Head or heart - Volvo v Alfa

[Garett]

I've had my Volvo S60 D5 for 3 months and while its a lovely car it just doesn't set the pulse racing.

I paid £3k for it and think I'd probably get that back if I was to sell.

I've been eyeing the Alfa 156 2.5 V6, I think I could probably find a tidy one for £2k and spend the other £1k on getting it converted to LPG so fuel wise it'd be similar costs involved. I'd be looking at getting a pre 2001 car otherwise tax its £400+, and insurance is actually cheaper for me on the Alfa!

What are servicing costs like for an Alfa Vs a Volvo? Similar I'd guess.
I'll be covering around 12-16k a year.

To me this seems a viable proposition, or am I looking at the Alfa with an element of lust and through rose tinted spectacles?!

[Garett]

Anyone?

[flyingjase]

Go for the 156. I once had a Volvo, awful bland boring car.

Alfa - has it's idiosyncrasies but so much better on every level. I've had a 156 and the new shape Spider.

DO IT!

[MondeoMan1981]

Garett said:

I'd be looking at getting a pre 2001 car otherwise tax its £400+,

What are servicing costs like for an Alfa Vs a Volvo? Similar I'd guess.
I'll be covering around 12-16k a year.

Is it not 04 plate onwards the hellish bands of tax kick in from ?

Servicing, well with all Alfas the belts are important, seems on here every 36k is recommended. Also, plenty spark plugs in there for replacing, wont to cheap.

That said, it'll be hoot, and on LPG, the mpg wont be so much of an issue

[bozmandb9]

Think you're wrong about the tax bands, don't even pay £400 on my Range Rover S/C 2005!

What about the 166 if you really want an Alfa? Something like this?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[robsco]

£400 tax didn't come in until March 06, so don't worry about that. But the 156 V6 is the car to buy. Much, much nicer cars than the equivalent Volvo, and mine was pretty much perfect from a reliability perspective. Oh, and I cried when I sold it; they really do tug at the heart strings.

[.:ian:.]

Keep the S60 and buy a 3.0 GTV

[carlove]

Get the Alfa!

[Garett]

I have looked at the 166 but I think they look a bit awkward and dare I say ugly looking compared to the 156. The GTV is a beautiful car but probably not practical enough for me.

RE Tax

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10012524 said:

Vehicle tax rates for cars registered on or after 1 March 2001 are split into 13 bands depending on CO2 emissions.

And according to Autotrader the post 2001 V6 is in the highest tax bracket 'M' costing £460.

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

[robsco]

Garett said:

And according to Autotrader the post 2001 V6 is in the highest tax bracket 'M' costing £460.

It is in the highest emissions bracket, but pre March 06 cars do not incur the £400 per year tax cost. Band K and above would pay £245.

[Garett]

At the moment my plan is to keep the Volvo til the end of summer, sell it buy a cheap run about like a Puma to free up the capital to spend on a nice Alfa, see how it goes with running costs and possibly LPG it.

[Twincam16]

Forgive my ignorance as I don't know much about LPG, but am I right in thinking the combustion of the gas is quieter than petrol?

If so I'm not sure you'd get the right noise from an LPG'd Alfa V6, which would be a great shame.

I hope someone can prove me wrong though!