Hi all,
Hopefully going to sell a few of my 'spare' 164's, and buy a cheap runaround.
I mostly use public transport anyway, but when I'm travelling to work and such, I don't want to rely on my father's 4x4 which goes through A LOT of petrol.
I was thinking something like a 2000s golf or Corolla.
Just wondering if anyone has had any experience and would like to provide some guidance.
Cheers, Andrew.
If you have a high boredom threshold, anything with a Toyota badge should do (bullet proof - almost impossible to kill even if you completely neglect maintenance). I'd steer clear of a +10yo Golf - pretty awful reputation for reliability. Plus, the advantage of a 2000s Corolla - you'll never have to worry about someone nicking it, or scratching it.
I definitely agree, I'm tired of always parking 1km away from every other car to avoid door dings!!
Toyotas seem the most logical choice, but I think I'll get bored of one pretty quickly, especially after coming from an Alfa.
Getting cheap, reliable AND interesting is a pretty tough ask. You can usually only get two out of three in any combination. All the Japanese makes meet the reliable and cheap requirements.
Though I guess you could try a series 1 Volvo S40 T4. They are pretty rorty and being 18-20yo should be cheap enough. I looked at getting one for my son to learn to drive in 18 months ago for about $3k.
Over the last 20 years with the need for a family car we have always had at least one non Alfa in the family for the Boss & Billy Lids , a couple of Subaru's to name a few . I would highly something from the Liberty / Impreza range from 10 - 15 years ago.
Andrew having read a lot of your posts displaying doggedness & persistence with the 164 I'm sure you would enjoy Subi's engineering & quirkiness. A lot more entertaining than comparable Toyota and just as bullet proof.
I can attest to the quality of Subaru engineering. Our first Forrester took a high speed T-bone from a red-light runner - we rolled and spun, and both cars were written off - but all four of us in the Subi walked away with only minor cuts and bruises.
whilst i agree mostly agree with the Golf comment based on the amount of internet verbaige.. we still have a 1.6 MK4 Golf bought new, now on close to 236K, which has had the odd window reg., and nothing else but petrol. I can't remember when it last had an oil change to be honest, but then the ex took it three years ago - so, perhaps three years ago.
MK4 Golfs on are okay in my book
Toyota anything is better (although boring as batshit)
Buy a $500 147. Maintain it with internet parts. If the paint is faded, DIY wrap it.
Far nicer car than a Tojo or Forrie, and it's an Alfa.
Most of these "looking for a cheaper car... fuel costs so much... worried about stuff..." type threads are actually people looking for a way to justify their desire for a change. There's nowt to be ashamed of in standing up and saying "I feel like a change" - but dollars to donuts I can prove the actual saving is not much. Other lifestyle choices that don't come in for scrutiny are often better places to extract a saving.
Suzuki Swift. Had two (actually Barinas) and nothing ever went wrong with either. An SX5 hatch should be practical and reliable.
this may be a dumb question CB - what's a Forrie? Doh - just realised you meant a Forrester....
Actually the beige-boredom of my last runabout is what convinced me to buy my first Alfa. Embarrassed to say I had a near-new 2006 Toyota Yaris for 4 years (with the "manly" 1.5L VVTI motor) as a reliable city commuter. It was actually a good little car with more go than the ageing EA Fairmont it replaced, cost nothing to run and absolutely bullet proof - I think I lifted the bonnet once: to clean it prior to sale, and only had it serviced twice. Never skipped a beat. But it just didn't have any character. So I swung 180 degrees and bought my first Busso-powered 156...
I completely understand why Andrew might want a "park and forget" type car for commuter duties - he'll still have all the fun of Alfa ownership and maintenance with his remaining 164 Qs ;D
From left field, if you want something fun and cheap what about a Renaultsport Clio 172? Like some Alfa's, they need belts every 4-5 years and give a lot of bang for your buck. Not as reliable as a Toyota but not bad either and parts and good specialists are plentiful.
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Good call; another budget rocket with nice exhaust note and excellent online parts support.
Edit: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mornington/cars-vans-utes/alfa-romao-car/1184047138
Ti pack 147 facelift. Throw an accumulator, pump brushes and pump relay at it for an $800 budget daily.
