Does Anyone Own An Alfa Romeo Diesel On Here?

[Cletus Van Damme]

Don't. Do Not. Just do not mess around with the look of those alloys ar lower the suspension, you will spoil the originality of a car that is in superb condition and the next owner will curse you. The springs will kill your back and the wheels will look naff.

You have found a nice example there, don't spoil it.

Black alloys are naff. What if you curb it ? Stick with silver.

Yes I do agree, it is a great example, I shouldn't lower it or mess with the original look.. I might get it detailed, it looks great as it is, but I could imagine it would be stunning if it was detailed professionally. Probably some good tyres and professional alignment, through somebody that knows how to set one up properly.

I needed a laugh!
(Sorry couldn't resist)

Yes that is funny lol. I believe that my Mazda has a 2.0 Mondeo engine it, developed by Mazda though.

You know you want to

That would be nice and costly, but probably awesome.

Cletus, will you get stick or auto?

A friend has a 164 diesel in excellent condition and no problems. He services it himself. Another friend had a164 3.0 petrol and has no end of problems. Some others have mitos diesel and turbo petrol with no problems and also 159 diesel, again no problems.

Good luck with your search (I mean that in a nice way, not the "youre gonna need it" way ).

I got an Mazda MX5 NC 2.0 Sport in the end. As much as I have always been tempted by an Alfa for nearly 30 years, I've never succumbed to it. Driving an Alfasud in the late 80's with a gearbox that was like stirring soup, put me off. Beautiful cars though, no doubt about that.

 

[mustang1]

I don't own one, and I don't know anyone who does, so I'm afraid that any input from me would be of minimal use.

This is the internet. Just give an opinion would you?

 

[ayceejay]

Why not see if you can find one of these

 

[Piemaster]

It's taken you 13 years to do 48k? I'm not surprised.... it probably spends most of its time in the garage being mended....

In the garage tucked up quite a bit this time of year (even had it on a SORN for 3 months while I was away working last winter) Never missed a beat in my 2 1/2 years of ownership, which is more than I can say of the much newer Skoda.
Only did 1000 miles between last MOTs - the family car only did 5000. Some of it is down to my wanting it to feel special and go somewhere nice, to enjoy driving it when I do go out in it, not just slog along in city traffic. I have never been out in it just to go to Morrisons.

 

[mustang1]

Alfa were the first to sell a mass market common rail diesel. Story is they ran out of development money so sold the system to...Bosch.

+1 on the "don't arse about with the MX5 vote"
Of course I've no idea why you would want one when you can get one of these (48k in 13 years)
View attachment 117070

Extremely attractive car (I prefer the coupe for looks though). Front wheel drive.

 

[mustang1]

@Cletus Van Damme

Lovely mx5, one of my fav cars. I drove one in Wales when they first came out and although the calibra 4x4 got away from me on the straights, I caught up on the twistys and was badgering to get passed. Excellent handling. Very small size suits our roads perfectly. Ultra reliable. Good choice!

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

@Cletus Van Damme

Lovely mx5, one of my fav cars. I drove one in Wales when they first came out and although the calibra 4x4 got away from me on the straights, I caught up on the twistys and was badgering to get passed. Excellent handling. Very small size suits our roads perfectly. Ultra reliable. Good choice!

Thanks mate. It wasn't my only choice of convertible though. I did consider an MR2 Roadster, the age of them put me off, less choice, no storage space at all, I'm not that keen on the looks of them either. I do believe that they are more of a true sports car than a Mk3 MX5, not sure I'm bothered though.

I also considered a Honda S2000. I like VTEC engines, but the price of them put me off for such an old car, not as much choice, I've also read that they can catch people out, and are not as predictable as an MX5. I'm also at an age now that I am not as bothered to go really, really fast, anymore.

I looked at five cars to buy this one. I thought I was going to have to spend a lot of money and get a nearly new car, as they were all so below average. I ended up buying the oldest and cheapest, but the best car.

