Dollywobbler's latest dilemma

[dollywobbler]

So, the latest boat-floater for me appears to be the Alfa Romeo 156. Your opinions are welcome. I'm particularly tempted by the 2.4JTD, in saloon or Sportwagon form, but not SillySpeed.

 

The idea of a wonderful sounding engine and good economy is tempting and, addicted as I am to hopeless shite, it would make a change to own something genuinely attractive. Downsides seem to be attacks of random, Italian electrics, needing to replace wishbone bushes every 400 metres, timing belt nightmare (not a wide car, in-line transverse five pot) and the joy of DMF.

 

The car actually makes me feel a bit of a fraud. Would I be better going for something else? Key requirements are must not be dull (I'm even ruling out a 156 in silver for that reason), must be comfortable, great over long distance, 35mpg or more. Surely the world of true Autoshite can stand me in better stead? I've always liked the 156 though, but I'm wary of trying to score a 156 on my meagre budget. Nice ones are £1000+ it seems. I'm also a bit scared of the modern electrickery stuff. Most post-2000 cars scare me.

 

If I could overcome my basic hatred of in-line fours, there's a whole world of variety out there. Rover 600s are high on the list of potential, as are Citroen Xantias.

[Lacquer Peel]

The Honda 4-bangers in Rover 600s are sweet and silky, especially the 2.3.

 

What about an in-line 5 Audi or Volvo? Petrol and diesel flavours available.

 

Failing that, something fitted with a Rootes TS3.

[Spiny Norman]

I loved my 156 but I can't see for the life of me see why anyone would consider a tractor engined one.

 

The whole point of an Alfa (any Alfa) Is the glorious engine. That's why you put up with the possibility that it might all go horribly and expensively wrong, although it generally doesn't nearly as often as the detractors would have you think. I had one (in silver, sorry I like silver cars) for 4 years and apart from regular (expensive) servicing, all that was needed in that time was a rear door handle when a ham-fisted mate pulled it clean off, and a battery.

Don't worry about the electrics, the most important thing in an Alfa is that it hasn't been owned by a tightwad, and that's usually another good reason to rule out a diseasel. They cost money to own and run, and anyone who's trying to do it on a tight budget is slowly killing it, and has only got rid when they know some big bang is coming. Buy from an Alfa enthusiast who's spent money on it or buy a diesel Mondeo instead.

 

If you MUST have 35mpg then stay away from the V6s, I got about that from my 2 litre, and I ENJOYED it as one should an Alfa. The 1.6s are even more economical, not much slower and if anything sound ever sweeter as they buzz round to 7000rpm.

[Asimo]

I am glad I'm not the only one who dislikes inline fours. I have three right now, but it really limits the choice trying to aviod them. If you have to have a Diesel, 5+ cylinders is a real help with the NVH issues.

 

Alfas? If two seats is enough: GTV.

[Ratdat]

We bought our red 156 1.8 Twin Spark Sportwagen at the start of last year. I replaced the cambelt (along with the variator and water pump) and fitted a new thermostat. Since then it's cover 18,000 miles with the only issue being one upper wishbone which it needed when we bought it. It needs one lower wishbone changing now but it's no big deal. They are cheap enough and not too hard to do.

 

Better still it regularly tops 40mpg which I reckon is pretty respectable for a petrol. It's comfy, nice to drive an i think it's a great looking car. It's not amazingly quick for an Alfa but handles nicely for an estate. For daily driver chod, it's one of the best cars we've had to be honest. 

[dollywobbler]

Hadn't thought about the GTV. Hmmm. As for tractor engines, seems a bit unfair as the five-pot 2.4 JTD sounds magnificent. Far better than any bland four-pot petrol, and with over 300Nm of torque. Jummy.

 

I should probably aim for something older though. With my 20-year limit, some very capable cars are available. Like this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151117494990

[Charlie Croker]

Rover 600s are good if dull (unless its a turbo). I had a 1.8 and apart from being rather tappy on the top end (at only 42000 miles) I couldn't fault it and I think they will get some sort of classic status soon. Try and find a very early K or L plater with the black bumpers and 100 shite points are yours.

 

Yep Rover for me.

[Ratdat]

Oh... and I paid £1500 for it, which is probably top money for a pre facelift but it was nice and only had 62,000 on the clock.

 

[anonymous user]

If it's something you are wondering about, just buy one and get it out of your system (or not if you like it and keep it). There should be a few reasonable examples at reasonable prices about as I don't think they are hugely popular for "conventional" buyers. Just expect a tale of woe when you try to sell it on.

[RobT]

That maroon Carlton has your name on it Ian, nice looking car although the tax at extra expense irks me a bit.

 

If it must be a modern Alfa I'd go with the GTV suggestion.

[Micrashed]

Alfa Romeos look teh secks. Far more than that slushmatic Cav.

Buy one  (the Alfa) - YOLO.