Cripes. Don't tell Tony those GTA rims are probably worth as much as he wants for the whole car!
Quote from: poohbah on May 16, 2018, 07:06:29 PM
Embarrassed to say I had a near-new 2006 Toyota Yaris for 4 years (with the "manly" 1.5L VVTI motor) as a reliable city commuter.
Ha, I got given a 2007 Yaris for free by my work and as beige as it is, for a peakhour commuter its been bulletproof. Added extra is with the back seats down it has carried a helluva lot of Alfa parts. Lots of complete engines including a V8. Its nice having one beater car in the fleet.
Mazda 3 or possibly Mazda 2 if on a tight budget? The SP25 is marginly less boring than a Corolla! Or an NB or NC MX5 for some RWD involvement?!?
Cheers for the replies,
Alot of food for thought. Have thought of a 2005ish Yaris, and although they are verrry boring, parts are cheap as and their fuel economy is great.
Considering an early Swift or a Mazda 323 Protege, manual of course. I was also looking at MX5s, and it would be heaps of fun and i'll own my first RWD car, but they are a tad too expensive and I feel as though if I had a RWD car, I would just be tempted to slide it about...
Also was looking at a 147, but again, would like something a bit more 'mainstream'. As CB said, I would like a change in scenery, something from Japan would be very welcomed.
Quote from: poohbah on May 17, 2018, 09:10:33 AM
Cripes. Don't tell Tony those GTA rims are probably worth as much as he wants for the whole car!
I thought they were the standard rims on the car? I always thought the GTA rims had the 5 circle design?
Cheers, Andrew.
I may be wrong - I thought the 147 GTA rims were three ring. No matter, buy the rims get the car for free! Aren't they what is on your recently acquired 164Q?
RWD cheap hoon fun = ex-Taxi Falcon wagon on LPG. 3m wheelbase makes them fairly stable and predictable.
But do you really want to lose points or nudge your premium for hanging the tail out? And the minute you take your "cheap car" to the track to get it sideways it is not a cheap car anymore, it's another hobby costing more than the money you thought you would save.
You can buy a shitter E46 for a few thou, it's another car well supplied by aftermarket internet parts. Judging by the Gumtree adverts, many seem to come with P-plates more or less permanently stuck on them.
Quote from: Citroënbender on May 17, 2018, 07:32:21 PM
RWD cheap hoon fun = ex-Taxi Falcon wagon on LPG. 3m wheelbase makes them fairly stable and predictable.
But do you really want to lose points or nudge your premium for hanging the tail out? And the minute you take your "cheap car" to the track to get it sideways it is not a cheap car anymore, it's another hobby costing more than the money you thought you would save.
You can buy a shitter E46 for a few thou, it's another car well supplied by aftermarket internet parts. Judging by the Gumtree adverts, many seem to come with P-plates more or less permanently stuck on them.
Exactly my thought, I want a daily, not another project!!! I want to get something which is difficult to modify, so I won't have the urge to mod it. And I can't loose licence points drifting if I get a FWD, something that I wouldn't be able to say if I pick up a VX or BA...
Quote from: poohbah on May 17, 2018, 07:27:35 PM
I may be wrong - I thought the 147 GTA rims were three ring. No matter, buy the rims get the car for free! Aren't they what is on your recently acquired 164Q?
Hahaha, fair enough. Indeed, they are the wheels that were on the black car. Still unsure if I like them or not, the tri spoke design hasn't grown on me yet.
Andrew
I'm very surprised you can get these so cheap. Tough as nails too. But almost too nice for a beater.
www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Liberty-2001/OAG-AD-15968789/?Cr=0 (http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Liberty-2001/OAG-AD-15968789/?Cr=0)
And it seems the three ring are just standard 147s - but at least I got the price right!
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Alfa-Romeo-147-17-wheels-rims-alloys-toyo-tyres-/292367599560 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Alfa-Romeo-147-17-wheels-rims-alloys-toyo-tyres-/292367599560)
I've mostly seen those wheels on Ti trim 147s, with matching lowered suspension and extra-bolstered seats. Look like the "Biohazard" symbol to me!
