Drove my first alfa romeo today! :D

[johnpowe]

Hi guys so test drove a 1999 twin spark 2.0, loved it was really awesome..now i have been driving a 95 lancer for the past 5 years and it just gave up on me few days ago so now this car has caught my eye. Now i dont know much about these cars.. i kno they from Italy so parts mite be hard to get in for repairs but anyway here is the car. but yea im not the best with cars so need other opinions on this

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wangara/cars-vans-utes/1999-alfa-romeo-156-t2-0-4-door-sedan/1035624666

Just few things that are annoying me... when i put it in reverse it made a crunch sound is this normal for these cars to do? and after test driving it removed the oil cap off to check for smoke, there was a lil smoke like just a bit but i did rev it quite alot to check for this so normal i guess.Also are these cars reliable? i mean the car im looking at is 140k and no log books or nothing but the price is decent so you guys think its a risk?  also i dunno if its just me since ive been in a lancer for all these years the gears shifted really quick unlike in my lancer pull it quite far back lol just me maybe.. anyway im rambling now just what do you guys think bout the car? good deal? thx guys 

[extraball]

people here a ton more knowledgeable about alfa mechanicals, but this maybe a risky a purchase, no history, front bumper, 2months rego, and lots of Ks. Prob is, that once you drive an alfa........your hooked! Is that your budget? certainly in the eastern states you buy an early, but very good 2000's alfa for around 5-6k, and feel confident that it comes with a good history.

[extraball]

almost same money after a haggle http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-156-2000/SSE-AD-2533664/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

[Joe Garra]

but no roadworthy!  I sold our 159 which was only 5 years old with a roadworthy, but it cost me over $1000 to get the car roadworthy.

[bteoh]

WA doesn't require a roadworthy as long as it is currently registered.
JohnPowe - it would be better if you looked at a car with proper service history. Or get an alfa specialist to check it thoroughly otherwise repair bills can easily exceed the prurchase price..........

[poohbah]

John,

I bought a 2001 model 156 (V6) model two years ago for $7k with 115km on the clock. I love it. It now has been pretty reliable, but it has had a few trips to the doctor for maintenance typical to the 156, which has probably cost +$4k since.

I'm sure Colcol will be on here directly with more specifics, but key is to know when the timing belt and waterpump were last changed - need to be every 60,000k at least, so it should really be on its third by now. If the belt goes while you are driving it, you are likely to destroy the motor, and will cost more than the car to rebuild.

Price is reasonable if you factor in you will probably need to spend a similar amount on maintenance/repairs (timing belt/pump change-out will cost +$1500).

I'd suggest that before you buy this one, go into Cileberti Motors in Osborne Park (or go to their website) for a look. They have a couple of 156s in their showroom, and you will be able to trust that they will have made sure their vehicles are ok mechanically (or at least you'll get an honest appraisal of its condition). If you want to be sure things get done properly, you really need to get the car worked on and serviced by an Alfa specialist like Cileberti's,  Autodelta, or Cecchele Motors.

Other bit of advice - stick with a manual, and don't bother with choosing the Selespeed as they are temperamental.

[poohbah]

John,

Link to Cileberti's listed below. Looks like they have a high km manual 2.0 156 in the yard now - but double the price and 200k on the clock.

Regardless, you should look them up - at the very least they will be able to look over the one you are considering.

http://www.cilebertimotors.com.au

[poohbah]

Another thought - why not drop a line to the WA chapter of the Alfa club (http://www.alfaclubwa.com.au)? There is usually someone looking to sell, or point you to someone who is selling.

Also, Autodelta is in Malaga so not too far from your possible purchase. You may be able to get them to look it over. Their details below:

50 Crocker Drive
Malaga
Telephone - (08) 9249 5044
Email - info@autodelta.com.au

Good luck - you'll never want to own another make if you get a good one.

[Nate Dog]

NO
do not buy that car.
Airbag has deployed at some stage, see second pic, so its had at least one serious shunt in its life.
Gearbox might be an issue, never know, cars don't like not being serviced, i can't imagine good owners keeping cars and not bothering with the service book. Even if they service themselves, they all still keep it and keep records in it.
So, avoid this one, but, not the model, not known for their reliability, but a damn fine looking car.

[johnpowe]

Thx for all the info guys really appreciated, think the car was sold to some one else but i don't think it would have been very reliable from what you guys have been saying..i just need a car to tafe and back but i got sucked in by the looks of this car  thanks anyway,  i mite just look for other lancer or a cheap proton or something since 3-4k is my max budget 

[Nate Dog]

Friend,
at 3-4K, if all you're after is something to get you to uni and back, buy an early 00's Corolla or even a late 90's one.
With service history, look after it and it'll run forever.
If you're buying a $2000 Alfa, it'll look the part, but it'll never be cheap to run, and will always require work.

And never ever buy a car that you can visibly see the airbag cover not properly in place. Chances are its deployed at some stage = big accident, and even if the car was well repaired, most repairers won't bother spending $$$$ to replace the airbag.

[johnpowe]

cheers for the tip man, didn't know about the airbag cover, thought that's how it was meant to look haha now i know , glad i didn't buy it now ... just found a 98 Hyundai coupe RD FX has 80k on it and 2800 $$ so gonna check it out tomorrow.