am only 28!
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Ah, the curse of Alfa strikes once again. All the people who have or do own an Alfa pipe up to say that they're perfectly reliable, while the people who never have owned one say they're not, and for some reason, the latter hold more conviction.
We're not just trying to drag you down with us, honest! They are reliable! Hello? Can anybody hear me.....
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Comments from Mr Clarkson on last nights Top Gear about the 166 don't help.
It is like Skoda-generally good cars but for years put down by the old stigma. Thankfully they are past that now. Hope Alfa goes the same way-I like the design of the cars.
But I will always stick up for the SEAT Leon-nice motor.
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Well... On Saturday, Mrs O purchased...an MX5.
This had been on the cards, but wasn't originally mentioned on this thread to avoid the red herring discussion. So she's gone for the wind in the hair, flies in the teeth approach and plumped for a tidy 2000 X plate with 21k on the clock and hardtop for what seems to me like a very reasonable price. A fetching colour - gold, light bronze or "Judith Chalmers" depending on who you ask.
So the faithful 1993 L Nissan Micra is up for sale. Full details in Classifieds...
Many thanks to all,
O
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Good choice Mrs O.
And that's from an Alfa fanatic......
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Good choice Mrs O. And that's from an Alfa fanatic......
>>
Yes indeed...
an MX5 was next on my list if I couldn't find a GTV\Spider I wanted...
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Trust shes giving the 'Hi 5 wave' to other Mx5 drivers!!
& joined www.mx5oc.co.uk
& discovered how many years younger she feels, every time she steps into the car!!
Have fun!!
VB
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