Quote from: poohbah on May 17, 2018, 09:56:45 PM
I'm very surprised you can get these so cheap. Tough as nails too. But almost too nice for a beater.
www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Liberty-2001/OAG-AD-15968789/?Cr=0 (http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Liberty-2001/OAG-AD-15968789/?Cr=0)
And it seems the three ring are just standard 147s - but at least I got the price right!
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Alfa-Romeo-147-17-wheels-rims-alloys-toyo-tyres-/292367599560 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Alfa-Romeo-147-17-wheels-rims-alloys-toyo-tyres-/292367599560)
That Liberty is sweet! I didn't even know they were as cheap as that! Definitely one to consider, although I agree with it being too nice for a beater. But it is indeed a very nice car... ugh, too many decisions haha
With Black GONE & cash in your pocket pressure is on.
Definitely, may sell the silver car with the black one so will free up even more space and some extra cash can't hurt!!
Been looking at small hatchbacks and the 1995ish Starlet's have caught my eye.
Always thought they were pretty cool cars, just something about they way they look. Fuel efficient, 4 door, manual and parts are very cheap, whats not to like?
Andrew.
Maybe get something a little bit heavier ( not much) with an airbag. I remember hiring one of those (Starlet) many years ago. The sound of the drivers door slamming didn't inspire a lot of confidence. Also not to sure if 1.3 litres really cuts the mustard anymore . Maybe 1.6 , 1.8 or 2.0 litres is going to keep up with traffic and not afraid of a hill or slight incline.
NX coupe or SSS pulsar will cost minimal fuel, is probably already door dinted to hell and as long as they've serviced it well is pretty much bulletproof and enough fun that you'll want to do the suspension.
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Quote from: Citroënbender on May 17, 2018, 07:32:21 PM
RWD cheap hoon fun = ex-Taxi Falcon wagon on LPG. 3m wheelbase makes them fairly stable and predictable.
How much do these things cost? When I see an ex-taxi in private use I tend to think:
how desperate are these people? Alternatively they might be a 'disposable car' bargain and they are actually laughing at me!
Prices vary widely, rust treatment was hit-and-miss. Also the amount of bruising and mileage will impact.
The other issue with ex-cabs used to be the obsessives, a subset who were convinced "Gotta get an ex-taxi on LPG because it's cheap to run" but would overpay in real terms for the relative economy and overall condition of their asset. This can push asking prices up.
I really like LWB vehicles for the composed ride, but if you find yourself doing laps of the inner city looking for a parking space, something measurably shorter usually appeals. :)
"3m wheelbase makes them fairly stable and predictable. "
He wants to buy something to drive not live in
I've seen plenty of small cars where - by the range of debris within - I would not be surprised if told the owner was living in them! :P
Whats cheap actually mean?
I'm a newbie here, joined in February after picking up a '03 147 manual for $3K with a touch over 100,000km on the clock, timing belt recently done. Its joyful little jigger. Sweet, free-revving 2.0 litre four. Nice chassis balance and good steering and brakes.... albeit a bit underdamped (spring rates feel good though) comfortable, good looking. I've given it an oil and filters change, replaced the crank sensor and sorted a few niggles - seat lifter, door lock.
A friend drives an '02 Corolla 1.8 manual that he bought 3 months earlier, for $500 more, with DOUBLE the Km's. The 147 makes more torque at lower revs and more power at higher revs than the Corolla, the Toyota has bum basic cloth seats to the Alfas' comfortable leather, manual window winders to the 147 power windows, optional but basic aircon to the 147 climate control. Alfa has ABS, stability control and traction control. ABS was an option on the '02 Corolla. And the funny bit? 147 has 6 airbags, '02 Corolla just the one.... and its subject to the Takata recall..!
In the used market the 147 is a bargain compared to the same model year Corolla. The 147 gets me 8.5l/100km around town driven without an eye to economy and my fully comp insurance cost all of $280. Its a fun daily driver and cheap to buy and run.
Plus this forum is fun.... can you imagine what a Corolla forum must be like?
Well, it didn't take long for the voices in my head to start screaming, 'a Toyota??? a Mazda??? HOW COULD YOU!?!?'.
