OK, not geriatric summer or 2nd cars, nor classics.

If I was tempted to switch from Furby-land. What are the drawbacks? Anyone owned one or know of good forums?

2001 on Alfa 156 or 147 Diesels. They're cheap as chips by the looks of things.

But Insurance groups look "interesting" on them... 11 through 16.

J.

I had a 156 2.4 derv. loved it and hated it at the same time

goes like stink handles ok comfy big fuel wise ok 40mph av

every service cost min£500 because something was ALLWAYS wrong

They're cheap as chips by the looks of things.

And there is good reason too. You tend to get what you pay for. Save up front, and might get a peach, but more likely a lemon given there reliability record. I would only have one as a 2nd car, or if I was good with mechanicals and wanted a project.

Owned a 156 25 V6 with sports pack 2 (tele dial wheels, sports suspension, recaro cloth interior), it was a great car - ran it for 2 years with no issues The engine looked and sounded lovely. Cam belt is expensive to change on this engine, and fuel economy is about 27mpg.

The one to get is the 2.0 TS which isn't as nose heavy and better handling.

The 147 is again a good car and come nicely spec'd.

Service history is a must.

Best mate ran a Sport Pack 3 156, 2.5.

Cracking car, never had any major issues apart from the key/immobiliser packed in 3 times.

But quite common by the sound of it.

Servicing wasn't too bad, but when it came to the timing belt service, it was over a grand at the local Alfa specialist in Edinburgh.

Fuel wise, he averaged about 18mpg constant town driving, and long distance was mid-high 30's.

I nearly bought it off him actually.

My mate has a had a couple. He ran a 156 1.8ts for about 4 years and had very few problems with it. It was sat about for long periods while he was on a sub but he never complained of any issues with it.

He traded that in for a 2.4 Brera. He thought it was a big improvement over the 156 in terms of build quality. Again a few niggles but not much. He traded it in for a 2.0 A4 Avant recently after he had a daughter. The Brera back seats were just too awkward for baby seats.

Having managed to get my deposit back on one for misrepresentation, I should warn you that if any T-Spark units sound diesel-y for anything more than a couple of seconds after startup, then you will need new cams and possibly more as it's a sign that the engine's been run on low oil for an extended period...

I've always fancied an Alfa 164 as a pretty car with nice handling for an exeutive. V6 very complicated but the 2.0 Twin Spark (the origninal all alloy twin cam) was a good engne with 150 bhp. Where have they all gone though. Only one advertised in Auto Trader and that was a shabby V6. Alfa was rustproofing by then so can't have rotted away surely:confused:

Having managed to get my deposit back on one for misrepresentation, I should warn you that if any T-Spark units sound diesel-y for anything more than a couple of seconds after startup, then you will need new cams and possibly more as it's a sign that the engine's been run on low oil for an extended period...

Hmm - Quite a PITA that would be then. Especially as the buying guides mention the auto-camshaft advance variator can be a cause of similar noises.

Still, that would be a petrol car problem. Not one to trouble those on the sootier side.

Reads like... "Do your research and get an expert opinion", on a per vehicle basis. Even the cheapest ones look to be several grands so not quite "buy it because it's only £500 to risk"...

I found a few forums out on t'interweb. Reads like they suffer similarly to the furby in terms of suspension bushes etc.

J.

What about an Alfa 155?

Just looking at the 164 and its a lot of car for little money (relatively speaking).

Quintin Wilson liked the 155 and 164

My old next-door neighbour had a 164. One of his friends had a similar vintage Quattroporte - it was a bit like being surrounded by baddies from a Europe-based action movie!

dont bother getting a v6 petrol one, it's absolute balls-ache to change the timing belt

What about an Alfa 155?

Just looking at the 164 and its a lot of car for little money (relatively speaking).

Quintin Wilson liked the 155 and 164

Before buying my Fabia I looked at getting a decent 164 Twin Spark but as I say there was naff all out there. Maybe if I joined the Alfa club or forum I could have found a cherished one but none on general sale. I don't really like the 155 although the later ones with the wider track had great handling. The good thing about the original Twin Spark was that it was a development of the classic Alfa all alloy engine going back to the 50s. Its Twin Spark ignition was for improved burn and hence performance. The latter Twin Sparks were good engines but the second sparking plug was smaller and was an emissions device to burn off unburnt exhaust and fired after the main plug and not simultaneously like the 164 and early 155 engines.It also had this actuator problem like its sister in the FIAT Barchetta, one to avoid. :thumbdwn:

You do feel like you are going for a meeting with Don Corleone when driving in one I must admit. When I was a kid a friends' dad had a black one with tinted glass: cue cod Sicilian accent: "Welcome to da faamilee":D

Edited 10 November, 200817 yr by Matt Bodycombe

My mum has had an Alfa 156 2.4 JTD for the past few years and it has been brilliant. No real problems with it (except a leak in the screen wash system) and it goes so well. I was very tempted to get one before I got the Golf but insurance costs put me off

I was offered a 156 sillyspeed semi-automatic as a company car that I refused to have.

It had been no end of trouble for the previous "owner" and when I did drive it , it refused to go into reverse so I had to get out and push it back to do a three point turn!

They are cheap for a reason.

I had a 147 2.0 TS

Lovely to look at/drive, beautiful interior and very well specced

PITA to service and tend to go wrong often, make sure you buy one thats had the cam belt done as its a £5-600 job

One of the nicest looking cars ever though IMO, and cheap to buy

I didnt have mine long, but I would still have another one someday.

Couple of pics of mine