When I was hunting for a new daily driver, I wanted something that I couldn't care too much about so that I would look forward to weekends when I would take the 164Q out and appreciate it even more. But I don't think that is how it has worked.
See, I bought the 159 with the expectation that it would be a comfortable and economical mid sized sedan with killer looks and decent fuel economy and nothing too 'special' about it.
Well, that mindset lasted for a whole 5 minutes...
When I would usually meet up with mates for a cruise, I would always reach for the keys of the 164, but the last week or so I have driven it out of the driveway once, so I could bring the 159 in for a wash....
It's just soooo nice to drive. I'm keen to get some 19' Ti wheels for it soon, then it will be perfect.
Not really too much of a point to this topic other than if you are considering a 159, just do it!
ps: The number plates came with the car, still not sure if I like them!!!
(https://i.imgur.com/OgebdhH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/T8iJhdx.jpg)
Andrew.
Haha, I'm in the same boat with the 156 actually, haven't touched the GTV or corona because I've been in the hills every spare day. Took the 33 to the shops this morning seeing as it hasn't been driven in two weeks, felt like I was driving a commodore [emoji23] The 159 TI steering was wonderful, if you can grab a set of the TI seats, they're amazing once set up and should plug straight into a standard 159
Sent from my HTC 2PS5200 using Tapatalk
I think newer cars these days just do everything too well to even consider an older car for a day to day commuter. Safe, reliable, economical, practical and parts are much easier to come across.
Just wait till one of the many computers throw a wobbly, see how much fun they are then . . . . ::)
But seriously the 159 is a very solid, reliable, performing car, enjoy.
I really love the look of them.
I had the idea of a 159 JTS as a replacement for my 147 in mind, but stories of timing chains stretching scared me off.
Is it myth or fact?
1750TBi would be nice :D
If i ripped off the Alfa badges and put Toyota ones on, maybe I could fool the wife?
The Giulietta QV is better... (lighter, tighter, faster and less likely to end in disaster )
Quote from: ugame on June 22, 2018, 12:06:17 PM
Is it myth or fact?
It does happen, but much less than you think.
Many times is is just a faulty Phase Variator Solenoid that is miss-diagnosed as a stretched chain.
Well, we will see how the reliability is over the next few years... So far so good!
Anyone looking to sell a set of 159 19' Ti wheels? I'm starting to look around for a set. I probably couldn't afford to buy them right now, but maybe someone is looking to sell some in the next few weeks? I could even trade (plus cash your way) for my 17' wheels with good rubber. Just putting it out there.
Those wheels are so damn nice!!!
Cheers, Andrew.
Well, they are certainly my weekness. Went back to it after a short hiatus. That front end is divine, Then there's its arse, yum. As my old man said, they just look like there going fast when they're just parked. The demitasse designers really got that front end spot on with this series 900 vehicles.
Craig 67/69 agree on Giulietta QV being awesome , can not comment on 159 re never owned or driven one , very good looking 159 , find it more attractive than giulietta but too many question marks on reliability . LOvely to see someone so excited about a new purchase , especially owning a 164 which to me is a lovely looking car . Negatives with the Giulietta QV is when it rains the rear hatch seems to be a magnet for dirt including the side spoilers . The looks are well , looks better from behind -no pun or sexual reference intended, just looks meaner n beefier n sportier from rear , really i bought it mainly for the 1750 turbo engine , she is very allowing n keeps revving 4 ever without fuss or delay n handles , dont wanna offend anyone but close to my previously owned GTV 6 Grand prix 86 , although the QV is front wheel drive .. Its funny but when i sat in my grand prix knew i was in an alfa , QV initially think its a Fiat until u start motor n drive , then definitely Alfa , not that i am disappointed about Fiat similarities , as long as its not an Asian feel ........
......my 159 wagon has way much better looks than the sedan.
The V6 Brera I bought last week looks even better 😜
Quote from: lombardi on June 23, 2018, 02:25:27 PM
find it more attractive than giulietta but too many question marks on reliability .
Why is that? The 159 is a VERY solid and reliable platform with few vices. I can't for the life of me think of anything that goes wrong with them that doesn't fail on any other car.
The only commonly occurring faults I can think of are the power steering reservoir requiring upgrading with the fluid, and the front arm bushings wearing, but the latter is just a cause of fair wear and tear as with all cars.
