Why do Alfas Depreciate so much?
Discussion
Not a nightmare at all Muncher. Well, mine isn't, it is faultlessly reliable.
Quite simply, I think people are scared of alfas due to their previous reputation. Plus, you either love them or hate them.
There are a couple of threads ongoing about the reliability of alfas, particularly the 156, I have waded into both of them in support of the alfa.
Mine now has nigh on 89k and has never broken down, or done anything wrong however it has been well serviced. As long as you keep an eye on things, ie regularly checking oil etc etc they will run and run.
I can safely say that my 156 has been a lot more reliable than both new ish vw's I have owned, and although not as well built as my previous bmw, it has hoots of character, and has matched any good german car for reliability.
As you can tell though, I am a bit biased.
Quite simply, I think people are scared of alfas due to their previous reputation. Plus, you either love them or hate them.
There are a couple of threads ongoing about the reliability of alfas, particularly the 156, I have waded into both of them in support of the alfa.
Mine now has nigh on 89k and has never broken down, or done anything wrong however it has been well serviced. As long as you keep an eye on things, ie regularly checking oil etc etc they will run and run.
I can safely say that my 156 has been a lot more reliable than both new ish vw's I have owned, and although not as well built as my previous bmw, it has hoots of character, and has matched any good german car for reliability.
As you can tell though, I am a bit biased.

The popular ones don't lose that much more than equivalent (none German) models e.g. Slabs, MG Rovers etc.
Thing you have to remember is that no one pays anywhere near list price for them new, so this skews the depreciation values even more. But if you are buying used, it's all to your gain.
They can be a hassle to run at times, but for the most part they are lovely lovely things.
If you never want to break down, buy a Hyundai and regret it every journey.

Thing you have to remember is that no one pays anywhere near list price for them new, so this skews the depreciation values even more. But if you are buying used, it's all to your gain.
They can be a hassle to run at times, but for the most part they are lovely lovely things.
If you never want to break down, buy a Hyundai and regret it every journey.

DanL said:
Muncher said:
Elephant just quoted me £1,485 for a 2001 Spider, 3.0
The Spyders are "supposed" (i.e I've never driven one!) to be prone to scuttle shake, etc. Get the Coupe.
Dan
Apparently simple fixes such as a strut brace and uprated shocks can help a lot, but yes - go for the tintop!
pdV6 said:Best to treat them as different cars, so you want the wind in your hair or not? Rich...
DanL said:Apparently simple fixes such as a strut brace and uprated shocks can help a lot, but yes - go for the tintop!
Muncher said:The Spyders are "supposed" (i.e I've never driven one!
Elephant just quoted me £1,485 for a 2001 Spider, 3.0 ) to be prone to scuttle shake, etc. Get the Coupe. Dan
Kinky said:
My 146 ti is up for grabs ....
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=24872&s=33
Looks tidy.

Black and tan. Same as our 145QV.

That's a 1st September 1999 car too and our relays packed in as well...

Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff