156 JTDm Sportwagon

[Tonberry]

I've decided on the above as the next car in Veloce trim.

The issue as I'm sure most of you are aware is that these are pretty rare beasts. Quite a few Saloons knocking about but I'm not sure I want to settle for second best.

Besides AT, eBay and PH, are there any other avenues I should be perusing?

Ideally the car would be in dark grey with red Momo leather but I may be waiting a while there...

Whilst I search for one, feel free to add any interesting anecdotes or ownership stories.

Cheers.

[Alfahorn]

I own one!

In black with black leather.

I love it, no I adore it!

[Tonberry]

Tell us more Alfa! Very nice.

I've found a 2006 car with 136,000 miles on the clock with Alfatex in Veloce trim.

Any cautions due to the mileage? Apparently has a full service history.

I should add the car will be remapped by me at some point.

[Alfahorn]

Mine is a 2004 1.9 JTDM 140 bhp first registered as an Alfa UK for the first 14 months and I'm the third private owner. These are quite underrated cars. The 1.9 and 2.4's are superb engines, particularly the Multijet variants, which as you've established are quit hard to find on the used market. There are a number of reasons for this; the car was only produced for a relatively short period of time between 2003 - 05. Naturally with the newest cars now 7 years old understandably there are a number of cars which have already come to the end of their lives, they are very well liked by their owners who (like me) very reluctant to part with them, subsequently because they are desirable when cars do come to the market they are snapped up very quickly.

I wouldn't be worried about miles. What is more important is a good history, documented and verifiable. I would expect a car of that mileage to have had 2 possibly even 3 cambelt changes and I would recommend you check to see when this was last done and also if the water pump was replaced at the same time, although £500 in negotiation if the cambelt is due imminently. Check for sluggish performance as the EGR valve is a known issue and can be a cost repair. Make sure all the electrics work, in particular rear electric windows and the climate control panel which is prone to throwing a wobbly. Look out for noise from the suspension as these components are made of Swiss cheese and not suited to our wonderful roads! Look out for tyre wear, in particular on the inner edges front and rear, my rears have just been replaced and the wear was horrendous. I would recommend a good 4 wheel allignment, this improve the handling and tyre performance.

Overall these are fantastic cars, they are aging well in my opinion, they different and not everyone has got one. If you can afford to be patient do so, cars do become available from time to time and if possible get one with Leather as this is always seen as very desirable on an Alfa, as well as comfortable.

Good Luck.

[Colin RedGriff]

Tonberry said:

Ideally the car would be in dark grey with red Momo leather but I may be waiting a while there...

Whilst I search for one, feel free to add any interesting anecdotes or ownership stories.

Cheers.

Hi

I might be able to help you with your search if you want to drop me a note.

I tried to email you through your profile but it doesn't seem to be working.

Cheers

Colin

[Willeh85]

Hows your search going?

[Alfahorn]

Willeh85 said:

Hows your search going?

Not as well as yours by all accounts.

[Tonberry]

I decided on a Saab 9-3 in the end.

I think I came to the conclusion that I didn't want another diesel, so at the moment it looks like the 156 is an itch that will never be scratched.

Except maybe in GTA guise.....