RE: SOTW: Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon

[ZesPak]

Pr1964 said:

...

It's just a pity alfa don't make any good looking cars anymore the recent lot look like they were designed in china I guess that's not a bad marketing ploy.
...

Yes, what a munter

[ZesPak]

Pr1964 said:

1) Yes 8c is an exception as a "super car".
2) That Estate is no beauty IMO ......

3) Alfa Romeo like all the other Italian manufacturers lost the magic and the RWD fun they had in the 60s.

4) Maybe BMW should buy Alfa Romeo and design some classic looks as they did with the mini.

1) of course, an exception, but still a very beautiful, current Alfa
2) ... it's in the eye of the beholder. I for one think the 159 is the best looking in it's class, by a long stretch.
3) I'm not arguing that, as it's obviosly true. But you can easily scratch out the "italian" in that, as all brands went a lot more "mainstream" and less "enthusiast" over the years. The ones that didn't are either exotics, very expensive or non-existent.

4) Couln't agree more. I've owned a BMW and driven the later ones (E46, E90,...) and they are great to drive. I just couldn't live with the beyond bland exterior and interior "styling". Dear god, I have kitchenware that looks better.
Actually, I think clarckson, in one of his flashes of genius once put it:
"If BMW could make a car that looks half as good as the 159, we'd never had to use our feet again, ever."

[ZesPak]

Pr1964 said:

Edited by Pr1964 on Monday 6th June 13:12

couple of remarks ->
1) pictures of your accord are the 8th gen, since 2008, the 7th gen was (imho) a good looking car and same age as the 159
2) The 159 still looks miles better and different, if you could compare those two than you can put any mid-size 4dr on the list, they all look basically the same, it's the styling cues that make them different (triple headlights for example)
3) Let's not get started on the interior.

[VeeFour]

Pr1964 said:

Yes but they are so similar it just highlights the problem.

The problem being that Alfa design is so successful that others copy it?

Look at how many manufacturers played with 'hidden' rear door handles after the launch of the 156.

[VeeFour]

But that looks pretty much just like any other 3-box saloon of the era.... the detailing defines it as an Alfa.

Just as the detailing of a 159 defines it, despite it being a 3-box saloon / 2-box estate.

[VeeFour]

Pr1964 said:

Na no way ...
It's much more than the detail..
It's fundamental body design and shape . Lights . Boot lid Wings etc etc

So, just like a 159, then.

If you really think the 159 looks like an Accord, you need to surrender your licence, as you're obviously blind as a bat.

[James Dean]

Pr1964 said:

Edited by Pr1964 on Monday 6th June 13:12

Drugs are bad, mmm'kay?

[ZesPak]

VeeFour said:

So, just like a 159, then.

If you really think the 159 looks like an Accord, you need to surrender your licence, as you're obviously blind as a bat.

echoes my thoughts exactly.
im not too found of the mito, i think that the guilietta is a step down from the 147, but, within the limits they have with current cars, i think the 159 is an amazing looking car, and without compromise on safety, au contraire.

[renorti]

bargain for £650.

[jeevescat]

Just bought a 156 Sportwagon as family run around. Absolutely mint silver 2000 2.0 TS Veloce, Momo leather, high mileage at 132k but a bucket of invoices and has been meticulously maintained over the years, including 4 new tyres, and a years MOT and tax.

What an awful lot of motor for not a lot of cash.