Realistic guestimation ...

[90 B]

Afternoon,

I am looking into the running costs of an Alfa Romeo 159 2.2 Petrol.

I need this motivation for my second car. I have quotes on certain aspects and I am trying to project the real life running costs.

Flag up anything you disagree with

Purchasing cost: £7,000
Warranty: £400.00
Fuel: £2,350 per year (Based on 10,000 miles)
Insurance: £1,000
Servicing: £300.00 per year
Tyres: £1,000
Tax: £235.00 per year

Total: £12,285 for initial purchasing cost and first year running costs. Chances are that the car will come with tax, MOT and insurance.

Please note, I have purposely made these figures the WORST case scenario.

If I expect these figures, I hopefully will be pleasantly surprised.

Opinions?

[300bhp/ton]

What about depreciation? Not trying to be funny but on a car like that depreciation is one of your biggest costs. In reality it'll only take it a few years to be worth 20 pence and a couple of stale peanuts.

[SWoll]

Unless all 4 tyres are borked when you buy it and you drive like a madman I can't see you spending £1000 in a year on them personally.

[HedgehogFromHell]

SWoll said:

Unless all 4 tyres are borked when you buy it and you drive like a madman I can't see you spending £1000 in a year on them personally.

I always opt high on tyres. A set of continentals cost me that much and although i can normally last just over a year with three trackdays and 7,000 miles covered it seems recently the council (or the local tyre place) has either taken to spreading nails and industrial offcuts on the road surface or given up cleaning them... Cue 4 tyres, within a month of fitting 4 new ones... Upset isnt the word.

[SturdyHSV]

Insurance seems high, unless you're in a bad postcode for insurance?

Would second on the tyres point as well, it's FWD, the rears just keep the exhaust off the ground, so unless you go through a pair of very expensive fronts tyres every 5,000 miles, that does seem a bit too pessimistic...?

Maybe more for servicing, in case anything goes wrong? I'd say with those figures, you'll be pleasantly surprised after a year money wise.

Edited by SturdyHSV on Monday 2nd April 15:37

[kambites]

300bhp/ton said:

What about depreciation? Not trying to be funny but on a car like that depreciation is one of your biggest costs. In reality it'll only take it a few years to be worth 20 pence and a couple of stale peanuts.

It can't depreciate more than the initial purchase cost, and he's factored that into the calculations; so he's essentially assuming 100% depreciation.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Is this so that you can get a second car, or is it your second car? If the latter, is there nothing that floats your boat a little more than a diesel FWD saloon?

I agree that that is excessive for tyres - a full set for mine runs to £300.

[SturdyHSV]

NiceCupOfTea said:

than a diesel FWD saloon?

He did put 2.2 petrol by the way

[Robb F]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Is this so that you can get a second car, or is it your second car? If the latter, is there nothing that floats your boat a little more than a diesel FWD saloon?

I agree that that is excessive for tyres - a full set for mine runs to £300.

He said he's getting the petrol, but it does seem an odd choice for a second car.

Unless the second car is for the wife or something, and not a 'weekend' car.

Edited by Robb F on Monday 2nd April 15:50

[90 B]

Budgeting for high insurance due to my age. 21. I am currently spending £490.00 for a Corsa. Really low for my age.

I am hoping repair costs will be covered by warranty.

As far as fuel economy goes ... As funny as it sounds ... I think I would use less than others due to my driving style.

Pretty safe driver and I have never been one to act stupid. This is now finally reflecting in my insurance.

I just love these cars and feel it is realistic for a second car.

[NiceCupOfTea]

SturdyHSV said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

than a diesel FWD saloon?

He did put 2.2 petrol by the way

D'oh - comprehension fail, sorry

[90 B]

Oh no. No wife for me thanks. Lol.

I was also looking at the Brera's but they are slightly more to buy.

What would you say the difference would be between the 2.2 and the 3.2 V6?

[XitUp]

kambites said:

It can't depreciate more than the initial purchase cost...

I dunno, it is an Alfa.

90 B said:

What would you say the difference would be between the 2.2 and the 3.2 V6?

V6 will sound nicer, go better and cost more to run.

[crofty1984]

Ah, second car as in "the next car you get after your first car" not "weekend toy". Gotcha.

[fozzymandeus]

You've budgetted for a warranty, but don't forget to budget for repairs for all the things the warranty won't cover such as:

1. Things that are actually likely to break.

edit: for example you've not budgeted anything for brake componentry, or a potential cambelt change. (the 2.2 is a belt cam, right?)

[90 B]

I just really love the cars.

I think the 3.2 will be a bit hairy of fuel. But I have heard that the 2.2 isnt exactly a Prius!!!

And just to clarify ...

When a company advertises 0% APR ... Does that mean that if you are borrowing £3,000, you pay £3,000 with no interest?

Thanks!

[jamieboy]

90 B said:

What would you say the difference would be between the 2.2 and the 3.2 V6?

Have you driven either / both? I'm a big fan of Alfas, but I always found the 2.2 to be a bit rubbish. The 3.2 isn't as enjoyable as the old V6, but it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Whereas the 2.2 is worse than it's made out.

[jamieboy]

fozzymandeus said:

edit: for example you've not budgeted anything for brake componentry, or a potential cambelt change. (the 2.2 is a belt cam, right?)

It's a chain, but your general point stands.

[90 B]

jamieboy said:

Have you driven either / both? I'm a big fan of Alfas, but I always found the 2.2 to be a bit rubbish. The 3.2 isn't as enjoyable as the old V6, but it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Whereas the 2.2 is worse than it's made out.

I haven't driven one yet. I am not in a position to buy one as of yet. I like to decide what I want, then I can look forward to it. Gives me a motivation for life.

I just want a lovely car that is " interesting " that I can run.

I never spend money on clothes, not bothered about eating out at nice restaurants, I dont have an expensive phone, I dont smoke, I dont take out expensive women and I am completely T total. I never drink.

So if you work out my disposable income, it is very impressive for someone on such a modest wage.

I am happy to pay for fuel, tax, insurance etc because this will alloy me to enjoy the car ... But £1,000 for clutches after 50,000 JUST due to unreliability would really strain me ...

Put it this way ... If I got a repair bill for £1,200 ... That would really worry me.

Is the Alfa for me ....

Wow it is beautiful though. This is the problem.

[MartyPubes]

fozzymandeus said:

You've budgetted for a warranty, but don't forget to budget for repairs for all the things the warranty won't cover such as:

1. Things that are actually likely to break.

edit: for example you've not budgeted anything for brake componentry, or a potential cambelt change. (the 2.2 is a belt cam, right?)

I'd echo this. Personally I wouldn't bother with the warranty, although many on here may disagree.