Has the 159 been a failure or is too early to tell?

[Richards]

Hi new to this forum but as a 159 owner I thought I'd give you my views, I've been driving my 159 1.9Jtdm since June, Delivery was a nightmare the dealer worse but the 159 has been fantastic. I had the 2.2 for 2 weeks whilst waiting on another delay but if anything the 1.9 is better.The engine was a little slugish at first but after 2500miles has loosened up a lot. The handling has been very good and I was very impressed when I had to brake at high speed and steer round a car that decided to move over without lookig. The car gets loads of attention wherever I go. My wife has come out of the house several times to find people looking in the car. The car is in Titanio grey with the red leather interior which gives it a very expensive look and feel. The only niggle is the Sat Nav which isn't great but thats a minor thing. Living in the midlands have started to see a few about, saw 3 in one morning driving into Worcester, but if people have had to wait as long as I did to get mine I'm not suprised there's not many about. Had the chioce of the BMW or the Alfa and when I was waiting on delivery I was beginning to think I made the wrong decision but I'm so glad I didn't.

[Tricky159]

Welcome to the forum.

Mine is a similar story and I too am happy overall with my 159, I have it in Alfa Red with Black leather interior. Gets lots of attention and is much better than the BMW, Saab, Jaguar and Merc I tested.

I agree too, the brakes are great and turning is sharp.

You are right, the Sat Nav is rubbish and not worth £1,500.

[Geno68]

Originally Posted by MJT

Just got back from a weeks break in the North of Italy. Flew into Turin and picked up a hire car and did about 320 miles on mostly back roads and the A5 Autostrada. How many 159's did I see on the road? Two! I don't think they are selling.

Out of curiosity, what are they driving then? Don't tell me they are all in Jap boxes or Beemers.

[Geno68]

Originally Posted by Richards

The car is in Titanio grey with the red leather interior which gives it a very expensive look and feel.

Sounds nice. Any pics on offer?

[MrTC]

I read something the other day (don`t ask me where I read stuff at too many places) saying that the 159 is the market leader in it`s segment in Italy right now (16 point whatever %). Also said something about the order book for the 159 standing at 65.000 or so at the moment. That all sounds reasonably good to me (considering Alfa sells around 125.000 cars a year I believe).

[BigFoot]

Originally Posted by MrTC

I read something the other day (don`t ask me where I read stuff at too many places) saying that the 159 is the market leader in it`s segment in Italy right now (16 point whatever %). Also said something about the order book for the 159 standing at 65.000 or so at the moment. That all sounds reasonably good to me (considering Alfa sells around 125.000 cars a year I believe).

See post 100 on this thread

[selespeed]

I just made two charts about Alfa Romeo sales in The Netherlands since 1998. Sales figures of 2006 are about the first seven months.

[GhostyDog]

Saw my first 159 on the road last night, nearly ran into it coming up the hill at the end of my road. Lovely in Silver.

[BigFoot]

Originally Posted by selespeed

I just made two charts about Alfa Romeo sales in The Netherlands since 1998. Sales figures of 2006 are about the first seven months.

Thanks, SS. Not a pretty picture but than again the Netherlands is not a key market for mid-end manufacturers.

[Gary Slegg]

Originally Posted by selespeed

I just made two charts about Alfa Romeo sales in The Netherlands since 1998. Sales figures of 2006 are about the first seven months.

Not good then

[selespeed]

Originally Posted by BigFoot

.. but than again the Netherlands is not a key market for mid-end manufacturers.

I agree but if you take into consideration that my country is not much larger than a post stamp, it is remarkable that 3% of the new registered Alfa Romeo in total Europe are registered in The Netherlands. And from all the countries in the world we are the one with the most Alfa Romeo clubs.

[BigFoot]

That leads me to conclude that you boys know your cars very well

[Marcus_BR]

Originally Posted by selespeed

I just made two charts about Alfa Romeo sales in The Netherlands since 1998. Sales figures of 2006 are about the first seven months.

Given that we still have 1/3 of the year ahead of us, I think it shows a change of trend, and Alfa will probably do better in 06 than in 05.

[selespeed]

2005 was a terrible year for Alfa Romeo. Most of the year the order books of the 156 were already closed and the 159 was delayed.

Sales will show a big plus compared to last year, but sadly enough it says more about 2005 than about 2006.

Gladly enough I see the 159 more and more on the roads these days so there is hope.

[Kevin Slegg]

I'll be very interested to see what the new car registrations are like for September in the UK (as the Registration Plates changed).

But I must admit I'm not expecting much. I still haven't seen a 159 on the road, whereas when the 156 came out I saw loads of them quite quickly.

Given that Alfa were trying to repeat the success of the 156, but this time retain the customer, its really not looking that good.

[selespeed]

Originally Posted by Kevin Slegg

Given that Alfa were trying to repeat the success of the 156, but this time retain the customer, its really not looking that good.

CEO Sergio Marchionne announced that FIAT Group wants to get rid of the privately owned importers. They wish to be in control themselves and distribute their Alfa Romeos, FIATs and Lancias directly to the dealerships. So their maybe be hope for the UK

[MJT]

Originally Posted by Geno68

Out of curiosity, what are they driving then? Don't tell me they are all in Jap boxes or Beemers.

Lots of Grande Puntos and Pandas, Fiat really seem to be doing well. Most of the Alfas were 156's with a high number being oil burners. Saw four or five 166's. I get the impression that there were fewer japanese cars around than my last visit two years ago. The most striking thing (probably because we don't see them here) is the number of Lancias on the road. I do have a problem with the front grill, it really looks Noddy.

[BigFoot]

Yep, Lancia outsells Alfa Romeo in Italy. Will get numbers tomorrow (if I remember )

[BigFoot]

Ok here we go. I don't have very good data but in August, Lancial sold 4,568 cars in Italy whilst Alfa sold 3,020.

That should give a rough estimate of the relative market share.

[Geno68]

Last Lancia out here in OZ was the Delta HPE I think. Doubt we will see them again.
Amazing to think the company that gave us the Stratos and the Integrale can end up the way it did.

[BigFoot]

It's all FIAT's fault really. They even thought about killing the marque all together a few years ago

[selespeed]

Originally Posted by BigFoot

Ok here we go. I don't have very good data but in August, Lancial sold 4,568 cars in Italy whilst Alfa sold 3,020.

That should give a rough estimate of the relative market share.

Especially if you look at Northern Italy, the roads are very narrow. That is why small cars are very popular. But they also like design (duh) and luxury. And this is where the Lancia Ypsilon scores big time.

[MrTC]

Originally Posted by BigFoot

Ok here we go. I don't have very good data but in August, Lancial sold 4,568 cars in Italy whilst Alfa sold 3,020.

That should give a rough estimate of the relative market share.

Lancia Ypsilon is the most popular in Italy in the supermini segment... which outsells the D/E segment what, 2/3-1?

I wouldn`t read too much into those numbers (other than that Lancia are doing great with the Ypsilon in Italy).

[BigFoot]

I agree MrTC, don't think Lancia can replicate what it's got in Italy in other markets, at least not for many years.

[Gary Slegg]

Someone in Wrexham does own a 159...I've seen it twice now, so hopefully I'll see a few more soon