(And before people start running up fault lists I am referring to cars in Australia, not ones in Europe with issues due to corrosion from salted roads)
My 159s have only had two issues -- both with the otherwise "bulletproof" 1750TBi. The plastic cambelt cover disintegrates (an easy fix and not something that actually stops the car from functioning) and the plastic impeller in the water pump needs to be replaced with a metal one (preventive measure; never actually failed).
Having owned a 2.2 I'm now thinking it would make a sensible choice for Junior's first car. Safe, solid, reliable. Not too fast. Not as expensive to maintain as you might think.
So ..... one issue then, given the plastic impellor* didn't actually fail :)
For what it's worth, I wasn't bagging the 159 series cars they look amazing. Although I'm not a fan of the dash, and the boot in the Wagon/Berra is compromised unlike the 156/GT. That said it's a very solid car compared to the 156/Giulietta. Just felt too heavy to be an Alfa for me, Alfa's are lighthe in my minds eye (but then I started my Alfa life in Suds and Sprints).
* mine did, in a GQV .... :)
Quote from: Craig_m67 on June 24, 2018, 01:46:46 PM
* mine did, in a GQV .... :)
Check out page 24 -
http://www.arocaqld.com/downloads/magazine/psa201711I2TD7KWQ.pdf (http://www.arocaqld.com/downloads/magazine/psa201711I2TD7KWQ.pdf)
I'm still unsure on the looks of the Giulietta. They are nice cars, but I feel as though it just blends in too much with the current crop of hot hatchbacks. Just doesn't have the 'wow' factor that the Brera gave me the first time I saw one of those. Still one of the best looking cars to date imo.
Quote from: sprint speciale on June 23, 2018, 04:02:55 PM
The V6 Brera I bought last week looks even better 😜
Definitely can agree with that! So when are you going to buy me one??? ;D ;D
Quote from: Craig_m67 on June 24, 2018, 01:46:46 PM
Although I'm not a fan of the dash
For me that was the selling point hahaha. Love the simple layout with minimal buttons and knobs, plus that silver face plate with the indented gauges :-*
Quote from: kaleuclint on June 24, 2018, 11:10:33 AM
Having owned a 2.2 I'm now thinking it would make a sensible choice for Junior's first car. Safe, solid, reliable. Not too fast. Not as expensive to maintain as you might think.
Coming from a fellow teenager, I can agree with that statement. 159's are relatively cheap nowadays and they offer so much car for the money. Even a sorted 156 would be a sweet first car. Always liked them too.
Andrew.
I know looks are subjective however there are three shapes on this planet that I never tire of admiring. In no particular order:
1./ My resently traded black 159 3.2 Ti Q4
2./ The Supermarine Spitfire
3./ Scarlett Johansson
All three produce a virtually immediate physical response!!
You'd feel differently, I'm sure, if your Alfa was blown up by Scarlet Johanssen piloting a Spitfire. :P
My car tastes are regressing, I'm starting to see the economy of refitting a semi-classic vs the drain (and nil appreciation) of an out-of-warranty-but-still-newish car. A Volvo 240 may be in my future... :o
For all its yawn factor, my 605 (the Pug variant of the Alfa 164; uncannily similar) is a favourite place to be for longer hauls. Even around town it acquits reasonably, save for parking constraints. So I fully expect Andrew to eventually return to his 164... welcome to the machine/Where have you been
I've been of that way of thinking for sometime CB.
BTW - I really like the 605. Likewise the 504 (ideally in metallic brown). And from your "family line" I'd love a CX - though I haven't seen one on the road in years.
Meanwhile, I can see the appeal of a 2-door Volvo 240, especially in rally/sport pack spec.
There are plenty of rough CXs around, impediments are shortage of appropriately skilled trades to correctly restore and fettle, and custodial resistance to real world prices of good work and better parts. Like a lot of older cars (this takes in some Alfas, too!) a headache can be the convoluted order of operations for a seemingly simple task. People gun for shortcuts, the results are bodges and unhappy customers.
Heat soak is the biggest enjoyment killer. The only long term value is in a faithfully restored/conserved late 25 GTi Turbo. Andrew has probably never sat in one!
I just love the 240 Vollies though, can't drive one without smiling; in stock form a soft "boaty" ride, great visibility and a simple interior. A repowered one would sit well with me, too, if done properly and into a full-optioned shell. It's another car our young member needs to try out.
Heaps of cars I'd love to own, old and new. As much as I love my 164's, they are just too heavy on fuel and too much goes wrong with them too often for me to have considered putting one on full rego as a reliable daily driver.
