Alfa Romeo?

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RoboCod

RoboCod

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Alfa Romeo? (56k)

Hi

Im looking at a new car soon, my work horse/**** is slowly but surely dying, I expect no less, she's french. So with a +/- £2500 budget where should I be looking? I'm 24 and I need:

Value - To run, to service and to insure (0yrs NCB :()
Space - I'm around 6'4" so no fiat panda thanks :p
Response - It needs some kick, I've been thrashing my clio for too long now, something with a bit more grunt would do!

That's about it really, I'm only going to use it to drive to work 10miles and take the missus out places so something comfy and perhaps with wipe clean leather lol.

I was thinknig about an Alfa 156. With the spoiler and rest of the kit I think they look great but I hear they aren't too reliable and I'm going to get some quotes in the morning to compare insurance. What would you consider?

FOX - I dont want a mondeo!!
 
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Hi,

Not sure an Alfa really meets any of your criteria.

Value wise, yes they're dirt cheap to buy, but runnng costs aren't cheap. Servicing within the Alfa network is going to sting, but don't let people kid you on that they're ultra unreliable - they're not!

With £2.5k I'd be looking for something Japanese and bulletproof. Lets face it, your not going to be buying anything within 7-8 years old, so you need something which is engineered to last. I'd be looking at Honda Accords or even Honda Preludes if your after the sports aspect.

I really hate to say it, but you couldnt go wrong with a Ford Mondeo either. (Never thought I'd say that, how long before I'm looking at BMWs :D )
 
If you go for a 156 avoid the selespeed, it is quite fun, but expensive if it goes wrong. Also not having a clutch for fine control is a bit annoying. I really like the 2.0 twinspark engine, not massively quick but fast enough with 150bhp, revvy with a 7k redline and sounds good. The car has 105,000 on the clock and still drives well, comfy seats and a sporty interior. Its pretty fun to drive, feels fairly sporty but the suspension is a little 'crashy'.

You need to make sure the cambelt is done, keep on top of the oil level. Servicing at a main dealer is stupidly expensive so just go to a local garage tbh.
 
<(Multi)> said:
Shhhnip
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Good suggestion, I forgot about the Honda's. I'd go for a prelude any day. Suprisingly the insurance premium on a 2.2 vtec is only marginally more expensive than a 2.0 Alfa. It's still blooming high though, roll on when Im 25! :D
 
Preludes are good cars - get the 2.2 not the 2.0 though as the 2.0 is a little slow

Alfas are fine as long as they're well looked after and reguarly serviced. A full service history is a must - neglect it and you'll regret it!
 
10 mile commute and a bit of fun is ideal Alfa territory. They are certainly not the most reliable cars around but they are not the worst by far.

They require meticulous servicing which is not always cheap. Cam belts need replacing every 36K at around £300. Oil needs to be carefully monitered and a FSH is essential. Paint work is thin but seems to keep it shine long into the cars age. Beware of anything that has had the top end of the engine has been rebuilt as the bottom end will go shortly after. Alfa leather is of brilliant quality, infact my GTV leather looked far better than my bosses Jag XK8 of the same age.

Go into it with an open mind but don't be fooled that Alfa ownership can be done on the cheap.
 
I'm pretty much completely swayed over to Honda now... especially the Prelude :eek: nice. It would make sense to get a more reliable Jap car for the same price really wouldn't it :)
 
Captain Planet said:
I'm pretty much completely swayed over to Honda now... especially the Prelude :eek: nice. It would make sense to get a more reliable Jap car for the same price really wouldn't it :)
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Yes, it would! ;)

I'm looking at newer Preludes, but the wife won't sway and prefers the MK4 Astra Coupe :(
 
OK so just browsing ebay (not going to buy from there as IM a bit wary naturally) but I asked this seller about the fact he's advertising this model as a vtec "style". He says its not Vtec but its a jap import and equivalent to a vtec. Is this true?
 
I think the 2.2 is a proper vtec so Iam not sure what he means. There was a 2.3 SOHC only I think which was slower of course.
The alloys are cheesy as hell but I like them anyway :o


These cars arent a bad buy imo, they never seem to fetch much. The main downside is the insurance and I see as usual its an auto.

Peeps at hondarevolutions.com will tell you if there was ever a non vtec 2.2


If it has vtec and its just not engaging then it could be down to a problem.

MOT Expiry Date (MM/YYYY):
Dec 2006


11 MONTHS MOT
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Make sure he renews the MOT then, since he has advertised as such
 
That is the 2.2 'si' jap import which is about 160 bhp (not VTEC engine.) Not worth it. Try and find a decent UK VTEC as they're all manuals. You'll find a great one for under £2000.

Truly brilliant cars and very underrated.
 
Captain Planet said:
Hi

Im looking at a new car soon, my work horse/**** is slowly but surely dying, I expect no less, she's french. So with a +/- £2500 budget where should I be looking? I'm 24 and I need:

Value - To run, to service and to insure (0yrs NCB :()
Space - I'm around 6'4" so no fiat panda thanks :p
Response - It needs some kick, I've been thrashing my clio for too long now, something with a bit more grunt would do!

That's about it really, I'm only going to use it to drive to work 10miles and take the missus out places so something comfy and perhaps with wipe clean leather lol.

I was thinknig about an Alfa 156. With the spoiler and rest of the kit I think they look great but I hear they aren't too reliable and I'm going to get some quotes in the morning to compare insurance. What would you consider?

FOX - I dont want a mondeo!!
Click to expand...

You slate French reliability and cite an Alfa as the replacement!!! Are you you insane? :D
 
mattpc said:
You slate French reliability and cite an Alfa as the replacement!!! Are you you insane? :D
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Hence why I ask the question of what you guys suggest? I've never owned an Alfa and not sure how good they are. I have however owned a peugeot and a renault and I need say no more about those cars cos they are cack :D

I have definitely made my mind up on a Honda anyway, its just the logical choice really
 
Did it, bought a 2.2 vtec :D

Collecting it on thursday, cant wait. BTW it's a 1992 model which yes is old but with all its service history and new timing belt amongst othe parts recently Im hoping its going to be fine! The guy has had it 6 years and its been serviced fully every 12000miles.

£800 I thought it's a bit cheap therefore something up but if thats the case I wont mind paying a few hundred to fix any problems seeing as it could fetch over £1000. Will upload photos when I get it :D
 
Excellent, how many miles does it have? Btw all wheel steering was an option on these I think and should be avoided (because its expensive), 800 does sound cheap but not massively so so could just be a bargain :)
 
silversurfer said:
Excellent, how many miles does it have? Btw all wheel steering was an option on these I think and should be avoided (because its expensive), 800 does sound cheap but not massively so so could just be a bargain :)
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108k :eek: Maybe Im making a big mistake with that kind of mileage! We'll see, like I said, its £800 so if it is knackered IM not making a great loss and IM counting on the reliabilty factor that it will keep running at least a year. Its got 1 years MOT and taxed till end of Jan
 
It'll run for more then a year unless theres something seriously wrong with it but then why would he change the timing belt if that was the case.

108k is nothing to a Honda, I dont think these engines have any particular problems and if its anything like the D series it'll be bullet proof. The other side of 150k you can start worrying, its just normal things like rubber bushes that your'll have to replace just like any 14 year old car :)
 
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