Jump to content

Welcome to Autoworld Forum !

Sign In or Register to gain full access to our forums. By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

Close
Photo

buying a 146 TS


  • Please log in to reply

#21
wglee

Posted 15 December 2006 - 09:39 AM

wglee

    Fast & Furious

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,555 posts
After driving a string of Japanese cars (a 1986 Toyota Corolla, a 1992
Honda Civic, a 1997 Honda Accord and a 1991 Ford Laser TX3), I bought a
brand new Alfa 156 2.0 Selespeed in 2000 as it was really good value for
a CBU Conti at that time (RM150,000.00 and it`s yours). I sold it after
approx. 18 months/30,000km due to my disatisfaction with certain aspects
of the car`s reliability/build quality/inherent design quirks and the
after-sales service. I replaced my Alfa with a BMW 325i E46, also bought
new.

The 156`s biggest bugbear was the Selespeed gearbox but since the car
under discussion is the 146, the Selespeed issues would be irrelevant.
Putting that aside, IMO the Alfa`s reliability and build quality trail
behind the aforesaid Japanese cars and also behind my BMW. But for
character and soul, the Alfa is way ahead of the Japs and Germans.Big Smile

#22
azxel

Posted 15 December 2006 - 09:48 AM

azxel

    Veteran

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 248 posts
Do I have to replace all the parts eventhough the owner claimed to have
replaced all the parts recently? or should I get the records from him and
find out when I should replace them?

#23
powerhaus

Posted 15 December 2006 - 05:05 PM

powerhaus

    Fast & Furious

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,669 posts
azxel, maybe i over exagerated.sorry bout that. to replace all critical
parts are just for piece of mind only.

it depends on who and where you got the car and also WHICH mechanic you
send it to. hence i feel it is important to buy it from forummers or an
enthusiast. they dont even have or need to show you any docs or papers,
usually they can remember off their head what had been replaced and what
had not and can also tell you which workshop they have been sending it
too.

in this case, just follow what the seller says and you will be safe. also
try to make sure the car has been maintained at an Alfa workshop, not any
workshop. this is upmost important.

#24
kenlairk

Posted 17 December 2006 - 11:34 PM

kenlairk

    Taxi Driver

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 326 posts
ya..if the seller could let you check with the Alfa specialist that they
normally used..then it would be better..

#25
CheongHey

Posted 11 March 2007 - 11:56 AM

CheongHey

    Probation

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 34 posts
Azxel,
The 146ti`s are absolutely delightful cars to drive, and once you have
driven one you won`t want to let go. Performance is great for a 2-litre,
fuel consumption reasonable.

Of course, as an Alfa Romeo, it expects to be driven hard, and can be
driven hard reliably for many km`s provided the golden rule is adhered
to.... maintain, maintain & maintain. Never skip your oil or the belt
changes etc and use only original parts and you should be fine. You can
expect to pay RM900 for a belt change as opposed to RM300-400 for a Jap
car, but you are rewarded in reverse for the driving pleasure, and it is a
small price to pay.

Most 146`s, I feel are unreliable becos people do mods to them. Reliability
levels seem to fall in proportion to the number of mods carried out. I have
driven an "unmodified" Ti for the past 7-years and all I have done are
belt, brake pad and oil changes and the car has done 145,000 km. Even the
shockers are still the originals.

The Boxer`s are great engines, and at the risk of being "hantam" by other
forum members I would say that as a 1.7 litre, they are getting a little
stretched considering they started life as a 1.2 litre in the Alfasud in
the early 1970`s.Big Smile

#26
azxel

Posted 11 March 2007 - 01:18 PM

azxel

    Veteran

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 248 posts
Hey CheongHey. Thank for your input. Nice 'cheonghey' comments btw ;)
(kidding abt the cheonghey-ness). You're right about "once driven one, you
wont want to let go". I tested one and bought one. I should be getting it
sometime next week.

Will definitely adhere to the golden rule you (and many others)
mentioned... maintain, maintain and maintain. :) Look forward to getting
some extra advise on how to maintain a Ti from you sometime in the future
as well.

#27
CheongHey

Posted 11 March 2007 - 05:52 PM

CheongHey

    Probation

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 34 posts
Azxel,
Are you the same Azxel in the Apple Mac forums. Macs and Alfa's go together
like peas in a pod - fast cars and fast Macs.

Care to tell us a little about your ride. The Ti 2-litre are not so common
but they are worth their every penny for that extra performance ThumbUp

#28
azxel

Posted 12 March 2007 - 11:53 AM

azxel

    Veteran

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 248 posts
Hehe... aye, I'm the same person. Are you with the Mac Forum as well? I
know only about 2-3 folks who are into Macs and Alfas. :D

All I can say for now is that it's black, it looks good, it sounds good, it
feels good, it drives good (test drove one last year before I decided to
buy it). Will share more when I get it and get to use it daily.

#29
CheongHey

Posted 12 March 2007 - 02:34 PM

CheongHey

    Probation

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 34 posts
Yep, I am a Mac forum member too, only I don't post there as I usually
browse the selling sections.

Fast Macs and fast cars... way to live life man !

#30
ballerina

Posted 06 April 2007 - 04:47 PM

ballerina

    1st Gear

  • Members
  • 1 posts
interior is in excellent condition.. and the owner took a sexy girl out
for lunch in his bella ... hehehe. hi azxel !!!