156, old model or facelift version??
Discussion
lookind at spending around £6500.00 for a used 156. I am looking at a high milage facelift 156(Late 2003 - ) or a low milage non-facelift.
Are there are any major difference's apart from the style? I would travel less than 10,000 miles a year so I would claw those high miles back.
Which should I go for?
Are there are any major difference's apart from the style? I would travel less than 10,000 miles a year so I would claw those high miles back.
Which should I go for?
thebigmack said:
lookind at spending around £6500.00 for a used 156. I am looking at a high milage facelift 156(Late 2003 - ) or a low milage non-facelift.
Are there are any major difference's apart from the style? I would travel less than 10,000 miles a year so I would claw those high miles back.
Which should I go for?
Are there are any major difference's apart from the style? I would travel less than 10,000 miles a year so I would claw those high miles back.
Which should I go for?
Get the nicest low mileage car you can find.
I had a budget of up to £3k when I was looking. I looked at berlina's and sportwagons, I tried to buy the most car I could for my money and looked at a number of high mileage cars and they all seemed to be tired. In the end I went for a nice, 1 owner R-reg with 32,000 miles, which is as tight as a drum, in perfect condition (until I bumped it on boxing day!) with a full Alfa Service History.
So my message is don't worry if it's not got the latest face, just look for the best and buy the 2.0 not the 1.8 as it is a smoother unit.
In truth the best bet is probably a mid face lift car, ie the nicer interior with the older and nicer (IMO of course) nose end. The 2.0 Petrol is the newer JTS unit which has a good bit more poke than the 1.8 favoured by our friend, and is probably more reliable the the 2.0TS unit it replaced.
Alternativley there's always the diesels with the economic but a bit dull 1.9 16V or the strapping great 2.4 5 pot unit which will out pull a JTS.
Or perhaps a V6 still a few on this face lift or GTA, which are a bargain these days and no differant to a normal V6 on juice. EDIT... sorry just seen the budget, scrub the GTA then..
Alternativley there's always the diesels with the economic but a bit dull 1.9 16V or the strapping great 2.4 5 pot unit which will out pull a JTS.
Or perhaps a V6 still a few on this face lift or GTA, which are a bargain these days and no differant to a normal V6 on juice. EDIT... sorry just seen the budget, scrub the GTA then..
Edited by velocemitch on Tuesday 2nd January 18:35
I think the "mid facelift" option of the old looks and new interior is a good bet, the interior is quite a lot better in the facelift versions. I've had one of each.
Personally I really disliked the facelift looks when they came out but they have grown on me, both look nice but the original ones are more of a classic design IMHO. I was pleased to be able to get a 2005 car with the facelift interior (in fact quite a lof of model-bespoke stuff) and the older looks, albeit beefed-up, when I got the GTA.
Engine-wise all 4-pots need 36k camblet changes and regular oil top-ups but should then be fine. I'm going to have to add that the 2.5 V6 models are cracking value SH, are as fast as the new 159 3.2V6, sound superb, and are very strong. I've run two V6's - one, a 2.5, for 90k miles of hard driving, and the engines have been by far the most solid of any brand I've used. The V6's benefit from a much sweeter, 6-speed, gearbox as well. Urban mpg is the only concern (worth it to me!).
Personally I really disliked the facelift looks when they came out but they have grown on me, both look nice but the original ones are more of a classic design IMHO. I was pleased to be able to get a 2005 car with the facelift interior (in fact quite a lof of model-bespoke stuff) and the older looks, albeit beefed-up, when I got the GTA.
Engine-wise all 4-pots need 36k camblet changes and regular oil top-ups but should then be fine. I'm going to have to add that the 2.5 V6 models are cracking value SH, are as fast as the new 159 3.2V6, sound superb, and are very strong. I've run two V6's - one, a 2.5, for 90k miles of hard driving, and the engines have been by far the most solid of any brand I've used. The V6's benefit from a much sweeter, 6-speed, gearbox as well. Urban mpg is the only concern (worth it to me!).
