USED Alfa Romeo 159 Saloon (06 - 12)

My car

For those of you who remember the ‘Fast Show’, as Swiss Tony may say “The Alfa Romeo 159 is like making love to a beautiful woman”, a beautiful woman with VD maybe. It looks stunning and its great to drive at first but soon afterwards the problems start. And most likely continue like a bad rash.

Despite several friends and colleagues warning me about unreliability I purchased an Alfa 159 2.4JTDm (latest 210bhp engine) in April 2010. I had the remainder of the manufacturers warranty to ensure any problem would be dealt with. How wrong I was. If you are thinking buying an Alfa Romeo 159, don't because if anything goes wrong its a nightmare, consider the fact that any major part has to be shipped from Italy. That takes a minimum of 5 working days. My story is a catalogue of errors and the most incredible saga of unreliability in a car manufacturer.

My car is on its 5th new engine, replaced 4 times in the past year. I have broken down 8 times in an Alfa Romeo within 12 months. 5 times in my own car and 3 times in the garages courtesy vehicles. Considering the car has been in the garage for approximately 8 months out of the past 12 it is still not working properly. All the UK garages are franchises so Alfa Romoeo themselves do not corporately own anything which makes resolving a problem incredibly difficult. There is limited characters in this review so I couldnt even begin to explain the problems but would urge you not to buy one of these cars.

My car

Having admired the 159 since it's launch, I decided to take the plunge in July 2008, having become very bored with my 2.2D Mondeo.

It's been a revelation, covering 55,000 trouble free miles (except for a cracked alloy as a result of a missing manhole cover).

The interior quality is very good. I've compared the finish with my bosses A6 and he and I were surprised how brittle some of the Audi's plastics were in comparison. I'm particularly impressed with the Blue and Me system for the telephone.

The ride can get a little choppy on very bumpy surfaces, but it is easy to chuck around, even considering it a little bit heavy. Having owned a number of Caterhams and Lotus, I have not been disappointed by the handling or performance.

Space in the front is excellent, but a little limited in the back (when you got four tall adults)

The only slight disappointment has been my local dealer - Sales and Parts departments are very helpful, but the customer skill of the servicing department has left a lot to be desired. That said, there are a number of very good independent Alfa Specialist that are more than capable of looking after my car.

Overall, I'd recommend the 159 without hesitation. Although you cant have mine as I don't intend to chop it in for several years.

My car

My 159 has now covered 80,000 miles on an 06 plate. This is my first Alfa, having had Merc C's and E's for past 10 years. Suprisingly and against a lot of my friends doom and gloom stories, I love it! Build quality inside is not too good with plasctic covers coming off easily, but when that engine gets going its like a typhoon! My only criticism is not for the car but for the dealer I go to in Cheshire. They are inflexible, non communicative and very difficult to deal with. Do all Alfa dealerships carry no spares?? Brake pads and disc's have been changed, but only after a return visit as they carry no spares of these allegedly! £26.00 to replace a side bulb??? Come on Alfa, get your act together or I may be paying a visit to Audi and BMW in May!!

My car

I've always fancied an Alfa but never been in a position to buy a young enough one for it to make sense. This was compounded by the fact that my neighbour had a 156 which tended to have a few niggling faults.

I've owned my 159 for 6months now and had very few issues with it. Obviously it is a beautiful car, inside and out. Sitting in traffic on the M4/M25 every morning it far outshines the BMW, Audi and Mercedes brigade.

It is great to drive, although the engine is not as flexible as it might be, making the car feel 'heavy' if you try to accelerate hard in the wrong gear. Fuel economy is reasonable - 47mpg crusing at a steady 70mph on the motorway, 35 taking the country route.

I'd buy another one, and recommend one to friends. I couldn't give a particular reason as to why, I just would. great to look at, great to drive, excellent talking point...and hopefulyl not as expensive to own in the long run as Alfas of old!