First Car - Alfa Romeo 156 MY2001

[stugots277]

Hey guys,

I am looking for my first car but I am still rather young so I want something that will last and something that is nice to drive.

I have had a look at cheaper cars but for some reason my heart is set on a the Alfa Romeo. My brother in-law owns the exact same model and it seems to be a good car.

I have heard that they do have electrical problems and this is evident in many of the Alfa cars from back then.

This particular car I am looking at is $10,900, 4-cylinder 2.0L, it has done 105,000Kms and it is a selespeed.

I have had a word to the owner and he has experienced no electrical problems whatsoever, in fact the only problem he has had was the clutch and the selespeed sensor, those of which have both been replaced.

Any advice? Do you think this is too much of a gamble?

A lot of people either 1. recommend me to go for a completely different car, or 2. tell me to get a manual.

I have considered a manual can anyone give me the pros and cons over the selespeed?

I am not particularly interested in any other car, the Alfa is the only one that catches my eye and it is at a good price too.

Thank you.

[John Hanslow]

A selespeed has a robotic clutch and it does wear out and can be problematic.  Cost of replacing this can be up to $3k.  But its fun to use and some people love it.

Look, .....  it depends what you like but a Twin Spark Monza is the way to go - and a manual at that.  This is regarded as the better package for the car with options and better handling.

Better interior, better suspension package and leather seats.  Just check that the car is ok by getting a pre purchase inspection by a Alfa specialist or dealer.  Look at service book and evidence of belt change every 50 thousand kms or 3 years.

It has not been covered fully in the forum yet, but over 100,000kms, you also need to look at the engine as camshaft and variator may need replacing - and that really shows up in the car's performance.

Cheers.

[ProvaRacing]

Hi stugots277, John has pretty well described the general concensus, however if you are after a 2.0 Twin Spark (not a 2.5 V6) and prefer an auto change to H pattern manual then your only option is Selespeed (paddle change manual). Its quicker than auto and better at matching every downchange without the need to be an expert toe healer and it repeats it exactly right every time.

Now putting aside general consensus, there are other people that spew up stupid phrases for Selespeed (generally ricerheads) I can tell you I drive and prefer Selespeed manual over a  H pattern manual in my Alfa and in 3 years since new haven't had a hint of an issue (I don't have an issue driving H pattern manuals either). And I prefer to take the potential extra cost longer term with Selespeed than buying an ex ricerhead riced up Alfa by net heros that kid themselves they know what they are doing by their piecemeal fleebay purchases and have a concocted mismatched rice pudding...then they gather in a group and congratulate themselves on their "perceived improvements' with a group wank...I mean hug 

I suggest you take one for a longer drive in city streets and on a highway and see if you are able to feel at home with the Selespeed...in spirited driving its a buzz.

[John Hanslow]

Well ProvaRacing, different people have different priorities.

Some drivers get a thrill out of spicing up their car and thrasthing them about.  Not a long term option. Pitty really but everyone is different.  Current model Alfas are more tourers than sports cars. 

My challenge will be to get the car to perform better - just like it did when it was new in 2002.  A few 156 owners have parted with the cash and had varaiator and camshaft replaced and advised that the improved response is noticable.  It does not go any faster through, just much better.  I would recommend to spend money on replacing worn parts than extra add on bits.  That's my say on it and for me that's money well spent.

As for selespeed Stugots227, a quick look on our Buy/sell section may have an interesting results if you want to pay a bit more.