So long and thanks for all the miles...
Discussion
Oh well, sad times as I will be leaving the Alfa fold soon. Being sensible for once in my life the oil-burning company Bora arrives on Monday and my beautiful 156 Veloce has to go.
Bought it at 12000 and it's now up to 40000 and never put a foot wrong. I think Alfa got it bang on and it's still the best looking saloon on the road. When you get in you look round it for a few seconds before you start it and you always have a glance back when you park it. And I doubt Bora drivers give each other that knowing nod when you pass each other!
So that leaves me with 3 problems...
1. A beautiful metallic black 2.0 Veloce with beige momo leather to sell (appearing on classifieds soon!)
2. I need a new nickname...Bora Bore perhaps??
3. Am I still allowed on this forum? Am I now a mere "diesel head?"
Cheers all and keep enjoying Alfas!
Bought it at 12000 and it's now up to 40000 and never put a foot wrong. I think Alfa got it bang on and it's still the best looking saloon on the road. When you get in you look round it for a few seconds before you start it and you always have a glance back when you park it. And I doubt Bora drivers give each other that knowing nod when you pass each other!
So that leaves me with 3 problems...
1. A beautiful metallic black 2.0 Veloce with beige momo leather to sell (appearing on classifieds soon!)
2. I need a new nickname...Bora Bore perhaps??
3. Am I still allowed on this forum? Am I now a mere "diesel head?"
Cheers all and keep enjoying Alfas!
Sad news indeed.
But, it's better to have loved and lost than always driven a German car.
Of course you are always welcome to chat about Alfas. I am sure you will have another one, one day. Good luck with selling it. They really are cracking cars, but sadly don't make much on the used market.
Oh
and it's "natural tan" leather. Beige is just so...erm... 
... Boring.
>> Edited by wombat rick on Thursday 2nd March 09:31
But, it's better to have loved and lost than always driven a German car.
Of course you are always welcome to chat about Alfas. I am sure you will have another one, one day. Good luck with selling it. They really are cracking cars, but sadly don't make much on the used market.
Oh
and it's "natural tan" leather. Beige is just so...erm... ... Boring. >> Edited by wombat rick on Thursday 2nd March 09:31
So 156er how have you found alfa ownership? how has the car stood up to daily miles (paintwork/interior leather/niggles?) have you found running costs excessive? i know the 2.0 TS can use a bit of oil? how about petrol mpg? i do like the colour combination of black/tan leather! sounds like a nice car. I hope you get back into an alfa again one day mate.
OK fine so the car will shortly be for sale but I will be as honest as I can!
I have to say the car has been excellent. My previous 1.8 was not too good when it got to 100k but the 2.0 has been a great car. The paintwork has been fine (apart from a bumper scrape where I reversed it into a bollard...grrr!) The Momo leather has stood up really well (I believe this was a cost option compared to standard Alfa leather???) although I have been careful to condition it regularly...it still smells new inside. There are occasionally a few squeaks from the dash, although the "fuse box fall into your lap" fault was fixed at the dealer. The most annoying niggle is the passenger seat belt lock rubbing on the seat and making an annoying squeak, although fortunately only when someone is sat in it. Second most annoying niggle is that stupid plastic undertray which sometimes grounds out on speed humps, if I was keeping the car I'd probably just take it off.
Oil consumption is higher than the missus' old MX5 but a lot lower than my 1.8. Alfa told me the trick is keep an eye on it every few weeks, the reason some 156s have been known to use a lot of oil is if it runs very low a couple of times...the damage is then done.
Servicing has been fine as I have had it in the period of ownership before cambelts etc needed doing. I've always had it serviced locally as I'm afraid I cannot see the point of paying stupid money for oil and filter changes, although for more major stuff then fair enough.
It's never let me down, never missed a beat and I will be very sorry to see it go. Petrol consumption is pretty good, I've never worked it out, but I get about 400 miles to a tank driving "normally", more if being gentle or on a long run. However, the Bora does look good, FULLY loaded, 150 bhp, 51mpg and a huge 236 lb/ft of torque! Crikey!
I'm sure I will be an Alfa again one day, however "my" next car will be an Elise at the end of the summer.
I have to say the car has been excellent. My previous 1.8 was not too good when it got to 100k but the 2.0 has been a great car. The paintwork has been fine (apart from a bumper scrape where I reversed it into a bollard...grrr!) The Momo leather has stood up really well (I believe this was a cost option compared to standard Alfa leather???) although I have been careful to condition it regularly...it still smells new inside. There are occasionally a few squeaks from the dash, although the "fuse box fall into your lap" fault was fixed at the dealer. The most annoying niggle is the passenger seat belt lock rubbing on the seat and making an annoying squeak, although fortunately only when someone is sat in it. Second most annoying niggle is that stupid plastic undertray which sometimes grounds out on speed humps, if I was keeping the car I'd probably just take it off.
Oil consumption is higher than the missus' old MX5 but a lot lower than my 1.8. Alfa told me the trick is keep an eye on it every few weeks, the reason some 156s have been known to use a lot of oil is if it runs very low a couple of times...the damage is then done.
Servicing has been fine as I have had it in the period of ownership before cambelts etc needed doing. I've always had it serviced locally as I'm afraid I cannot see the point of paying stupid money for oil and filter changes, although for more major stuff then fair enough.
It's never let me down, never missed a beat and I will be very sorry to see it go. Petrol consumption is pretty good, I've never worked it out, but I get about 400 miles to a tank driving "normally", more if being gentle or on a long run. However, the Bora does look good, FULLY loaded, 150 bhp, 51mpg and a huge 236 lb/ft of torque! Crikey!
I'm sure I will be an Alfa again one day, however "my" next car will be an Elise at the end of the summer.
A fellow PHer has first dibs on it as a daily driver (best mate has decided that perhaps a Tuscan S is best kept for the weekend rather than an 8 mile drive to work every day!) but if not then it will go on next week.
However if I walked out of my house on a bright sunny morning I'd probably take the Tuscan anyway...and a long detour home from work!!
However if I walked out of my house on a bright sunny morning I'd probably take the Tuscan anyway...and a long detour home from work!!
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