Alfa 159 - Should I?!
Discussion
silverthorn2151 said:
Deposit paid, so should be in club by Saturday.
If that's from a certain London dealer, I might suggest you do some reading before completing the deal. I've no experience with them so won't comment beyond this, but I've read a few things - not proper disaster stories, but the sort of place you might want to go to with your eyes open.trashbat said:
silverthorn2151 said:
Deposit paid, so should be in club by Saturday.
If that's from a certain London dealer, I might suggest you do some reading before completing the deal. I've no experience with them so won't comment beyond this, but I've read a few things - not proper disaster stories, but the sort of place you might want to go to with your eyes open.Just seems to me that this particular dealer has 4 or 5 cars I'd happily drive away in, so any extra info would be good...
_dobbo_ said:
Are you alluding to problems with the car, or problems with the dealer? All cars can have issues - so for me it would matter more about how it was handled.
Just seems to me that this particular dealer has 4 or 5 cars I'd happily drive away in, so any extra info would be good...
The dealer, or the supplied car, not the 159 as a whole. Have a browse on Alfaowner - you'll find mixed reviews, and I mean that literally: some people are quite happy, some kick up a right fuss. I think the truth is often somewhere in between.Just seems to me that this particular dealer has 4 or 5 cars I'd happily drive away in, so any extra info would be good...
trashbat said:
_dobbo_ said:
Are you alluding to problems with the car, or problems with the dealer? All cars can have issues - so for me it would matter more about how it was handled.
Just seems to me that this particular dealer has 4 or 5 cars I'd happily drive away in, so any extra info would be good...
The dealer, or the supplied car, not the 159 as a whole. Have a browse on Alfaowner - you'll find mixed reviews, and I mean that literally: some people are quite happy, some kick up a right fuss. I think the truth is often somewhere in between.Just seems to me that this particular dealer has 4 or 5 cars I'd happily drive away in, so any extra info would be good...
They may be a few quid more than other dealers, but I have always found them friendly, and good to deal with.
When I got the GT, even though it was top-end price wise, they did a few extras on collection that I hadn't asked for. When I came to pick it up, naturally it was sparkling inside and out, but they had thrown on new front tyres, and front pads & discs. Little bonuses like this make a deal a more pleasant one, for sure.
As it happens, I too will be picking up a 159 SW this week from them. This time around, the PX price was not great, but the 159 felt 'right', and you never know, they may just surprise me again when I go to collect it....
Will report back soon...
Looked at 'my' 159 again on saturday and dealt with some paperwork. Hopefully I'll be picking it up mid-week.
I recognise that I'm probably paying top-dollar for it, and they haven't gone overboard in offering incentives. However, they were very busy on Saturday and I guess they are selling enough without having to. They did tell me it had been serviced, when it clearly hadn't, but I'll forgive them that until they give me the keys.
Can't wait to get it home to be honest and each time I have seen it I think it looks more and more stylish.
I recognise that I'm probably paying top-dollar for it, and they haven't gone overboard in offering incentives. However, they were very busy on Saturday and I guess they are selling enough without having to. They did tell me it had been serviced, when it clearly hadn't, but I'll forgive them that until they give me the keys.
Can't wait to get it home to be honest and each time I have seen it I think it looks more and more stylish.
A VERY cool car. I can never get my head around people who go for a German car over these 
I've been looking at a 159 recently.
Swaying towards the 2.4 Ti but couple of quick questions;
1. What's the auto (qtronic i think they called it) like?
2. The 4wd system - is it "borrowed" from another car and does it work well?
Do look amazing though these cars, have to agree. Fingers crossed i'll find what i'm lookin for.
Swaying towards the 2.4 Ti but couple of quick questions;
1. What's the auto (qtronic i think they called it) like?
2. The 4wd system - is it "borrowed" from another car and does it work well?
Do look amazing though these cars, have to agree. Fingers crossed i'll find what i'm lookin for.
