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No longer fancy an Alfa 159, I fancy a 2007 Honda Accord. Am I mad?


inconsistant

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Currently looking around for something to replace our 2004 V70 and  fancy a 159 estate.

It would be either 1.9 or 2.4 jtdtjtm diesel.

Probably about 2006-2007, about the 80-120,000 mile mark

We would be spending £3000-4000

We won't be doing that much mileage, we may just keep it a year or so.

Will a 159 estate be fun or miserable and bankrupting?

What should I look out for?

Which model/engine would be the most fun/least miserable/most sensible?

 

Your experiences would be most appreciated!

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2.4 JTDm for the power and the 5-cylinder warble.  Economy is a bit shit though.  The 150bhp 1.9 is perfectly adequate but a bit boring.

They don't drive as nicely as the 156 IMHO - too much GM influence - but they're still a decent enough steer, and I think they're quite a good looking car.  They have niggly issues like all Alfas though.

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I drove a 159 with the 2.4 JTDm from the east Midlands to Cornwall once. Lovely place to spend the miles, I spent some of the trip trying to justify swapping my E61 525d for it. However, for an estate it is woeful in the load-carrying department, the boot opening has a huge ledge leading down to the floor and isn't very wide. It also wasn't particularly economical, I'm fairly sure I got something like 30-35mpg with the cruise set at 70mph whereas the 525d would give nearly 50mpg under the same circumstances, and would have shown the Alfa a clean pair of heels in terms of performance.

But, those looks... if you don't need it to be as practical as the V70 and economy isn't a priority, then buy one. Dark metallic grey looks best (in my opinion) and you'll not struggle to sell it.

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Yeah I know right! Are you compiling a list for me, I’m all ears?!

I feel like my car history has been a bit safe so far and I’m trying to be a tiny bit adventurous before I see another v70 and end up with them for life!

 

Economy wise I reckon the v70 gets 45mpg on a run, mid to high 30s around the houses. Similar or better would be good. We’ve got the  Mini Cooper S for when we want frightening  fuel economy. 

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I’ve had a fair few Alfas and once they get to that age, they’re pretty much fucked without major expenditure. So unless you go all out and just accept that 90% of the components will be end of life and are prepared to put up with the hassle of sorting them, don’t bother.

If you do decide to go for one, I would definitely get a 2.4 as that 1.9 engine is a bit shit with an intake system with too many inherent faults. Also watch for rotten front subframes. They don’t drive as well as they look, but to be fair, I can think of very few cars from the same segment that look as good as a sport wagon in TI spec.

If you aren’t doing the miles, the 1750 TBi engine is meant to be quite good but I’ve never driven one. 

4 grand seems like crazy money for an 06/07 diesel one though?
 

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A mate of mine (we both had Citroen C4 VTSs) has had one since late in 2020 and looks really lovely. He has however spent a fortune on it, admittedly not all of it essential, but still.

121328681_340950857019380_8327753523196771468_n.thumb.jpg.ea899d19ef86f05236c7595b5be528e9.jpg

This is his Instawank if you want a look at his journey into 159 land...

#antalfa_159

https://www.instagram.com/antalfa_159/

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I've never owned an Alfa , closest I came was a 166 3.0 , I was 100% convinced I was buying it before I'd even seen it 

Train, cash in my pocket  , he picked me up from the station ,dead chatty  , 5 miles to a village , then I saw the car , rough as fuck , photographed well though 

Massive dent in the NSR door 

I declined , he took me back to the station , not a word the whole way , not even a goodbye 

When the 159 was launched I wanted one so bad , a bit like my want for a Giulia today only if I can't have the really fast one I don't want it 

If you can afford the best example 159 you want go for it but if not leave it alone 

I wanted a 3.0 Capri in the 70s , never wanted a 1.3 though.

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I had a 156 in 1.9 JTD flavour; can't say I ever really gelled with it. Was only eight years old when I bought it, and already quite rough and with lots of irritating little faults (ice warnings binging in summer; fuel tank straps rusting through; door handles breaking off).

