Booster Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Tian, If you want any prospective purchase HPIing PM me the reg no Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHo Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Yes they do (a mate of mine has a 9-3), but its not a key anymore, but it has a key hidden inside it, if that makes any sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerbera Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Tian, Sorry to hear the RS was a dog....still think you should go and find a nice black example that's been looked after and see if it changes your mind..... Failing that I'd still go for a a 9-3 Aero as I said @ the Crispin. Good luck and let us know how you get on! JT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjack Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Good news is that Alfas don't rust anymore Bad news is that the dealers can be truly awful Find an independent dealer and you should be fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Go for the Saab, then we can start a Saab forum going on here too!! I must admit I don't laugh at Skoda as everyone used to, but I still couldn't buy one yet. I test drove a Seat Leon when I was thinking of getting rid of the S3 and although I did like it, you could see where extra money is spent on the Audi. The Skoda can only be worse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Told you you wouln't like it! No seriously that looks like a bit of a lemon... Did you drive it or just have a look around it? Maybe pop down to your lock Skoda Dealer and try a new one as a better point of reference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 My mate has bought a BRAND NEW SKODA OCTAVIA RS as his Company Car. He previously had the IS200, with the silky 6 cyl engine. His wife likes it too, and was pleasantly surprised. He is impressed with it, but this is the new one on the new chassis. The previous generation ones didn't hang about when the right foot was planted though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Yes they do (a mate of mine has a 9-3), but its not a key anymore, but it has a key hidden inside it, if that makes any sense? [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, its like the Mercs now isn't it? Its an electronic key (ignition still on the centre console), but the electronic key has a normal key within it, you just unclip the top and then you have a normal key...for times when your battery runs out and can't unlock the doors. The electronic bit still starts the car. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felixthecat1 Posted January 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Thanks for all the advise and support guys. I'm going on a Aaab hunt this weekend. I don't mind the interior and a leather one will always give it an edge. The Aero HOT will obviously be favourite but they're thin on the ground. A 9-3T is probably going to have to do. I'll keep you all posted. Who knows I may even have it by the next meet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 30, 2005 Report Share Posted January 30, 2005 If you see any good new shaped 2.0t vectors let me know!! They are quite scare as well...at least for what I'm prepared to pay!! I think Saab is a good choice, you should have a reliable car with good spec and a badge that I personally consider is amoungst the BM/Audi/Merc area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felixthecat1 Posted January 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 No problem, I'll keep an eye out. What kind of money are we talking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] No problem, I'll keep an eye out. What kind of money are we talking? [/ QUOTE ] I'm prepared to pay up to £14k...which by my looking doesn't give me great options! Saying that I know of about 5 that fit my budget so far... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carls Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 BIG no to alfa 156 before I knew anything about cars ny dad bought one 1562.0T Spark selespeed and it was a complete disaster. Gearbox problems which no dealer in the UK knew how too fix. All the dealerships give the worst service ever. Ironicly I owned a A3 1.8T at the time which is the complete opposite to an alfa 156 Selespeed. Dad got rid of the the car lost 5K on it in 6 Months and got a A4 from the same Audi dealership I got my A3. Audi give excellent service and both our cars have had no problems. I say that in confidence. What about an A4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Too late A3man, he's already the happy owner of an S60. See here for details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felixthecat1 Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Too late A3man, he's already the happy owner of an S60. See here for details. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks for scooping up the late comers James. Are you going tomorrow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Still not sure. It's been a rough old week in the B household and I'm supposed to be going down to Southampton (about 2 hours ago) for three days . I'll play it by ear - of course, I want to go so probably 75/25 in favour at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CouncilMotors Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 Anybody who thinks Alfas are unreliable should try a modern German car - they're just as bad these days. I personally wouldn't spend more than £5000 on a 156 and there are plenty around for this money. Don't buy the Selespeed though because they're the ones that give massive gearbox problems. As for car fires, look on the FAB (BMW breakers) website under 'breaking now' to see a shocking selection of burnt out new model BMW's. I had a CSL for a week and the bastard caught fire, destroying the engine bay, dash and most of the interior. I got a very good payout but watching a car fry is quite horrible, unless it's a City Rover. The main problem with the 156 is the Twin Spark engine, It's a very strong unit but sadly Alfa have set some very unrealistic maintenance schedules for it - a cambelt change at a ridiculous 72'000 miles for instance. Most break at around 60'000 so at 40k you should get the cambelt, balance shaft belt (2 litre) and the tensioner rollers changed. The other thing is that they can use oil - up to 300 miles per litre. Lots of them have been run out of oil which buggers them. Rear suspension bushes need replacing at around 80'000 miles as well, and you do get the odd electrical problem. If you want 100% reliability, buy Japanese. Looked after, the 156 is a very good car. Three good dealers: Mangoletsi in Birmingham, SGT in Maidenhead and Black and White (non franchised but the best place to buy a used Alfa) in Newbury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felixthecat1 Posted February 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 Wow, you know your stuff. I totally agree about the German car problem. I'm not sure what's happened to the reputation of late but it's a shame. I've gone the Swedish way this time. Not the most exciting car in the world but built so, so well after owning a German bag of bolts I couldn't resist. Three years old, loads of miles and solid as a rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Three good dealers: Mangoletsi in Birmingham [/ QUOTE ] Where abouts is Mangoletsi in Birmingham please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CouncilMotors Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 No idea - look on t'internet or 118500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 Mangoletsi is in Bedford, not Birmingham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Mangoletsi is in Bedford [/ QUOTE ] That figures - high Italian populace in Bedford........especially noticable when Italy get far in the World Cup or Euro champs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wadders67 Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 Yes you should by a 156, maybe not spend 10k on one though...great cars...they stir the sole! Hi all!...new here btw! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Yes you should by a 156 [/ QUOTE ] With a peach of a V6 in the 2.5 version! [ QUOTE ] great cars...they stir the sole! [/ QUOTE ] Have to agree with this one! Hi Wadders67 - welcome to TSN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wadders67 Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 Hi cruiser...good to be here... I am one of the few that drives both italian and german I would imagine??? I see the vitues in both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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