Alfa Romeos

[iCraig]

Right I have deciced to finally treat myself and have a proper drivers car since I enjoy driving now.

And I am highly tempted by an Alfa Romeo, I've been looking and I quite like the late 146 and the late 156's.
Though a few things put me off. Whats reliability like, and fuel consumption like on the 1.6/1.8T.Spark engine?

I only ask on here as I know there a few people that like them!

[MarJay]

knowing your record on vehicular mechanical reliability...

... How about a nice Honda?

I think you're asking for trouble personally. As soon as it goes tits up (which it may well) you'll be on here bleating about how rubbish it is.

Buy a Civic Type R and be happy.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Nb]

The 156 isnt reliable in general, i'd advise anyone not to buy one.
If you want a real drivers car get an mx5 and ignore the hairdresser comments.
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[iCraig]

[Harold_Shand]

Drivers car... How about an old Golf Gti or Peugeot 205 1.9 Gti?
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Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[iCraig]

[Harold_Shand]

Heh heh, yeh... my pug wouldn't to too well in an NCAP test.
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BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[Blau Zedong]

Front wheel drive = shit.
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[iCraig]

[iCraig]

[Harold_Shand]

[trevoriv]

Got a few mates with 156's and they love them, although one guy has had one or two problems with his and the service costs are a little on the high side. Both of them are on their second alfa though, they both admit that there are more reliable cars out there but they both love their alfas now.

Another mate has just got a 147 and he likes that, he's got the 2.0l version as well and it's got a fair bit of poke!
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[Blau Zedong]

No but I'd rather have a Beemer .

Bike fetish limits me to a 316 but a mate has an old 325 which is track prepared (caged, suspension, slicks etc). It is made of win and god.

If I could afford a car which I could drift in the dry I might not be so bike obsessed. It's fvcking magical balancing a car on the point between oversteer and terminal embarassment.

And no I wouldn't have a Capri. I would have an Opel Manta if they were not all rotten mind.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Dischord]

I remember 2.0ltr 150HP Alfa had the cheek to call my little 1.3 Swift slow, his face and pure disbelief as I floored it passed him UP a hill where hilarious!

But anyway, My GFs dad and a mate have the 2.0ltr Alfa and they never had any major problems with them, good looking cars too but its definitly an acquired taste!
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2012 KTM EXC 250

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[Kickstart]

Hi

Have had quite a few Alfas and driven a fair few more.

145/6 was really just a rebodied Fiat Tipo. Nice enough cars but rhd markets never got the restyled dashboard that lhd markets got for most of their production run.

156 uses a related chassis but with greatly improved front suspension.

Problems.

The selespeed (flappy paddle gear change, proper manual gearbox with a paddle control) can have odd problems. But plenty have no problems at all.
145/6 (and 155) front suspension bushes wear out. New arms needed to fix which are not cheap from Alfa, but are available cheaply as pattern parts.
TS engine is fairly tough. However when they get to ~80k they start to use a bit of oil. Not a problem if you keep on top of the oil level, but say goodbye to the crank if you don't bother.
Cam belt changes are every 36k. Originally quoted at 72k, only keep to that if you want to replace the engine occasionally.
Timing variator (variable valve timing on the inlet cam) can stick. Results in an engine that sounds like a diesel at low revs. (most people recommend replacing the cam belts, timing variable, water pump and pulley wheels all at the same time).
Alfa spares are not particularly cheap. But a hell of a lot cheaper than bike spares. There are plenty of decent specialists around, although plenty of the dealers are rubbish.
Seem to be fairly few electrical issues. Common problem with the 156 is back seat passengers catching the wiring to the seats with their feet, triggering the airbag warning light.
The TS engines are not particularly good on petrol. And to be honest not particularly quick. Standard problem with modern cars. Too much weight (although not anything like as bad as some). Also need to be revved a bit to get decent performance (7K red line on the 2L).
With the 145/6 check you get the "red" key. Most will have an ignition system that needs this to reset the ignition system. Should be 2 normal red keys and one with a browny / red handle.

All the best

Keith
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[MarJay]

[Kwaks]

I have the 2L 147 selespeed, no problems so far touch wood.

Great sound off it when you boot it, and even when in full auto mode the car will rev to 7k rpm before changing

I like the car, and for what i paid it has been a great buy, has all the xtras incl. red leather interior, heated seats etc etc. The only pain in the arse is trying to change the bulbs as there isnt much room to work.
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[yambabe]

If I was you and had £3500 to spend I'd buy a Ford Puma for about £2500, and spend the other £1000 or so on getting another bike........
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[Finglonga]

[djr]

[djr]

[MarJay]

[Finglonga]

[AJI]

[Kara]

4WD 2.5 V6 Calibra! Make sure you buy lots and lots of spare head gaskets!

I vote VRs
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