Help - what next?

[v12v8]

Got a 147 Selespeed 5 door that we just love. Problem is, not much room when loaded up with kids and their clobber. Want to stay in the Alfa fold and so am considering a 156 Saloon or Sportwagon.

Whatever we get has to have an auto or selespeed transmission as this is what my missus prefers. I've read that the auto on the V6 is

Can anyone give advice on what to get? Be interested in hearing from people who have struggled with the same dilemma.

I'd love a GTA Sportwagon, but no-one at Alfa UK seems to know if and when the GTA will get the Selespeed transmission.

Cheers.

[wombat rick]

The GTA Sportwagon Selespeed is now listed on www.alfaromeo.co.uk ~ £29,560!

Just make sure you are happy with the Sportwagon luggage capacity when it has the Bose stereo fitted. It robs a lot of width on the nearside.

[v12v8]

Thanks. OK, so I can't afford the GTA, but what about a 156 Selespeed Sportwagon. Any good?

[wombat rick]

v12v8 said:

Thanks. OK, so I can't afford the GTA, but what about a 156 Selespeed Sportwagon. Any good?

The biggest "if" is the gearbox. But it is the same as your 147, so if you like that, you will be OK.

JTS engine came in with the minor 156 facelift (mid-2002) and has 165bhp, so you'll get a bit more oomph.

Bootspace probably not much different. I prefer the Sportwagon interior and exterior though, so for me it would be a definite swap.

One thing - if buying a big nose model, watch the standard spec. It was reduced with the big-nose facelift, and they made a lot of previously standard things (expensive) options.

[pwig]

Get rid of the Missus and buy a car with a proper gearbox?

[jimbro1000]

I would suggest taking along your normal luggage and trying to fit it into the back of a sportwagon before you buy one. It may look like an estate but it does not have estate stowage capacity!

[kinky]

I would second what Jimbro says - as that's exactly what I did.

Unfortunately we could not fit the same stuff from the 146 boot into the 156 SW boot !

For example - the kids buggy would not fit !

So we've stuck with the 146 for the time being.

K

[silverback mike]

We have a 6yr and 1yr old, all the gubbins fits into the sportwagon perfectly.....Can't comment on the selespeed, as ours is a manual. We like ours.