Practicalities in owning a 159

[diglad]

hi twistybits,
my mazda rx8 fell on its sword when our twins arrived (no boot space) making way for the 2010 159TBi Ti. i had the same dilemma but decided i wouldn't be caught dead driving a commodore or suv. my twins are 2 years old and their seats fit nicely in the back and are very easy to install and remove (a tip here is get a baby seat with the european isofix system) plenty of room, but like an earlier post mentioned their feet do rub the front seats. boot space is great, can easily fit the pram and other supplies. probably would have opted for the wagon if i had my time over.

highly recommend the 1.75L turbo, great performance, not quite the rx8 but a satisfying compromise.

[sedlar]

We have already had 2 timing chains replaced (after noting sluggishness)

Hi Sedlar. How was this diagnosed to a stretched chain? You've got me wondering about my 159 now with sluggishness...

Apparently, the diagnostics computer had found the fault, which was noted as "stretched".  The second time it was replaced was due to an inaccurate service instruction whereby the tensioner was not replaced at the same time the chain was - hence the problem 'reappeared'.  I was without the car for a good three days each time! All is fine now though, except the tram railing is really starting to bother me.  It is such a task to drive at times, having to correct the sudden jerks to this side and that.

[sedlar]

In addition, I had three mechanics drive the car until one agreed it was sluggish and unresponsive.  Then did the diagnostic test and found the timing chain out of whack!

[colcol]

When you said the timing chain was out of whack, did you mean it had jumped a tooth or had it stretched and now the the timing is out or maybe the tensioner is worn out and is not tensioning properly, Colin.

[Polyal]

Instead if starting a new thread I thought Id ask the questions here...

We have 3 kids...4, 2 and 1 month, so that means three baby seats. Will the 159 handle this?

We will be looking at a 2.4 TDi, manual, anything to look for in particular? What kind of consumption should we expect?

Im also worried about servicing and parts, is the 159 more "common" that previous Alfas..any issues there?

We have managed with a Mk5 VW Golf before the the seats fit..but getting the the middle one is a bit of a hassle. I have seen one for sale that mentioned they have two kids with another on the way and our looking at upgrading, which had me worried for second row space.

As they are all young I am not worried about leg room, more shoulder..anyone know the dimensions? Thanks.

[shiny_car]

It will depends on the width of your child seats and capsule.

The width of the rear seat isn't too bad, but having child seats and capsule side-side will be a squeeze unless they are slim versions.

Not a great deal of legroom in the back. We could only (practically) fit the capsule and rear-facing seat in the centre of the car. If you fit these behind one of the front seats, the front seat will need to be moved a fair way forwards and/or sit the back squab very upright; this will not be comfortable for an adult unless short or on short trips only.

[Joe Garra]

Agree, we had two toddler seats in the back, and there is no way a third seat would fit in between them. A small kid could sit between the seats, but it was squeezy, and none of your kids are old enough to not be in a booster.

[alfagtv100 (Biggus)]

I have an ISOFIX baby seat in my 159 and the leg room for the front passenger is fine.  You wouldn't get 3 of these across the rear seat of a 159.

[tony8028]

i am actually in the process of selling my gorgeous 147 in favour of a boring soccer-mum SUV which will be more practical for our new baby.

I could think about an Alfa wagon but I dont want to be worried every time the baby spews or drops their food all over the seats....which I would if i owned another Alfa.

Instead I will be a little 33 as a run around to have some fun with.