Considering this Alfa. Do I dare?

[danjnixon]

Okay, usual story. I'm a father of two kids, need a sensible family car but want to avoid a standard euro box. This is in budget and seems a good price etc.

But should I go through with it?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/alfa-romeo/1...

HELP! For the sake of my childrens savings!

[W00DY]

No, you don't get to do your own dares.

I dare you to get a V6. Sorted.

[delta0]

Good looking car. What's with the random picture of a jeep in there?

[caelite]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Same age, sameish miles. Small price difference. Proper Alfa Engine!

[danjnixon]

Oh Lord, that Brera is stunning. Not enough doors though, unfortunately.

[danjnixon]

delta0 said:

Good looking car. What's with the random picture of a jeep in there?

Imagine if I turned up and that WAS the back end?!

[pork911]

delta0 said:

What's with the random picture of a jeep in there?

tow car?

[1878]

Nice car, needs to be kept on top of preventative maintenance so make sure you've a decent independent nearby. Subframes can rust (hidden by undertray, can be rescued if not too bad but around £1000 if you need a new one - ask me how I know...). Quite a heavy car so thirstier than you might think a diesel would be. Apparently plenty of scope for re-mapping if that's your thing. Plenty more advice in the Alfa room here or alfaowner forum.

[996TT02]

Personally, think that near 10 year old Alfas with 71k miles on the clock don't make for the most sensible of choices.

In a couple of years when deterioration really accelerates it will be worth £500, unless something really expensive gives up and it won't be worth repairing.

[danjnixon]

Amazing, thanks!

[WarnieV6GT]

caelite said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Same age, sameish miles. Small price difference. Proper Alfa Engine!

Lovely cars but that is not a proper Alfa engine..

[n3il123]

996TT02 said:

Personally, think that near 10 year old Alfas with 71k miles on the clock don't make for the most sensible of choices.

In a couple of years when deterioration really accelerates it will be worth £500, unless something really expensive gives up and it won't be worth repairing.

Ignore Mr Sensible.... I'm with stupid up there ^ who said it was a good idea and what could possibly go wrong...

[bearman68]

The engines have never been questioned (though you will need to change the oil at least as per recommendations, and probably more often) The exhaust runs in thorough the sump via a cut away, and the oil here tends to get thin and nasty unless changed, and this tends to wear the big ends on No3 / No4 cylinder.
The injectors and electrics are Bosch, as per VAG / BMW etc.
It will just end up with irritating faults you won't be able to live with.

Go for it.

[WarnieV6GT]

996TT02 said:

Personally, think that near 10 year old Alfas with 71k miles on the clock don't make for the most sensible of choices.

In a couple of years when deterioration really accelerates it will be worth £500, unless something really expensive gives up and it won't be worth repairing.

My old man's 159ti 2.0jtdm was brought for £12250 2 years ago on a 10 plate. He's done just over 10k in it in that time so it sits at 48k miles. The 159 2.0jtdm in ti spec are still going for 10k plus now.

Not all Alfa's depreciate like you perceive. 159 although being very good cars never sold well to the fleet buyers, so as such they are quite rare on our roads and therefor hold their value a lot better than your average 3 series or c-class.

That car is 9 yrs old and is nearly 6k!

[SWH]

Do it

It's a sensible and practical Alfa, what could possibly go wrong?!

[WarnieV6GT]

Here's my old man's. He wanted a citreon Picasso then I took him to see this, needless to say he brought it straight away and has never had a problem and is amazed at the amount of comments it still gets.

I love my GT but if they did the 159 with the 3.2 busso I would get one in a heartbeat.

[danjnixon]

My goodness, thanks for the ace responses. I can already feel myself falling in love with the car!

[WarnieV6GT]

A couple more.

[stavers]

danjnixon said:

Okay, usual story. I'm a father of two kids, need a sensible family car but want to avoid a standard euro box. This is in budget and seems a good price etc.

But should I go through with it?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/alfa-romeo/1...

HELP! For the sake of my childrens savings!

The only thing I would point out is that the boot space is ridiculously tiny. I seriously looked at 159 Sportwagons as I needed space for baby stuff & a dog crate. The boot wouldn't fit either the dog crate or the baby stuff - let alone both. It is very deep, but not long or wide.

If you can get away with a tiny boot then they're nice cars but if you need to carry any amount of stuff then you'll really struggle.

[davebem]

caelite said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Same age, sameish miles. Small price difference. Proper Alfa Engine!

The V6 used in the 159/Breras is actually GM/Holden sourced, although Alfa have tried to improve it. The 5 pot diesel is actually more closer a proper Alfa engine despite being diesel.

I love my 159, but finding a good one can be difficult, it will all depend if the previous owner spent a sunday afternoon waxoiling the subframe (as its an earlier one) and kept on top of the servicing/maintenance.

I cant say its had any irritating faults, the interior quality is very good, and it feels built like a tank. The main flaw with them is the upper wishbone bushes, this can easily be remidied with adjustable powerflex bushes and pro alignement.

Edited by davebem on Wednesday 19th August 20:07