Which 9k wagon?

[homerjay]

right ive decided (and almost convinced) the wife of the above estates.

alfa looks far nicer, but down on power

skoda would probably be the sensible choice

but am i wrong in assuming the skoda will be bulletproof compared to the alfa?

i'll get her to drive both but im undecided.

help me.



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

budget will only stretch to 9k, so 07 models on about 70k seem to be a plenty.

ta

Edited by homerjay on Friday 1st July 10:18

[kambites]

I think the idea that modern Alfas are particularly unreliable is more of a hang-up from the past, than reality and VAG cars are hardly short of faults (although Skodas seem to be the least troublesome for some reason). Personally, I'd buy whichever I preferred rather than worrying about a tiny potential difference in average reliability.

I assume you've looked at them so you know this, but the 159 has a relatively small boot and not much rear legroom for an estate car. Mind you, it's nowhere near as bad as the 156 was on those fronts.

Edited by kambites on Friday 1st July 10:50

[homerjay]

kambites said:

I assume you've looked at them so you know this, but the 159 has a relatively small boot and not much rear legroom for an estate car. Mind you, it's nowhere near as bad as the 156 was on those fronts.

i have, which also throws it back in the skoda's favour.

[Sonofabeesting]

That Alfa looks nice, although the sellers use of "quotes" makes him look a bit like a tool

[homerjay]

Sonofabeesting said:

That Alfa looks nice, although the sellers use of "quotes" makes him look a bit like a tool

and the fact he cant spell "pristine"

[pembo]

I would check when a cambelt might be due on that 159, I'm pretty sure I remember the 156 needing it replaced at 72k miles so just one thing to check out.

Other than that they are lovely cars to drive, I took one around Holland for a long weekend and loved it.

[homerjay]

pembo said:

I would check when a cambelt might be due on that 159, I'm pretty sure I remember the 156 needing it replaced at 72k miles so just one thing to check out.

Other than that they are lovely cars to drive, I took one around Holland for a long weekend and loved it.

i thought it was 90k?

36/72 on the 156?

though im certainly no expert

Edited by homerjay on Friday 1st July 12:19

[soad]

Voted for the alfa...purely for its looks.
Not sure if it helped though

[Chrisw666]

The Skoda looks the sensible choice.

I voted Alfa because it looks better, has a great looking interior, and isn't just another dull box.

[rob.e]

I'm biased but Vrs for me.

I looked at alfas before I got my Vrs - boot is much bigger on the skoda plus as I was buying new the alfa was a lot more money plus worse BIK.

Do you really need diesel? Mine is the petrol - 200bhp and 33-ish mpg is a good compromise IMO.

[briSk]

i am really suprised they cost the same!
the alfas must have started doing the weird alfa depreciation thing where they hold up then drop. whilst the skoda is doing that they always do which is only. gradually. keep. falling..!

at the same price i'd take the alfa too. the interior colour is horrible to my eyes but in principle it's the more 'ffel good' option. i like octavias a lot and in silver/grey it's the more 'middle class' stealth option... but the alfa is very 'groovy'.

i was going to make the alfa cam belt point too. check with a specialist too rather than an idiot main dealer because they may have found that it's better to get some stuff done earlier than AR say.. also i think it's worth seeking further advice from them on what other stuff may be imminent..