SWMBO wants a newer car and her instructions to me were.
Mazda 3 / Axella size, '06 up, prefer hatchback, manual and would like a towbar.
Oh, and NOT red.
So as you can see she's narrowed it down plenty. pfffft.
Where the h*ll do ya start haha.
She currently has an '01 Vitz RS 1300 manual that has 317,xxx km (216,xxx of those put on in last 8 years, so that gives you an idea of the use new car will get)
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 2:11pm
I did actually see that but the interior put me off.
Kinda think if i'm buying an Audi (although it IS cheap) i'd prefer the interior didn't look like a German Corolla lol.
tamarillo,
Jun 6, 2:41pm
Tis a bit grey, but if you sat in it you might feel better, there's a real feeling of quality and care in them. Anyway, question. Is she certain about having to have manual? Is that to do with preferring a choice of gears, in which case a good tiptronic would work?
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 3:02pm
I love the missus so i'll choose my words carefully. Tiptronic may not be the best idea for someone who is. ummmmm. forgetful and not easy to teach lol.
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 3:14pm
You do realise i'll be driving the new car sometimes? I don't want to be walking, which i'd have to do if i bought that. Awkward questions would be asked if i was seen.
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 3:17pm
Dinner AND a show. pahlease. -
Anyhoo, i don't mind that BUT. no centre arm rest. at my age i need the support.
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 3:53pm
That's exactly what i was saying about too many choices.
I really like the later Alfas but i hadn't even thought of them.
trogedon,
Jun 6, 3:55pm
Seatcovers FTW.
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 6, 3:59pm
If you do seriously start looking at one of those, feel free to give us a yell. There is quite a bit to be aware of if you haven't had one before. Also. as a man with 7 Fiat's an Alfa's in the driveway I would actually probably more go the Audi/VW for your purposes.
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 4:00pm
Damn it, now i'm looking at Alfas.
Someone needs to stop me lol.
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 6, 4:00pm
LOL. it's like I read your mind. Look above!
jmma,
Jun 6, 4:02pm
Maybe stick to a Toyota then. (o:
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 4:03pm
Although i don't / didn't have a lot of time for you jazz (honesty out of the way)
Why is that?
I know an Alfa is best suited to people that have owned them before and who know their eccentricities but i really do like them.
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 4:05pm
Ladies and gents, introducing the fun police.
Just when i was looking at euro's someone yells out the word reality LOL.
jmma,
Jun 6, 4:06pm
862705834 If it has to be a Mazda, looks good (o:
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 4:08pm
Yep, must be 5 door.
And the front of those are. um. unpleasant- IMO.
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 6, 4:11pm
Hey, if you want me to but out, just say, I won't be offended and it will save us both some time.
The Alfa's of that era (147, 156, 166) are quite high maintenance. If you want a non V6 (which realistically I think you will for economy doing those km's). You are looking at a 60K/3 year timing belt change. If you are doing that change yourself, well that's OK it can be done fairly cost effectively. You will also tend to go through front wishbones which are fairly pricey on a fairly regular basis. The Alfa has a really fancy wishbone setup at the front which makes for supurb handling but they don't last big miles. The cheap after market options last even less time. It's also an older platform and they do have more niggly issues with age than the German options.
Don't get me wrong, they are phenomenal cars and will have a real "quality" feel compared to the Fiat etc. However it's going to be a real maintenance/repair shock compared to what She had had.
If it was me wanting something more fun/sophisticated I would go the VW, that will give you by far the best all round compromise in terms of running costs, maintenance, repairs and reliability. Yet it's still a properly nice car.
If She was only doing 10K a year or this was say a second car and/or you were prepared to be a real enthusiast, then the Alfa would have it's place. It's just, speaking from experience I am not convinced it's the right car for the job. There is a reason I don't often recommend them despite driving and absolutely loving them myself.
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 4:11pm
I did see that also.
And i think the dealer would be a decent guy to deal with, which would be a bonus.
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 4:13pm
Damn you and your voice of reason jazz LOL.
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 6, 4:15pm
You have seen them in person aye?
I only ask as they do look a bit weird in pic's, but I find them quite Ferrari esk in person and it is a Guigiaro design. I guess perhaps it depends on what you are used to looking at.
It's near impossible to get the T Jet in a 5 door so they are probably out anyway. A pity as from a practical perspective, they give you even lower maintenance than the Vitz, phenomenal bang for buck and really good reliability/running costs.
They do "feel" tinny though compared to a 147 or 156, the funny thing though is the Punto is the much safer car.
What about a Bravo?
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 6, 4:21pm
LOL, despite appearances, I really only like to see people get the best car for the purpose, there are always loads of cars I have had that I don't recommend. People don't usually get to see that process of elimination though!
Honestly, if you don't like the Fiat, go the VW/Audi/Skoda route, I really think you will both get what you want and more that way. VW products are fantastic for the home mechanic too, so well supported and so many parts suppliers to choose from.
That said, if you really want to go with an Alfa, I will quite happily help you along the way. But just remember, you were warned! Remember too, if you are prepared to do a bit more maintenance there is a real payoff and enjoyment to be had in the Alfa, I just want you to be realistic about the experience.
Another option if you really have to have an Alfa, is a newer model Guilietta. It will cost you a bit over budget, but I have seen them down around 14K. Realistically at those km's you are going to make back the difference in fuel and maintenance savings quite quickly, even if you finance the extra. I have not had one of those but being mechanically a small Fiat it should do away with all the usual Alfa disadvantages and give you a really good, low cost and reliable user experience.
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 4:24pm
I won't argue with you 'bout "maintenance" jazz but suffice to say i don't believe 2 coils, 1 drive belt, 6 tyres and the required oil and filters would be more expensive than that of the Fiat over 8 years or 216,xxx k's.
As for the Bravo. I don't mind the look of them EXCEPT the front still has that front that to me looks part Focus and part something else, can't pin it down tho'.
attitudedesignz,
Jun 6, 4:27pm
Voice of reason has put Alfas aside now.
And i can honestly say i don't think i'd buy a VW, can't explain that one but it's just a little niggle in the back of my mind.
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 6, 4:28pm
The key difference being the 30K service interval. The Fire series motors are phenomenally reliable though in my experience, would rate them at least as good as the Toyota. What you will tend to get though is a fuel pump go around 150K and a higher likelyhood of non engine ancilliarys needing attention than with the toyota. That said, the Toyota doesn't have much extra's to break in the first place.
BTW, I have had similarly good (if not better runs) out of Fiat Fire based engines, remember I used a bunch of these for work cars!
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 6, 4:32pm
I think you should go and drive a good high spec 1.4 and then review your decision!
From a practical perspective it just makes so much sense, they tick all the practical box's (economy, safety, euipment, performance, reliability, value maintenance). That's why I push them so much, they are flipping hard to beat, and what every you line up against one always seems to have some considerable compromise if not several. That counts for the European competitors as well.
Honestly, you will love working on them if you are prepared to give them a chance, the resources available are fantastic.
Anyhow, I will buzz off and give you some breathing room at that. Not much else I can say really!
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