Turns out I have given in, and decided to spend a bit more in getting a very nice and comfortable daily driver, and it has an Alfa badge too.
I am going to go have a look at a 2006 159 JTD 6 speed manual this weekend (2.4 liter 5 cylinder turbo diesel). It has a complete service history and always serviced by Alfa mechanics, eg Zagame. The only downside, is that it has quite a few kilometers on the clock. Of course this doesn't bother me, because it is how the car has been maintained, not the kilometers it has traveled which is what matters.
Anyone have any opinions on the car, what to look out for, what goes wrong, whats the economy like, are these engines reliable? etc.
Hopefully it goes well and I'll have a nice 164Q as the weekend car and a 159 as the daily.
Cheers, Andrew.
Flash!
Baldrick,
Welcome to the family.... ;)
Now that you are back in Alfa mode Andrew how about this from fellow club member? He's even willing to drive it down from Sydney to Melbourne ...
www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=18333.msg0#new (http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=18333.msg0#new)
You already know the Busso, and you'll love the 6sp.
Hi Guys,, not much street cred in anything mentioned
so far....how about a '84 Pontiac Fiero RHD has been on club plates......no reg problems. If you dont know what these are... google it .......and be amazed!! $1000 gets it. PM or what ever.
Good outcome.
As for the person who suggested an NX coupe, shame on you. There has never been, nor will there ever be, an uglier car with a Nissan badge.
YUK (imho of course).
Lol, you forgot about the Nissan Arna [emoji23]
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And the Micra Cabriolet
Those blue and white ones with solid half doors? My mate had one of those, I'm not sure why but hugely popular with the ladies [emoji23]
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Probably pheromones.
I'm downvoting the 159, it's too same-same.
Other barges to explore include the LS400, Stagea, Century.
But I would advocate a small van for the feeling of something different with fun and versatility mixed in. Caddy, Kangoo, Berlingo are all well serviced with internet parts and mostly interchange chassis elements with a related performance hatch from the same company.
CB, I think you are forgetting Andrew is a young man. Ergo, a delivery van may not be all that appealing.
That said, when I was a student in my early 20s (ie broke), I owned a string of clapped out old station wagons (2 x Valiants, and one HJ wagon). Each one cost $500-$1000 to buy, I spent zero dollars on maintenance (just fuel and 3rd party insurance) and I drove them til they were completely buggered, then flogged them for whatever I could get as rolling parts cars, and bought the next one. Not one of them had working locks, and the HJ could be started by just turning the ignition lock with your fingers. I loved every one of them, never had to worry about them being scratched, dented or stolen, and drove them all over the country. They were also great for hauling amplifiers/guitars/people from gig to gig, and had plenty of room for sleeping in the back when required. All of them lasted at least two years.
Nowadays you probably can't get a running Valiant or Kingswood wagon for that kind of money, but if I was in Andrew's shoes and was looking for super cheap go-anywhere practicality with zero care factor, a post '95 Commodore, Falcon, or Camry wagon could be had for next to nothing and fill the same role.
The problem with newer wagons is they lack the space of older ones like those you cite. Less headroom in the back, more sloped rear glass and a more "wraparound" aspect to the sides.
A van will - like your wagons - cart music gear/adventure kit/camping stuff etc, most are engineered to be frugal on fuel, they lock up securely and when required you can almost kip comfortably in them.
Yep I see what you mean. But I will say, we owned an AU wagon. It had a bigger load area with seats down than a hino tray truck!
Quote from: poohbah on June 05, 2018, 03:21:42 PM
And the Micra Cabriolet
Well played sir. Well played.
I'd argue though that the Micra Cabriolet at least "may" have been attractive for young P plater ladies perhaps.
The NX Coupe isn't attractive to anyone. It serves no market or purpose.
It's only saving grace is the SR20 under the hood, coupled with it's RWD configuration.
But a clean un-molested S13 silvia will give you both of those with the added bonus of not requiring a paper bag to drive it, which brings us back to the question of "why oh why did the NX coupe ALSO have a Targa Roof?"
Quote from: Citroënbender on June 05, 2018, 11:27:56 PM
The problem with newer wagons is they lack the space of older ones like those you cite. Less headroom in the back, more sloped rear glass and a more "wraparound" aspect to the sides.