Alfahorn said:
I've started looking for a 159 TI 1.9 JTDM to replace my 2004 156 JTDM Sportwagon. I've given myself a maximum budget of £11,000, hoping to get the time to look at a couple at the weekend.
Do it!I am happy with the 1.9 rather than the 2.4 - the saving in fuel, tax and insurance.
£11k should get you a decent choice - 2009/10 with miles would be my suggestion.
I have to say white is striking, black cool (but only for 5 mins after it is washed...) and red, well, that's "Alfa Red", isn't it?
Very nice 
I do love the look of a red 159Ti and if I needed a saloon car it would definitely be my choice.
On the subject of electrical reliability my 58 plate Brera has done 78k miles, it has had two electrical issues, it has needed 1 lambda probe and a headlight bulb, this is of course shockingly bad and I should have bought something German instead.
I do love the look of a red 159Ti and if I needed a saloon car it would definitely be my choice. On the subject of electrical reliability my 58 plate Brera has done 78k miles, it has had two electrical issues, it has needed 1 lambda probe and a headlight bulb, this is of course shockingly bad and I should have bought something German instead.
Edited by Pooh on Sunday 12th February 10:01
I am seriously considering joining the 159 owners club (and like a number of you coming from the 'German metal' clan)..
Please tell why I should or should not buy this car
http://www.veloces.co.uk/reg/RACN2D5
I drove it last weekend and liked it but I have no experience with Alfa's and with this dealer (seemed like nice guys but I see the comments above).
My thinking is to buy 2-year warranty and to get a sat nav put in (Veloces said they can do both). Is that warranty any good? (RMI I think they said)
What do you think is the next thing that's most likely to 'hit' next with this car? Clutch? Cambelt?
Fuel economy is not an issue as I currently drive an E60 M5 (15mpg) and only do c10k miles a year.
Thank you all in advance for any insight!
Please tell why I should or should not buy this car
http://www.veloces.co.uk/reg/RACN2D5
I drove it last weekend and liked it but I have no experience with Alfa's and with this dealer (seemed like nice guys but I see the comments above).
My thinking is to buy 2-year warranty and to get a sat nav put in (Veloces said they can do both). Is that warranty any good? (RMI I think they said)
What do you think is the next thing that's most likely to 'hit' next with this car? Clutch? Cambelt?
Fuel economy is not an issue as I currently drive an E60 M5 (15mpg) and only do c10k miles a year.
Thank you all in advance for any insight!
Equinox96 said:
I am seriously considering joining the 159 owners club (and like a number of you coming from the 'German metal' clan)..
Please tell why I should or should not buy this car
http://www.veloces.co.uk/reg/RACN2D5
I drove it last weekend and liked it but I have no experience with Alfa's and with this dealer (seemed like nice guys but I see the comments above).
My thinking is to buy 2-year warranty and to get a sat nav put in (Veloces said they can do both). Is that warranty any good? (RMI I think they said)
What do you think is the next thing that's most likely to 'hit' next with this car? Clutch? Cambelt?
Fuel economy is not an issue as I currently drive an E60 M5 (15mpg) and only do c10k miles a year.
Thank you all in advance for any insight!
Can't comment on price as I don't know the 159 market that well but other comments:-Please tell why I should or should not buy this car
http://www.veloces.co.uk/reg/RACN2D5
I drove it last weekend and liked it but I have no experience with Alfa's and with this dealer (seemed like nice guys but I see the comments above).
My thinking is to buy 2-year warranty and to get a sat nav put in (Veloces said they can do both). Is that warranty any good? (RMI I think they said)
What do you think is the next thing that's most likely to 'hit' next with this car? Clutch? Cambelt?
Fuel economy is not an issue as I currently drive an E60 M5 (15mpg) and only do c10k miles a year.
Thank you all in advance for any insight!
Usual good TI spec,
1)cambelts are not an issue on these as they run chains
2)make sure the oil temperature gauge moves when it warms up (as on the V6 they are a nightmare to access and can cost hundreds of pounds to renew).
3) Check the tyres to check they are wearing evenly (inside to out), as the 159/Brera are often on the incorrect alignment settings which cause the insides to wear RAPIDLY. Even if the car isn't wearing ask them to check the settings against the latest settings on Alfaowner, if it is worn a sufficient amount then try and get them to include new tyres (avoid budgets, although Acceleras are are 70% as good as the bigger boys imo and preferable to some of the other budgets)and re-alignment.
4) Check everything works (shouldn't be an issue as most are solid)
5) Check mirrors fold in and they dont touch the black plastic mirror mount when they do (often they get pushed back in by careless pedestrians/cyclist and break the stop clip - can't be fixed without replacement and whilst it doesn't affect the operation means the mirror rubs the black trim.
6) Put the cars steering on full lock either way and check for odd knocks from the power steering rack (some cars have the wrong colour fluid that then results in leaks), if it knocks they can often replace the ends.
V6Alfisti said:
Can't comment on price as I don't know the 159 market that well but other comments:-
Usual good TI spec,
1)cambelts are not an issue on these as they run chains
2)make sure the oil temperature gauge moves when it warms up (as on the V6 they are a nightmare to access and can cost hundreds of pounds to renew).
3) Check the tyres to check they are wearing evenly (inside to out), as the 159/Brera are often on the incorrect alignment settings which cause the insides to wear RAPIDLY. Even if the car isn't wearing ask them to check the settings against the latest settings on Alfaowner, if it is worn a sufficient amount then try and get them to include new tyres (avoid budgets, although Acceleras are are 70% as good as the bigger boys imo and preferable to some of the other budgets)and re-alignment.
4) Check everything works (shouldn't be an issue as most are solid)
5) Check mirrors fold in and they dont touch the black plastic mirror mount when they do (often they get pushed back in by careless pedestrians/cyclist and break the stop clip - can't be fixed without replacement and whilst it doesn't affect the operation means the mirror rubs the black trim.
6) Put the cars steering on full lock either way and check for odd knocks from the power steering rack (some cars have the wrong colour fluid that then results in leaks), if it knocks they can often replace the ends.
Thank you very much for this detailed write up - much appreciate it.Usual good TI spec,
1)cambelts are not an issue on these as they run chains
2)make sure the oil temperature gauge moves when it warms up (as on the V6 they are a nightmare to access and can cost hundreds of pounds to renew).
3) Check the tyres to check they are wearing evenly (inside to out), as the 159/Brera are often on the incorrect alignment settings which cause the insides to wear RAPIDLY. Even if the car isn't wearing ask them to check the settings against the latest settings on Alfaowner, if it is worn a sufficient amount then try and get them to include new tyres (avoid budgets, although Acceleras are are 70% as good as the bigger boys imo and preferable to some of the other budgets)and re-alignment.
4) Check everything works (shouldn't be an issue as most are solid)
5) Check mirrors fold in and they dont touch the black plastic mirror mount when they do (often they get pushed back in by careless pedestrians/cyclist and break the stop clip - can't be fixed without replacement and whilst it doesn't affect the operation means the mirror rubs the black trim.
6) Put the cars steering on full lock either way and check for odd knocks from the power steering rack (some cars have the wrong colour fluid that then results in leaks), if it knocks they can often replace the ends.
Andre
I've owned my 07 1.9 JTDm for a couple of weeks now and am really pleased. I wanted something economical and practical but not completely soulless.
I bought it from a main dealer. It had 58K on the clock. Got them to do the cambelt/tensioners/waterpump as part of the deal.
I get around 41mpg on a motorway run. Mid 30's in mixed driving.
Have posted a picture in the 'show us your Alfa' thread. Thought I'd put a couple more up here. I think it really is a great looking car. And tremendous value secondhand.
I bought it from a main dealer. It had 58K on the clock. Got them to do the cambelt/tensioners/waterpump as part of the deal.
I get around 41mpg on a motorway run. Mid 30's in mixed driving.
Have posted a picture in the 'show us your Alfa' thread. Thought I'd put a couple more up here. I think it really is a great looking car. And tremendous value secondhand.
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff