The myths of Alfa Romeo?

[Hoppie24]

Any myths buster here wanna help me out? I being toying the idea of getting a second hand 159 or even Alfa GT since 2 cars back, what hold me back was the headache that it might bring. My friend had a Fiat Punto Manual, the injector keep going up lorry not sure why, ordering it from Italy took 1months+ and the car sits at Massa motor for like 1month+

 

People tell me Alfa cars not reliable in SG, spoil here spoil there, anyone wanna share your experience?

 

How bad it is compared to BMW? some tell me BMW very reliable, mechanic tell me stay away from it. Alfa? i think Mechanic will be even more against it.

 

The resale value of Alfa, Saab, Volvo are really not too gd, that makes sense to buy 1 and drive all the way till scrap but is it reliable? or time spend in workshop = time spend driving it?

[IDrago]

  On 11/16/2010 at 8:09 AM, Hoppie24 said:

Any myths buster here wanna help me out? I being toying the idea of getting a second hand 159 or even Alfa GT since 2 cars back, what hold me back was the headache that it might bring. My friend had a Fiat Punto Manual, the injector keep going up lorry not sure why, ordering it from Italy took 1months+ and the car sits at Massa motor for like 1month+

 

People tell me Alfa cars not reliable in SG, spoil here spoil there, anyone wanna share your experience?

 

How bad it is compared to BMW? some tell me BMW very reliable, mechanic tell me stay away from it. Alfa? i think Mechanic will be even more against it.

 

The resale value of Alfa, Saab, Volvo are really not too gd, that makes sense to buy 1 and drive all the way till scrap but is it reliable? or time spend in workshop = time spend driving it?

 

Alfa is really about that Italian pride, passion and heritage, so much so that owners do not mind spending substantial amount of time (and money) visiting the grease monkeys!! I heard the selespeed transmission is a pain to maintain especially in our humid weather, yet enthusiasts swears by the driving experience of an AR.

There's an AR thread in this forum, check it out, it should provide you helpful insights..

 

[Soya]

Alfa is one of those cars a man must buy at least once in his lifetime for la dolce vita. After that, can go back to reality having been-there-done-that.

 

Moral of story: Buy Alfa wif ur heart, not ur head.

 

 

[L_club23]

  On 11/16/2010 at 8:09 AM, Hoppie24 said:

Any myths buster here wanna help me out? I being toying the idea of getting a second hand 159 or even Alfa GT since 2 cars back, what hold me back was the headache that it might bring. My friend had a Fiat Punto Manual, the injector keep going up lorry not sure why, ordering it from Italy took 1months+ and the car sits at Massa motor for like 1month+

 

People tell me Alfa cars not reliable in SG, spoil here spoil there, anyone wanna share your experience?

 

How bad it is compared to BMW? some tell me BMW very reliable, mechanic tell me stay away from it. Alfa? i think Mechanic will be even more against it.

 

The resale value of Alfa, Saab, Volvo are really not too gd, that makes sense to buy 1 and drive all the way till scrap but is it reliable? or time spend in workshop = time spend driving it?

 

Every brand has its lemons... the bad rep for Alfa is carried over from ages ago. I'd say Alfa reliability is on par with most conti cars these days (including BMW, Merc, VW, Audi...)

[Mightymito]

Spoken like a volvo owner

 

For me I have a 1.5 year old baby alfa and I am waiting for my next bella , the giulia to be born.

[Le_Stig]

  On 11/16/2010 at 8:58 AM, Soya said:

Alfa is one of those cars a man must buy at least once in his lifetime for la dolce vita. After that, can go back to reality having been-there-done-that.

 

Moral of story: Buy Alfa wif ur heart, not ur head.

 

This is very well said! For me, so far is been there done that "twice" and still doing it...

 

For TS, please check out the 159 Thread below:

http://www.mycarforum.com/index.php?showto...p;#entry3463979

Edited November 16, 2010 by Le_Stig

[Magfocus]

  On 11/16/2010 at 8:58 AM, Soya said:

Alfa is one of those cars a man must buy at least once in his lifetime for la dolce vita. After that, can go back to reality having been-there-done-that.

 

Moral of story: Buy Alfa wif ur heart, not ur head.

 

 

You had an alfa before?

[Soya]

  On 11/16/2010 at 9:05 AM, Mightymito said:

Spoken like a volvo owner

 

For me I have a 1.5 year old baby alfa and I am waiting for my next bella , the giulia to be born.

