My Alfa Sportwagon
Discussion
Here is my 2004 Alfa 156 JTD Multijet 16v Sportwagon.
I've owned this car since the summer of 2010 when I bought the car from a chap near Leeds. The car had done just 23,000 miles in 6 years when I got it.
This is the Giugiaro facelift which was only production between roughly July 2003 and mid to late 2005 so is already quite rare. I believe Alfa sold approx. 1,000 or so facelift 156's, mostly saloons and roughly around 600 or so remain registered on the road.
This particular car began life as an Alfa UK Demonstrator is in Veloce specification with the optional 17" multi spokes and black leather interior. It needs a couple of jobs doing now including; repaint the bonnet which is quite chippy even though the car has only covered 44,000 miles Alfa Black & Red is notoriously soft! I intend to upgrade the brakes with at the very least performance pads if not performance discs. Ideally I would like to add a Q2 diff and I intend to have the steering geometery and handling looked at by ex-Prodrive Guru Peter Cambridge.
I don't use the car much, it spends 5 days a week sat doing nothing so I took it for a damn good blast this afternoon. Even thrashing it I acheived 38 mpg over 55 miles! If I'm driving it carefully I can get 50+ mpg on a run no problem.
Love this car and I anticipate it's a keeper.
I've owned this car since the summer of 2010 when I bought the car from a chap near Leeds. The car had done just 23,000 miles in 6 years when I got it.
This is the Giugiaro facelift which was only production between roughly July 2003 and mid to late 2005 so is already quite rare. I believe Alfa sold approx. 1,000 or so facelift 156's, mostly saloons and roughly around 600 or so remain registered on the road.
This particular car began life as an Alfa UK Demonstrator is in Veloce specification with the optional 17" multi spokes and black leather interior. It needs a couple of jobs doing now including; repaint the bonnet which is quite chippy even though the car has only covered 44,000 miles Alfa Black & Red is notoriously soft! I intend to upgrade the brakes with at the very least performance pads if not performance discs. Ideally I would like to add a Q2 diff and I intend to have the steering geometery and handling looked at by ex-Prodrive Guru Peter Cambridge.
I don't use the car much, it spends 5 days a week sat doing nothing so I took it for a damn good blast this afternoon. Even thrashing it I acheived 38 mpg over 55 miles! If I'm driving it carefully I can get 50+ mpg on a run no problem.
Love this car and I anticipate it's a keeper.
These facelifted 156s are starting to grow on me.I like your car.
I bought a 2001 pre facelift petrol 2.5 V6 Sportwagon in Veloce spec. It is silver with tan leather seats and door inserts. It has sixteen inch clover leaf wheels. I have it still, at 71,000 miles (11,000 when I bought it). It is my only modern car, and is used as a school truck and general utility vehicle, and lives outside in all weathers without complaining. It has given me almost no trouble at all. One replacement radiator, a bit of faffing with the front suspension, and the window lifts are slow, but otherwise it has been pretty painless, and I enjoy driving it. The dealer really wanted me to buy the 2.4 JTD that he had next to it, but back then (2004), I was unreasonably prejudiced against diesel cars. I changed my mind after renting some good turbo diesels on holidays. I do like the old Alfa petrol V6 engines, however. In 2010, I almost bought a late GTV with the 3 litre version, and rather wish that I had done so (especially as those cars have risen in value in the last two years). My dad is an engineer and regards the engine as a thing of beauty as well as a fine functional machine. I would be interested to see how it compares with the well regarded 2.4 JTD.
I bought a 2001 pre facelift petrol 2.5 V6 Sportwagon in Veloce spec. It is silver with tan leather seats and door inserts. It has sixteen inch clover leaf wheels. I have it still, at 71,000 miles (11,000 when I bought it). It is my only modern car, and is used as a school truck and general utility vehicle, and lives outside in all weathers without complaining. It has given me almost no trouble at all. One replacement radiator, a bit of faffing with the front suspension, and the window lifts are slow, but otherwise it has been pretty painless, and I enjoy driving it. The dealer really wanted me to buy the 2.4 JTD that he had next to it, but back then (2004), I was unreasonably prejudiced against diesel cars. I changed my mind after renting some good turbo diesels on holidays. I do like the old Alfa petrol V6 engines, however. In 2010, I almost bought a late GTV with the 3 litre version, and rather wish that I had done so (especially as those cars have risen in value in the last two years). My dad is an engineer and regards the engine as a thing of beauty as well as a fine functional machine. I would be interested to see how it compares with the well regarded 2.4 JTD.
