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156 owners advice


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#1
amir

Posted 02 November 2007 - 02:58 PM

amir

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I've been dreaming for a 156 ever since I'm in my mama womb. (Just to
exaggerate betapa minatnya I ..)Going thru' Autotraders and the Star, a
2001/2002 156 can set u back ~RM50k+. Talked to friends and mechanics but
the mere mention of the word Alfa, their response would be as if Dracula
has been shown a crucifix. A big No No. Either because of their own bad
experiences or they heard it from other friends/people. I know Alfa
owners are passionate about their rides so the best is to get info. from
the horses mouth itself. I'm interested in the basic model; a 2.0 manual,
no need tiptronics. What are the things to look out for ? Average costs
for minor and major services and best places for parts and services. My
expected mileage is about 5k km per year. Its meant for leisure driving.
Would very much like to share your experiences.

#2
Redd

Posted 06 November 2007 - 07:52 PM

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156 2.0TS manual is very rare. there are like 2-3 units in the country
only. good luck finding one!

u can get more details from http://www.italiaauto.net

there's lotsa info on there about buying a used 156. but at 5k kms a year
i wouldnt worry too much about wear and tear. just get it.

redd

#3
amir

Posted 07 November 2007 - 10:35 AM

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Thanks Redd. Geez, didn't know that the 2.0 manual is so rare. Went thru'
italiaauto.net forums. It seems like the car really need lots of TLC. And
somehow u guys seem to enjoy fiddling and tinkering with the car parts
and components.

#4
Redd

Posted 07 November 2007 - 03:57 PM

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europeans will always require more TLC and cost more to run than local or
japo cars. italians are even more temperamental. u either love them or
hate them. some ppl - like me - wont drive anything but an italian.
others cant bear to deal with them. u need to figure out which one u are.

redd

#5
jimbeam

Posted 26 March 2008 - 01:11 PM

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Amir

Forget about 156. If you need a nightmare go and buy one. These enthusiast
may be crazy with their car, but just think of it, why the price is too low
for a year 2000 156? Plus, you already admit that the car needs LOTS of TLC
plus if you dont mind to spend thousands of RM to fix small things, so, are
you willing to do it?

Think 100 times before committing an Alfa.Just a friendly advice from an ex
owner of 156

#6
Redd

Posted 26 March 2008 - 06:59 PM

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thousands to fix small things, jimbeam? care to share what u had to "fix"
costing u thousands and where u got it done? im beginning to suspect that
u were taken for a ride by an incompetent mechanic, or u bought a lemon.
that's not unheard of, either.

i do agree that the selespeed system on the alfa can be expensive to
maintain. then again, so are all similar systems on other cars including
the SMG on BMW. comparing that to maintaining an normal auto or manual
gearbox is pointless. if u wanted an slushbox or a stick, u shoulda
bought one instead of a selespeed.

i had a 156 2.5V6 automatic which i modded to 250hp on the stock auto
gearbox and the 'box lasted me 170k kms with nothing more than ATF
changes. these 170k kms included an inordinate amount of time at the
redline and many, many trackdays. let's see a camry/accord auto do that.

let's also see a camry sound like an alfa - TS or V6 - or survive a spin
into a barrier at 190kph (IF the camry can even get up to those speeds!)
without killing the driver.

look, if u wanted camry, then by all means get a camry. alfas aren't for
everybody. yes, they are enthusiast cars first and foremost - which means
ppl who buy them bought them for certain reasons and are willing to put
up with some foibles. if all u wanted was a car to grab groceries in, i'd
have advised u to go with the japobox.

whatever the case, amir, if ur buying a car for universal approval, then
get a camry/accord. alfas are for those who dare.

redd

#7
jimbeam

Posted 27 March 2008 - 01:09 PM

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Redd

I know lar you are champion here, I just stating my point of view from what
I experienced myself then.Why? Is this a communist forum or what? If you
want everyone to agree with your point of view I think you should stick to
your IA forum then. Just like UMNO, all cannot, all must follow the
leader.WTH?

My car might be a lemon, but if so many peoples experiencing the same
problem, so considered all cars are lemon then? By the way my ex 156 was
fixed by ah jin goodwork. he is a good mechanic but the car is not.

"let`s also see a camry sound like an alfa - TS or V6 - or survive a spin
into a barrier at 190kph (IF the camry can even get up to those speeds!)
without killing the driver."

You are an enthusiast. Probably you never think that everyone have their
own taste or choice and probably you never think that people do change over
the time, last 10 years maybe you would love to slam the pedal and rev
till the red line, and if possible drive till 240km/h.

But people with conscience would not do that. You, on the other hand, dont
have conscience.

Orang bodoh sahaja mahu mati cepat dengan driving more than 190km/h

Dont you feel pity to Amir if let say he bought an AR156 and later on
regret because of the killing maintenance, not to mention losses of
valuable time due to fixing the ride?

amir,

use your common sense. a car is a ride, you buy it because you want to
drive it, no use if you buy a car but most of the time the car spend a lot
of time at the workshop, not to mentioned $$$ involved.

cheerio!

#8
Taj156

Posted 27 March 2008 - 01:21 PM

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The 156 is a good car overall but sadly the selespeed version is not. I
had one too, bought brand new and gremlins started coming in after 1.5
yrs of ownership. That's my opinion and i tell the same thing to anyone
who asks my opinion before buying a 156. I usually tell these people to
buy a 156 2.0 manual (if they can find one) or a 156V6 auto or 6-speed
manual (if they can find one).

I still stick to my opinion. Dun buy any selespeed, and you got one less
worry. Too many selespeed associated problems and too many things to
check to sort out. This applies even to the 147. My sincere apologies to
any selespeed owners here but friends who have heeded my advice have sung
praises about their cars (non-selespeed that is). A couple of friends
that didn't heed my advice have long since sold theirs.

#9
Redd

Posted 27 March 2008 - 06:11 PM

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jimbeam, not slagging on u. im just quite tired of ppl coming in here and
saying alfa is crap lar, this lar, that lar, because they did not have
the right expectations going in.

if your opinion is that "a car is a ride, you buy it because you want to
drive it, no use if you buy a car but most of the time the car spend a
lot of time at the workshop, not to mentioned $$$ involved" then an alfa
is definitely not for you.

i prefer to set expectations right up front rather than have ppl buy the
car then find that it costs more than a camry to maintain. if maintenance
and cost are #1 priority then u should not be buying an alfa, period. :)

to each their own, and alfas are certainly not for everyone. take that
how u want to. :)

redd

#10
nine2five4

Posted 29 March 2008 - 12:10 AM

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An alfa is an alfa. This is a car which certainly is not everyone's cup
of tea. As you say you either hate or love it. But for me, there's
something about the car that keeps me coming back to her for a spin,
anytime of the day when I am not in the mood. I also have two other
powerful cars in my stable, one is AWD and the other is FWD. But they are
not the same as the RWD alfa that have.Smile