Op, sometimes yes there is a reason but depends on exactly which model your looking at. Most are fantastic to drive, but some have problematic stuff like selespeed boxes. And though I love them none are built as well as German or good Japanese. But boy they have passion and most have style. So what you looking at?
socram,
Jul 30, 2:52pm
My last but one hire car in the UK was an Alfa, brand new. Let's be honest, hire companies want above all else, reliability, particularly for the first 30,000kms.
My only grizzles were that the pedal spacing (manual) was all wrong - certainly for heel and toe down changes and the SatNav voice often didn't echo the graphics. Graphics showed straight on. Voice said 'turn left' at one or two traffic islands. The TomTom would say 'second exit'.
As it was brand new, even though a hire car, I didn't wring its neck. Not my style to mistreat cars, even hire cars.
joanie04,
Jul 30, 2:57pm
Brother has a older one has electrical issues. But he has an attraction to unreliable Euros. His BMW has given him trouble as well. The most reliable car he has access to is the pink cadillac (Nissan Sentra) that was owned by our late grandmother and then our late mother. It has been thrashed by all and sundry and is still going as far as I know.
rbd,
Jul 30, 4:22pm
I've owned two old and worn out Alfas. They were great fun to drive. I'd love another.
I had a Giulietta rental for two weeks in the UK. Again much more interesting and fun that the Nissan boredom-on-wheels that our administrator chose for me initially. I had no issues.
The most unreliable car I've ever owned was a seven year old 2005 BMW. That's saying something when a modern BMW is worse than the '79 and '88 Alfas I had.
Many issues with Alfa (I'm talking modern era here) are caused by poor maintenance and neglect.
Selespeed being a case in point, how many of the failed selespeed systems never got *any* maintenance?
I would have no fears buying a modern Alfa as long as it has appropriate maintenance history.
franc123,
Jul 30, 4:34pm
Poor local support especially outside of the main centres and dodgy Italian manufacture/poor design (especially electrical systems) are the main reasons, and its been the case for decades. Generally are a temperamental enthusiasts machine which are fantastic for their target market in Europe, when working properly. They are far far less of a practical proposition here if you cannot be bothered educating yourself about their quirks and pitfalls.
thejazzpianoma,
Jul 30, 6:00pm
Sounds like you haven't even sat in one made in the last 15 years. But no surprises there.
franc123,
Jul 30, 6:30pm
Not my fault you can't handle the truth, you have no idea what I have driven or worked on so cut the bigotry right there. The average buyer who is attracted to these things because of low prices needs to know what they could be getting themselves into and why the current owners are prepared to let them go so cheap.
thejazzpianoma,
Jul 30, 7:53pm
Actually, your comments made it pretty clear what you haven't been driving or working on, you clearly know nothing about them. Some of what you said may have had some logic to it several decades ago, but not now.
If they are so bad why didn't you kick up a fuss when people are discussing buying a Jeep Renegade which is mechanically the same as many Alfa's?
It's silly wives tales and out of date nonsense that keeps the prices of these great cars so low for people like me, so I guess I should thank you. But it's not fair to make a big noise about vehicles you know nothing about when people like the OP are trying to make expensive buying decisions.
franc123,
Jul 30, 9:04pm
They're bloody expensive buying decisions all right. Since these things are so good, you are such a whizz with finance and vehicle operation economics, and offering advice that is far in advance of the collective knowledge of the entire motor trade who are allegedly all deceptive incompetent crooks anyway, have you ever considered leading from the front, starting your own importing business specialising in Euros and offering years worth of free or cheap MBI to accompany them since they are such low risk purchases?
framtech,
Jul 31, 1:09am
ugly looking front
kiwihonky,
Jul 31, 2:02am
Sorry guys, should have been bit more specific. Was looking at spending bout 5 grand, that's all
tamarillo,
Jul 31, 2:28am
Then your looking at 147 and 156 with afew ks on I reckon. Manual is good, terrific engines, and a drive way better than price point if you're an enthusiast and appreciate it. The selespeed autos do need careful expert maintenance adjustment and many don't get it. I'd avoid an old one at low price though I had a 156 selespeed and it don't let me down. Wonderful on open twisties, shit in stop start around town.
msigg,
Jul 31, 4:06am
Got to agree with Frank and gpg58 . Cheap Italian rubbish. Devalue. Electrical problems .bad build quality. Light mechanicals. Good if you enjoy working on your car everyweekend. Bad if u want reliability. Each to their own.If u like one buy one.
richardmayes,
Jul 31, 5:01am
A brand that once won races and built cars like the Tipo 33 Stradale. more recently selling warm-ish FWD hatchbacks and 2.5 litre saloon cars with retro-fast styling on the memories.
6 speed tiptronic DOHC EFI like everything else, some service history, much better looking than the average car, "goez hard 4 wat it iz. "
thejazzpianoma,
Jul 31, 5:27am
Hmmm that puts you in the older stuff. I would consider a really well looked after facelift 156 NZ New in manual. but really I think if you are going to go Alfa you are better to spend more like 8K. It's going to be much cheaper in the long run.
The 156 and 147 are quite high maintenance with regards to regular timing belts (3 yearly), suspension design etc.
Spending a bit more to get a GM based 159 will buy you a lot lower maintenance. My favourite is actually the 2.4 Diesel which is an amazing low maintenance and super reliable engine capable of big km. Only catch with that one is it runs a Toyota subsidiary made auto transmission which is the weak point of the whole car. However, if it's changing nicely when you get it and you service it, you will likely be fine.
If you don't need the space, 8K might get you in to a Mito and then you are truly in the ultra reliable ultra low running cost situation. They require less maintenance and are far more efficient than a Swift, Demio and the majority of small Japanese competitors.
I would suggest that whichever you settle on, come back for advice on individual vehicles you are considering and post links. Whichever you choose it's also imperative that you run good high octane fuel (BP 98 if available) and no biofuel blends. Likewise you must maintain them properly, which is where most go wrong.
So in short, unless you are a tinkerer spend more. The most reliable of all are the current model small engined cars.
Best of luck!
thejazzpianoma,
Jul 31, 5:30am
Only on really old ones. Direct injection came in in about 2003, in 2011 they went to the amazing multiair electro mechanical valve system which is the best in the business and ultra efficient. Selespeed was an option on smaller engined older ones but now it's a DSG type setup.
But I take your point, they are actually quite simple designs from a maintenance and repair standpoint. Nothing to be scared of especially with the very late ones.
thejazzpianoma,
Jul 31, 5:34am
No money in imports when NZ new ones are so cheap thanks to collective hysteria. However I have had many Alfa's which I have run on a very low budget. Still have a 156 and Spider to this day. I have quite a number of friends and acquaintances who are running newish Gulietta's based on my recommendations, no faults with any of them yet. Just incredibly practical low cost motoring.
deesmum,
Jul 31, 5:43am
I know when I had my Alfa 156 it came with many $1000 of dollars in receipts for work done. Oil leaks, Selespeed overhaul, various electrical faults. And the parts I had to buy while I owned it were expensive, even from after market Alfa specialists. It is not always convenient to wait for parts to come from overseas, although they are usually cheaper. The 156 was great to drive and felt quite solid. You see nice ones for $2.5k upwards. I would go for a 159 diesel. They seem good value at the moment.
deesmum,
Jul 31, 5:45am
That sums up my thoughts on the 156 Selespeed.
sw20,
Jul 31, 5:47am
The only people who want manual boxes can’t afford them.
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