Need advise: looking at buying 2006 Alfa 156 Selespeed with replaced engine

[Marsa]

Hi there,

I am new here and also I am a female, so please don't judge too harshly

I was looking at buying an Alfa 156 and recently came across this car. So, here is the story: The previous owner had the engine gasket blown due to the radiator leakage and the car simply ran out of water. He claims that the car was previously regularly serviced and can supply log books. By the time of the incident the car has done around 175000 km. Now the owner had the new (second hand) engine bought and installed with only 87000 km on it. The engine was bought from the wrecker, has all the paperwork and receipts, as well as receipts for the replacement job itself.
After the engine replacement the comp came up with an engine light on and an error - turned out to be a sensor (which is yet to be installed by the owner this week). Apart from that the car drives fine, the engine works good as far as I can tell.
My other major concern (apart from having the motor replaced) is that the car hasn't been driven for about 7 months. It has been sitting in the owner friend's workshop and he is keen to get it out asap.
On the bright side the seller has all the papers for the repair (radiator was also replaced) and he encourages me to bring the mechanic to have a look at the car before I buy it, so that I have a peace of mind. He is also willing to supply the blue slip for the rego.
To me the car looks very good, there are a few minor scratches here and there but nothing major stands out to my eye. Oh, and also the a/c needs to be re-gased after the engine swap.

The price he sells it for is also attractive: $2700. I kinda understand that it is a risk. Hence the good price. On the other hand the market value for this year/model is more than double of what he asks. So in the worst case scenario its going to cost me something close to it's market price, or am I wrong??

I am also intend to get the NRMA mechanic to check it before I pay anything.

What do you guys think? Does it sound like a good or a dodgy deal? The seller looks like an honest guy wanting to get rid of an unwanted car, but this, I suppose, could be wrong feeling as you never know. At the end just wanna say that I really really like the car.

Please tell me what do you think?

[Craig_m67]

What year is it, is it a manual or selespeed, what model (trim) is it?

What other repairs/maintenance have been done and are documented in the cars service history ie. Suspension bushes, clutch, brakes etc.

It must be a late model ('03) facelift exterior car to be suggesting  $4,500 retail?

[Marsa]

Ops, sorry The car is a 2006 Alfa 156 series selespeed 2.0 4-cylinders sedan. The new engine put in off a 2003 Alfa 156 2.0 sedan and its a JTS engine with 87000 on it. I checked both vin numbers with PPSR and they came up all clean of any bad history.

I haven't seen the log books yet so I can't tell what other repairs have been done, but I'll ask him to bring the log books for the next inspection.

I have also spoken to the seller again today and asked if he can re-gas the a/c before the NRMA inspection and he was ok with that. He is also very keen to have the car inspected by the NRMA mechanic because, as he says, he wants "everyone to be happy". Which sounds reasonable to me if he has nothing to hide... 

[Marsa]

Also, do you think the NRMA mechanic would be good enough or would you suggest any Alfa mechanic who can do the inspection on the spot? The car is currently in Seven Hills.

[cc]

Hi Marsa
Unless the engine was installed by an Alfa Romeo specialist who can vouch for the good condition of the donor engine i would stay away.
Being parked up for 7 months raises questions, especially if the computer still (after 7 months) has fault codes. Maybe the car develops issues on longer drives that dont show up on the test drive around the block..
If the original engine 'did a head gasket' its likely the car wasnt properly maintained. So there may be other maintenance issues...
If you have the time keep looking. It will be worth the wait!

[Domenic]

Marsa,

I'd pass up on the car at look at something else. Don't get me wrong, i love my Alfa's but you originally said the car has done 175,000km. The engine has done less, but those JTS engine's aren't the most desirable motors. Do you know the service history of the engine? with a car with that many km's there will be other parts on it that would need replacing soon.

You're better off looking at a 147, less issues with the Twin Spark motor. The only real difference between the 2 engines maintenance wise is the extra spark plugs for the Twin Spark, pretty much everything else like filters and timing belt cost the same to replace. Just the JTS needs to have the oil changed quite often to keep it running 100% and avoiding the internal engine parts(camshafts) wearing out.

Finally, you didn't mention your budget? The best advice you will get form people about owning an Alfa is to have a budget, stick to it and buy the best example with the lowest amount of KM's you can and to stay away from the JTS engine.

Cheers
Domenic

[Bruce Fowler]

Sometimes the cheapest car can end up being the most expensive, with 165ks on the clock I spent just over $5,000 for a second hand Selespeed actuator, clutch plate and main gearbox bearing on my 2002 Alfa 156 and it still had transmission issues.

Traded it in for $3,500

[Marsa]

Thank you everyone for your replies!
So I understand that the NRMA inspection, even if it comes up clean, is not a guarantee that the car is not going to develop some major issues in the nearest future (which is true for any car: I had a falcon before and it passed the roadworthy inspection being given "4 out of 5 stars" by the mechanic but in less than 5000km it developed a few major problems + fuel pump failed so that the repair was uneconomical and I had to sell it to the wrecker).
My budget is limited atm, so I am looking at initial spending of $4-5000 including 6 months rego. I know that there are no newer Alfa models in this price range, and also I really like this particular model/colour/interior, therefore this deal appeals to me. By the look it is my dream car, but I will keep my eyes and mind open about it

[colcol]

The NRMA inspection is only for a roadworthy, i would get it inspected by an Independant Alfa Romeo Service Provider, not a current model Alfa Romeo Dealer, as they only do the newer models.
I would get a manual and stay away from the Selespeed, as there is less to go wrong.
A good independant will be able to check the body computer to see how many kilometres the actual car has done and not how many the speed has done.
The JTS engine needs an oil change every 5,000 klms, to stop the oil becoming contaminated and it uses expensive 10-60 fully synthetic and the engine has a plastic water manifold that can leak coolant, the engine has FOUR oxygen sensors that have to be replaced every 100,000 klms or whenever they wear out, and the thermostats rarely see more than 2 years and they are $120-$160 each, the TWO catalytic Convertors can also give trouble after 130,000klms, and because of the direct injection the heads can clog up with carbon, causing low power.
But the JTS engine is very easy on fuel and has good power and torque, Colin.