2004 Alfa Romeo 156 JTD Veloce.jpg

As mentioned, when they go they really go in lots of areas - so it does tend to be a bit all-or-nothing, in terms of committment.

They look fab, though. Definitely one of my more alluring garden ornaments.

But you say you're replacing your V70...?

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Perhaps wrong to label 159 with old Alfa probs but I had Sud Sprint, 916 Spider, 155 2.0 Twinspark. All good enough to forgive the shortcomings. I bought a 10v 156 2.4d which was a royal PITA. It was ok on fuel but cost £100 a month on parts alone over 10 months, I changed it for a 180k Merc 320 CLK which cost less to run, go figure. I'd have another Alfa, just as a toy though. I see you're planning few miles, I'd advise against a daily driver.

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I had the 2.4JTD with a remap in my 156. It was excellent at GLF. Despite all the Top Gear experts telling me it would cost me a fortune as it was an Alfa. I only changed the wishbones and thermostat. The timing belt change was a bit of a bugger due to the lack of access. Also I’m not sure about the 159 but the 156 had a terrible turning circle due to the width of the engine. 

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I had one new (I'm old) and as said driving wise they're just a bit meh but the interiors are lovely and they look fantastic. One of those cars you're always looking back at especially in Ti spec.

They have their fair share of issues, you probably want to make sure the subframe has been changed as it seems mandatory.  The also seem to have some general rust issues underneath. A lot of diesel ones have had EGR and DPF delete as they cause loads of problems. Just be wary that doesn't cause problems at MOT time.

I would love a 1750 Tbi in Ti spec but they still make strong money. Other petrols should be given a wide berth.

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We've got a 2009 1.9 JTDm. As An Car it's been a demanding mistress but it looks great and fits the family in for travels (Sportwagon). 

I've done plenty of preventative maintenance and they do like to rust. Got a niggly glow plug issue that neither a new relay nor new Bosch plugs solved. 

The GM M32 gearbox is a piece of shit and cost me £500 for new bearings. TADTS. Later 2.0 diesels use revised and/or different box. 

It does 50mpg when I drive it and 40 when Mrs Grogee uses her lead foot. 

The auto wipers are comically shit. But the interior looks ace. Bit short on storage though. 

It is nice to drive, lively and fun. But if I was paying someone else to do the servicing and repairs I'd be bankrupt by now. 

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11 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

I had a 156 in 1.9 JTD flavour; can't say I ever really gelled with it. Was only eight years old when I bought it, and already quite rough and with lots of irritating little faults (ice warnings binging in summer; fuel tank straps rusting through; door handles breaking off).

2004 Alfa Romeo 156 JTD Veloce.jpg

As mentioned, when they go they really go in lots of areas - so it does tend to be a bit all-or-nothing, in terms of committment.

They look fab, though. Definitely one of my more alluring garden ornaments.

But you say you're replacing your V70...?

Facelift 159s look great. I’m probably in the minority but i think they look so much better than the earlier 159. 

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Thanks All for the replies sp far, some more dramatic ownership experiences than I was expecting. 
 

Here’s the particular car that piqued my interest, a one owner 86,000 miler. 

6159B8DD-69CF-4AA6-8365-5FC37607A2DA.thumb.png.3be4c61b5d6a387761d373a0df7201d4.png


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201071095814

 

I don’t think I’m completely put off yet but you’re all getting there! 

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Lusso is a good spec. The only thing TI adds is xenon lights and spindly wheels (I might be wrong on this). 

I'm not sure about the 5 cyl. I mean it's fast and stuff but the 1.9 uses lots of Vauxhall bits which are nice and cheap. Not sure the 5 cyl adds much more useable performance. Then again I'm a hypermiler so I wouldn't use it anyway. 

