What car? Thread. Alfa 156 JTD, Saab 9-3 TiD or MG ZT CDTi

[HorneyMX5]

I have considered the 75 but every example I look at makes me want to hurl, the interiors are just horrid. While functionally it's fine, I can't cope with all the cream and wood, especially on the steering wheel (Weird as I love the wooden wheel in my MX5). The MG version just seems much less 'in your face' and as I'm likely to be doing 20K miles+ a year in it I'd prefer my eyes not to be utterly offended every time I got in it.

No offence to 75 owners, but I just can't face that kind of interior at aged 34. Maybe in 20 years I'll be happier with it. lol.

nick

[pmanson]

I run an MG ZT 1.8T on my car allowance...

Figures our on my profile, kind of wish i'd gone for a CDTi but at the time they were out of budget (and I didn't have a car allowance).

It's not let me down in the year or so that i've had it and i've miled the miles on it.

Front tyres did 18k (just) and are £110 a corner for Falkens, that reminds me i'm due a service...

I'm averaging 30mpg with a mix of driving in MK and regular 70-100 journey's to clients around the UK.

[HorneyMX5]

Good to hear about general ZT and alfa 156 ownership as well. No matter what engine, it's good to hear people get on with the interiors, road holding, reliability etc.

Nick

[pmanson]

pmanson said:

I run an MG ZT 1.8T on my car allowance...

Figures our on my profile, kind of wish i'd gone for a CDTi but at the time they were out of budget (and I didn't have a car allowance).

It's not let me down in the year or so that i've had it and i've miled the miles on it.

Front tyres did 18k (just) and are £110 a corner for Falkens, that reminds me i'm due a service...

I'm averaging 30mpg with a mix of driving in MK and regular 70-100 journey's to clients around the UK.

Edited to add, i'm 29...

Interior:


Outside:

[Karyn]

One thing I did struggle with, actually, was the ridiculously fat A pillars! You have to crane your head to see round them...


Interior is OK - doesn't make you want to scratch your eyes out. And it boasts an incredibly over-engineered cup-holder which makes me laugh every time I use it. Driving position is quite high, but enjoyable, and easily altered (steering column adjusts too, which the OH loves!). We usually see mid to late 20s MPG, and it cruises nicely.

Our cruise control seems to be a little on the un-refined side, but I've not really had much experience with other cars with cruise control, so don't know whether it's just this one, or they're all like that, sir.



Edit - there's no glovebox to speak of on ours, either - the CDs for the CD changer are housed there.

Edited by Karyn on Friday 27th January 16:46

[mike9009]

fatboy b said:

A good interior is important to me as are engines. All those three cars have cheap-shiit interiors. Alfa engines are not what they used to be.

Yawn, the Audi interiors are the most boring uninspiring euro-box interiors that exist. The VAG brand cars really define the term Eurobox.

Not sure if you've sat in the Alfa 156 interior, but it is a step up in design from any VAG car I have frequented (maybe not in terms of quality but absolutely in design terms) The OP is after a diesel engine. Again the mundane drone from the VAG engines is tiresome - the Alfa 2.4JTD unit is genuinely characterful, powerful and even reliable.

Your opinion is very mainstream and a little blinkered!

Mike

[davepoth]

mike9009 said:

Yawn, the Audi interiors are the most boring uninspiring euro-box interiors that exist. The VAG brand cars really define the term Eurobox.

Not sure if you've sat in the Alfa 156 interior, but it is a step up in design from any VAG car I have frequented (maybe not in terms of quality but absolutely in design terms) The OP is after a diesel engine. Again the mundane drone from the VAG engines is tiresome - the Alfa 2.4JTD unit is genuinely characterful, powerful and even reliable.

Your opinion is very mainstream and a little blinkered!

Mike

+1. VAG interiors make me want to cry with their mediocrity.

