Wondering if anyone in Vic can help me - need someone to test drive a car for me

[baradhili]

I'm in Perth and looking at buying a 2003 156 selespeed wagon, which happens to be in victoria.
The price looks a little cheap, but the service history looks good. The dealer is offering a 1 year warranty, but lol, its on $500 per claim on engine, diff or gearbox - we all know that if there is something a bit fatal, its going to be _much_ more than that...

Anyone with expertise in alfa 156 selespeeds want to take it for a spin and give me an opinion (please please don't buy it !)

Cheers

Bret

[Barry Edmunds]

Bret

There are a couple of people who could do such a test but would really depend on where the car is located. If yoi can pin point the vehicle it would be easier to point you in the right direction.

Aside from that why a 156 Selespeed? Hardly the most reliable of the 156 range and expensive to fix if the actuator goes kerthunk.
Barry

[baradhili]

Bernie Smith Used Cars. 333 Ferrars St SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC 3205 - you know with a name like that I guess he is either unpretentious or unimaginative

Why selespeed? I'm a long time automatic driver - not a great fan of manual cars in city driving - just too much hassle. I figure with the selespeed I can get the best of both worlds . Yeah qtronic would be nice, but how many do you see around?

Why the 156? sportwagon? Have kids, and also like the looks of the wagon over the sedan. the 156 is around the right size for me. 147 too small, 166 doesn't do a wagon 159 nice, but out of my price range.

Cheers

Bret

[dehne]

hi there ive got a 156 selespeed sedan so i might be able to test drive it for you imm heading to melb during the week so if i get the chance ill check it for you

[baradhili]

Thanks!

[John Hanslow]

How a bout the automatic 156 V6 sedan then as an alternative purchase.  These are a few around with the 2003/ or 2004 facelift.

Now if that is the yard I am thinking of, it has a silver one in stock. The battery was flat, exhaust gone, some panel damage and not roadworthy, broken lights etc.  I think they wanted $13.5k for it last xmas. They said they got it from the auctions.  It did have books though.  I popped in a few times to take if for a test drive but the propriertor had always just gone out for a while and they had no idea if or when he would return.

Could not afford the repair bills so I purchased my current vehicle from Qld with books, RWC and basically a neat car with all the extra perrformance bits, wheels, springs, monza dash, spoiler & reccaro style seating. The local Alfa srecialist vouched for it.  It was a car to my liking.  That was approx $13.5k.  Really the bonus was also an excuse for a quick flight and a road trip home too.

If you want a selespeed, there are plently of well looked after cars and you may have to pay a bit more, if it needs work, then the price can be negotiated lower ($2k plus).

Cheers.

[baradhili]

Just for everyone's reference - here is the listing http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250508879752

I've been informed that its definitely not a 2003 jts, so one strike on the dealer

Cheers

Bret

[dehne]

TRIED TO CALL him todaynot avail but should ring back ill ask a few q's and see what he says then talk about price i recon i can get him to at least $8000 with out even lookin at it and lower if i go there

[ProvaRacing]

FYI baradhili you may find this of interest the dealer's actual trading name is Jacana Peak P/L;

https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/cav/bla-motor-car-trader-partial-extract?orgnum=63497&mode=M&result_page=1

You will see he has had a claim, admitted, against him 8 yrs ago and for everyone else that reads this it's dealers like these that might issue a RWC that definitely requires a second opinion 

Use this to identify dealers alias and where/who they are from just a LMCT number;

https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/cav/bla-search-criteria?mode=M

For what it's worth there are a few shady car traders especially wholesalers in South Melb so beware.
Good luck

[baradhili]

Thanks Provaracing, and thanks dehne

[dehne]

Spoke with the the man today the car has a good service history with quality service centres used which includes lance dixon, rob lane alfa and marranello's everything about the car seems to be ok next thing is to go and have a good look in person and then try to bring price down most likely around $9000 i think keep you posted

[baradhili]

Hi Dehne,
yes and I've checked with Maranello and confirmed.

I did ask him why he has it listed as a 2003 JTS when it isn't, he came back with it being a 2002 TS - The reason for the error being "the new girl"

Cambelts were replaced at 63000 and 142000 kms as well.

Cheers

Bret

[dehne]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2002-Alfa-Romeo-156-2-0-Selespeed-Twin-Spark-Rosso-Red_W0QQitemZ370208585084QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Cars?hash=item563226b57c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
found this one as well

[baradhili]

Saw that one, which one do you think would be a better buy? The Sydney one certainly has done fewer kms, but the price is slightly past my "mid-life crisis" budget of 12k

[dehne]

i would take the syd one give them an offer see what they say