 

Eh, ur mito is a fiat lah.

 

I owned 2 old-skool alfas b4; the Guiletta & Sprint. Those were the days which alfa earned it's BAD name. I blame my misguided youth.

[Soya]

  On 11/16/2010 at 9:09 AM, Magfocus said:

You had an alfa before?

 

Yeah. Went for a jap turbo after getting it outta my system. Life was lagi more dolce vita after that.

 

[Mazz]

  On 11/16/2010 at 9:05 AM, L_club23 said:

Every brand has its lemons... the bad rep for Alfa is carried over from ages ago. I'd say Alfa reliability is on par with most conti cars these days (including BMW, Merc, VW, Audi...)

 

I second that.

 

Many older folks had bad experiences with Alfa of old.... cranky electronics, rusting body, mechanical failures.... etc. This also applies to mechanics who had the experience of reparing or servicing these Alfas. Younger fellas hear stories from their father, uncle, friends, friends' friend etc. Then they also formed the same opinion... many are like that.... comformist, join the crowd.

 

When my friends heard i was buying a 159, they all became "tape recorder player".... expressing their negative opinion based on what they heard. Non of them owned an Alfa before actually!!!

 

Go read a bit in BMW forum, just check out the recent postings.... its about the E60 (5 Series) gearbox failing... BMW more reliable? I reserve my opinion.

 

Go read VAGSG forum... about the complains on the VW DSG gearbox mechatronics failing.

Edited November 16, 2010 by Mazz

[Ruykava]

Let me put it this way. My 159 (Italian) has been much more reliable than my previous Legacy GT (Jap, but turbo).

 

But it also depends on what you mean by reliable. For e.g. I do find after a few years there is rattling in the cabin, sound from the steering wheel, stuff like that, which suggests the interior was not put together with superb care. But mechanically it has never let me down so far.

 

Selespeed does need service / adjustment at least once a year though IMHO, otherwise it starts getting cranky. Free for 5 years so I don't worry about it for now.

[Magfocus]

  On 11/16/2010 at 9:18 AM, Soya said:

Yeah. Went for a jap turbo after getting it outta my system. Life was lagi more dolce vita after that.

 

Wow didnt know, i guess you are older than i thought you were..

[Soya]

  On 11/16/2010 at 9:22 AM, Magfocus said:

Wow didnt know, i guess you are older than i thought you were..

 

ahem...i luv wowo and merc. what do u tink radx call me ah pek?....

 

[Benarsenal]

  On 11/16/2010 at 9:05 AM, L_club23 said:

Every brand has its lemons... the bad rep for Alfa is carried over from ages ago. I'd say Alfa reliability is on par with most conti cars these days (including BMW, Merc, VW, Audi...)

 

Agreed.

 

Nowadays don't really have any "unreliable" makes anymore.

[Flameblade]

Eh , Alfa still not totally problem free ...

 

Ever seen before a current model 159 get tow to the workshop for 4 times? Hehe ...

 

Italian mistress likes to throw tantrums, and can be small gas at times.

 

But all makes have their own problems. Just like my dad, who swear by his reliable Merc.

For him he dislike BMW thou, BMW still means Bring More Worries to him!

[Hoppie24]

  On 11/16/2010 at 9:20 AM, Ruykava said:

Let me put it this way. My 159 (Italian) has been much more reliable than my previous Legacy GT (Jap, but turbo).

 

But it also depends on what you mean by reliable. For e.g. I do find after a few years there is rattling in the cabin, sound from the steering wheel, stuff like that, which suggests the interior was not put together with superb care. But mechanically it has never let me down so far.

 

Selespeed does need service / adjustment at least once a year though IMHO, otherwise it starts getting cranky. Free for 5 years so I don't worry about it for now.

 

Ok for me reliability is pretty simple, i don't wish the following happen within the timeframe

- Gearbox up lorry (>10years)

- Radiator kapu (>5years)

- Aircon Compressor (>8years)

- Engine (>10years)

- Electronics (>10years)

- Alternator (>6years)

 

Above should be the most of the more important parts of the car. My friend had a Opel and the Aircon compressor and Alternator gave up within 3years. All these never happen to my 4year old Hyundai, a Tuscani to be exact.

 

I really like the design of Alfa, maybe i should get 1 but when i tell my father, he will go blah blah blah................hahahha..........the myths of the older gen.

[Hoppie24]

Anyone knows what are the "popular" issues with Alfas?

[Babyt]

OT, this brand always remind me of Alfafa veggie.