Hi all
Just thought I'd seek your advice on something! I'm a musician based in London and as such don't use my car all that much - about 6k a year, mainly once a week on journeys out of town to gigs etc. I've been happily inhabiting the world of the £300 Cavalier/Mondeo etc over the last few years, with very little problems, however I've noticed that the prices of Alfas have tumbled sharply over the last few months.
I don't have very much of a budget for motoring, and tend to buy cars on the basis that the most I'll ever need to spend is the £350 to replace them. BUT... I'm still a petrolhead and have always wanted one of these ever since they came out... now they're within reach!
I'd be buying at the low end of the price range - £800-1000 - there seem to be a good selection of them around at the moment around this price with long MOT/service history etc. I'm aware that these cars can and will go wrong, but at that kind of money I'd hope for no more than a couple of years out of it, and could wave goodbye if something went horribly wrong.
From the owner's reviews I've read it sounds like they were either awful from day one or surprisingly reliable, so by my logic one that's made it to 8 years old with 100k+ on it is probably one of the latter :-).
So... is this madness? I'm already aware that the cambelt situation will need checking out VERY carefully, and the horrid Selespeed gearbox avoiding altogether. The Sportswagon makes more sense for me, and as mpg isn't a massive issue I love the thought of the V6 - it sounds horribly complicated to work on though, so at 155bhp perhaps the 2.0 twin Spark would suffice :-)
Cheers all!
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The 2.0 TSpark is a great engine, and very smooth as it has balancer shafts. The belt change on the TSparks is now 36k or 3 years. Apart from that check the suspension (see if it knocks or squeaks), and also the radiators seem a weak spot once they are getting old. If you do get one be sure to check the oil fairly frequently until you know what the oil consumption (if any) is like.
Try www.alfaowner.com for more friendly advice.
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Hmm. I'm a huge, lifelong Alfa fan, but given that it sounds like you need to rely on your car to get you to places to earn money, I'd be a bit reticent about one. I've had several old Alfas and they have all let me down on a long journey at some point. I haven't had that problem with Fiats mind.
One of them was an 8 year old 33 on 90k miles whose cambelt (or was it chain? can't remember now) snapped on the M25 in a monsoon. I'd only had it two weeks and was actually going to have the belt/chain replaced at the end of that specific journey as a precaution. Groan. Dead car, £1500 down the Swannee.
I think what I'm saying is that if your getting paid depends on turning up to jobs, then maybe don't get an Alfa. If not, then go for it and expect it to let you down sooner or later. But you WILL enjoy it.
We have had a 156 Sportwagon in the family which was bought from a supermarket with limited warranty. Big mistake, the thing just kept on breaking down and was sold on after 6 months and replaced with what proved the most reliable and cheap to run car (in terms of repairs - none in 90k miles) we've ever had - a Mondeo estate.
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Alfa are very desirable cars ( we have two a 156 Sportwagen 2004 & a 2005 147). but I would advise anyone considering buying one NOT to do so unless you are prepared to pay expensive repair and maintenance bills. So if you are cash strapped DO NOT GO THERE, buy a Ford. You have to go in with your eyes open, the costs of ownership are = to Mercedes, Jaguar , Saab etc, they are not in Ford/Vauxhall territory. But they do look and drive beautifully and they do turn heads.....it's all a question of which will rule, heart or head ! Good luck.
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I've recently bought a 2002 156 2.4JTD Sportwagen, with 95k. I paid £1650 for it, which is cheap - however I am aware of the associated costs of Alfa ownership. In my four weeks of ownership, maintenance has cost £250 so far (2x drop links, thermostat, fuel filter, battery terminal lead). I need to have a look at my glowplugs (£? x 5), I've got squeeky nsf suspension and the clutch was slipping slightly, although not recently.
To give you an idea of costs (JTDs are more so don't be too scared):
Clutch - £450 supply and fitted.
Dual Mass Flywheel - an additional £400 for the part alone!
I still love it though. It's the only car I've ever had where I take a quick look back at it when walking away.....
DB
PS - If you think you'll fit a drum kit in the boot of a SW, think again. It's not that big...
Edited by DieselBoy {P} on 06/11/2008 at 06:51
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SNIP - it's amazing what a google search throws up. If you wish to advertise then click on the link below. DD
www.honestjohn.co.uk/advertise/ads.htm
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 06/11/2008 at 13:59
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Try to find yourself a good specialist and ask for advice before you buy. V6 is a magnificent motor though. JTD also sounds nice although not driven one. I heard it is and engine out job to remove the fanbelt on this engine though as a trnasverse 5 cylinder but could be wrong.
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I've always thought the Alfas to be a beautiful looking car but unfortunately the reality of owning one can be a nightmare. A colleague has owned one from new and it has spent more time in the workshop than on the road. From alignment problems to electrical gremlins, the thing was never built properly in the first place. The ineptitude and attitude of the main dealer has been breathtaking.....
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Thanks for the advice so far chaps, although I must admit I was hoping everyone would say "Yes go and get one immediately!" :-)
Bear in mind I'm only considering this because they're starting to turn up for under a grand, which I guess is little enough to be worth a risk on a car I've always wanted. I'd be buying it with a year or two's use in mind at most. Depends what you guys are classing as 'breakdowns' as well - don't mind living with little faults and niggles, but as the chap above has pointed out if it actually packs up on a regular basis and lets me down on the way to gigs..
I guess what I'm wondering is - what are my chances of getting through a year or two without having to shell out for major repairs! Should point out also that it'll be going nowhere near a main dealer and all parts would be coming from scrapyards (must be a fair few in them by now given the cambelt issues), so that should keep costs down. As said the V6 and diesels sound daunting - are the 4-pot petrol engines reasonably easy to work on though?
Cheers all
P.S. The drums don't actually need as much space as you'd think - I used to drive a Panda! It's the small opening on saloon boots that causes problems!
Edited by Lucky 7 on 07/11/2008 at 17:17
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If and it's a big if.... you can find one I'd look out for a 164 Twinspark. The 156 is basically a FIAT cast iron block engine and the second spark plug is for burning off emissions. The 164 had the last version of the classic Alfa all alloy twin cam and both its plugs were used for combustion. Lovely engine, reliable and economical, hot hatch handling and hasn't got the coplexity of the 156 wih its balancer shafts. I haven't seen a 164 on the roads for years though but it was a cracking car. Should be able t pick up a 2 litre twin spark quite cheap.
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Having had a 2004 156 2.0JTS for some 3 years before our Panda I love the 156 - And Alfas in general.
As with some of the advice above I'd say:
1. Find a good independent that you're happy using.
2. Be prepared to spend money in order to keep it in good shape.
I'd say do it. Life's too short to spend it in boring cars!
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