A van will - like your wagons - cart music gear/adventure kit/camping stuff etc, most are engineered to be frugal on fuel, they lock up securely and when required you can almost kip comfortably in them.
Never been a fan of wagons, or SUV's until I decided on behalf of the world, that SUV's have a place. Their place is to replace the need for wagons, which aesthetically, is a good thing.
My sister nearly bought a NX back in the 90s. The targa top was one of the features she liked. Luckily she instead opted for a 3 door civic instead. These days she's got one of those Citroen C4 coupes with the fixed centre boss steering wheel.
Good discussion so far, was looking at a few VT Commodores, Camrys etc. In the end, I gave up and went with something I know best, an Alfa.
Yes I also wanted something 'cheap', but after test driving 'cheap' cars, I couldn't imagine myself driving it and enjoying it everyday. I paid a bit more but in the end, got a much nicer car that will last me for many more years to come.
Bought a 159 2.4 JTD Manual. So far I have owned it for 3 days and love it!!! Very different to my older 164's, as it has technology everywhere. The ride comfort is sublime and the looks of it, my God! I don't think there has been a better looking sedan than the 159 for ages.
Yes it is a diesel, but has more than enough power for a daily driver, and the economy is unbelievable.
Here are a few snaps of it after a clean today.
(http://i.imgur.com/MPiQZU9.jpg) (http://imgur.com/MPiQZU9)
(http://i.imgur.com/hln9tRT.jpg) (http://imgur.com/hln9tRT)
Cheers guys, Andrew.
Nice Andrew. Enjoy.
But what will all of us old fogeys talk about now?
Quote from: poohbah on June 06, 2018, 04:32:36 PMBut what will all of us old fogeys talk about now?
Er... Prostate issues? :o
How modern music is rubbish and it's all been downhill since
Paul's Boutique? ???
The days when speed enforcement was negligible? ;D
Letterbox repairs? 8)
Over-indulged pets? :D
Quote from: Citroënbender on June 06, 2018, 04:44:10 PM
Quote from: poohbah on June 06, 2018, 04:32:36 PMBut what will all of us old fogeys talk about now?
Er... Prostate issues? :o
How modern music is rubbish and it's all been downhill since Paul's Boutique? ???
The days when speed enforcement was negligible? ;D
Letterbox repairs? 8)
Over-indulged pets? :D
Garage projects?
Home renovations?
Caravaning?
Porsches? 8)
Quote from: ugame on June 06, 2018, 05:29:57 PMGarage projects?
Home renovations?
Caravaning?
Porsches? 8)
Don't Whingepool, Mumsnet and ExploreOz cover much of that?
HAMB might be good for garage projects, too. :)
Andrew, may I suggest that if it hasn't already been done you arrange a EGR delete for you new toy. As it is intended as a daily drive this will help prevent it getting clogged up with soot.
Just a suggestion.
Thanks guys,
I have heard a lot of people talking about the EGR delete. Could someone explain to me what it exactly does and what benefits it gives when you remove it?
Also, is it an expensive thing to do? Could I do it myself?
Just bought an OBD2 bluetooth device online, it plugs into the cars port and connects to your phone to read error codes and such. I feel as though having a car with all this new tech, it will be really handy to have to diagnose any problems that may arise. I'll see how it goes, and comment here later on if it's worth it.
Cheers guys, Andrew
ps: for something to talk about (for the 'old fogeys'), do you guys have any other hobbies other than Alfas?
The EGR is one of those inventions that works in an unreal world. Put simply, if you mostly make short trips in a diesel it will plug up and compromise your performance/economy. Hopefully you don't have a DPF as well!
I thought all contemporary diesels had a DPF? (Though as I've never owned one, they are a mystery to me).
Andrew, you should check out the recent new member from the UK who has extreme modded his immaculate diesel GT to get some scary HP and torque.
As to your other question, when I'm not poking around the Alfas, I still play aussie rules (vets of course). And happy to report my AFL team is on top of the ladder. But that might be a dangerous topic for discussion - like politics and religion!
ps: for something to talk about (for the 'old fogeys'), do you guys have any other hobbies other than Alfas?
Couta Boat Racing.
