Which Alfa ?

[DavidA]

I know there's at least one Alfa Romeo owner on here, and not having had one yet I'm not a proper petrolhead by all accounts. Saw a drop dead gorgeous 4C at the weekend....

So my question is - which would you recommend for cruising to work and back ?

Doesn't need to be huge as we've got an estate as the family car and it would mostly just be me, but it does need to be economical as I do 600 miles a week at the moment.

[Norledge]

159 JTD every time as a daily. in 2.4 guise.

Orr f*ck economy off and get a 147 GTA and be ready to stuff it in a ditch the first time you boot it on a wet road. I've never felt torque steer like it.

[Seb_Ryan]

AVOID the 20v if you want economy.. With a dpf they struggle 40mpg on a run.

Ive got the 156 on a 52 plate which is the last of the 2.4 10vs.. Its 150 bhp and f*ck loads of torque stadard.

Mines been mapped to ~200 bhp and ~400 ft/lb and it still returns 55+ mpg on a run at 70/75 mph

Oh, and did i mention the noise of the 5 cylinder? Its epic, doesnt sound like a rattly old derv at all tbh

[Iceman299]

What are ~2004 147 1.9td's like? Contemplated getting one before

[DavidA]

If it sounds anything like the Volvo V70 D5 I'd love to hear it...

Both the 156 and 159 look beautiful.

Is the 1.9 the same engine you find in the Vauxhall range ?

[Toms306]

Yep, same as Z19DT(H) in Vauxhalls. Check EGR and swirl flaps if you buy one of those...

[Seb_Ryan]

If it sounds anything like the Volvo V70 D5 I'd love to hear it...

Both the 156 and 159 look beautiful.

Is the 1.9 the same engine you find in the Vauxhall range ?

Better than that tbh, its more sporty sounding even as standard.

Plus it has a gt22 vnt turbo as standard..

Avoid the 1.9s tbh, i THINK the highest powered one is 140 bhp and then they went to the 2.0, and they use an m32 gm gearbox, which is made from chocolate along with the drive shafts lol

Only common problem ive seen with them is the suspension arms, which arent too expensive (a whole front set is about 80 quid) but then it is a double wishbone set up.

The 2.4s are also abit nose heavy, but some have got an LSD fitted which helps with this.

[toseland]

whichever alfa it is, make sure you get a warranty lol..

[Poodle]

Somebody's been watching too much top gear, Alfa stopped being anything other than a brand whore for housewives years ago.

If you are going to buy one, i reckon Norledge has got it on the head mind.

[THE_Liam]

Get an old 155. 40mpg on a run, awesome handling, and still have the old Alfa personality unlike the newer ones.

[swampy]

156 2.4jtdm 20 valve

Mine easily gets 600 miles to a tank, get nearly 700 to the tank when cruising down to Spain
That's 4 up with a full boot and air con on

Reliability wise I've had mine 2.5 years and the only issue I've had was down to a fuel sensor splitting and pudding diesel everywhere, nice simple fix if it hadn't of happend in the middle of Luxembourg.


If the 159 had the same economy as the 156 I'd be looking for one of them as the replacement for mine instead of a bmw 320d m sport

[Norledge]

I reckon Norledge has got it on the head mind.

Obviously.

Get an old 155. 40mpg on a run, awesome handling, and still have the old Alfa personality unlike the newer ones.

If we're talking old ones, I'd rather a 75... rear box, inboard brakes - one of the best handling saloons ever made. The V6 only had about 200bhp but in the light (mostly rust) shell they went well too!

[THE_Liam]

I reckon Norledge has got it on the head mind.

Obviously.

Get an old 155. 40mpg on a run, awesome handling, and still have the old Alfa personality unlike the newer ones.

If we're talking old ones, I'd rather a 75... rear box, inboard brakes - one of the best handling saloons ever made. The V6 only had about 200bhp but in the light (mostly rust) shell they went well too!

Had a 75 mate, far too many flaws. 155 was a better car, easier to live with.

[eskimogod]

Currently got 3 alfas in the family's fleet currently the v6's always sound great

[Pete]

155, Or GTV6 for me.