Should i choose a 156?

[Robertjp]

Hi all, i normally camp on the TVR Tuscan and Biker Banter parts of the forum, but i need to venture into the unknown!

I am now travelling a lot with work, and clearly neither the Tuscan or the bike are ideal for this - leaving in airports etc, so i need a car suitable, also for use on days when the weather is cr*ppy and i cant commute on the bike (which is normal when im at home)

It also has to be suitable for Dogs and Kids!!

I am torn between the sensible voice on one shoulder saying buy a Ford Mondeo, the heart is saying 156 sportwagon, love the look and alot of car for the money. More fun than a ford too!

My budget around £2k...

So my question is - would i be taking an increased risk choosing the Alfa over the Ford? Im not averse to occasionally getting my hands dirty (after all i own a TVR...its compulsory!).

If you all say go for an Alfa, which model / engine?

Any experiences / opinions welcome!

[RicksAlfas]

Obviously we'll say go for the Alfa, but before you get too seduced check they are big enough for what you want - the Sportwagon is more of a 5 door coupe and not a load lugging box on wheels so if you have a big pooch, that might make your mind up! If on the other hand you are a proud stzuh owner try and track down a 2.4 JTD Sportwagon Veloce for a perfect blend of go and reasonable running costs. There's been loads of threads recently on here about them and this is a useful guide too:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_156_buyers.shtm...

[mike9009]

Hi

I had a similar dilemma earlier this year and plumped for the 156 SW 2.4JTD. I haven't regretted the decision and so far the only thing needed to change/ replace are the rear shocks and the ARB drop links.

I have also changed the belts as a precaution.

Never let me down yet (we have a 2001 model year), despite what everyone will tell you about Alfas.

As stated above, just make sure that the Sportwagon has enough space for all your 'things'. The boot space is not as big as you might think - but it manages to swallow all the kit needed for a new baby (prams, travel cots, bedding, nappies etc. etc.)

I do find the suspension a little soft on the country roads on the Isle of Wight, but I did come from a VX220 and a Mini Cooper S! I suspect I could do something about the softness if I was inclined - but at the end of the day I am running it as a shed and not a sportscar!

Mike

[geoffphead]

Hi Rob ive sneaked in from the TVR forums too!! I had a 156 sportwagen seles speed for 5years, i did 80k in it. It was fantastic on looks, handling, servicing was the worst of any make car ive owned.Tried 4 diff garages all just as bad.Cracking 2 litre engine even tracked it a few times,space isnt fantastic in boot.As a winter clunker while TVR in heated garage its ideal. All usual italian electrical probs and insist on full history with cam belts changed regularly.
Alfa's are my guilty pleasure, every petrol head should have at least one on the owned list.
go for it mate.

regards geoff

[Oilchange]

read this thread for info.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Evo]

This must be the staple transport for Tiv owners. I'm just about to look for 2-3k 156 estate for myself, can't cope anymore with the nursery bus (Picasso )

[Robert060379]

£2,000 for a good 156 or £2,000 for an exceptional 155? Post 96 wide body twin spark or any V6 and you'll forget the 156 ever existed.

[RicksAlfas]

Robert060379 said:

£2,000 for a good 156 or £2,000 for an exceptional 155? Post 96 wide body twin spark or any V6 and you'll forget the 156 ever existed.

Yes, we know you like the 155, but if you read the above posts carefully you will see everyone is talking about Sportwagons....

[Robertjp]

Thanks for the info all...still in the dilemma really, i have to answer in my own mind whether, in a everyday hack, niggles are worth it for a much nicer car.

As much as i hate to be a mondeo man, i have the TVR (that has niggles...!) so do i need a 156 in my life too

I guess my question should have been, are they any more expensive to run than a Mondeo, and i get the feeling from reading the threads the anser is yes, but not a huge amount...

[segg250]

Robertjp said:

Thanks for the info all...still in the dilemma really, i have to answer in my own mind whether, in a everyday hack, niggles are worth it for a much nicer car.

As much as i hate to be a mondeo man, i have the TVR (that has niggles...!) so do i need a 156 in my life too

I guess my question should have been, are they any more expensive to run than a Mondeo, and i get the feeling from reading the threads the anser is yes, but not a huge amount...

Only more expensive if you go main dealer where the prices are really amazingly high i found. Heck even my audi was cheaper at main dealer.

[Oilchange]

I paid a grand for mine...

[funwithrevs]

I would have to say the niggles *are* worth it.

A cheap Mondeo will be just that. Once you talk yourself up to a decent spec you can live with, it isn't cheap any more. My father has a Vauxhall Omega estate, and despite that being a decent spec in reality I just couldn't live with it day to day either.

For practicality, the diesel engine aught to be the one.
If you want to smile on every turn of the ignition key, it has to be the petrol V6.

Life is too short, just do it

[funwithrevs]

Evo said:

This must be the staple transport for Tiv owners. I'm just about to look for 2-3k 156 estate for myself, can't cope anymore with the nursery bus (Picasso )

In a similar way, I keep hearing of Strato's replica owners who also have an Alfa 166. Guess there must be some sort of synergy between some cars

[Evo]

Lovely Stratos, i helped build a Transformer car many years ago, have been a Lancia nut since i was five, last car was a Lord blue Evo2 and Beta Coupe

I've always loved Italian cars.

[RichV6]

On to my third 156 now, finally got to a very late V6 after two 2 litre cars.
Also have a Cerbera! Of all the cars and 10 years of motoring in them only the latest
Alfa has let me down, and then ran home with the MAF disconected, have had to spend money
on them to keep things tip top which I'm sure helps in their reliability.

[funwithrevs]

Evo said:

Lovely Stratos, i helped build a Transformer car many years ago, have been a Lancia nut since i was five, last car was a Lord blue Evo2 and Beta Coupe

I've always loved Italian cars.

Thanks. I bought the car fully built, always wanted to build one but never had the time.

It was Lancias that got me into Italian cars some years back, I got my first Alfa because I didn't want to run a classic Lancia as a commuter car

[KANEIT]

There's something about the 156! Mine is getting old now and has a few irritating niggles but I forgive it because every time I drive it I really enjoy it. It has also been reliable with only one breakdown issue early on in nearly 3 years ownership (fan relay failed and engine overheated, new relay and off I went again). Full black leather looks great and the two litre engine is a cracker. I would love a GTA though!

DO IT!

[-Pete-]

Yes, 156 is great, all the engines are good but 1.8 is apparently more lively than 2.0, 2.4 diesel is obviously cheapest fuel-wise, V6's sound nice but are front-heavy causing understeer if pushed too hard. Avoid Selespeed like the plague, don't expect much from the aircon or audio equipment. Mine never failed me, looked and sounded great, can't recommend 156's highly enough.

[Cooky]

156 Sportwagon in black with a 2.5 V6

or even consider an Ovlov? T5 Estates are great fun, yes they may be getting on a bit now but 240 bhp out of the box, and they do handle isn't to be sniffed at. Plenty around too.