 

[fossyant]

Japanese engineering and electronics vs temperamental, albeit beautiful, Italian stuff?

I had a 147 Selespeed 2.0 from brand spanking new as a company car. Everything was Bosch, but the bloody Italians wired it. Had lots of niggly faults, Microsoft Reboot issues, brake warnings, stability warnings, and the gear paddles, the coating pealed off very quickly. It was an absolute hoot to drive and went round bends on rails. Bose sound system too.

When I left the company, I bought a normal nearly new Nissan Primera - all the electrics, satnav, and a sound system almost as good as the Bose, and I still have the car 13 years later - nothing more than general wear and tear on parts.

Alfa's are a hoot, and you need one at some point. My colleague has a fairly new Mito, but it needs much more garage attention than mine (none).

 

[fossyant]

PS I'd love a Berera as a weekend car. No garage for it though, that's reserved for BIKES !!!

 

[Piemaster]

but the bloody Italians wired it

Err..I think the harness is made in Germany too. At least thats what the Alfa indy garage I use told me when I had a 156.
156. Who else but the Italians could make an estate with less luggage volume than the saloon? Even if it was only a couple of litres.

 

[mustang1]

Thanks mate. It wasn't my only choice of convertible though. I did consider an MR2 Roadster, the age of them put me off, less choice, no storage space at all, I'm not that keen on the looks of them either. I do believe that they are more of a true sports car than a Mk3 MX5, not sure I'm bothered though.

I also considered a Honda S2000. I like VTEC engines, but the price of them put me off for such an old car, not as much choice, I've also read that they can catch people out, and are not as predictable as an MX5. I'm also at an age now that I am not as bothered to go really, really fast, anymore.

I looked at five cars to buy this one. I thought I was going to have to spend a lot of money and get a nearly new car, as they were all so below average. I ended up buying the oldest and cheapest, but the best car.

Mr2 mk3 looks like a tadpole buy great to drive. S2000 I heard is increasing in value. Mx5 is pry what I would have got also. Old Boxster looks like a frisby.

 

[mustang1]

PS I'd love a Berera as a weekend car. No garage for it though, that's reserved for BIKES !!!

Have you seen the nose over hang on that thing? Almost as long as the wheelbase!

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Mr2 mk3 looks like a tadpole buy great to drive. S2000 I heard is increasing in value. Mx5 is pry what I would have got also. Old Boxster looks like a frisby.

I agree the S2000 is appreciating and probably going to become a future classic. I want to buy a car to drive though, not to try and keep miles off etc, because of future value. I never drove an MR2 which is a shame. Never fancied a Boxter, probably be a real shitter at my end of the market. I think I made the logical choice really.

 

[Piemaster]

Guy I worked with was set on an S2000 until he actually went to test drive one. He's around 6' 3" and said he just couldn't get comfy in it.
A case of you should never meet your heroes. He ended up with a Golf Gti instead.

Honda don't seem offer much variety in new cars now, all looks like different shades of Civics.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Guy I worked with was set on an S2000 until he actually went to test drive one. He's around 6' 3" and said he just couldn't get comfy in it.
A case of you should never meet your heroes. He ended up with a Golf Gti instead.

Honda don't seem offer much variety in new cars now, all looks like different shades of Civics.

I've always really liked Honda's and owned a Civic Type R EP3 and my brother had an Integra Typre R DC2. When I was looking at an MX5 in a Honda dealer, which I never bought, I took a look at the new Civic Type R. It's just looks like a bloated car on steroids, really not my thing at all. The original Type R's were raw basic cars with a mental normally aspirated high revving engine,light, nimble and just fun. This lardy thing needs a turbo and is full of electronic gadgets and crap. It needs a turbo to haul its lardy ass around. Probably it's a good car, just not for me. The Civic Type R that came out in 2007 was the end for me, just not my thing at all. But an S2000 is probably the last raw drivers car that they made, just IMVHO.