We run a 2 litre 51 plate here bought in June with 42k and now with 52k on it. No issues so far, had the cambelt done immediately as there was no definitive evidence it had been done. Keep an eye on the oil as well whichever you get. Other than that I think they are all cracking value for money, my preference is for the pre-facelifted front, the later style just looked like a bolt on update to me and didn't quite fit the design to my eye. Of course that is just a personal preference so only you can decide on that, just find the right car and don't worry about it if you have no real preference.
Edited by touching cloth on Thursday 4th January 10:20
Mid-life cars look best IMHO, updated silver dash and original, more distinctive nose styling.
I've nothing against the new look, although the rear light treatment of the newer cars just doesn't seem to "work", especially on the Sportwagons.
Go for the low mileage mint car every time, the high milers I looked were well worn, I don't think they stand up to abuse like other repmobiles.
I've nothing against the new look, although the rear light treatment of the newer cars just doesn't seem to "work", especially on the Sportwagons.
Go for the low mileage mint car every time, the high milers I looked were well worn, I don't think they stand up to abuse like other repmobiles.
Hi guys.
Thanks for all your help and all your sugguestion's.
What would you think of this 1.
www.visionautomotive.co.uk/viewcar.php?id=5004611&start=0&display=20&make=Alfa%20Romeo&ask=&new=1
Thanks for all your help and all your sugguestion's.
What would you think of this 1.
www.visionautomotive.co.uk/viewcar.php?id=5004611&start=0&display=20&make=Alfa%20Romeo&ask=&new=1
britten_mark said:
Mid-life cars look best IMHO, updated silver dash and original, more distinctive nose styling.
I've nothing against the new look, although the rear light treatment of the newer cars just doesn't seem to "work", especially on the Sportwagons.
Go for the low mileage mint car every time, the high milers I looked were well worn, I don't think they stand up to abuse like other repmobiles.
I've nothing against the new look, although the rear light treatment of the newer cars just doesn't seem to "work", especially on the Sportwagons.
Go for the low mileage mint car every time, the high milers I looked were well worn, I don't think they stand up to abuse like other repmobiles.
I have a 2000/2001 (bought in Germany and imported over here) 156 V6 sportwagon with 102K on the clock. Bought with 100K on the clock in October and previously owned by a chap who drove it from Swindon to Bristol every day (hence high mileage), had the family in at weekends, and had it serviced at a dealership regularly. Okay so the nose is stone chipped to buggery, but the engine is so sweet and solid. No problems with her at all, I love her.
Bargain at £3k I thought too
thebigmack said:
Hi guys.
Thanks for all your help and all your sugguestion's.
What would you think of this 1.
www.visionautomotive.co.uk/viewcar.php?id=5004611&start=0&display=20&make=Alfa%20Romeo&ask=&new=1
Thanks for all your help and all your sugguestion's.
What would you think of this 1.
www.visionautomotive.co.uk/viewcar.php?id=5004611&start=0&display=20&make=Alfa%20Romeo&ask=&new=1
Good colour.
Make sure you drive it.
The Lusso was too soft for my tastes, but some people find the Veloce too harsh.
Myself and hubby are selling a 156 2.5 petrol Y reg 2001. We couldn't rave about it enough, it's fab!! Only selling as paying for laser eye op forces sale, boo! Stunning car, I'm in process of loading pics of our cars onto this site. If you want to have a nosey I can email pics if you prefer. £4500 ono, so under your budget and older than you were looking for, but thought I'd let you know.
It's a stunning car, we will shed a tear when it goes. The old GTI we've got to run about in on a budget just it's the same.
Vicki
It's a stunning car, we will shed a tear when it goes. The old GTI we've got to run about in on a budget just it's the same.
Vicki
Edited by VicBanbury on Friday 5th January 20:08
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