156 1.6 TS Estate
Discussion
Anyone here had one of these?
In my search for something family oriented, seen one of these. Wouldn't have thought of one, but it looks truly stunning. Okay, its only a 1600, so it won't go that fast, but with luck it'd be better on fuel than my 318iS.
Anything to look out for on them?
In my search for something family oriented, seen one of these. Wouldn't have thought of one, but it looks truly stunning. Okay, its only a 1600, so it won't go that fast, but with luck it'd be better on fuel than my 318iS.
Anything to look out for on them?
Stunning looking car. The 1.6 is 120bhp but needs revving hard, so don't expect wonderful economy - or a particularly big boot.
Usual Alfa things - listen for suspension clonks, look for even tread wear across all four tyres. You want cast iron proof that the cambelt and tensioners have been changed in the last 3 years/36,000 miles or budget £400'ish to do so straight away. Also check it has oil in it - and check every weekend from there on in!
Usual Alfa things - listen for suspension clonks, look for even tread wear across all four tyres. You want cast iron proof that the cambelt and tensioners have been changed in the last 3 years/36,000 miles or budget £400'ish to do so straight away. Also check it has oil in it - and check every weekend from there on in!
clonmult said:
The boot will be bigger than my E36 Coupe though?
I'm not really sure what shape all the E numbers are, but I doubt it will be with the seats up and the load cover drawn.
However the seats split 60/40 and the cover removes completely which gives a lot of space for big stuff.
Having said that the Sportwagon served me fine as a family motor while I needed to cart a pram and all that crap around.
Wombat Rick said:
clonmult said:
The boot will be bigger than my E36 Coupe though?
I'm not really sure what shape all the E numbers are, but I doubt it will be with the seats up and the load cover drawn.However the seats split 60/40 and the cover removes completely which gives a lot of space for big stuff.
Having said that the Sportwagon served me fine as a family motor while I needed to cart a pram and all that crap around.
I'm needing a car for hauling around a pram and all that sort of stuff, so if it suited you ....
Ah yes. I know the one.
My Dad likes 3 series coupes and all of them have had a bigger boot than my Alfas!!
Seriously though you need to calm the missus when it comes to pram buying time otherwise you will end up with some monster which will not only not fit in any car this side of a Land Cruiser but will also not fit through shopdoors, down footpaths or in the hall of an average house...
The thing I liked about the Sportwagon was that it is a good compact sized car when there was just me in it, but is useful enough for when I needed more room. They are still a lovely looking car too. Surely the most elegant 5 door ever?
My Dad likes 3 series coupes and all of them have had a bigger boot than my Alfas!!
Seriously though you need to calm the missus when it comes to pram buying time otherwise you will end up with some monster which will not only not fit in any car this side of a Land Cruiser but will also not fit through shopdoors, down footpaths or in the hall of an average house...
The thing I liked about the Sportwagon was that it is a good compact sized car when there was just me in it, but is useful enough for when I needed more room. They are still a lovely looking car too. Surely the most elegant 5 door ever?
We've already bought the pram .... and car seat (monstrous thing, think it may even have built in air bags 
).
The boot of the coupe is a useful size, I'm just needing better back seat access. And 3x3 point rear seat belts (2 kids, one baby). Please tell me it has a proper center belt???
But it truly is one of the best looking estates/wagons on the road.
My heart is ruling my choices; I was thinking of a V6 Vectra, but even with a 1.6 TS the 156 is just so much more appealing!
).The boot of the coupe is a useful size, I'm just needing better back seat access. And 3x3 point rear seat belts (2 kids, one baby). Please tell me it has a proper center belt???
But it truly is one of the best looking estates/wagons on the road.
My heart is ruling my choices; I was thinking of a V6 Vectra, but even with a 1.6 TS the 156 is just so much more appealing!
Mine had 3 proper seatbelts across the back. Not sure they all do, so best check. The middle of my back seat was quite a hump though - not sure it would hold a booster seat flat. Also the centre console goes quite a long way back past the handbrake as it has an air vent in it which is not good for foot room in the middle. Could be tight getting three across the back in seats/boosters I'm afraid.
Boot is OK.
I don't have a family but do cart bikes, scuba dive gear and the like around and haven't really found it wanting. Was fine going to/from the airport for 3 people with big dive bags too. Only problem with the bikes is that the opening isn't really big enough.
I think in terms of claimed capacity it's slightly less than the saloon, but the SW capacity is up to the load cover. Obviously loads can go higher than this and you can fold the seats down if needed too. Easier to lift things in and out as well.
I don't have a family but do cart bikes, scuba dive gear and the like around and haven't really found it wanting. Was fine going to/from the airport for 3 people with big dive bags too. Only problem with the bikes is that the opening isn't really big enough.
I think in terms of claimed capacity it's slightly less than the saloon, but the SW capacity is up to the load cover. Obviously loads can go higher than this and you can fold the seats down if needed too. Easier to lift things in and out as well.
Don't worry too much about the performance of the 1.6. I drive 250 miles a week exclusively on quiet A and B roads, so it is working quite hard, and always returns over 40mpg (according to the computer, so probably nearer 35mpg!) whilst getting well up towards 7000RPM fairly often.
Just keep a good eye on the oil if you're opening it up as some tend to use quite a bit, although I've only needed to put a litre in since the last service 10,000 miles ago.
I've had 5 adults in it, and it still pulls well in 4th for overtaking.
Just keep a good eye on the oil if you're opening it up as some tend to use quite a bit, although I've only needed to put a litre in since the last service 10,000 miles ago.
I've had 5 adults in it, and it still pulls well in 4th for overtaking.
Are you going for a 1.6 because of insurance resrictions or MPG? My experience is that the 1.6 - 2.0 TS all drink pretty much the same (give or take a few MPG) - especially if you do alot of motorway mileage...
When i went from 1.8 to V6 i noticed a difference (i have never found TS's to be paticually economical when compaired to their rivals!), but when i went from 1.8 to 1.6 i had gained a good deal of flatness but not gained much MPG.
If insurance is not a worry, i'd go for a 1.8 or 2.0 everytime!
When i went from 1.8 to V6 i noticed a difference (i have never found TS's to be paticually economical when compaired to their rivals!), but when i went from 1.8 to 1.6 i had gained a good deal of flatness but not gained much MPG.
If insurance is not a worry, i'd go for a 1.8 or 2.0 everytime!
Not particularly insurance, more down to what I'd seen offered.
But as the one I'd seen only had a center lap belt, its not an option - I will be needing 3x3 point rear belts for the kids.
One things for sure now, the short list of cars isn't quite so short. I've got a few months to look around - got to get the car changed before the baby's due (end of july).
But as the one I'd seen only had a center lap belt, its not an option - I will be needing 3x3 point rear belts for the kids.
One things for sure now, the short list of cars isn't quite so short. I've got a few months to look around - got to get the car changed before the baby's due (end of july).
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