Lusting for an Alfa 159...
Discussion
So, my 8 year old Multipla is nearing the scrap yard in the sky, 153k miles, bonnet different col to the rest of the car, assorted dents and scratches elsewhere, most of the electrics still work but not great. It's been a great family car, pretty reliable, good to drive, the Angel Tuning remap is very effective but hard on the clutch, and I was thinking about an Smax as a logical replacement.
But when it comes down to spending my hard earned cash, I'm finding it hard to get excited about the Ford; they hold their value well, so if you want a Titanium, it is a lot of money for a 3 year old car. Plus, I don't actually need more than 4 seats more than once or twice a year, and more than 1 seat for probably 80% of car journeys I do. I would like the 2.5T model, but the fuel economy is horrendous on them, and the diesels are ok, but not helping with the excitement.
Never had an Alfa before...
Never had more than 4 cyls...
Never had non-front wheel drive...
I keep looking at used 159's and they are so beautiful, inside and out. Black with tan leather...mmm....
The V6 is the obvious choice, I know it isn't state-of-the-art modern and it struggles with the weight of a heavy car, and economy is low, and most of the ones I am looking at are coming up to cambelt/water pump change time, and I might not be able to insure it for the missus on her provisional licence...
I still remember trips to France when I was a kid in the 80's and being surprised that they even made diesel Alfas, but either diesel would be ok, with everything else about a 159. I think the 1.9 is related to the one in my Multipla, and the 2.4 supposedly sounds great as well as providing reasonable economy to go with the shove.
Just talking out loud really!
But when it comes down to spending my hard earned cash, I'm finding it hard to get excited about the Ford; they hold their value well, so if you want a Titanium, it is a lot of money for a 3 year old car. Plus, I don't actually need more than 4 seats more than once or twice a year, and more than 1 seat for probably 80% of car journeys I do. I would like the 2.5T model, but the fuel economy is horrendous on them, and the diesels are ok, but not helping with the excitement.
Never had an Alfa before...
Never had more than 4 cyls...
Never had non-front wheel drive...
I keep looking at used 159's and they are so beautiful, inside and out. Black with tan leather...mmm....
The V6 is the obvious choice, I know it isn't state-of-the-art modern and it struggles with the weight of a heavy car, and economy is low, and most of the ones I am looking at are coming up to cambelt/water pump change time, and I might not be able to insure it for the missus on her provisional licence...
I still remember trips to France when I was a kid in the 80's and being surprised that they even made diesel Alfas, but either diesel would be ok, with everything else about a 159. I think the 1.9 is related to the one in my Multipla, and the 2.4 supposedly sounds great as well as providing reasonable economy to go with the shove.
Just talking out loud really!
boolay said:
The V6 is a Q4 (4 Wheel drive)
ETA I think the 159 is a stunning car, do it! Although I think if a bought Alfa, it would have to be petrol
Yes, most of the range is FWD, but the V6 is 4wd. And I know, petrol would be a lot nicer, but the 4 cyl petrols aren't great.ETA I think the 159 is a stunning car, do it! Although I think if a bought Alfa, it would have to be petrol
Edited by boolay on Tuesday 26th October 07:29
dangerousB said:
I love the 159, but a diesel Alfa?
That's about as wrong as the diesel Scirocco I saw the other day!
I know what you are saying, but if I decide the V6 is too much to run/too likely to lead to big bills then it is a choice of a 1.9 or 2.4td against a 1.9 or 2.2 petrol, and those petrols aren't as good as the diesels. Particularly when you factor in an Angel remap of £300 gets you another 40 bhp (claimed That's about as wrong as the diesel Scirocco I saw the other day!
with the diesels...Daveyraveygravey said:
boolay said:
The V6 is a Q4 (4 Wheel drive)
ETA I think the 159 is a stunning car, do it! Although I think if a bought Alfa, it would have to be petrol
Yes, most of the range is FWD, but the V6 is 4wd. And I know, petrol would be a lot nicer, but the 4 cyl petrols aren't great.ETA I think the 159 is a stunning car, do it! Although I think if a bought Alfa, it would have to be petrol
Edited by boolay on Tuesday 26th October 07:29
Daveyraveygravey said:
dangerousB said:
I love the 159, but a diesel Alfa?
That's about as wrong as the diesel Scirocco I saw the other day!
I know what you are saying, but if I decide the V6 is too much to run/too likely to lead to big bills then it is a choice of a 1.9 or 2.4td against a 1.9 or 2.2 petrol, and those petrols aren't as good as the diesels. Particularly when you factor in an Angel remap of £300 gets you another 40 bhp (claimed That's about as wrong as the diesel Scirocco I saw the other day!
with the diesels...Personally, I think the 159 looks sensational and as with any car as beautifully styled and evocative to look at, I'd want it to feel special. Turning the key of a diesel would just be like uh . . . oh . . .
This is just me, but I'd see it in much the same way as going out with a drop dead gorgeous bird with irreconcilable personality issues . . . I'd rather drool from afar and think how good it could have been!
Daveyraveygravey said:
The V6 is the obvious choice, I know it isn't state-of-the-art modern and it struggles with the weight of a heavy car, and economy is low, and most of the ones I am looking at are coming up to cambelt/water pump change time, and I might not be able to insure it for the missus on her provisional licence...
Don't forget that the V6 in the 159 isn't the famous Arese V6, so it is a relatively modern engine. People slag it off because it's half GM, half Alfa/Fiat, but I believe it's a damn good engine. 260bhp too, so it shouldn't struggle too much.I'd be considering making one my 3rd Alfa in a row but for the one I want it'd be ~£14k. My budget doesn't stretch that far currently, and if it did I'd probably start getting tempted by E46 M3's or a VXR8!
By far the best looking modern saloon and makes the Germans look a bit clinical. I keep looking at 2 year old 2.4 JTDM 4WD diesel jobs. It would appear you can remap to 200bhp+. Can't see what's not to like if you need something of a workhorse but would like a little charisma to go with it.
If you want a petrol 159 go for a 1750 Tbi. The 2.2 is poo and the 3.2 is mega thirsty.
Still not sure what the weird hang-up is over diesel Alfas given they've been making them since the early 1970s, but you won't go far wrong with the fast but thirsty 2.4 or the more economical 2.0.
The Q4 system is very rare but is a permanent four wheel drive system with a normal 40-60 (front-rear) split.
Still not sure what the weird hang-up is over diesel Alfas given they've been making them since the early 1970s, but you won't go far wrong with the fast but thirsty 2.4 or the more economical 2.0.
The Q4 system is very rare but is a permanent four wheel drive system with a normal 40-60 (front-rear) split.
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