[garethj]

Bloke at work has a diesel Alfa and it hasn't put a foot wrong even though his commute is almost the same as mine, 400 miles a week.  The economy isn't great for a diesel, I think he says between 35 and 40mpg which isn't brilliant.  I believe the most serious problem is front tyres; not only does it eat them up, unless you fit nice ones the handling is terrible as it runs out of front-end grip very very early.

[Junkman]

Sir Tim Birkin survived all those Bentley exploits, only to die of an infection he had caught after burning his arm on the hot exhaust of a Maserati.

The morale: Never touch Italian cars!

Oh, and buy British.

[Cavcraft]

Fuck everything else, get the Cavalier.

 

 

*Or maybe a 156.

[trigger]

* Or an Acclaim.

[Lacquer Peel]

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-RARE-HONDA-INSPIRE-LEGEND-4-DOOR-AUTOMATIC-NOT-ACCORD-CAMRY-PX-SWAP-/271238197967

[Cheggers]

Speaking as the owner of a tractor-engined (JTDM) 159, I'd say go for it

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Sloth in a bowl]

What do you need the car to do?

 

Cheap

Reliable

Comfortable

35 mpg

Load Lugger

 

My V40 will be available for £400 during the second half of next month if you haven't found anything else by then.

[HillmanImp]

My mate sold his one 2 weeks ago. This is the message he received from the chap who bought it.

 

 

TBH though the buyer sounds like the usual sort of tit that seems to buy cars these days. Apparently he kept showing Paul photos of his BMW 6 series with the number plate 650 BM like he was meant to be impressed.  

 

The car was sold with a full MOT which was done the day before, they guy drove it for 25 minutes and then drove it for half and hour. Paul just told the guy to jog on.

[dollywobbler]

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-RARE-HONDA-INSPIRE-LEGEND-4-DOOR-AUTOMATIC-NOT-ACCORD-CAMRY-PX-SWAP-/271238197967

 

No good. It's silver. I hate silver.

[hairnet]

620d or 825d

 

xantia or zx says head and wallet tho

 

multipla if you must

[dollywobbler]

What I need the car to do is the thing that's traumatising me.

 

Key essentials.

Must be good on motorways, but not wobbly and shit on tiny, Welsh roads. (rules out big stuff)

35mpg must be possible on a run

Life would be easier (and cheaper) if it was 1994 or older. A 156 would currently require a modern policy, so I'd need to save for longer.

Must be comfortable, must have wipers that don't annoy me.

 

Nice-to-haves

Good colour (ie not silver or black)

Sunroof

Nice to look at

Engine that sounds nice

 

The cold hard facts suggest pretty much anything would do. Cold hard facts are boring though.

[spike60]

I've owned my share of old hi milers but the one that pissed me off was a 2.4 JTD 156. In the 8 months I owned it it cost more per month to run at 41mpg than the petrol 3.2 Merc did that replaced it did at 27mpg, I was spending £100+ a month in bits.

Cambelt not bad to do but clutch was character building. Engine mounts were shagged on mine, one was £223 and it has 4. I've owned 4 Alfa's, 3 petrols were good, this was a pig.

41mpg local, 46 mpg on a run, not worth it. Good engine tho.

[Angrydicky]

Rover 600's are cheap, reliable, good on fuel and can clock up huge mileages. Apart from the very back of the wheelarches (there's an arch liner that traps dirt), they don't seem to rust either. The downside is that they are a little dull, but parts are cheap and they're relatively easy to work on. Dad's one (R reg 2.0) turned onto 170,000 miles on the way down to Somerset and it still drives pretty much like a new car. I think synchro on 3rd is starting to get a bit weak but that's about it.

[twosmoke300]

Straight 5 Honda ?

Well i worked as a Honda tech for years and did a lot of import stuff and ive never even heard of one of those.

Bet that sounds lovely

[Ratdat]

I've owned my share of old hi milers but the one that pissed me off was a 2.4 JTD 156. In the 8 months I owned it it cost more per month to run at 41mpg than the petrol 3.2 Merc did that replaced it did at 27mpg, I was spending £100+ a month in bits.

Cambelt not bad to do but clutch was character building. Engine mounts were shagged on mine, one was £223 and it has 4. I've owned 4 Alfa's, 3 petrols were good, this was a pig.

41mpg local, 46 mpg on a run, not worth it. Good engine tho.

 

That's why I bought a low mileage 1.8TS!

[richardmorris]

V6 Xantia?

[dollywobbler]

I've owned many BXs. Perhaps I need to try another petrol one, as I've had enough with the diesels. A V6 Xantia still appeals, though I suspect it wouldn't take long before I got fed up with that much power. Hard to drive legally when flat out in second is beyond the national speed limit, therefore hard to enjoy the potential of the engine. Unlike the Sirion.

 

What I need perhaps is a Sirion with Citroen suspension.

[richardmorris]

That sounds very much like a GSA  !

[NorfolkNWeigh]

A Flame red 2.0i Montego in Gti flavour meets all your criteria. Most Montego s I've had were estates but the VdP 2.0efi that had been MotoTune's demo car was as quick on winding roads as any sub 2.0 saloon I've ever had.