[Scooby17]

Crap electrics poo build quality but still come back for more ? Did a 200 mile trip today ( made it there and back ! )

Love the way it drives tho and feels , Alfa must b the only car u keep going back to even tho u know the local garage will c more of it than u !

On my third one now ! Started with a 164 t spark then a 164 v6 now a 2.4 156 d WTF next lol

Still love it tho !

 

[RONHULLOCK]

200 mile round trip?I,m off to skeggy(butlins) with family later this year 250 mile one way,this does not filll me with confidence.:lol:

 

[gangerlv]

I can't say its crap electronics or build quality. Ok there might be some weak points, but changing wishbones every 3 years aint that bad. Or roll bar bushes every 5 years. I have 160k miles 2.4 jtd, every bit on suspension have been changed in my ownership ( 1 year ), they have been changed few years back, but with cheap parts. Even on twinsparks - cambelt every 3 years, but its only one and half hours joby. I cant complain...

 

[tat2]

cant agree more mines due for suspension overhall rolling all over the pace done bottom wishbones mates checked it seems nothing is going to drop off any advice on what to do next as a plan of action bobbles i know it wont stick to the road like other cars my abarth was the same even when i lowed to 40mm but who cares i love them

 

[torque]

I've done a trip from Newcastle to Luton and back before, no problems

 

[ALFADOIT]

Did 1000 miles in one week in my GT jtd last month, clutch pin broke off and my drive shaft boot split! But no love lost!still love my GT!

 

[Fulvisti]

I've only ever owned Alfa's, Fiat's, and Lancia's (mostly Lancia's) for the last 25 years and none have ever let me down, and I think the build quality has been as good as anything else from the same year. I just think that as passionate car owners we tend to look after our vehicles and do all the required maintenance, and then really enjoy the benefits of beautiful handling and that special feeling of knowing you're driving one of the finest marques around

 

[Guest]

Ive had my 156 over 2 years now and apart from a service which i did myself and 2 bulbs that needed replacing i havent had to do nothing else other than enjoy.

So for me,i did it because i wanted something reliable:thumbs:

probably put the mokers on it now:lol:

 

[Chelsea Paul]

I just think that as passionate car owners we tend to look after our vehicles and do all the required maintenance, and then really enjoy the benefits of beautiful handling and that special feeling of knowing you're driving one of the finest marques around

:thumbs:

 

[Guest]

1024 miles there and 1024 miles back every year without a hint of bother to Le'Serignan in the south of France From Durham.. Never ever had an issue with any of my 156's... It's a long journey (16+ hours with breaks) But the French motorways are to die for... They actually move out of your way and let you past... No lane hogging!
Speed camera's aplenty though, not that I have ever got a ticket yet, and not for the want of trying :lol:

You just have to watch out for the local Gendamerie patrols! On the spot fines are their speciality!
Yet every time I take the V6 down, they come along side open their windows and wave you to give it a burst so they can hear that V6... :lol: So funny, wish our coppers were like that!

If you think changing suspension bits every three years is bad, try owning a Ford... Every year, every MOT I had to change the bottom wishbones!... Naaa, we are lucky:thumbs:

 

[matt alfa mad]

HI 600 miles every week ,car loves it and so do i ,but now car showing sighs off wear going to need new front shocks ,new tyres ,new maf ,new exhaust but do i care ,no .
good reason to lower her ,stainless steel exhaust and so on . best car ever .

 

[ponchoj]

Forget reputations mate.

If you had an Audi A6 you'd be changing ball joints more often, dealing with more electrical faults and spending twice the amount on a cambelt change. The car would have cost you 50% more as well.

They're reputed as having great build quality....as far as the door thud, dash rattles and feel of the car goes, I can't really tell any difference. The exterior panels and paint on the alfa are easily as good as my audi was too.

Reputations are everywhere, and expert opinions are rife. Like German cars are reliable, nissans have legendary japanese robustness, australian cars are 30 years behind the times, yank cars don't handle. Mostly untrue or based on a very limited selection of the cars on question.

If you go on a Toyota forum and read the technical section, it isn't just threads full of people saying "what a lovely reliable trip we had today...no faults to report this year" - It's full of people with problems on their Toyotas (or those people with a prius comparing MPG figures, that may as well have died 10 years ago).

Compare the alfa to any Nissan and you'll find it's lightyears ahead in build quality, probably more reliable, nicer to drive and costs more to repair. :lol:

 

[ponchoj]

One more thing to think about. Alfa engines do often sound pretty nice.


A car that sounds nice when thrashed is going to get thrashed more.


Who the **** wants to thrash a kia? :lol:

 

[yeew]

matt alfa mad and scooby17 you guys' 156s are the same colour as mine! lol

 

[1of1]

Why do some AlIa owners help perpetuate the 'top gear viewer' myth?

 

[ALFADOIT]

Forget reputations mate.

If you had an Audi A6 you'd be changing ball joints more often, dealing with more electrical faults and spending twice the amount on a cambelt change. The car would have cost you 50% more as well.

They're reputed as having great build quality....as far as the door thud, dash rattles and feel of the car goes, I can't really tell any difference. The exterior panels and paint on the alfa are easily as good as my audi was too.

Reputations are everywhere, and expert opinions are rife. Like German cars are reliable, nissans have legendary japanese robustness, australian cars are 30 years behind the times, yank cars don't handle. Mostly untrue or based on a very limited selection of the cars on question.

If you go on a Toyota forum and read the technical section, it isn't just threads full of people saying "what a lovely reliable trip we had today...no faults to report this year" - It's full of people with problems on their Toyotas (or those people with a prius comparing MPG figures, that may as well have died 10 years ago).

Compare the alfa to any Nissan and you'll find it's lightyears ahead in build quality, probably more reliable, nicer to drive and costs more to repair. :lol:

Just my friendly 5 pence interject....but i have had audi's for years and still own a now classic quattro. My GT, and god knows i love it, being one of my fav cars ever owned..... build quality wise is no way near my Audi's. I have taken preventative medicine by having the bottom of my Gt wax oiled etc.And am always keeping on top of my alfa, she is high maintenance!
Lets be realistic they are the most involving, fantastic, exiting, best handling machines out there, and engineered to be so. But quality of metals etc still not up to the level of some of the german machinery.

 

[Slacker]

If you think changing suspension bits every three years is bad, try owning a Ford... Every year, every MOT I had to change the bottom wishbones!... Naaa, we are lucky:thumbs:

+1 lol. The joys of owning 2 mondeo's over 6 years before the 156, bottom arms n anti roll bar bushes every year are just a pain, poly bushes are a godsend :lol: fit n forget, costly solution though.

Do need a suspension overhaul on the alfa, a little tired, but its all good for now, 95% motorway miles, so I can live with it while sorting parts.
Still feels better than my old st24 anyway, love how much quicker n more direct the initial turn in feels "driving enthusiastically" on the back roads :thumbs:

 

[David P]

Why do some Alfa owners help perpetuate the 'top gear viewer' myth?

Gets a bit old doesn't it :ZZZ:

 

[filipharvey]

Yes it does.

 

[rarebear]

Ever visited a Merc workshop ? the rock solid image of Mercedes is just a myth, they break down as well ! Audi ? They build Lambos now, check out youtube to see a row of Gallardos burned out !