Thanks for the comments.
Breadvan - I have to say this will be the most modern Alfa I own the foreseeable future. I like the 159 & Giulietta but I just don't love them and I've driven all variants. The Mito is too small and I find it unconfortable over long distances.
I will be keeping the 156 for the very long term, when it's time to buy a more modern daily driver I think it will probably be an Audi and I honestly never thought I would say that.
I would love to get a GTV or Spider in the future, moving house is my current priority. One thing is certain, this 156 is going nowhere!
Breadvan - I have to say this will be the most modern Alfa I own the foreseeable future. I like the 159 & Giulietta but I just don't love them and I've driven all variants. The Mito is too small and I find it unconfortable over long distances.
I will be keeping the 156 for the very long term, when it's time to buy a more modern daily driver I think it will probably be an Audi and I honestly never thought I would say that.
I would love to get a GTV or Spider in the future, moving house is my current priority. One thing is certain, this 156 is going nowhere!
Good idea - keep the car! I would not touch it externally - leave it exactly standard. I find the GTA versions to be a bit chavvy, and wonder if the chassis is up to the rocketship power. Your suggestions of tweaking it a bit sound sensible and moderate. I don't think that these cars need to be Barried (well, no car needs to be Barried, except for those that are born Barry, and not even those, on second thoughts), or souped up much if at all.
I think I will probably keep my Sportwagon for a while yet. It is probably worth buttons nowadays. I had better do the cam belts soonish. It could probably drive better if I looked at the front set up and steering, but I cannot be bothered, and do not drive it hard these days. I give my classic cars a right kicking, poor things, and pootle (well, fast-pootle) in the 156.
I wish that I had bought that 1990s GTV, but hey ho. As for more modern Alfas, I rented a Giulietta diesel in Italy last summer and was impressed, but I wouldn't want to own one. I have tried a GT belonging to a friend, and it is very fine, but, again, I don't want one. I like the look of the 159 , but am miffed that Alfa bailed on the rear door handles. There is simple fun to be had in seeing if people can figure out how to get into the back of a 156. Petrolheads, male and female, always can. Others say "there aren't any doors".
I do want a 105 Series coupe at one point, maybe a small engined variant. They are getting very pricy. I love the late 70s wedgy GTV with the mad inboard brakes and central instruments. Crazy, and rust prone, but fun and practical in many ways. I tried the 2000 version, and have not tried the GTV 6. My old Spider Veloce (1977) is waiting and waiting and waiting for its rebuild, as I keep blowing the money which it should have on old Lotuses, and a pretty daft old Lancia. I will get around to the Spider one day, as I am fond of that old car, and it deserves to be brought back to life.
Your car is a bit younger than mine, but how are you finding its door seals, and bits of interior trim? My seats look as good as new, but the leather on the steering wheel and gearknob is knackered, which is surprising given the relatively low mileage. The car is starting to leak a bit, and smells a bit dampish inside sometimes. Poor thing, I should give it some love, but all I ever do is wash it a bit and give it some oil now and again. My skinflint little brother borrowed it for a year and put some cheapo ditchfinder tyres on the front without asking me first. I must chuck those in the bin and get some proper ones. That might sharpen up the cornering a bit, and it's a safety thing anyway. Cheap tyres = big stupid, in my book, but my brother knows Jack.
I think I will probably keep my Sportwagon for a while yet. It is probably worth buttons nowadays. I had better do the cam belts soonish. It could probably drive better if I looked at the front set up and steering, but I cannot be bothered, and do not drive it hard these days. I give my classic cars a right kicking, poor things, and pootle (well, fast-pootle) in the 156.
I wish that I had bought that 1990s GTV, but hey ho. As for more modern Alfas, I rented a Giulietta diesel in Italy last summer and was impressed, but I wouldn't want to own one. I have tried a GT belonging to a friend, and it is very fine, but, again, I don't want one. I like the look of the 159 , but am miffed that Alfa bailed on the rear door handles. There is simple fun to be had in seeing if people can figure out how to get into the back of a 156. Petrolheads, male and female, always can. Others say "there aren't any doors".
