159 1750TBi / Ti

Author
Discussion

kiseca

Original Poster:

9,339 posts

218 months

Saturday 27th June 2015
quotequote all
Decided it's time to get my bum back behind the wheel of an Alfa after a 15 year gap, and the 159 with the 1750 seems like the right one to go for. They seem rare as rocking horse pooh though! a couple of grey ones at Veloce's in London and a slightly tired red one seem to be the pickings for the sedan. I know the estate is popular here but the shape just doesn't work for me like the sedan does.

How are the 1750s to drive compared to the other petrol 159s? I hear the front feels a lot lighter than the V6 or the diesels, and I can't say I really fancy a diesel anyway.

Also took a Giulietta QV for a test drive this morning, lovely car and I really like how it rides. Steering is nice and accurate if a little light. I like a car that feels interesting to drive when you're not caning it, because the vast majority of road driving is not flat out, so communicative steering and a bit of feedback from the car to remind me it's a machine is important. If I got that on a lease then it would expire in time to jump in to a new Giulia too.

The Giulietta's a bit cramped for rear legroom though, which leaves 5 year old 159 as the most practical option. Would have a nice symbolic continuity too, as my dad's 159i (called Alfetta Gold Cloverleaf in Europe) was the car that made me an Alfaholic back in the '80s.

davebem

746 posts

176 months

Sunday 28th June 2015
quotequote all
The 1750 is the one to go for, the 2.2 is just as thirsty but much slower and has timing chain maitenance issues. The V6 is nice and smooth but very thirsty and nose heavy and only slightly quicker than the 1750. Dont rule out the Lusso spec in the right colour/wheel combination.

kiseca

Original Poster:

9,339 posts

218 months

Monday 29th June 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for that feedback. I'll get on ARUK to get more on things to look out for.

Looks like there are actually a few around, some nice low mileage ones and most in black, which is nice as that would be my first choice though the 159 seems to look fine in whatever colour. Not too fussed about wheels either but the beige interior I'd prefer seems very rare.

Need to find out more about the spec levels too. Didn't even realise it came in Lusso spec.

robbo 2006

107 posts

171 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
quotequote all
It's a biased opinion of course as I drive one but having driven the 2 litre diesel, owned a 2.4 and driven the 3.2 I think you'll like the 1750. Try to go for Ti trim. The 159 just looks great on 19 spokes. The late run ones are the ones to go for...1750s were only available for a short while at the end of its life. Stunning cars and lovely place to sit.
I sat in a new QV giulietta last weekend and really liked the latest design. Better gearbox etc. it isn't the right car to replace my SW Ti though!