Giulietta or 159 SW?

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SeanST150

Original Poster:

74 posts

83 months

Tuesday 15th August 2017
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As per the title I'm interested in which people would prefer to own, but more so get the views from those who have owned both.

Currently I own a 2014 Giulietta Exclusive spec with the 2.0 150bhp diesel engine. I have owned this from new. It is my 2nd Giulietta and I'm very fond of it. I bought diesel because I used to do quite a few miles for work, until February this year I had put 53k miles on the clock. Since then I have only just added over 1k and this has been mostly very short journeys; a few miles at most. For the first time ever recently the car went into a forced DPF regen.

I own the car outright and I'd prefer not to have to put money into another car. I'm concerned I'm going to get into problems with the shorter mileage and feel switching to a petrol is a smart move. I could just hunt out a same spec Giulietta with a petrol engine but I've always hankered after a 159SW (in TI spec of course) so now feels like the right time. I've also just got a 2nd dog so the extra boot space would be nice.

Additionally I own a 147 GTA, so I don't need a petrol hatchback for fun. That's already covered by the GTA.

All thoughts on difference in drive, cost of ownership, reliability, etc... welcome.

Cheers

dema

357 posts

174 months

Wednesday 16th August 2017
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I had a 159 2.2 jts and now a Giulietta 1.4 170bhp.
If I would need a diesel car I would got for a 159 every time, if we are talking petrol, definitely a Giulietta.
I found the 2.2 jts to be a poor engine, not enough power for the weight of the car, flat spots everywhere and very thirsty for the performance provided.
The 1.4 MA in the Giulietta it's a very good engine, I mainly use the car for short trips (company car for the rest) and still returning mid 30's, fun to drive and currently running 200bhp in case you fancy some extra fun. The only down side is that it's only a 1.4 and, although very capable, there is so much it can give, if I could go back, I would go for a QV and put up with the lower mpg.
Early models had some issues with the MA unit which would have been replaced under warranty, later models are fine. Except for the problem with the MA I had no issues in 3 years.

Might be worth looking into a 159 TBI or 3.2 if mpg is not an issue

Good luck

SeanST150

Original Poster:

74 posts

83 months

Wednesday 16th August 2017
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Thanks for the response Dema,

I'm not after a diesel. I'd consider the 3.2 V6, but I've already got a 3.2 in the garage. Don't really need it. The target is to get hold of a 1.8 TBI.

I guess I asked in a long way. All things being equal, getting the engine you want and spec, which is a nice car to own. Remembering I'll get all the fun I want out of the 147.

wal 45

654 posts

179 months

Wednesday 16th August 2017
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I've got a 1750 TBi 159 SW, had it for over 3 years now and from a reliability point of view it has been excellent (now at 83K miles) to date. The engine is very good although not a fire breather due to the sheer weight of the car, I very rarely get more than 30-32 MPG although seen 34 on a run keeping the car at a steady 70. Although petrol it feels very much like a diesel and sounds very...ordinary.

Had a couple of silly issues (fuse needing reseating after a speed bump) and the occasional warning light that required a quick switch on/off. Although I have supposedly the best Alfa main dealer in the UK on my doorstep I've always used Alfa Workshop for servicing, they know the engine and 159's very well. I would strongly recommend a good indy for these cars.

I've got a Ti which looks good but has a pretty harsh ride to the point that it slows you down on back roads, a Lusso with smaller wheels may be a better bet for comfort. Tyre life is well documented but a tweak of front geo has doubled the life of mine.

You'll know how poor Alfa paintwork is, mine is carbon black and is pretty terrible. The grey, flat black and silver seems a whole lot better, Alfa red is equally bad. The Ti seats if half leather wear very badly on the bolster, rest of the interior is good but you'll probably need to tackle a few rattles.

Interior space in the rear is fairly poor, our children (3) prefer going in the back of my wife's Focus than the Alfa. The boot is also not that big, has a high lip and is of an awkward shape.

Finally they are extremely rare, think there are only circa 60 UK 1750 SW Ti models so you'll struggle to find one. Veloces still seem to hoover up all of the ones that come on to the market, mine came from there but they are very very expensive for what they are. If you can go for a facelift with the black dash, a bit more power apparently and looks that bit nicer inside.

I like mine an awful lot, it drives really well and looks fantastic but I'd go in eyes open as you've really got to want one and as such I'm not sure I'd carte blanche recommend one. That said mine's not for sale..

Edited by wal 45 on Wednesday 16th August 08:57

jamies30

5,910 posts

228 months

Wednesday 16th August 2017
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wal 45 said:
I've got a Ti which looks good but has a pretty harsh ride to the point that it slows you down on back roads, a Lusso with smaller wheels may be a better bet for comfort.
I had a ti Sportwagon, I agree about the ride but found it a better compromise overall than the Lusso which was a bit too soft and wallowy.


wal 45 said:
The boot is also not that big, has a high lip and is of an awkward shape
...and that's the other point I was going to make. I liked mine as a 'thing' but it wasn't all that good as an estate car. Neither of our dogs was too happy jumping in to the back, with the high lip and the floor inside being relatively low.

robbo 2006

107 posts

171 months

Thursday 17th August 2017
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Agree with the above. I had a 1750 TISW for 4 years and it was a lovely car. Just thirsty for a1.75. I ever got over 30 mpg. I have a 2.0 TISW now mapped to 200hp and get 45 mpg which makes more sense with the GT 3.2 for weekends wink

velocerosso

43 posts

82 months

Saturday 19th August 2017
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Both have their merits and both have their foibles. But as you are comparing a 159 SW with re-badged Vauxhall. The main issue with the 159 is they all have Insignia derived engines, as does the Giuliettas. They are heavy.

Personally I'd buy the 159 1750 TBI. They were only made in limited numbers but the engine is Alfa/FIAT, as used in the 4C. The diesels are good, but the 2.2 JTS and 3.2 JTS have known issues with the cam chains.

streetscreamer

12 posts

78 months

Monday 4th September 2017
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Flawless 250.000 km done now with my 159SW 1.9 jtdm 8v (massimo tuned by Squadra Tuning > 160hp). Looking forward for the next 250.000km.
In the meantime saving some money to buy a Giulia Veloce after that.

SeanST150

Original Poster:

74 posts

83 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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Well gents. I've tracked down a 159 SW TBI. Deposit is placed, just need to pay up and brace myself for any work it needs doing under my ownership. It's done plenty of miles, but you wouldn't know looking at it. It's been very well looked after. Previously a staff car of HR Owen and then 1 private owner for the next 5/6 years.

When it arrives I'll have to make arrangements to get this and my 147 next to one another for a photoshoot. That should definitely wind up SWMBO.

Thanks for those who chucked in their opinions. Now I just need to move on my Giulietta.