I do want a 105 Series coupe at one point, maybe a small engined variant. They are getting very pricy. I love the late 70s wedgy GTV with the mad inboard brakes and central instruments. Crazy, and rust prone, but fun and practical in many ways. I tried the 2000 version, and have not tried the GTV 6. My old Spider Veloce (1977) is waiting and waiting and waiting for its rebuild, as I keep blowing the money which it should have on old Lotuses, and a pretty daft old Lancia. I will get around to the Spider one day, as I am fond of that old car, and it deserves to be brought back to life.
Your car is a bit younger than mine, but how are you finding its door seals, and bits of interior trim? My seats look as good as new, but the leather on the steering wheel and gearknob is knackered, which is surprising given the relatively low mileage. The car is starting to leak a bit, and smells a bit dampish inside sometimes. Poor thing, I should give it some love, but all I ever do is wash it a bit and give it some oil now and again. My skinflint little brother borrowed it for a year and put some cheapo ditchfinder tyres on the front without asking me first. I must chuck those in the bin and get some proper ones. That might sharpen up the cornering a bit, and it's a safety thing anyway. Cheap tyres = big stupid, in my book, but my brother knows Jack.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 2nd April 19:14
It has some niggles.
The offside rear window regulator has packed up and the dial on the driver side climate control doesn't work. Otherwise the interior is in fine condition, nothing has broken or fallen off. The alloys could do with a refurb they have corroded a little but not excessively.
As for tyres, I never buy cheap. I've got Pirelli Rossos on my car, they grip superb although they wear a little too quick for my liking really. It's 20,000 miles since I had any suspension work done and there are currently no knocks which is good. The belts were also done 20,000 miles ago so it will be another 3 or 4 years before they get done again.
For a diesel I think the car has great character, it's quick and surprisingly rev happy. When I driver to London (3 or 4 times a month) I easily exceed 50 mpg, however I've had it down to 30 mpg when pushing hard!
My Dream Alfa is a Giulia Sprint GTA without a doubt........ I would love a Series 2 Sud TI and a Giulietta SZ as well.
By the way; my cousin has a Beagle Pup based at Elstree.
The offside rear window regulator has packed up and the dial on the driver side climate control doesn't work. Otherwise the interior is in fine condition, nothing has broken or fallen off. The alloys could do with a refurb they have corroded a little but not excessively.
As for tyres, I never buy cheap. I've got Pirelli Rossos on my car, they grip superb although they wear a little too quick for my liking really. It's 20,000 miles since I had any suspension work done and there are currently no knocks which is good. The belts were also done 20,000 miles ago so it will be another 3 or 4 years before they get done again.
For a diesel I think the car has great character, it's quick and surprisingly rev happy. When I driver to London (3 or 4 times a month) I easily exceed 50 mpg, however I've had it down to 30 mpg when pushing hard!
My Dream Alfa is a Giulia Sprint GTA without a doubt........ I would love a Series 2 Sud TI and a Giulietta SZ as well.
By the way; my cousin has a Beagle Pup based at Elstree.
Do you know the registration of the Pup? Mine (G-IPUP) used to be based at Elstree too, and I flew my test from there, but I prefer North Weald, where the crate now lives.
The alloys on my 156 are showing mild signs of corrosion, but nothing too bad. Despite ten years of London street life, the paint has stood up well. I think that the car is as good as any comparable ten to eleven year old Beemer or Audi, and is more involving to drive than they would be (I last owned a BMW in the 90s, and have only limited experience of Audis, and of course they are good cars, but Alfas hit my buttons more). Of course, bloke in pub will still tell us that all Alfas are rubbish, or that they are beautiful but break.
The alloys on my 156 are showing mild signs of corrosion, but nothing too bad. Despite ten years of London street life, the paint has stood up well. I think that the car is as good as any comparable ten to eleven year old Beemer or Audi, and is more involving to drive than they would be (I last owned a BMW in the 90s, and have only limited experience of Audis, and of course they are good cars, but Alfas hit my buttons more). Of course, bloke in pub will still tell us that all Alfas are rubbish, or that they are beautiful but break.
There are some decent environmental arguments for keeping old cars going for ages. Obviously, there are countervailing eco arguments, and also economic arguments for making and selling new cars, but cars, love them as I do, are slowly but surely strangling us. We just have too many of the damned things. I know that I do, although mine atone for their crimes by being broken down most of the time (the 156 excepted). When I am King, new cars will be banned!
