Any Alfa Fans?
Discussion
Mon Ami Mate said:
I have an often unfortunate history of Alfas and currently own two (a 156 2.0TS and a 2000 Duetto Spider). I've previously owned (in chronological order) a 1971 2000 Bertone GTV, a 1983 Alfetta GTV, a 1991 75 2.0l and a 1996 GTV.
The unfortunate side has just reared its ugly head again. Sudden clutch failure on the 156 at the weekend, two months out of warranty, just under 50,000 miles, SGT reckon approx £800 to fix. This two months after a 48,000 mile service came to £800 thanks to replacement brakes and a new airbox. I really want a 156 GTA, but at some point I must start being sensible...
We've now had our new 147 2.0 Lusso for about 4 months. Its really the wifes car and she's delighted with it, I wanted a Golf GT TDi and I still think I was right;
All the switch gear feels like it will break at any moment.
The rear door handles feel like they will break even earlier than that.
The computer doesn't remember where you left it so you have to page through every time to get where you want - e.g. trip economy is 7 presses of the button. So you never use it.
The stereo has the smallest fiddly controls ever and the 'source' button on the steering wheel alternates not between radio and CD but FM1, FM11, MW, LW THEN CD. Aaaargh.
The paintwork has more Orange peel than an Israeli orchard.
The leather seats are georgeous but the finishing on the edges is appalling.
Its supposed to be 150BHP and feels like 100BHP.
All the torque is so far up the rev range its impossible to drive fast and change gear smoothly at the same time.
And there's not enough torque anyway.
You can't pause and resume the cruise control - you have to turn it off completely and switch it back on every time you need to slow down - so you don't bother using it.
Current average MPG over 2500 miles is... 22.9. Fantastic. Less than half what a Golf would have got? That includes a trip to Newcastle where at anything other than a constant 75 the MPG was down in the 20's. At 100 plus I was watching the fuel gauge move.
Acceleration from 70 plus is dismal, changing down to fourth is a necessity and mundane TDi's pull away without trying.
You can't open the boot at all without the key. Seems security consience and sensible on paper, in practice there are times when its frustrating as hell.
The rear seat belts mount too high and are most uncomfortable.
The alarm bleeps 'twice' for open and 'once' for locked. Surely this is the wrong way round?!?
On the plus side the steering is a joy (2.2 turn quick rack), the suspension is taut and handling is crisp. And it looks cool. I suppose.
But my diesel Merc beats it hands down in almost every test imaginable and other than down a dark wet twisty country lane would also obliterate it in terms of performance. God knows what the 1.6 is like....
All the switch gear feels like it will break at any moment.
The rear door handles feel like they will break even earlier than that.
The computer doesn't remember where you left it so you have to page through every time to get where you want - e.g. trip economy is 7 presses of the button. So you never use it.
The stereo has the smallest fiddly controls ever and the 'source' button on the steering wheel alternates not between radio and CD but FM1, FM11, MW, LW THEN CD. Aaaargh.
The paintwork has more Orange peel than an Israeli orchard.
The leather seats are georgeous but the finishing on the edges is appalling.
Its supposed to be 150BHP and feels like 100BHP.
All the torque is so far up the rev range its impossible to drive fast and change gear smoothly at the same time.
And there's not enough torque anyway.
You can't pause and resume the cruise control - you have to turn it off completely and switch it back on every time you need to slow down - so you don't bother using it.
Current average MPG over 2500 miles is... 22.9. Fantastic. Less than half what a Golf would have got? That includes a trip to Newcastle where at anything other than a constant 75 the MPG was down in the 20's. At 100 plus I was watching the fuel gauge move.
Acceleration from 70 plus is dismal, changing down to fourth is a necessity and mundane TDi's pull away without trying.
You can't open the boot at all without the key. Seems security consience and sensible on paper, in practice there are times when its frustrating as hell.
The rear seat belts mount too high and are most uncomfortable.
The alarm bleeps 'twice' for open and 'once' for locked. Surely this is the wrong way round?!?
On the plus side the steering is a joy (2.2 turn quick rack), the suspension is taut and handling is crisp. And it looks cool. I suppose.
But my diesel Merc beats it hands down in almost every test imaginable and other than down a dark wet twisty country lane would also obliterate it in terms of performance. God knows what the 1.6 is like....
I love alfa`s - had a few (GTV`s old & new)and still run a 147 alongside my porkers. Mine have (shock - horror) all been well built and bullet proof to date but I do see them as a heart rather than head purchase. I long for them to return to RWD and have more consistent build quality so that I can stop buying German cars...