Fishing boats that were used commercially to catch Barracouta off the Victorian coast up until the advent of power. ( Pre WW2) Some of the fleet are boats that are 100 years old. some new ones too . No electric devices no winches all very simple technology. Kind of like racing a Masssey Ferguson Tractor. Active fleet racing on Port Philip Bay , Pittwater in NSW and on the Swan river in WA .
The big difference from mucking around in the Alfa is NO RUST. Everything is wooden.
Good to see there is at least one other enthusiast for proper footy, at amateur level, no less. :D
My migrant parents were strongly disapproving of contact ball sports so I never got to learn the necessary skills as a boy. But it's such a great game to watch at a country oval, far more so than the manufactured showmanship (and disgraceful culture) of top level AFL.
My favourite passive hobby is indulgent thinking or reading (or mutual discussion with similarly indulging minds). To lie in bed and deconstruct elements of literature, film or popular culture, to ponder leitmotifs, to review wordplay and literary structure - then when next online to compare with the published thoughts of others. It (the pondering side) is good for city traffic snarls too.
Outside of Alfa's, and Porsches, and the Beetle.....ok let's say "outside of cars".....
1) I refuse to grow up and still play computer/playstation games
2) As I was until recently, officially a "fat b*stard", I took up x-country mountain biking and LOVE it. Head out at least once a week on the hard technical trails of Kalamunda and have lost 30kgs to date. Pretty much at my target weight now but no way I'm stopping the riding.
Quote from: poohbah on June 06, 2018, 11:42:44 PM
I thought all contemporary diesels had a DPF? (Though as I've never owned one, they are a mystery to me).
Early 156/147/GT diesels did not have DPF, they did have EGR and if really unlucky swirl valves in the intake manifold to soot up, jam, break and generally go fubar and force the ECU into Limp mode
159 (Spider & Brera) dervs, both 1.9 and 2.4 have all the EGR, swirlvalves and DPFs to cause issues (like most every other contemporary diesel).. it's not legal to remove or disable any of this.
That said, people have been known to blank the EGR valve (needs a remap to ensure no ECU errors), undo the swirl valve actuator and put a straight through pipe in to replace the DPF.
Your mileage may vary with the local authorities.. Derv emissions (and missing bits) are now checked in the Uk, expect Aust. to follow suit
Quote from: Craig_m67 on June 07, 2018, 04:15:40 PM
159 (Spider & Brera) dervs, both 1.9 and 2.4 have all the EGR, swirlvalves and DPFs to cause issues (like most every other contemporary diesel).. it's not legal to remove or disable any of this.
Hmmm, Qld Transport may disagree with you on this. ;)
Quote from: bazzbazz on June 07, 2018, 06:23:37 PM
Quote from: Craig_m67 on June 07, 2018, 04:15:40 PM
159 (Spider & Brera) dervs, both 1.9 and 2.4 have all the EGR, swirlvalves and DPFs to cause issues (like most every other contemporary diesel).. it's not legal to remove or disable any of this.
Hmmm, Qld Transport may disagree with you on this. ;)
Really, so it is legal to remove this in Queensland?
(I'm surprised)
Doh, I misread what you said, I thought you said "it's not illegal", that will teach me for not wearing my glasses. ::)
I'm curious as to whether anyone here has tried amateur reflashing on a 147/156/159. I mean, as opposed to paying someone else to work black magic on the ECU firmware.
They come with DPF - it's an invention put in modern diesels to let the poms satisfy their love of klack klack engines while reducing smog to make their country look a tad less miserable.... they do work as advertised as long as each journey is sufficiently long enough to heat them to max temp.
EGR should be an exhaust recirculation back to inlet under certain engine loads to reduce the overall emissions, they've been around for ages and as said, they work as advertised in the unreal world, they all eventually foul with soot. I repaired an NX one once and regretted not taking the shops advice to merely weld it up out of sight [emoji28]
Just remember the stock fuel maps are designed with recirculated exhaust and filtered particulate in mind - you can get more power by gutting them but you'll need to remap. I wouldn't be too averse to trying a pre-made map chip and checking using the ecu scan tool, I mean the revo gear for the sootwagens is literally plug and turn the key, but building a custom map is a specialist skill, and I don't know if that many people outside of jap cars interested in that sort of work.
