Alfa Romeo

[1300mash]

I am selling my Rover 414 and Dolly 1300 this year to make way for something newer. I have wanted an Alfa for a while and am toying with getting either a cheap as chips late model 155 or maybe a 146 or 156.<br>
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Any advice/daft comments/horror stories would be greatly appreciated. Most people are telling me to leave well alone and buy something reliable but not fun or pretty!!!!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[dollybird72]

I'm sure Alun will chip in - he has an Alfa - a 166 I think?<br>
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Very comfortable cars. Leather seats easy to clean if you spill coffee anywhere.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Susie

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[SMIFTER]

Predictably I'll chip in to this one.<br>
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Dont bother with a 145/146, they are OK but badly dated compared to a 156 which is one of the nicest cars I've had the pleasure to drive. <br>
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Get one with the full red leather interior and its like driving around in a lap dancing club. The interior is a lovely place to be.<br>
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The twin spark 4 pot is a fantastic engine, sounds great and is free revving although high milers dont seem to survive particularly well, I saw a lot of cars advertised with engine troubles when I was looking. I've heard of horrific costs for spark plugs but that might be scaremongering. Overall I dont think the 4 pots are particularly complex though as they have been around for a good while.<br>
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The dealers have a bad reputation, its one of those cars best suited to an independant specialist if you know one.<br>
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They are prone to electrical problems but you could be lucky.<br>
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If you dont do mega miles go for it. <br>
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<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
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Scary XE powered 1974 Dolomite Sprint Trackday Experiment. Maybe someday soon<br>
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2002 Octavia VRS - 20 valves, leather, a turbo and 146mph - Czech it out!! </p><i></i>

[alun n]

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>The twin spark 4 pot is a fantastic engine<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br>
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So long as you aren't paying the maintenance! Cam variators, belts, management are regulars. If you can afford it/find one go for the 2.5 v6, but they all sound good!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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I've had a 147 1.6TS as company car; very nice, but it went back a few times including for a new dashboard which wiped the first 3k miles off it!<br>
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I've had two 166's one I drive daily, very nice 2.5v6, done 20k on it in 18 months and all I've had to do is the cam belt, brake pads and centre section of exhaust. It only cost me 3k in the first place at 5 years old. Cam belt is important on these engines and it should document waterpump and tensioners at the same time.<br>
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The other I bought on eBay, 3.0v6 as an 'investment'. Made 10% nett on it but it took 3 months. was offered a late 155 v6 in part ex for it; was so tempted but needed the cash for a plotter instead; he only wanted a monkey for the 155 and it was mint!<br>
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Ebay is the place, but go look and drive before you bid!<br>
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147, 155, 156 or 166 for me, but the 147's probably hold their value too much for a bargain.<br>
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Avoid the paddle gear change for a self owned car, get leather.

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[Stan Part]

I have had a lot (and I mean <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>A LOT</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->) of dealings with Alfa 156's through my work.<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>DO NOT BUY</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> a Selespeed version they are a time bomb waiting to happen, they <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>ALWAYS</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> go wrong and are actually (trade prices) worth less than a manual car.<br>
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Be <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>VERY</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> careful of the oil you put in a petrol cars engine, they are very fussy and can use oil at an alarming rate. Fuel gauges tend to fail due to electrical faults.<br>
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A very high percentage of Alfa's (of all ages and models) are imports and sometimes do not have the rust protection found on a UK car (though this depends upon where the car was imported from). Also, imported cars did not have the same warantee as UK cars so servicing may have been skimped upon.<br>
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Oh, I wouldn't buy one <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :p --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":p"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[LewisK]

Amen on the Selespeed thing. It's horrible anyway!<br>
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Watch cambelts with an eagle eye and make sure it's been changed.

<p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.antchip.com/sig2.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves, we can't lose! You're on!</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></p><i></i>

[1300mash]

Thanks folks, I reckon I'll spend a bit of time and try and get a good'un. "Cambelts" is a word I hear a lot.<br>
You're right Alun, I really like the 147 but they're a bit pricey for me at the mo!<br>
Someone I know did have a Selespeed which had to have a new 'box - I shall stay well clear!

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[Jon Tilson]

known 2 156 owners...<br>
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One had to have 3 cars until the paint and finish was right. He bought one in the early days (S plater to start with) and ended up getting a free leather interior in the one he kept because he was so hard done by.<br>
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Next one needed a new engine at 28 k miles despite fsh.<br>
Both were t sparks. <br>
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Dont think either owner will be going back.<br>
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best way to own an alfa is as a company car...then its not your prpblem if it goes tits up...(which it will).<br>
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Jonners<br>
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