trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 11, 2014 Hi All, I'm Trev, from West Sussex and potentially a new owner in the near future! I've previously owned Peugeots, VW's and Audis, but keep looking at 159s as they have great styling. Are my Alfa fears unnecessary these days - I know rust is not a problem, but how about reliability, electrical problems and service costs? I'd be looking at a 1.9 diesel I think, can those handle a good amount of mileage? Cheers all, and hope you can remove my worries! Trev Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJ_GQV 115 Report post Posted January 11, 2014 Hi Trev, welcome to AD i've not had any experience with 159's but there's 1 over the road from me & as far as i know nothing has ever gone wrong with it & its used a lot (not sure on the mileage but its quite high as its a company car) Im on my 4th alfa now & so far none of mine have given me any reason to believe the usual alfa reliabilty stuff people bang on about. Its the same as any car & as long as you buy 1 that has been looked after you should be fine (serviced properly etc). Mine have only cost me money through servicing & tyres mainly but there have been a couple of problems ive had (diff went on my GTA & the driveshaft on my MiTo QV but apart from that, they've been fine Hopefully someone who has a 159 or knows a bit more about them can help you out on the questions you might have about them but go & test drive a couple & see what you think Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 11, 2014 Hi LJ, Many thanks for the info! The one I have my eye on is a 2009 1.9 diesel manual 159 with 75k on the clock. FSH. I'll have a look at it tomorrow, but any pointers would be brilliant. Cheers, Trev Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrsAlfa 58 Report post Posted January 11, 2014 Go for it, Trev! We've had lots of Alfas over the years and (touching wood) no problems apart from a cambelt going on the 156. Twice. Which, frankly, was pure bad luck and the first one the engine was rebuilt by Alfa (so obviously they acknowledged it shouldn't have happened). The second time was probably down to not replacing the water pump on the first rebuild. But it's a great car, and a great community of drivers, especially here! We have meets and stuff, as well as the "Alfa wave" from other like minded individuals! Let us know how it goes! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K9d 108 Report post Posted January 11, 2014 Welcome aboard I have a 2.4 diesel with 192,000 miles on it starts fine, runs fine and has never let me down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJ_GQV 115 Report post Posted January 11, 2014 i'll try and speak to the owner of the 159 and ask if he has had any problems or anything with it, how many miles etc and let you know Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moon_blue 92 Report post Posted January 11, 2014 welcome Trev I would think at that mileage it should have had a couple of cambelt and waterpump changes! make sure it has just had one or you will be needing to get it done!! mb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 Thanks all for the pointers! The car had a cambelt and waterpump at 70k. Should the tensioners also be part of that? What would be a rough price for a 159 1.9 JTDM limited edition of that age? The forum seems like a great bunch of owners... Keep up the good work! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrsAlfa 58 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 Manufacturers spec says cambelt every 70k but it's known to be a problem with petrol cars at least and most owners wouldn't run a car over 36k without booking a change including water pump each time. Ours went at 52k. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 I've just been to look at it, lovely car. It's got full history, and belt, pump and tensioners were done at 70k... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigdar 62 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 Sounds like a winner Where have the services etc been carried out ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 Mostly at alfa dealers, but one at a specialist. It has two years of transferable warranty left too... 👠Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 What would be a ball park figure for it, do you think? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigdar 62 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 Best look at similar cars for sale elsewhere really. Take an average figure from that, then consider what you're prepared to pay for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 Indeed - thanks for the help. Not many limiteds around though! 😉 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJ_GQV 115 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 If you know which specialist done some work on it you could always give them a ring & ask if there was anything else which may need doing sooner or later on it & if it was there recently what condition it was in (dealers tart them up to look nice for a quick sale etc) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 It's a private sale, but yes, good idea â˜ºï¸ - I've done that before. I feel quite comfortable with this car for some reason! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigdar 62 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 It's as good as yours then Go get it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigdar 62 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 It's as good as yours then Go get it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigdar 62 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 See, twice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 I can only afford one! 😜 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
divadiva 15 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 (edited) Hey Trev I've owned a 159 1.9 JTDM - beautiful motor. Good luck in your search. Edited January 12, 2014 by divadiva Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 Hi, It sure is - it's the limited edition (some sort of James Bond release)? It was a flip between that and an A5, but the A5 is more expensive, and I've never owned an Alfa! Trev Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigdar 62 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 And almost everybody else owns an Audi (probably directly after or before owning a bmw), be different Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJ_GQV 115 Report post Posted January 12, 2014 Hi, It sure is - it's the limited edition (some sort of James Bond release)? It was a flip between that and an A5, but the A5 is more expensive, and I've never owned an Alfa! Trev Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk i think they released a few after the bond film with the 159's in. i can't remember what was difrent about them but i remember seeing 1 which looked really nice. if its as good as you say go for it try and get a bit of money off it if theres anything you might need to do anything to it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
