Should I buy an Alfa?

That money will get you a proper alfa!

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http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...+ROMEO&model=147&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
 
There is something about Alfa ownership that is very addictive. I like the fact it is mainly you and the car, it doesn't rely on computer gadgets and stability controls.

There is also something about Alfa ownership that seems to wind some people up. :)
 
Lol at some of the posts on here. I bet you I could **** on most of these so called rear wheel "drivers" car on here in a front wheel drive Alfa.

Have to agree with not spending £15k on one though.
 
I do wish more Alfas were RWD - however their future cars are likely to be RWD which is cool. The Brera I believe is AWD. However it's more than just a good handling really, Alfas are just cool.
 
I wouldnt even dream of spending £15k on an Alfa, and I should know as I had one, I had a 147 2.0 fully loaded, it handled better than my car before it Audi A2, but was nothing on any of my subsequent cars, or other decent cars I have driven. I would be looking as Fox says no more than £5k.

As for reliability thats a load of tosh, I had no issues with mine and numerous owners at alfaowners (I think that was the community I was part of, 'twas a whiles ago) didnt either. The only thing I can say bad again them is they are litterally made of tin foil and wet Tescos value tissue paper, dont even dream of it standing upto a crash, mine looked like I had been in a serious head on collision, when I litterally tapped a car in from at 5-10mph (yes that slow, was 2 meters from a turning I had just turned out of). Which brings me only the second niggle with the car, the brakes are rubbish to say the least, dont even think of making emergency stops in time, the brakes are fluffy (not spongy that would mean you got some actually brake feel) and hideous.

Other than those niggles, oh and the fact it drinks oil at 1L per 2k miles it wasnt bad a car, wouldnt buy again though, as the depreciation hit me hardest, £3k lost in in barely 1 year.
 
lol ok I've been pretty much convinced that I don't want an Alfa :)

Will look at other marques
 
--ki-- said:
I wouldnt even dream of spending £15k on an Alfa, and I should know as I had one, I had a 147 2.0 fully loaded, it handled better than my car before it Audi A2, but was nothing on any of my subsequent cars, or other decent cars I have driven. I would be looking as Fox says no more than £5k.

As for reliability thats a load of tosh, I had no issues with mine and numerous owners at alfaowners (I think that was the community I was part of, 'twas a whiles ago) didnt either. The only thing I can say bad again them is they are litterally made of tin foil and wet Tescos value tissue paper, dont even dream of it standing upto a crash, mine looked like I had been in a serious head on collision, when I litterally tapped a car in from at 5-10mph (yes that slow, was 2 meters from a turning I had just turned out of). Which brings me only the second niggle with the car, the brakes are rubbish to say the least, dont even think of making emergency stops in time, the brakes are fluffy (not spongy that would mean you got some actually brake feel) and hideous.

Other than those niggles, oh and the fact it drinks oil at 1L per 2k miles it wasnt bad a car, wouldnt buy again though, as the depreciation hit me hardest, £3k lost in in barely 1 year.
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Alfa have sorted the sloppy 147 brakes. Can't remember what model year they sorted them from though.
Infact they're so fine I can't think of many other standard small hatches that stop so quick.
I often get hire cars through work; the only hatch that I would say is comparable would be a 1 series.
On the oil front, I've done 12k in mine without needing a top up, although I have read lots about them being thirsty.
 
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Bes said:
lol ok I've been pretty much convinced that I don't want an Alfa :)

Will look at other marques
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Based on the bull**** that the people post on here?

Your loss.

My GTA is currently being converted by Autodelta, and I'm spending the money because its an awesome car. Yes, you can get BETTER handling FWD cars, but its by no means as bad as the people on here make out.

My two previous cars were an Elise and an ITR. Two of the finest drivers cars ever made, yet the GTA doesn't dissapoint me.

What it lacks in outright chassis involvement is more than made up for in individuality, flair, looks, feel and soul - something Audi/BMW/Merc lack. The interior is fantastic and while the build quality isn't perfect, but has that hand built feel - not quite 100%, but has character.

I'd still take a £15k Alfa GTA over any other car in its class.

But if its outright thrills your after above all else, then buy an Elise - everything else is a compromise.
 
Here here Mat :cool:

I might be bumping into you at Autodelta at some point!

There's a guy there with a blue GT with 422bhp! Bored out 3.2 v6 -> 3.7 + supercharger :cool: :D
 
Nice! I'd hate to see what that cost! I was speaking to a bloke the other day who's got a supercharged 3.7 156GTA. Didn't dare ask what it cost him....The 328bhp stage2 3.7 nearly made my eyes water before Jano had even added the VAT...

So you work at/live near Autodelta? Mines being shipped down there in a few weeks time.
 
blade007 said:
If you need parts for Alfa expect to wait. They're shipped on demand from Italy.
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Only some things, like keys and random rubber seals.

Suspension components, brakes etc are all held in stock, and you can get less common things in 2 days.
 
blade007 said:
If you need parts for Alfa expect to wait. They're shipped on demand from Italy.
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Unless the part is at Warrington (usually is), in which case it's dsame day delivery if you order by 5pm.

If the part isn't in stock then it's overnighted from one of the other warehouses in Europe.

These are OTR times by the way.

It's FIAT's parts system, run by TNT.
 
I'm guessing that it's totally the wrong era, but I've always wanted to get my grubby little paws on one of these beautys. :)

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Matmulder said:
Nice! I'd hate to see what that cost! I was speaking to a bloke the other day who's got a supercharged 3.7 156GTA. Didn't dare ask what it cost him....The 328bhp stage2 3.7 nearly made my eyes water before Jano had even added the VAT...

So you work at/live near Autodelta? Mines being shipped down there in a few weeks time.
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Yeah - yet he manages to keep such a cool face and thinks it perfectly normal :D

Jano's a good bloke - but he must be loaded by now.

I live in SE London it's not too far to drive. :)

The MX5 garage I used to go to was in Uxbridge - so I'm quite lucky that all the tuning garages I've ever needed are fairly close to me :D
 
I love it when I'm washing the car and people come by and say "Nice car"....they never did with the Passat I had!

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Some people just don't "get" Alfa ownership, those that do love them!
 
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