BXProject

Madcav · Post by **Madcav** » 17 Mar 2008

...can't fight it much longer: I REALLY want an Alfa Romeo 156, preferably a 2.0 manual. I know they have their detractors and it's a heart Vs head thing but I'm almost convinced to chop my beloved Astra in against one. Anyone got one or owned one? I seem to recall they say the 1.8 had a weak bottom end and the sele-speeds are troublesome so will avoid them. I also know proper checkable history along with receipts (includin cam belt change) is a must but all other things to look for and best model to get would be good to know. Cheers.

*Edited as I put 2.9 when I meant 2.0.

mickey taker · Post by **mickey taker** » 17 Mar 2008

know very little about alfafas apart from the older ones rust issues , newer ones seem to be poular and plentyful though

Bx Bandit · Post by **Bx Bandit** » 17 Mar 2008

Do you mean the 2.5 v6 petrol mate? next year the road tax is gonna be Â£440, going up to Â£455 in 2010!! I love the look of Alfas and would love a 155 V6. I don't think that alfas are a particularly reliable car and I've heard a few (both the petrols and the deisels) sounding like they've had it, like utterly shafted.

docchevron132 · Post by **docchevron132** » 17 Mar 2008

hhmm.... well, reliability isn't their strong point, and indeed for the love of all things pizza like DO NOT get a SeleSpeed, it'll break you.

Check for good panel fit, FSH is a must, take it for a drive, does everything work? Check it all carefully.
Does the rear suspension knock?
If it does, walk away.

Does the steering feel "floaty" going round tight bends? If so, walk away.

Dont rag the engine cold, but get it up to temp and give it some beans, any blue / white smoke from the exhaust? Any top end noise? Any bottom end knock?
Does the oil pressure get to and stay at 6bar at high revs?
in short be careful, but find a good one and they can be a rather nice car to drive, get a bad one and you'll have to sell you missus to repair it.

mickey taker · Post by **mickey taker** » 17 Mar 2008

docchevron1472 wrote: get a bad one and you'll have to sell you missus to repair it.

bonus

Post by **PiLsY.** » 17 Mar 2008

156 eh? Prefer the 155 myself, but if you're thinking of a newer one the JTD engines are awesome. Can you get the 156 with a 2.4JTD?

stu · Post by **stu** » 17 Mar 2008

Have you seen this?

docchevron132 · Post by **docchevron132** » 17 Mar 2008

Oooh, that could be a bargain.. or a heap....
hhmm.... for that money probably worth taking the risk.

Stinkwheel(Matt) · Post by **Stinkwheel(Matt)** » 17 Mar 2008

mate of mine just bought a y plate 156 1.8 twin spark thing. 78k on clock. 900 quid. cheap and pretty, even if it breaks its only a case of fixing it.

Madcav · Post by **Madcav** » 17 Mar 2008

Stu that's exactly what I'm after, cheers for that. That seems very favourably priced to me and could be very interesting. If I do get one it'd be a 99-01 manual box and I'm told if I get one reg'd before March '01 (or something like that) the tax is a bit cheaper. For now.

Philhod · Post by **Philhod** » 17 Mar 2008

I`ts still a Fiat, with all their electrickery hang up`s

stu · Post by **stu** » 17 Mar 2008

Philhod wrote: I`ts still a Fiat, with all their electrickery hang up`s

Oi!

We drive Citroens. We don't expect the electricity to work.

Madcav · Post by **Madcav** » 18 Mar 2008

Stu, re-read that and realised it has no keys so too much of a gamble for me but thanks anyway. Signed up to an Alfa forum yesterday and got some good avice from the regulars. It looks like (as with any other car) they can e a bit of a gamble, potentially an expensive one, but still really fancy one. It'll have to be in red and as Doc said definately not a sele-speed!

Madcav · Post by **Madcav** » 18 Mar 2008

mickey taker wrote:
docchevron1472 wrote: get a bad one and you'll have to sell you missus to repair it.
bonus

One woman for sale. Well used and VERY temperamental. Dangerous to men and other women. Especially other women. Occasionally breathes fire and unsuitable for those of a nervous disposition, small/big children, small/medium/fully grown men, cookers, other electrically and gas operated equipment, car drivers and everyone else. Has airbags but not seen them in light years. Tendency to go silent in the middle of a blow out and has some parts untested in light years. No warranty given or implied other than she's guaranteed to disappoint. 17p ono or swap for red Alfa Romeo 156.

docchevron132 · Post by **docchevron132** » 18 Mar 2008

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Bit steep on the asking price mate?

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » 18 Mar 2008

Would be a discount if in old money! ie d instead of p

Alfas, tell me why I should or shouldn't...