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Anyone looking for advice on souping up their diesel should ask this recently joined member from the UK. His GT is an absolute monster masterpiece.
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=18139.0 (http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=18139.0)
What happened to the thread "Cheap Dailys"??!! :o
It morphed into "Comfortable Diesel Daily". (all of a sudden the Beetle Bailey cartoon song came into my head) ???
Yeah there's a guy over there running a 2.4 ti at 300 and something horses and 700 odd NM using hybrid turbo and water methanol injection. Stock auto box.
Sounds like a good daily to me, and I guess it's cheap relative to a new Giulia... [emoji28]
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Quote from: kaleuclint on June 09, 2018, 11:39:24 AM
What happened to the thread "Cheap Dailys"??!! :o
I'm not sure either hahaha, I guess diesels are cheap when it comes to economy so it essentially is a 'cheap daily' ::)
Been almost a week now and I haven't even looked at the 164! I will take her out this weekend, but it's hard to beat such a comfortable car like the 159. Still very happy with my decision!
Andrew.
Quote from: V AR 164 on June 10, 2018, 12:46:21 AM
Quote from: kaleuclint on June 09, 2018, 11:39:24 AM
What happened to the thread "Cheap Dailys"??!! :o
I'm not sure either hahaha, I guess diesels are cheap when it comes to economy so it essentially is a 'cheap daily' ::)
Been almost a week now and I haven't even looked at the 164! I will take her out this weekend, but it's hard to beat such a comfortable car like the 159. Still very happy with my decision!
Andrew.
It's funny because later this year I'll possibly be consolidating and getting a "cheap reliable daily that doesn't cost much to maintain".
My thinking always STARTS in the right way....
"Maybe a Toyota Camry..... or a Honda Accord....or an Audi A4 1.8T, or a Mercedes or BMW, or Perhaps a 159 1750TBi, or perhaps a 156 GTA...wait, how did I get here on car sales again?"
Cheapest Alfa daily would have to be a well bought, sorted 147 1.9JTD
The best (reliable/output) Diesel engine ever produced by any manufacturer in my opinion.
Can be chipped out the wingwang, in a chassis that everybody knows/loves
... and it has flat rear folding seats for the tip run 👍
Quote from: Craig_m67 on June 12, 2018, 06:24:27 PM
Cheapest Alfa daily would have to be a well bought, sorted 147 1.9JTD
The best (reliable/output) Diesel engine ever produced by any manufacturer in my opinion.
Can be chipped out the wingwang, in a chassis that everybody knows/loves
... and it has flat rear folding seats for the tip run 👍
Funny you say 147.
Even though mine is the TS, I think my cheap daily most viable option is.....to recommit to another 2 to 3 years of 147 ownership.
Swapping I to the type/age of car I'd like would cost me at least $10k.
Doing what needs to be done to the 147 inc timing belt again, will cost be around $2k.
Car just does all jobs well and mine presents well too bar a few external dings and scratches.
Alfa maths :D
Yes - cileberti has a manual 1.9 147 but it's too clean. You've got to be able to not stress about door dings and the like in a daily. The twin spark you usually can pick up for a steal and have a blast in.
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Quote from: Pseudonym on June 13, 2018, 02:40:25 PM
Yes - cileberti has a manual 1.9 147 but it's too clean. You've got to be able to not stress about door dings and the like in a daily. The twin spark you usually can pick up for a steal and have a blast in.
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You got that right.
A guy at worked scuffed one front/side very slightly with his old falcon while parking. He was very very apologetic. When I walked out to view the "damage" I just shook his hand and said "dont worry about it".
All he'd put was a slight black rub mark, which oddly enough, made it match a similar one on the other side :D
There's a red one in the QLD AROCA classifieds for $900.... a compete steal.
I'm tempted just cos... (i miss my 156 1.9JTD)
Restocking the herd are we? (Private joke)
I've already mentioned that one to our mutual comrade when his daughters car died, it's already sold but ad hasn't been taken down.
I think I will always need a derv in the herd.. and yep, she's sold it.
Hope it gets rejuvenated and driven fast and hard