The 156 is about to go
Discussion
After 2 years and about 30,000 miles, our Alfa 156 2litre Sportwagen is being traded in against..........a Vauxhall Zafira on Wednesday 
If it wasn't for my wife's job (she's a childminder) I wouldn't dream of letting it go, but needs must.
Other than the (They all do that Sir) front suspension bushes, replaced under warranty, she hasn't missed a beat. It's great to drive, economical (well, compared to my 300zx) and beautiful to look at. In fact, IMHO, it's the best looking estate car EVER.
So, if you want a well looked after second hand bargain, check the part-exs at Drive Vauxhall in Aldershot.
Farewell faithfull friend. I hope your next owner treats you well
If it wasn't for my wife's job (she's a childminder) I wouldn't dream of letting it go, but needs must.
Other than the (They all do that Sir) front suspension bushes, replaced under warranty, she hasn't missed a beat. It's great to drive, economical (well, compared to my 300zx) and beautiful to look at. In fact, IMHO, it's the best looking estate car EVER.
So, if you want a well looked after second hand bargain, check the part-exs at Drive Vauxhall in Aldershot.
Farewell faithfull friend. I hope your next owner treats you well
I have a mate that has a Zafira and all he does it takes the piss out of my Alfa. Says the person driving a Vauxhall.
Clearly from you post i can tell which one you would rather have. I really like the 156, my wife on the other hand hates everything about it. I have a broken shoulder at the moment and can't drive so with the 156 being a company car i have suggested she drive me around in the 156 to save the miles going on her car and she absolutely hates it. But then again the whole fleet is 156's we have got about 30 of them in the company and i would say that only about 3 of us like them.
I am sure you will miss the Alfa, but enjoy those folding seats and all those cubby holes..
D
Clearly from you post i can tell which one you would rather have. I really like the 156, my wife on the other hand hates everything about it. I have a broken shoulder at the moment and can't drive so with the 156 being a company car i have suggested she drive me around in the 156 to save the miles going on her car and she absolutely hates it. But then again the whole fleet is 156's we have got about 30 of them in the company and i would say that only about 3 of us like them.
I am sure you will miss the Alfa, but enjoy those folding seats and all those cubby holes..
D
The Alfa has more style in one wheel than the Zafira can manage overall, but........the Alfa has never been exactly practical as a family car.
Leg room is rubbish in the back.
There are no cubby holes.
It's cramped getting our little girl in/out of the car seat.
The boot is very small, for an estate.
I've been able to overlook this for the last couple of years, but it just won't cut it for childminding duties.
Ah well, the Ford S-Max with the ST 5 cylinder engine should make a nice second hand purchase in a year or two. That's about as near to an enthusiasts MPV as you can get.
Leg room is rubbish in the back.
There are no cubby holes.
It's cramped getting our little girl in/out of the car seat.
The boot is very small, for an estate.
I've been able to overlook this for the last couple of years, but it just won't cut it for childminding duties.
Ah well, the Ford S-Max with the ST 5 cylinder engine should make a nice second hand purchase in a year or two. That's about as near to an enthusiasts MPV as you can get.
Twin Turbo said:
The Alfa has more style in one wheel than the Zafira can manage overall, but........the Alfa has never been exactly practical as a family car.
Leg room is rubbish in the back.
There are no cubby holes.
It's cramped getting our little girl in/out of the car seat.
The boot is very small, for an estate.
I've been able to overlook this for the last couple of years, but it just won't cut it for childminding duties.
Ah well, the Ford S-Max with the ST 5 cylinder engine should make a nice second hand purchase in a year or two. That's about as near to an enthusiasts MPV as you can get.
Leg room is rubbish in the back.
There are no cubby holes.
It's cramped getting our little girl in/out of the car seat.
The boot is very small, for an estate.
I've been able to overlook this for the last couple of years, but it just won't cut it for childminding duties.
Ah well, the Ford S-Max with the ST 5 cylinder engine should make a nice second hand purchase in a year or two. That's about as near to an enthusiasts MPV as you can get.
OK. So I cut the thread subsantially, but you were round at ours today and your little one is still so small that a Honda Jazz would still supply plenty of legroom!!!
You won't get off that easily!!! I might drive a hairdresser's car but my wife drives a man's car!!!
Damiencbr said:
I have a mate that has a Zafira and all he does it takes the piss out of my Alfa.
D
D
There are mentally deranged people all over the place - and those trying to justify decisions to themselves, no doubt! Does this same person have a leopard-skin pattern sofa, and wear golfing attire? Clearly a style guru...
As to the original poster, there's always the option of a slightly larger estate car than the 156 over and above the devilry that is the MPV. Or do you need the second row of seats? Estates are dynamically the same or very similar to the saloon/hatch version and can look as good, MPV's are MPV's.
Yep, FIVE kids to cart around (only one is ours though!)
Could have got away with a six seater (Multipla/Honda FRV thingy), but at least the Zafira enable the last row of seats to be folded flat, rather than taken out (Galaxy/Sharan etc).
Oh dear God, listen to me! I'm becoming an MPV bore!
Could have got away with a six seater (Multipla/Honda FRV thingy), but at least the Zafira enable the last row of seats to be folded flat, rather than taken out (Galaxy/Sharan etc).
Oh dear God, listen to me! I'm becoming an MPV bore!
Twin Turbo said:
Mad? Possibly.
As explained, Mrs Twin Turbo is a childminder and on some days she has up to 5 kiddies to car around. Can't do that in any of Alfa's finest.
If a nasty 7-seater van is a pre-requisite of her job and it doesn't earn her enough to cover the cost of one in addition to your proper car then may I tactfully suggest she gets another job. She could probably make as much working in M&S as she does minding other peoples kids, you'd not suffer the embarrassment of being seen in a Zafari and she'd get a discount on food & clothes into the bargain... As explained, Mrs Twin Turbo is a childminder and on some days she has up to 5 kiddies to car around. Can't do that in any of Alfa's finest.
Trust me.....I thought that through!
Childcare though. 'Tis blimmin' expensive. As a childminder, Mrs TT gets to earn money and we don't have to fork out for our own childcare.
Besides, I've got both my Capri and 300zx for the automotive thrills, and this time next year I hope to have another Vauxhall..........although this one'll be a Monaro
Childcare though. 'Tis blimmin' expensive. As a childminder, Mrs TT gets to earn money and we don't have to fork out for our own childcare.
Besides, I've got both my Capri and 300zx for the automotive thrills, and this time next year I hope to have another Vauxhall..........although this one'll be a Monaro
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