Also know this: the front suspension uses costly aluminium double wishbone suspension. The ball joints wear out and the whole arm has to be replaced because they are integral.  'Name I trust' pattern was about £150, Alfa genuine was £400+. Each. 

Because the 159 was basically a bespoke platform, those arms aren't used on anything else, so the vendors can pretty much name their price. 

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3 hours ago, grogee said:

Lusso is a good spec. The only thing TI adds is xenon lights and spindly wheels (I might be wrong on this). 

I'm not sure about the 5 cyl. I mean it's fast and stuff but the 1.9 uses lots of Vauxhall bits which are nice and cheap. Not sure the 5 cyl adds much more useable performance. Then again I'm a hypermiler so I wouldn't use it anyway. 

Also know this: the front suspension uses costly aluminium double wishbone suspension. The ball joints wear out and the whole arm has to be replaced because they are integral.  'Name I trust' pattern was about £150, Alfa genuine was £400+. Each. 

Because the 159 was basically a bespoke platform, those arms aren't used on anything else, so the vendors can pretty much name their price. 

 the TI has lots of extra bits, lowered suspension, wheels,  different body kit, extra shiny exterior bits and  different seats and dials I think.

The 2.4 sounds nice (for a diesel) and has some proper performance, the 1.9 is totally fine but nothing special.

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I could see the sense when the going was good and £7-800 got an albeit end of life, runner. But £3-4k, seriously the sweet spot of Alfa’s has gone with the 156. When they were interesting but cheap I could wholeheartedly see the sense but now they are expensive and shit the prospect of buying one is laughable, if you were trying to lose £4,000 quickly William Hill and Victor Chandler offer much better odds.

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 2/27/2022 at 5:26 PM, sierraman said:

I could see the sense when the going was good and £7-800 got an albeit end of life, runner. But £3-4k, seriously the sweet spot of Alfa’s has gone with the 156. When they were interesting but cheap I could wholeheartedly see the sense but now they are expensive and shit the prospect of buying one is laughable, if you were trying to lose £4,000 quickly William Hill and Victor Chandler offer much better odds.

Lady Grumpius' Dad had a 156 for yonks.  He's had a succession of Alfas over the years, all of them bought from a local specialist garage and mostly after they'd taken them on to fix for a family member or friend that then didn't want the car!  He had an 02 156 which was a lovely place to be, even with the lowly 1.8 TwinSpark but it got the inevitable rust around the sills and suspension mounting points so they had to sack it off.

Was a shame but I doubt there are many 156s around any more that aren't in this kind of condition.  I would love a 156 estate but I know the load area is absolutely laughable.  I just think they look absolutely fantastic.

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  • inconsistant changed the title to I no longer fancy an Alfa 159, I fancy a 2006 Honda Accord. Am I mad?

Ok folks, gonna have another go at  replacing our 2004 V70 and  fancy a Honda Accord Tourer

It would most likely be the 2.2 diesel.

Are they any good?

This one is £2000 for a 2007 top spec diesel estate with 177,000 miles

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202011998099?sort=relevance&body-type=Estate&make=Honda&include-delivery-option=on&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=100&postcode=cr69ne&transmission=Manual&price-to=2000&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&model=Accord&page=1

image.thumb.png.c75fbc95c594e5bb1eeab49cc9761d85.png

Will it be ropey and on its last legs or still have a bit more to give?

MOT history looks reasonable, looks in good condition from the photos.

What should have. been done/will need doing at that mileage?

What should I look out for?

 

Your experiences would be most appreciated!

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  • inconsistant changed the title to No longer fancy an Alfa 159, I fancy a 2007 Honda Accord. Am I mad?

Cracked exhaust manifolds.

If you had one worth that, on those miles already I'd say keep it. I wouldn't actively go out and buy one though.

15 years old at 2 grand looks dear to me but I guess that's the market. I'd put money into your Volvo, bigger inside, proper comfy.

Not worth the hassle of changing for only a bit newer than what you have.

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