scoobberdoo

As mentioned here before, I have a crappy Rover 420 TD as a cheap method for getting to and from work and it's starting to really get to me on the types of road I drive on. It's just painfully slow!

I've always had a little admiration for the looks of the 156 but I always stayed clear due to the perceived reliablity/build quality issues and as I cover a large mileage, I don't want anything unreliable (which the diesel Rover has not been oddly enough).

Although there some 156's on Autotrader for about £1.5k, they are mostly above a 100k miles, but there are one or two with less than 70k miles for just under £2k for a 2001 Y 2.4 jtd. That very cheap - why? That's a lot of car for that sort of money is it not? I'm getting tempted, but very weary!!!!

If anyone here has any knowledge/experience of these, I would be very grateful of any advice on what to look out for, what they're like to drive etc, etc.

mrtheedge2u2

156 does indeed look good..... popular rep car, hence mileage...... avoid selespeed like the plague..... JTD are good engines...... def the one to go for if not going for the GTA.

Alfa dealers are woefull.....

Andy M3

scoobberdoo, the 2.4 you are looking at will be the 10v variant. Pretty good motor all in all. Alfa's work well if you take car of them. With the heavy engine they chew up bushes frequently and will need replacing on the button to ensure you make the most of the great handling! clutches do anything from 50k miles, so expect to have on on the 100k example unless it has had a 2nd clutch. Cambelts are 5 years and 70k IIRC unlike the petrol's. MPG isn't class leading - expect around 30-35 combined. 40-45 on a run with ease.

Rust could be an issue on early cars, so have a look round, and ensure it isn't a dog. Hold out for a 2 owner FSH car, they are around and enjoy! Finding a specialist is helpful as dealers are not!

Lots of info can be found here: Alfa Romeo Forum - Alfa Romeo Club for dedicated owners

scoobberdoo

Thanks for the info

Found one within 50 miles:-
2000 (W?) with only 23k on it for £3.2k, that seems very tasty!!

Andy M3

1 more thing. Alfa's should be at trade money. Check here.
Vauxhall

scoobberdoo

Thanks Andy!

However, after reading owners reviews on Parker Guide

Most owners rate the reliabilty as rubbish, soft front suspension causing burst sumps, the usual Italian electrical gremlins, average fuel consumption, blown turbos, new ECU's, 5 AA relays in one year!!!!!!

I'm gutted

Andy M3

Well the last year hasn't been that exciting for me

Pay your money take your chance. I can introduce you to disgruntled BMW/VAG drivers who have had new turbo's at less than 60k!??!?!

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

I've put 40k on a 156 2.4 (150bhp) in the last 14 months & it's been brilliant. Great to drive, Bose stereo as standard and people let you out in traffic too.
Just make sure you service regularly and change the belts (every 72k unlike 36k for the petrols.) ideally via an independant as the dealers are truly shocking. The 5cyl sounds nice for a diesel, giving 550 miles from a tank. (Only downside is they chew front tyres due to the weight and negative camber.)

D

chris_c201

The car at £3200 with 23k miles is a cat D i think.... may be wrong though!

Jamz3k

I just bought a 147 a month ago. Cheap as chips! 68k on the clock with electric everything! I love it.......but they are anything but cheap to maintain I have just spent £400 on getting my car serviced with a new cambelt and variator. But I can forgive it because i love driving it and people are so nice to you on the road letting you in or forgiving you for doing daft things (i'm an R plated driver).

I was going to buy a Toyota Starlet Turbo, so glad i didn't, I will always have an Alfa as long as i have a driving license

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

Front upper wishbone bushes and rear sway/(stay?) bars are worth checking. Be careful if it's got lowered springs, the sump can be vunerable if it's too low on the JTD.


Bang on..................... as you can't lose your licence when your car is broken down.


D

Jamz3k

Only time will tell

scoobberdoo

You are soooooooo............correct! However, it wasn't anything too serious! I did get to see and drive the car although he had already agreed to sell it without a deposit, so he was keeping me in reserve.

My thoughts were:-

1. It had a really wierd flat spot...when flooring it, it would get up to 3k and "hold back" very briefly, then keep pulling. With a genuine 23k, this was kind of endorsing the famous Alfa quality, and this put me off a bit.

2. Some things don't change (the last Alfa I drove was an Alfasud - great!)The steering wheel was at that usual Italian angle and I just about found it acceptable on it's fully out setting.

3. With the big diesel. it felt a little nose heavy round the bends.

4. Not sure about the long gear lever

5. It' was actually a bit pricey, copared to all the guides.

6. Looks are great though!

Thanks for all the info everyone, very well informed as usual All comments have turned out to be correct, including the sump issue!

Conclusion? I would really like one, but as I do loads of miles to and from work, the reliabilty thing is really what scares me.

Can anyone suggest an alternative?????