I'm in Perth and looking at buying a 2003 156 selespeed wagon, which happens to be in victoria.
The price looks a little cheap, but the service history looks good. The dealer is offering a 1 year warranty, but lol, its on $500 per claim on engine, diff or gearbox - we all know that if there is something a bit fatal, its going to be _much_ more than that...
Anyone with expertise in alfa 156 selespeeds want to take it for a spin and give me an opinion (please please don't buy it !)
Cheers
Bret
Bret
There are a couple of people who could do such a test but would really depend on where the car is located. If yoi can pin point the vehicle it would be easier to point you in the right direction.
Aside from that why a 156 Selespeed? Hardly the most reliable of the 156 range and expensive to fix if the actuator goes kerthunk.
Barry
Bernie Smith Used Cars. 333 Ferrars St SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC 3205 - you know with a name like that I guess he is either unpretentious or unimaginative :)
Why selespeed? I'm a long time automatic driver - not a great fan of manual cars in city driving - just too much hassle. I figure with the selespeed I can get the best of both worlds :). Yeah qtronic would be nice, but how many do you see around?
Why the 156? sportwagon? Have kids, and also like the looks of the wagon over the sedan. the 156 is around the right size for me. 147 too small, 166 doesn't do a wagon :) 159 nice, but out of my price range.
Cheers
Bret
hi there ive got a 156 selespeed sedan so i might be able to test drive it for you imm heading to melb during the week so if i get the chance ill check it for you
Thanks!
How a bout the automatic 156 V6 sedan then as an alternative purchase. These are a few around with the 2003/ or 2004 facelift.
Now if that is the yard I am thinking of, it has a silver one in stock. The battery was flat, exhaust gone, some panel damage and not roadworthy, broken lights etc. I think they wanted $13.5k for it last xmas. They said they got it from the auctions. It did have books though. I popped in a few times to take if for a test drive but the propriertor had always just gone out for a while and they had no idea if or when he would return.
Could not afford the repair bills so I purchased my current vehicle from Qld with books, RWC and basically a neat car with all the extra perrformance bits, wheels, springs, monza dash, spoiler & reccaro style seating. The local Alfa srecialist vouched for it. It was a car to my liking. That was approx $13.5k. Really the bonus was also an excuse for a quick flight and a road trip home too.
If you want a selespeed, there are plently of well looked after cars and you may have to pay a bit more, if it needs work, then the price can be negotiated lower ($2k plus).
Cheers.
Just for everyone's reference - here is the listing http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250508879752
I've been informed that its definitely not a 2003 jts, so one strike on the dealer :)
Cheers
Bret
TRIED TO CALL him todaynot avail but should ring back ill ask a few q's and see what he says then talk about price i recon i can get him to at least $8000 with out even lookin at it and lower if i go there
FYI baradhili you may find this of interest the dealer's actual trading name is Jacana Peak P/L;
https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/cav/bla-motor-car-trader-partial-extract?orgnum=63497&mode=M&result_page=1 (https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/cav/bla-motor-car-trader-partial-extract?orgnum=63497&mode=M&result_page=1)
You will see he has had a claim, admitted, against him 8 yrs ago and for everyone else that reads this it's dealers like these that might issue a RWC that definitely requires a second opinion ::)
Use this to identify dealers alias and where/who they are from just a LMCT number;
https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/cav/bla-search-criteria?mode=M (https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/cav/bla-search-criteria?mode=M)
For what it's worth there are a few shady car traders especially wholesalers in South Melb so beware.
Good luck
Thanks Provaracing, and thanks dehne
Spoke with the the man today the car has a good service history with quality service centres used which includes lance dixon, rob lane alfa and marranello's everything about the car seems to be ok next thing is to go and have a good look in person and then try to bring price down most likely around $9000 i think keep you posted
Hi Dehne,
yes and I've checked with Maranello and confirmed.
I did ask him why he has it listed as a 2003 JTS when it isn't, he came back with it being a 2002 TS - The reason for the error being "the new girl" :)
Cambelts were replaced at 63000 and 142000 kms as well.
Cheers
Bret
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2002-Alfa-Romeo-156-2-0-Selespeed-Twin-Spark-Rosso-Red_W0QQitemZ370208585084QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Cars?hash=item563226b57c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
found this one as well
Saw that one, which one do you think would be a better buy? The Sydney one certainly has done fewer kms, but the price is slightly past my "mid-life crisis" budget of 12k :)
i would take the syd one give them an offer see what they say
I've asked for the log books etc.. will see how.. nevertheless if you have the chance it would be good to test drive the melb one ...
Thanks
heading down tomorrow will try to get there for you
checked it out for you today where should i start
* body is straight but paint is pretty scratched with a few big scraches
* interior is good but parts of seats and trims are damaged (leather)
* engine is clean but there is a really bad grinding noise ( they say all the 156 selespeeds do this) then (as i drove mine down i agued the point then proved the point) he said he will get it checked could be water pump
* recovery bottle has a white substace with in
* service history is has been checked every 20,000 untill approx 140,000 in 10/2008 is now at 164,000ish
* will take $9500
other than above car is nice has cruise control
* it is a mar 2001 built
personally i would pay no more than $7500 for it as i would be concerned about the engine noise
hope this help you
Dehne,
this is fantastic stuff... Based on your review I'll scratch my head a bit and make an offer.. You are right, some of those symptoms don't sound good..
Much appreciated.
Bret
Made an offer via ebay, got an automatic rejection ....
So I guess back to waiting and looking. Thanks everyone!
Any used car can have issues, you just have to determine how the car has been looked after and serviced. This means regular servicing at least every 10k, or 5k to make sure.
My specific mechanical knowledge is limited but I make the following valid points:
1. White substance in the recovery bottle means oil on water, i.e. the head is cracked or the gasket needs replacing. That costs money.
2. The owners handbook & sticker on window above driver warns to check oil level regularly. Confirmed oil usage by the factory can be 1 litre per 1000kms, so you run the engine dry of oil and stuff it up. Waiting for a service as per the book is the Alfa delima and it could (but not necessarily) be a real risk to the well being of the car. If the oil level warning light comes on the Twin Spark variator is already damaged. This was all covered previously in the twin spark review in Auto Italia. The cams wear out too.
It would seem like the car was not well respected but run on a budget.
Cheers
Quote from: baradhili on October 16, 2009, 04:41:26 PM
So I guess back to waiting and looking. Thanks everyone!
This is the best way to shop for a used Alfa I think...be patient...you'll know when the right car comes up.
Yup.. waiting waiting :)...
Think I'm going to test drive some manuals tomorrow in Perth - just see if the manual version is as bothersome as I think.. hehe if its not, then at least my choice opens up a bit :) (and no selespeed to worry about ;) )
I'm got a wanted listed on the buy/sell forum now...
Got another car in Vic if someone would like to test drive it for me.... No pics, have NFI what it really looks like, but advertiser claims its fantastic (have you seen one that doesn't?)
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7768386
I'll be contacting the seller and trying to get details...
Cheers
Bret