Would you buy an Alfa ?

Super-Spy · 1 Oct 2017 at 20:21

Sound advice Holst

Nasher · 1 Oct 2017 at 20:39

With "modern" Alfas I think it's electrical issues that are the problem, not mechanical ones. That and just the general build quality; bits breaking off etc.

Super-Spy · 1 Oct 2017 at 20:44

Interesting thought Nasher

Flibster · 1 Oct 2017 at 22:21

Very old Alfa - YES
Brand new Alfa - also yes.

80-90's Alfa - Nooooooo!

Super-Spy · 2 Oct 2017 at 06:56

I guess the 80-90s were the bad years

paradigm · 2 Oct 2017 at 07:23

I’d have another GTV I think, granted mine was only a 2.0 TSpark and I only had it for a month or so, but it was a lovely place to sit and even the 2.0 made a great sound.

It's a very different proposition to an MX5 though. One is a sharp handling, rear wheel drive convertible, and one is a bit of a cruiser coupé that values looks (and sound) over driveability and reliability. I'm not sure you should be considering both in the same vein.

I'd also very much like a Giulia Quadrifoglio, but definitely not brand new as I'm expecting the depreciation to be horrendous!

daz · 2 Oct 2017 at 07:49

I really enjoyed my Alfa 147 for the time that I had it.

Biggest issues were certain parts that were under-engineered, and to an extend how much hassle and labour costs were involved in fixing and replacing things. It's almost like certain things were made difficult for the sake of it!

Comparing like for like, my car was half the price of an equivalent A3 at the time, but in my mind I had a much more interesting car.

vanpeebles · 2 Oct 2017 at 08:23

I had a 156 v6 and it was fine. Used daily, and saw back road use in that awful winter we had some years back. I remember driving to work with the outdoor temp saying -9, and that was the lowest it went to!

insane200 · 2 Oct 2017 at 10:17

I will have another Alfa at some point, i had a 156 2.0TS for a while and it was lovely to drive, and the only issue's i had were bulbs going in the dash and the MAFF.

The most common issues i see are suspension parts failing.

I keep looking on AT to see what 159/147/gt go for, hopefully in the next year I'll have one.

Martynt74 · 2 Oct 2017 at 10:56

I've got a 2011 Giulietta. It's decent and for the most part hasn't gone wrong. As long as you excuse the fact that the heated seat no longer works for the driver and the wiring had to be fixed under warranty as a design issue caused the wiring for the top brake light to break due to wear whenever the boot is opened.

Only real spend in ~6years of ownership is regular servicing type costs.

jaffveyda · 2 Oct 2017 at 12:59

New Quadrofolia def. yes.

Scania · 2 Oct 2017 at 13:58

Super-Spy said:
would you buy a late 90's/early '00s Alfa ?

No.

I know a few people that did and regretted it.

bimbleuk · 2 Oct 2017 at 14:56

jaffveyda said:
New Quadrofolia def. yes.

I sat in one thinking I could buy one but I can't really afford to run it and wouldn't sleep with it sat on my poxy drive! No garage.

My brother had a 156 for while but got peeved with the small niggles that kept happening because of some cost saving on cheap parts so I ended up with the task of getting it saleable.

The one I would buy instantly is my friends Alfasud Trofeo 1.3 which was 1 of 3 built for a touring car series in the 70's by Alfa so never road registered and basically a shell+Cage and engine. We run it up Prescott and I've drive it a few times on track.

Super-Spy · 2 Oct 2017 at 16:06

Some great stories. It seems that despite the pain of owning an Alfa there is still a lot of love for them.

insane200 · 2 Oct 2017 at 17:04

Super-Spy said:
Some great stories. It seems that despite the pain of owning an Alfa there is still a lot of love for them.

I still consider the 159 to be one of the best looking saloon cars about, would love a late TI model but when i buy money wont be that good, Not sure if the petrol versions still run the twin spark setup as new plugs cost a fair bit.

Akagi · 2 Oct 2017 at 17:51

I agree, I think the 159 TI is probably the best looking 'normal car' on the road. I'd love one but the engine selection is pretty dire unless you spend silly money on a really late and quite rare 1750TBi.

I think the 2.4JTDm would be my pick.

insane200 · 2 Oct 2017 at 19:07

Acme said:
I agree, I think the 159 TI is probably the best looking 'normal car' on the road. I'd love one but the engine selection is pretty dire unless you spend silly money on a really late and quite rare 1750TBi.

I think the 2.4JTDm would be my pick.

It would be mine too, shame its not got the efficiency you would expect from a diesel though.

Tee Hee Johnson · 2 Oct 2017 at 19:38

I'd get another 145 2.0TS in a heart beat, sadly rust on the underside has killed the majority of them

Super-Spy · 3 Oct 2017 at 07:05

insane200 said:
It would be mine too, shame its not got the efficiency you would expect from a diesel though.

Diesels will probably be banned soon down here in London anyway.

Good excuse for a fire breathing petrol engine

Jamesyboyjim · 3 Oct 2017 at 11:00

My old man had an alfa GT as a company car years ago because no one else trusted it, it was fast and a nice car but a few guys had it before but it was so unreliable for everyone. He also moaned because everyone wanted to race him and he's a dithery old git

Shortly after he had it, the gearbox completely failed so that was the end of that. The company just got rid of it. Its a real shame as they make such nice looking cars inside and out.