Ok firstly- this is not for me. You have all already told me to be sensiable so I'm currently safe.

However one of my firends is looking at the following cars

A Golf V6 4 Motion or a Alfa 147 2.0 Lusso Selespeed.

Both cars are within his budget of 4k, both sem to have reasonable milage and are between 8 and 9 years old.

Which would you choose?

Both nice cars think the Alfa has it on looks but I'd have the Golf. Think that overall it would be the better car to own, discreet, powerful and have the extra traction from the 4wd.

Depends what his priorities are when buying a car.

The Alfa is a far better drive, more fun and more involving and the 2.0l is a great engine that loves to be revved. If it's been well looked after, it should be reasonably reliable, although I have heard of lots of problems with the Selespeed but I don't know if that's just forum-syndrome. I've only driven a manual though so can't comment directly.

The Golf is probably not going to fall apart (although knowing VAG I might be wrong ) but the one I drove was fairly dull to drive and thirsty and also had a horrible hard ride.

Drive both and see which one he likes best

Chris

Thats what ive suggested

The Selespeed system is not that bad- just needs to be looked after. Thats the only thing with the Alfa they have to be looked after like a very expensive and posh GF, give them the world and they will give you the best times of your life. Don't and you'll soon be looking at the wrong end of a huge bill.

The golf i guess is the 'safe' option. reliable etc etc etc. He;s going to use it like i would use basically. Driving to work everyday, and for driving pleasuer/ maybe long trips out around the country

golf tbh has 4wd and has a v6 engine

Golf any day and twice on Sundays. The Alfa tends to love the hard shoulder of motorways and the AA man.

Golf for reliability and the v6 burble

Alfa for looks especially when you will be able to spend a lot of time standing on the hard shoulder admiring it whilst you wait for the AA

I have heard of lots of problems with the Selespeed but I don't know if that's just forum-syndrome.

It's not. The Sillyspeed is well known for being troublesome and fragile, even amongst Alfa enthusiasts, who lets face it, probably have low thresholds for what is accetable reliability.

OP: The Golf. If they *have* to have an Alfa, then get the manual one, and AA cover. The V6 4M isn't as quick as you might hope, and a bit thirsty, but it's V6 and 4WD after all

The Golf.... the alfa will randomly break down and possibly be slightly on fire.....

V6 wins

He will love the noise!

Neighbour recently bought same Alfa as above. Owned it for 4 months so far, been on the road for 2 and a half of those due to selespeed not working.

I know of one guy who is a big alfa fan. He bought a selespeed as he had a knee problem, but made sure to get a warranty on it because of the poor reliability of selespeed.

Definately the Golf for smooth and gutsy v6 and reliability as others have said.

Golf, for reliability if nothing else.