[timbo48]

I bought my ZT-T two and a half years ago and have never regreted it. It's a lovely car to drive and although more power would be nice most of my driving is either in town or on the motorway so not too bothered about that, it copes with both well. Great interior and the most comfortable seats I've ever had. I've got Falkens on mine as well and although the fronts don't last that long, they grip well and aren't too expensive. I really wish though, that the original owner had specced electronic seat memory instead of a damn TV but there you go. A friend bought a 156 diesel (the 1.9 version) at the same time as I bought the MG. Neither of us has had any real trouble (although I have had a new clutch assembly) and are pleased that we bought them. And my son has just bought a 156 2.4 diesel which I've yet to drive but it looks very nice. May be looking at one, or a 159 for our next car.
To the OP, you won't be disapointed with the ZT. Not that many estates around but it looks as though saloons are more common.

[MG CHRIS]

fatboy b said:

MG CHRIS said:

fatboy b said:

Alfa, Saab, MG!?!?!?

Oh dear.

All st cars IMO.

Have you actually driven them i think not. Oh you drive a audi what a surprise.

Out of them ive only driven the zt but its a lovely car to drive the diesel engine is very good and a lot of the car has bmw parts its the best of the z range of car. Also due to everyone thinking they are st they are very cheap to buy to.

Why the surprise at me driving an Audi?

I look for a lot more in a car than how it drives. A good interior is important to me as are engines. All those three cars have cheap-shiit interiors. Alfa engines are not what they used to be. MG engines are just junk IMO. Saab are just boring.

With that sort of cash I'd be looking at a BMW e46 probably.

Well your comment sums it up perfectly. VAG cars have the most bland interiors known to man just a see of grey plastic. The amount of vag cars we have in the garage with injector faults, turbo, abs sensors and pumps i would never touch a new vag car total rubbish.

[JamesHayward]

Personally Nick, I would go with the Alfa. But that's just me.

[HorneyMX5]

Thanks fo rall the opions and info. Settled on a ZT in the end. Should get my probation signed off in a couple of weeks and then to find one!

nick

[Fire99]

HorneyMX5 said:

Should get my probation signed off in a couple of weeks

Congrats on being out of Prison! Best of luck, going straight.

[HorneyMX5]

Cheers! Looking forward to being able to pick up my soap without a surprise.

nick

[Fire99]

HorneyMX5 said:

Cheers! Looking forward to being able to pick up my soap without a surprise.

nick

[y2blade]

fatboy b said:

Alfa, Saab, MG!?!?!?

Oh dear.

All st cars IMO.

What do you drive?


Edit: what a surprise!

[mig25_foxbat2003]

Loving the "MG engines are crap innit" comments! I know you've already picked, but some really good info here (the whole site is epic, you can spend hours on it) if you're interested.

http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/07/13/tested-...

[Fire99]

mig25_foxbat2003 said:

Loving the "MG engines are crap innit" comments! I know you've already picked, but some really good info here (the whole site is epic, you can spend hours on it) if you're interested.

http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/07/13/tested-...

It's a good read, especially since they were the two cars that I was choosing between. I Still think the MG is the better car (hence I bought one) but no denying the Alfa 2.4 5-pot is wonderful, for a diesel.

[Mr Scruff]

I'm in exactly the same situation OP, though I've also added the Volvo S60 to my list and I hadn't thought of the ZT.

Is the lower output ZT best avoided then, the 116bhp version? I know they're going to be slower than evolution but I need a family hack and I've got a Mk2 Golf and a motorbike for my kicks.

[Fire99]

Mr Scruff said:

Is the lower output ZT best avoided then, the 116bhp version?

Exactly the same engine / spec. Purely a different 'map'. Re-map, job fixed.

[HorneyMX5]

Mr Scruff said:

I'm in exactly the same situation OP, though I've also added the Volvo S60 to my list and I hadn't thought of the ZT.

Is the lower output ZT best avoided then, the 116bhp version? I know they're going to be slower than evolution but I need a family hack and I've got a Mk2 Golf and a motorbike for my kicks.

As above, exactly the same egine and running gear. MG even offered a factory remap for these cars to bring it inline with the more powerful ones.

Nick