My 147 hasn`t put a foot wrong, is solid as a rock and punts along nicely as long as you drive like an italian.
My 147 hasn`t put a foot wrong, is solid as a rock and punts along nicely as long as you drive like an italian.
I've had an x reg 156 2.5v6 lusso since Jan, and had no problems except a low speed cooling fan relay went causing it to run hot in traffic. Great car, fast and a great sounding engine, the lusso suspension is a little soft and the car rolls a bit, but when you push it hard its handling and your confidence in it seems to improve!! Agree if Alfa did a rwd car maybe a GTA it would be brilliant.
Huge fan, the only thing that put me off was the dealer.. and the fact that the new ones are actually fiats. So I bought the cheapest Peugeot I could find to go to work in, and kept old Alfetta GTV's for the weekends. Bought a 2600 Bertone Sprint Coupé with my dad as a project. These cars have real soul.
Love them. Had 4 33's over the years (Gold Cloverleaf, Green Cloverleaf, race tuned 1.7i and P4) and loved all of them. Currently have 1.8TS 156 Sportwagon and in comparison with my other alfas it's unfortunately very boring. Don't get me wrong, it's a superbly reliable day to day car with a nice engine & is in my opinion the best looking of the current alfas, but there's something missing. My old 33's had character, engines that sounded like they meant business and in the case of the P4, the ability to go round corners like you were velcro'd on
. The 156 is too civilised for me, so I may be hunting for another P4 soon to play with. Oh, I also have a 4.2 TVR Cerbera for when I really want to play
.
. The 156 is too civilised for me, so I may be hunting for another P4 soon to play with. Oh, I also have a 4.2 TVR Cerbera for when I really want to play.
I have driven and owned many alfas, I loved my 3.0 164 for the way I could just get in it and thrash it with no complaints ( until it became the meat in a 4 car rear ender) now using a 75 3.0, but since I have the Chimera it just feels too slow, anyone want it? silky smooth V6, rear wheel drive with LSD, I think it will soon be in pistonheads classifieds, but as a run about do I get a 156 sportswagon as a replacement, they do look lovely! and I do like the interiors as well, or do I save the sponds and go for a late model 164 ( they did make a 4 wheel drive import only though)
So once again 3.0 75 for sale, shiny and black and just under 140K on the clock
So once again 3.0 75 for sale, shiny and black and just under 140K on the clock
CSW said:
Anyone else got one/a fan?
Guilty!
I had a 1996 145 Cloverleaf, and my missis now has a 1999 145 Cloverleaf and I run a 2002 Sportwagon 2.4 JTD.
I love them dearly, but the dealers on the whole are dire! It's not always their fault though - Alfa UK are a shambles, and the parts back up (through them) is "patchy".
Personally, not a fan of the 147 and the chestwig GTA bodykits though.
Alfa fans? You bet.. and with good reason. They are THE and only car available to the masses which offer rewards far in excess of their price and on paper performance. I have been fortunate enough to own two Giuliettas (but with all 3 engine options), 2 75s and a 155. All have inspired and delighted me. All have been incredibly reliable although the older rwd cars needed as fair bit of fettling and preventative maintainance.
If there ever was a manufacturer which had a deliberate history of ignoring what the masses demanded, and instead, delivered what enthusiasts craved and dreamed of, Alfa Romeo was that manufacturer. Who needs ergonomics when blessed with a rasping exhaust. Who wants easy to live with when the car can excite and invigorate?
I rate Alfas as the most fun cars. Okay, the Chimaera gives me a natural high just because of its massive performance, but the modded 75 Twinspark is just more rewarding. It is a purer and more inspired drive. It simply just hits the spot.
If someone asked me what would be my dream car, I would say the 2 grand Alfa is it.
If there ever was a manufacturer which had a deliberate history of ignoring what the masses demanded, and instead, delivered what enthusiasts craved and dreamed of, Alfa Romeo was that manufacturer. Who needs ergonomics when blessed with a rasping exhaust. Who wants easy to live with when the car can excite and invigorate?
I rate Alfas as the most fun cars. Okay, the Chimaera gives me a natural high just because of its massive performance, but the modded 75 Twinspark is just more rewarding. It is a purer and more inspired drive. It simply just hits the spot.
If someone asked me what would be my dream car, I would say the 2 grand Alfa is it.
Didn't realise until yeterday that Paul at Austec has preped a 145/6/7, not sure what one but I think a 146, for the Alfa production series this season. He's curently in Brands Hatch today putting it through its paces, well his driver Steve is. Very bright orange and blue striped livery 
, you wouldn't miss it
.
Harry
, you wouldn't miss it. Harry
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