I do not think that I have seen India Echo. I am fond of Pups, overbuilt and cranky old things that they are, although I wish that I could afford something with a bit more aerobatic punchiness. A Cap 10c would do the trick, but I haven't the cash, or anywhere to hangar one.
I do not think that I have seen India Echo. I am fond of Pups, overbuilt and cranky old things that they are, although I wish that I could afford something with a bit more aerobatic punchiness. A Cap 10c would do the trick, but I haven't the cash, or anywhere to hangar one.
Our Pup is quite scruffy, but goes well. The group is a bit too skint to buy it a paint job or re-trim at present. G-PUPP is probably the best one I know of. G-OPUP I have not seen. G-TSKY is the one I first soloed in, and is a fine example.
Factoid: the bloke who did much design work on the Pup also helped to design the Lotus Europa, another slightly bonkers British sports GT machine. The Pup is relatively slow (100 knots) and short in range, but has sporty GT qualities, and the interior is modelled on that of a 60s GT car, but with proper sticks (hoorah!) instead of horrid steering yokes (boo!). Steering wheels are for cars, sticks are for aeroplanes, as aeroplane designers have thankfully rediscovered lately.
You have good taste in Alfas! Show us the interior of the Sportwagon, please.
Factoid: the bloke who did much design work on the Pup also helped to design the Lotus Europa, another slightly bonkers British sports GT machine. The Pup is relatively slow (100 knots) and short in range, but has sporty GT qualities, and the interior is modelled on that of a 60s GT car, but with proper sticks (hoorah!) instead of horrid steering yokes (boo!). Steering wheels are for cars, sticks are for aeroplanes, as aeroplane designers have thankfully rediscovered lately.
You have good taste in Alfas! Show us the interior of the Sportwagon, please.
Playing Satan on Good Friday, can I tempt you with this one, Alfahorn?
You have to have a Busso V6 engine somewhere in your collection.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3691613.htm
I was feeling daft yesterday, so I almost drove to Ilford in my Sportwagon to see if they would take it in trade, plus some wonga, for the GTV. Sense and reason prevailed, as I need one car in my fleet that has load carrying ability and is not a sports or GT car, but only just.
You have to have a Busso V6 engine somewhere in your collection.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3691613.htm
I was feeling daft yesterday, so I almost drove to Ilford in my Sportwagon to see if they would take it in trade, plus some wonga, for the GTV. Sense and reason prevailed, as I need one car in my fleet that has load carrying ability and is not a sports or GT car, but only just.
Breadvan72 said:
Playing Satan on Good Friday, can I tempt you with this one, Alfahorn?
You have to have a Busso V6 engine somewhere in your collection.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3691613.htm
I was feeling daft yesterday, so I almost drove to Ilford in my Sportwagon to see if they would take it in trade, plus some wonga, for the GTV. Sense and reason prevailed, as I need one car in my fleet that has load carrying ability and is not a sports or GT car, but only just.
Almost sucked in! It is addictive. I find any excuse to drive my GTV. I could honestly just redline it all day in every gear. When you're doing that you forgive the terrible low speed ride, the horrendous turning circle and all the other GTV foibles.You have to have a Busso V6 engine somewhere in your collection.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3691613.htm
I was feeling daft yesterday, so I almost drove to Ilford in my Sportwagon to see if they would take it in trade, plus some wonga, for the GTV. Sense and reason prevailed, as I need one car in my fleet that has load carrying ability and is not a sports or GT car, but only just.
Breadvan72 said:
Playing Satan on Good Friday, can I tempt you with this one, Alfahorn?
You have to have a Busso V6 engine somewhere in your collection.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3691613.htm
I was feeling daft yesterday, so I almost drove to Ilford in my Sportwagon to see if they would take it in trade, plus some wonga, for the GTV. Sense and reason prevailed, as I need one car in my fleet that has load carrying ability and is not a sports or GT car, but only just.
That is lovely, however I only want to spend about £2,000 and don't want to travel more than 40 miles, very happy to wait.You have to have a Busso V6 engine somewhere in your collection.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3691613.htm
I was feeling daft yesterday, so I almost drove to Ilford in my Sportwagon to see if they would take it in trade, plus some wonga, for the GTV. Sense and reason prevailed, as I need one car in my fleet that has load carrying ability and is not a sports or GT car, but only just.
Sportwagon not been used all week, will take it for a run tomorrow.
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