New Company Car....choice ??
Discussion
Guys
Hiya..
I am usually in the TVR classic forum , being a fairly new owner of a 1977 3000M V6 however I need some advice and persuasion...
Choosing a new company car and narrowed the choice to :-
Alfa 156 sportswagon
BMW 318 tourer
Saab 9-5 estate
Merc C class estate
I am not bothered whether its petrol/diesel and also not bothered about tax as I choose a car to enjoy the driving experience .
On looks the Alfa has it ..no contest , but have been told the ride can be 'harsh' compared to the others .
Also a couple of teenagers in the rear to consider .
Heard reliability issues also ??
Has it got the 'presence' for the company car park compared to the others above ? ( I know its vain.....!)
Advice warmly welcomed..
Slainte
Brian..
Hiya..
I am usually in the TVR classic forum , being a fairly new owner of a 1977 3000M V6 however I need some advice and persuasion...
Choosing a new company car and narrowed the choice to :-
Alfa 156 sportswagon
BMW 318 tourer
Saab 9-5 estate
Merc C class estate
I am not bothered whether its petrol/diesel and also not bothered about tax as I choose a car to enjoy the driving experience .
On looks the Alfa has it ..no contest , but have been told the ride can be 'harsh' compared to the others .
Also a couple of teenagers in the rear to consider .
Heard reliability issues also ??
Has it got the 'presence' for the company car park compared to the others above ? ( I know its vain.....!)
Advice warmly welcomed..
Slainte
Brian..
People who enjoy their Alfas tend to want them above all else. They have a short list of one! It also depends what sort of person you are - are you going to go mad with a little rattle, or waiting for a part to arrive, or travelling a long way to a dealers? Only you can answer that bit.... but it explains why you get this strange situation where they do badly in JD Power type things but yet have such a passionate following!
What I can tell you is that a Sportwagon will give you much more driving satisfaction than any of the others. The ride is OK on 16" rims, bit crashy on 17"s. If you can afford it, the 20 valve 2.4 JTD is the pick of the bunch. It is not a big car, and if you think you need a 9-5, a SW is going to leave you short on space. Think of it as a 5 door coupe and you're about there.
Car park image?
What the hell does a 318 say about you?
What I can tell you is that a Sportwagon will give you much more driving satisfaction than any of the others. The ride is OK on 16" rims, bit crashy on 17"s. If you can afford it, the 20 valve 2.4 JTD is the pick of the bunch. It is not a big car, and if you think you need a 9-5, a SW is going to leave you short on space. Think of it as a 5 door coupe and you're about there.
Car park image?
What the hell does a 318 say about you?
Rick / Pete..
The sportswagon version is only for the use of my small dog at home ( terrier ) so I've no need for 'big capacity', although I think the look of the sportswagon is as good as the saloon..
The gaffer went from a 156 2.0L to a BMW 320D SE and he regrets it badly... I had plenty of runs in the Alfa when he had it and enjoyed the driving experience .
Being the owner of an old TVR having any minor niggles would not upset me at all.
Been reading about the new diesel 2.4 with 175 BHP ...that is VERY intresting .
Basically the Alfa is the only one that excites me in terms of looks and potential performance .
Away to arrange for brochures and the test drive at the weekend . Will let you know how I got on..
The sportswagon version is only for the use of my small dog at home ( terrier ) so I've no need for 'big capacity', although I think the look of the sportswagon is as good as the saloon..
The gaffer went from a 156 2.0L to a BMW 320D SE and he regrets it badly... I had plenty of runs in the Alfa when he had it and enjoyed the driving experience .
Being the owner of an old TVR having any minor niggles would not upset me at all.
Been reading about the new diesel 2.4 with 175 BHP ...that is VERY intresting .
Basically the Alfa is the only one that excites me in terms of looks and potential performance .
Away to arrange for brochures and the test drive at the weekend . Will let you know how I got on..
Alfa Mad said:
Its now Monday, so where is your 156?
Oh I wish.....
The local Alfa garage in Inverness is closed on Sundays....!!!!!
Should get the brochures in the post today/tomorrow to have a drool over .
Next Friday afternoon is test drive day ....and this time I'll go thru to Aberdeen.
Seriously considering a 2.4JTD sportswagon for the next company car .( top choice....at the moment !)
Before test driving cars , I make the practice of obtaining the brochures so at least I have some knowledge of the car I'm driving.
Over 2 weeks ago I requested brochures via the alfa romeo official web site and still waiting !!!!!
Other brochures for other makes ( 4 of ) all arrived within 48 hours , with 2 friendly follow up calls as well.
Is this typical service from this make as I have picked up vibes from this forum and speaking to alfa owners that customer service from main the Company and franchised dealers is pathetic...?
Living in a fairly remote part of the country , being on call for my employment , and being a high miler I need reliability .....
Before test driving cars , I make the practice of obtaining the brochures so at least I have some knowledge of the car I'm driving.
Over 2 weeks ago I requested brochures via the alfa romeo official web site and still waiting !!!!!
Other brochures for other makes ( 4 of ) all arrived within 48 hours , with 2 friendly follow up calls as well.
Is this typical service from this make as I have picked up vibes from this forum and speaking to alfa owners that customer service from main the Company and franchised dealers is pathetic...?
Living in a fairly remote part of the country , being on call for my employment , and being a high miler I need reliability .....
The brochure service is dire. The website reasonable.
The dealers vary. If you build up a good relationship with them (which works both ways) you will be fine. Sometimes parts supply can be a bit flaky, but it is improving.
The car is far better, and far more important than the brochure!!!
The dealers vary. If you build up a good relationship with them (which works both ways) you will be fine. Sometimes parts supply can be a bit flaky, but it is improving.
The car is far better, and far more important than the brochure!!!
I don't understand why manufacturer's don't put all the brochure information on their websites. Most car manufacturer websites are dire, with very little useful content.
Why don't they put the whole parts database online? The service manuals? Anal technical specs for every car old and new? That's what I'd like to see.
Why don't they put the whole parts database online? The service manuals? Anal technical specs for every car old and new? That's what I'd like to see.
dram said:
Seriously considering a 2.4JTD sportswagon for the next company car .( top choice....at the moment !)
Before test driving cars , I make the practice of obtaining the brochures so at least I have some knowledge of the car I'm driving.
Over 2 weeks ago I requested brochures via the alfa romeo official web site and still waiting !!!!!
Other brochures for other makes ( 4 of ) all arrived within 48 hours , with 2 friendly follow up calls as well.
Is this typical service from this make as I have picked up vibes from this forum and speaking to alfa owners that customer service from main the Company and franchised dealers is pathetic...?
Living in a fairly remote part of the country , being on call for my employment , and being a high miler I need reliability .....
Alfas very rarely 'break down' as such, you will just get the odd electrical faults (made by a certain German manufacturer
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