Thoughts gentlemen - Alfa 156 2.4JTD

[dollywobbler]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-Alfa-Romeo-1 ... 0564478341

 

This looks rather lovely for a bag o' sand. Is it just likely to descend into utter misery? I need something swift that won't slurp the juice and if it's beautiful and sounds nice in a warbly-diesel kind of way, so much the better. It isn't far, so I might go and have a look-see (perhaps I should leave my wallet at home...) and then see what you all think.

 

This is meant to be a sensible car to replace the BX, but then that wasn't very sensible in the opinion of most people and I rather begrudge being too sensible... (the Skoda Felicia diesel probably does a better job of being truly sensible).

[pogweasel]

I definately would.

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, it's not really a brain choice is it? The wife is taking some convincing - even though my 164 V6 ownership was far from utter disaster! I'm guessing it's due a cambelt change at that price - sounds do-able and working on the Mini was probably good practice...

[dieselnutjob]

The guy describes it as "average" condition and puts pictures of scratches and stuff.

That does suggest an honest seller.

I think that's a lot of car for the money.

[Pete-M]

They're not that bad. I'd be tempted.

 

It'll need front wishbones replacing at the very least (and prolly the cambelt), but for the money.. lot of car.

 

No nasty variator nonsense on these either

[dollywobbler]

Hmmm. I fear this delicious plan has been firmly vetoed by the other half. I probably shouldn't have mentioned that these things are fearsomely fast and she still thinks it'd be an utter disaster. Getting an insurance quote of £788 didn't help!

[cort16]

Mmm, 5 pot diesel. Nom nom nom.

I would especially as it's the slightly prettier and more practical sportswagon.

[Shep Shepherd]

It's an estate and hasn't got the Sellafield transmission, which makes it a good buy in my book

[sporty-shite]

In the voice of experience, I'd hit that. Ours is the later 150bhp 1.9JTD, and it's ACE. Dead comfortable, good on juice, goes well and handles better than something like this really should.

 

Know what you mean about insurance, though, I've just had a bit of a headache renewing ours, average quote was around £650 online, but Flux quoted £598 with all the extras (EU cover, UK&EU breakdown etc), but swiftcover came out best at £427, going direct through their website (£100 dearer on comparison sites).

 

Do some shopping around, then sell her indoors on the fact that with a belt change and a bit of chips away on the scratches, you'd be up for profit on this.

 

In conclusion: DO IT.

[wuvvum]

The Marea with that engine looks a royal PITA to do a belt change on. Don't know if access might be easier in the 156 engine bay though - it is a slightly bigger car. Those things go like the clappers though, and are surprisingly economical with it - I was getting high-40s mpg out of the Marea, not bad for a car which would leave a Saxo VTR for dead in a traffic light GP.

[dollywobbler]

Ok, cease with the 'wow, it's great!' I probably should have explained that this will be the wife's number once choice (rather than the 2CV or Scimitar) when she has to be somewhere, and I fear the Alfa really is ticking no boxes for her at all. She doesn't want powaaaah, she doesn't want lots of toys and were she to sit behind the wheel, I'd expect a load of expletives about how crap visibility is.

 

So, Skoda Felicias then?

[warren t claim]

You should of bought that ShittyRover.

[dollywobbler]

Could do with a few more mpg than a ShittyRover can deliver. Can't say I'm that convinced by them either. Or maybe I'm just feeling grumpy about not being allowed another Alfa.

[sporty-shite]

Ok, cease with the 'wow, it's great!' I probably should have explained that this will be the wife's number once choice (rather than the 2CV or Scimitar) when she has to be somewhere, and I fear the Alfa really is ticking no boxes for her at all. She doesn't want powaaaah, she doesn't want lots of toys and were she to sit behind the wheel, I'd expect a load of expletives about how crap visibility is.

 

So, Skoda Felicias then?

Ours is my wife's only car, and to say she's fussy is an understatement. Visibility isn't that bad, and they only in fast if you want them to! You need to plan a sales pitch. I'm sure there are a few good salesmen on here who could help you

[pogweasel]

How is an average diesel estate "too powerful"?

This is possibly the most sensible vehicle ever suggested on this site!

Though given that your wife was unable to handle the epic power and fierce oversteer charcteristics of the Morris Minor Traveller...

[dollywobbler]

There is that Pog. She's used to a 40bhp Mini (and yes, RWD is definitely out! ) and I suspect the 'too much power' is more about how she imagines that I'll drive it. Bit unfair - not like I hoon flat-out everywhere in the Scimmie (I corner like Grandma in it, slower than the 2CV!). Not sure the Alfa is that average - 140mph potential, or is that how fast all diesels are these days? I'm drastically out of touch...

[Cavcraft]

How about that one on Retro-Rides? Besides the fact it's advertised for about three times what it's worth and he's offered it to every man and his dog then not got back to some of them of course.

[scooters]

that Alfa is very nice - looks like a licence loser though!

[Guest]

Tell her if she's going to be awkward and fussy, she can go look for a car by herself.

[scruff]

that Alfa is very nice - looks like a licence loser though!

 

A friend of mine sold his for that very reason. They go like stink!!

[Vin]

I considered one of these 7 years ago, but they didn't come up for sale very often then, and TBH at the time were a bit out my price range. Instead I ended up with the Brava but in 1.9 JTD flavour. I still have it and the diesel engine has been spot on. I have given it a belt change every 50k and an oil change and service every 12k, and it's knocking on now for 220k miles with no major mechanical issues. I likey.

[messerschmitt owner]

There is that Pog. She's used to a 40bhp Mini (and yes, RWD is definitely out! ) and I suspect the 'too much power' is more about how she imagines that I'll drive it. Bit unfair - not like I hoon flat-out everywhere in the Scimmie (I corner like Grandma in it, slower than the 2CV!). Not sure the Alfa is that average - 140mph potential, or is that how fast all diesels are these days? I'm drastically out of touch...

my XM 2.1s can do 120 - just as well I was slowing down when I got the six-pointer ...

 

The Motorhome can do 95 and it's a 4.6 tonner ...

 

Yes, diseasels are seriously nippy nowadays.

[dollywobbler]

Well, proving what a perfect autoshite-wife I have, when offered the choice of a beautiful Alfa Romeo 156 or a Skoda, it's the Czech that wins. Found a nice sounding one a couple of hours away, so a nice excuse for a jaunt up north to have a look.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Felicia diesels are utterly dismal.

[AnthonyG]

I would have thought a Rover 25 diesel is much nicer. Try looking around Llandysul or Mac Ian - both had good local MG Rover dealers (Valley Services and HG Jones).

 

Lots of Skodas around Llandysul too as Valley Services handles them as well. All the natives are slowly updating their Rovers with Skodas - these are 'local' people who like a 'local' dealership. Though most Felicas I see now are shagged out farm hacks.

[flat4alfa]

Wot? A shonky Maestro-suspensioned Rover with the rejigged Prima, over a 156? Nooo .

 

 

I've run one of those 156 JTD for two years without any drama. A 2.4 JTD 150 Veloce wagon. Fully-comp at renewal was £520 with bad postcode.

 

Remember it's all Bosch kit running that Fiat engine as isn't trouble. Usual wear and tear on bushings standard for anything in that sector - straightforward to get it all undone with a bit of heat. But do check the clutch & DMF aren't past it

 

Rear visibilty? Not had a problem, nor has the missus; she like driving it. Mine is a Facelift interior car from 2002, taller gearbox takes the edge off the earlier car I had. You can bimble about with these, they aren't licence busters really.

 

Cruise control stalk slots straight on without any laptop fuss. Worth doing if not got one. Makes you calm down a bit

[dollywobbler]

It isn't happening, and it's making me grumpy now - even though it's no right to really. Cannot get the insurance quote down below £650 - starting to rue the several years of classic-only policies and the Minor write-off claim.

 

As suspected, it is due a cambelt (last one 50k ago, long enough by most accounts even though book is 72k) and it appears to be £100 just for the kit, before considering the inevitable water pump and any tensioners. So, the £995 bargain is starting to look expensive.

 

EDIT - ok, can get it added to the Mini policy for a mere £70. That's more like it!