1 cheap golf, 1 cheap Alfa. What would you do?

[205pat]

Hi all,

My dearly loved Integra is soon to be going for major surgery so I’ve been keeping an eye out for a cheap runabout - I work for a big main dealer so have been hoping a well looked after part exchange comes in but everything sub £1000 has been a complete state. I finally saw a well looked after golf MK5 1.6 locally and picked it up Wednesday morning, and whilst it’s not fast/fun/interesting in any way it seems a good little car.

Obviously I head into work on Thursday and found we were to take in a 1999 Alfa Romeo 156 1.8 TS with one owner from new and just 37k. It’s not mint but it’s been extremely well looked after. The old boy selling it actually didn’t want to part exchange it saying it was “only good for scrap”. After convincing him it didn’t need to be scrapped it’s now mine.

I know nothing of Alfa’s - it’s a deep metallic red with a gorgeous grey leather interior and a bit of googling suggests the 1.8 is the pick of the bunch.

The sole purpose of this car is to drive on the motorway, through the floods/salt/ice and have people bash it with doors and trolleys. Is this sacrilege to do this to what I assume must be quite a rare car now?

[Xcore]

Alfa, life’s to short to drive 1.6 golfs

[velocemitch]

Phase 1 156’s are getting a bit thin on the ground now, many have died due to Cambelt problems and more recently terminal rot in the floor pans.

But a good one in unmolested condition will be worth looking after, far more interesting than any Golf.

Look out for suspension bushes they never last well.

[steve-5snwi]

Take the Alfa, mechanically it will be more reliable.

[ambuletz]

The alfa sounds like a no brainer purchase to me.

[Nickp82]

Alfa all the way

[spookly]

Loved my 156s. I'd say the 2.0 TS was best, and I had a V6 too.
My favourite was my 2.0 TS Silver with red leather. Bulletproof till the ex-wife wrecked it.

[carinaman]

No balancer shaft on the 1.8 so cheaper cam belt changes. Keep an eye on the oil level. If the underside isn't rotten investigate whether to coat it with Waxoyl or something else that will protect the underside. If it's in top condition it would be nice to keep it that way.

[ZX10R NIN]

Alfa

[willmagrath]

My friends mum has had both. Two 1000 pound golf 1.6's (2001 and 2003) and now a 2007 alfa 147 1.6.

The golfs were very reliable but the alfa has been a nightmare and cost lots to repair despite buying it with low mileage. It probably won't be the cheap run around you want!

Edited by willmagrath on Saturday 22 December 21:49

[S100HP]

Check floorpan of Alfa. If not rotten it's a no brainer.

[rxe]

As above, check for rust in the floor pans and sills. Check the oil religiously, some of the 4 cylinders can burn lots, others will be fine.

Other than that, drive it and replace suspension bits as needed when they make funny noises.

[Jonny_]

Stick with the Alfa, keep an eye on the mechanicals and see how it goes. It sounds like a lovely car!

Worst comes to worst? There will always be more 1.6 Golfs!

[Mr Tidy]

Jonny_ said:

Stick with the Alfa, keep an eye on the mechanicals and see how it goes. It sounds like a lovely car!

Worst comes to worst? There will always be more 1.6 Golfs!

That sounds like a great plan - definitely what I would do!

I'd get a good feeling getting in a 156 every morning - but not getting in a Golf.

[205pat]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the replies - I knew the Alfa would be popular! Unfortunately after looking at it a bit closer/on a ramp it looks to be due a cambelt and there is rust on both sills. I have no problem spending money on an old car (the exact reason I need a cheap runabout is because my integra is about to get major sill/arch surgery!) but the last thing I need is another project. If anyone is interested I’ll put the Alfa up for sale soon, hopefully an enthusiast will buy it and get it back to 100%