Any manual 159 SW Q4s sold in Australia?

[Thijsvr]

I'm one of those stubborn people that prefers a manual over an automatic. There's a number of manual Q4 sedans out there, but I have yet to find a wagon. Preferably a Ti. Does anyone know if a version like that was ever ordered here?
I've already reached out to FCA Australia and they're very helpful, but haven't been able to provide me with a definite answer yet. I'm hoping someone here knows more

Thanks!

[Craig_m67]

I was looking for same car (in blue) a few years back, never saw one.
Only ever saw one blue one in TI (auto) spec in the couple of years I was looking.

Same now applies to blue QV Guiliettas ... If anybody knows of one up for sale lemme know, black is a poor second choice.

[Thijsvr]

Yeah I've been struggling with indecision for over a week now. There's a car up for sale that's perfect, except for the automatic. I've never seen a manual up for sale in the 6 months I've been looking. I'm at the point where I'm looking at manual geraboxes and pedal boxes to get an idea of how much it would be to convert it.

I know many think I should just buy an automatic, but if I would do that I might as well buy a cheaper 1.9 diesel and not care at all. Hell I would just buy a Holden and call it a day. In my mind it's all or nothing. I'm annoying like that.

Edit.
They were at least offered as manuals:
The one I want: http://www.redbook.com.au/cars/research/used/details/2008-alfa-romeo-159-jts-ti-manual/SPOT-ITM-205842

The ones I would settle for:
http://www.redbook.com.au/cars/research/used/details/2008-alfa-romeo-159-jts-manual/SPOT-ITM-205830
http://www.redbook.com.au/cars/research/used/details/2007-alfa-romeo-159-jts-manual/SPOT-ITM-205801
http://www.redbook.com.au/cars/research/used/details/2006-alfa-romeo-159-jts-manual/SPOT-ITM-205795

[poohbah]

Have you considered importing from nearby RHD markets like HK or Malaysia where Alfas are sold? I know HK does a roaring trade in bargain priced used high end motors, though a 159 is now getting long in the tooth so finding in HK may also be tricky.

[Thijsvr]

Have you considered importing from nearby RHD markets like HK or Malaysia where Alfas are sold? I know HK does a roaring trade in bargain priced used high end motors, though a 159 is now getting long in the tooth so finding in HK may also be tricky.

I thought importing wasn't allowed for cars that were sold new here until they're of a certain age.

[poohbah]

I know people who have imported near new luxury cars from hk into nsw. Rules have been tightened to prevent people doing it semi commercially to make money , but I think you can do one car for private use every couple of years. Still have to pay import duties of course.

[Thijsvr]

Might be worth looking into. Thanks

[poohbah]

I may be wrong but I think the rule about cars having to be 25 years old before they can be imported and registered only applies to LHD cars. I also believe you can still import more modern LHD cars, but you have to convert them to RHD (to a certified standard) within a couple of years in order to register them.

[poohbah]

BTW - just spotted this for sale in honkers. Unfortunately already sold, but at least shows you might have a chance of finding one there.

Price is HKD obviously, so about $34k in AUD. Plus import duties etc, so unlikely to be cheap cheap.

https://hkcartrader.com/en/cars/1185

[bonno]

Hi Thijsvr
Find link to NRMA review of the 159 wagons in the various engine variants sold in Australia. It is quite interesting that the 2.4 turbo diesel gets the best review. I suppose its an individual thing with respect to the performance that steers you towards the 3.2 V6 manual.
http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring-services/reviews/car-reviews/alfa-romeo/159-sportwagon-1000km-road-test.htm
Cheers
bonno

[Thijsvr]

Hi Thijsvr
Find link to NRMA review of the 159 wagons in the various engine variants sold in Australia. It is quite interesting that the 2.4 turbo diesel gets the best review. I suppose its an individual thing with respect to the performance that steers you towards the 3.2 V6 manual.
http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring-services/reviews/car-reviews/alfa-romeo/159-sportwagon-1000km-road-test.htm
Cheers
bonno

Thanks, yeah I would actually prefer the 2.4. Much prefer the low end torque of a turbo diesel over the high revving petrol engines and the i5 just sounds awesome. However I live in the middle of the city and 90% of my driving will be stop and go, I feel a bit like an asshole to do that with a big diesel engine and I'm pretty sure I'll clog up the DPF in no-time.
The 2.4 also was never delivered with Q4 here. In Europe it was, but not outside.

I know it doesn't make any sense at all for me to get this car. The engine is too thirsty (especially in the city and with Q4), the car's too heavy, I will probably never really use the Q4 system and an automatic is much nicer in the city. But I plan on keeping this car for a long time, I don't drive a lot of Ks as I also have a bike and my SO has a more sensible 156 2.0 JTS, so I want it to be perfect for me. For that once in a while I go out of the city and onto some of the nicer roads.
I can let go of the Ti bit as it's not too difficult and expensive to upgrade it to one. I'm also not looking for one specific colour. But it has to be a manual, has to be a wagon and it has to have Q4.

My life was a lot easier when I didn't like Alfa that much yet

[Craig_m67]

But it has to be a manual, has to be a wagon and it has to have Q4.

You can have any two of those, but not all three 🙂

For me the 2.4 TI JTD wagon. Series 2 from '08 (it's lighter, giveaway is shorter rear seats) with roof rails and sunroof would have been the one to get.. But ALL variants felt too heavy after the 156.  I'm now considering a Giulietta QV in the short term

I have a 156 1.9JTD Sportwagon, mechanically lovely but with significant hail damage you can have for a dollar

[Thijsvr]

But it has to be a manual, has to be a wagon and it has to have Q4.

You can have any two of those, but not all three 🙂

For me the 2.4 TI JTD wagon. Series 2 from '08 (it's lighter, giveaway is shorter rear seats) with roof rails and sunroof would have been the one to get.. But ALL variants felt too heavy after the 156.  I'm now considering a Giulietta QV in the short term

I have a 156 1.9JTD Sportwagon, mechanically lovely but with significant hail damage you can have for a dollar

I had a 3 series before the 156. Not as heavy as the 159, but felt quite similar to the 159s I've driven. So a 159 is fine for me, but I just can't go back to FWD only.

[Thijsvr]

Turns out you can have all three! Heard back from FCA Australia that 6 unicorns have been sold here. Six 3.2 Q4 Ti manual wagons. I've found one person that owns one of them and I think it's safe to assume they're not all around anymore. But there should at least be a couple left.
The search continues!

Thanks for all the help!

[poohbah]

Now that you've found one, you just need to make the owner an offer he can't refuse. Cue ominous background music...