I too like the 605's, very similar to the 164 indeed.
Don't worry, the 164q isn't going anywhere! I took it for a drive on Sunday evening and it put a massive smile on my face. That 3 litre with a 5 speed is absolute epic and when I parked it up, I couldn't stop starring at it. Pininfarina really out do themselves when it came to the 164's styling.
Speaking of Volvo's, I'd love a 850r sedan. Those things are heaps cool!
Andrew.
I had an 850 Brocksport wagon in white with black leather! It cost me $200 and two slabs, with rego. ;D Had electrical issues, I think the RHD config was poorly thought out and this meant some wiring wasn't in ideal locations for weather protection.
As my mate likes to remind me, I still own it, mainly because he never specifically paid me for it.
Quote from: Colin Edwards on June 25, 2018, 01:36:27 PM
I know looks are subjective however there are three shapes on this planet that I never tire of admiring. In no particular order:
1./ My resently traded black 159 3.2 Ti Q4
2./ The Supermarine Spitfire
3./ Scarlett Johansson
All three produce a virtually immediate physical response!!
And I don't care how special your exhaust note is, the sound of that oh god glorious Merlin engine shall go down in history as the most emotive sound ever created.
You may never have heard the sound of one in your life, but the second you do, your heart will race, a lump will appear in your throat, and a tear to your eye.
If not, you've been dead for 6 weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5rGyP6SSYM
I'll just leave this here...
Quote from: V AR 164 on June 25, 2018, 07:26:22 PM
Speaking of Volvo's, I'd love a 850r sedan. Those things are heaps cool!
Yup, as WHEELS magazine once quoted -
(http://carphotos.cardomain.com/images/0004/44/45/4074454.jpg?v=02074918?v=1)
"They'll look fantastic once they get them out of the packing crates . . . . " ;)
Quote from: V AR 164 on June 25, 2018, 07:37:37 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5rGyP6SSYM
I'll just leave this here...
Was I the only one who while watching that video quietly started uttering "TAKKA TAKKA TAKKA TAKKA" under their breath?
(If you have no idea what that means for gods sake go watch "The Battle of Britain" you Troglodyte!)
I'm old enough to have walked around London and noted the signs for "bombed site car park". Even in the early eighties, twenty-five years after the Blitz, they were there. Stories told around the table of rationing, of my mother's revulsion (shared by so many) at the air raid sirens' sound, of miraculous escapes from certain death in Europe.
I don't see the Spitfire so much as a revered soloist, but respect them for their seemingly endless appearance, the incredibly durable engineering (of which the Merlin was such a big part) and proven consistency in battle.
Quote from: Citroënbender on June 25, 2018, 08:03:46 PM
Even in the early eighties, twenty-five years after the Blitz, they were there.
Been drinking again this evening have we? ;)
;D
Erratum, 40 years.
Sober, no excuses for that!
Quote from: V AR 164 on June 25, 2018, 07:26:22 PM
Heaps of cars I'd love to own, old and new. As much as I love my 164's, they are just too heavy on fuel and too much goes wrong with them too often for me to have considered putting one on full rego as a reliable
Andrew.
My 164Q has been my daily for the last 20 years
Yeah the only other thing that put me off the 2.2 159 was the flywheel usually wears out and it's $3k plus in parts and labour. Asides from several minor electrical failures like seats and switches our 164 was pretty sound mechanically, until the auto gearbox gave up that was.
I definitely miss the sound in the 156 but coming home on the freeway last night the actual consumption was sitting on 6.8l/100km [emoji23]
Sent from my HTC 2PS5200 using Tapatalk
4HP18 or the later autobox? Former is frequently crippled by governor seals failing.
I think it was the early ZF - used to jump into 2nd violently then one day it said no more and stayed in neutral. Having another 8 Alfas Dad just parked it put the back and let the rego go [emoji28]
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Well, it didn't take me long to start modifying it....
Bought a set of 19' wheels with tyres for a very reasonable price and fitted them up. I personally think it makes the car look a million times better and fills the guards out sooo much better than the stock 17's.
Recently I did a muffler delete with some very nice chrome tips. I highly recommend this mod as it honestly still sounds like a stock car but gives the car a nice 'note'. Very happy with it so far!
I also have a front lip coming in the mail and should be here by the end of the week.
It's coming together really nicely.
(https://i.imgur.com/6MIT1JE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4kytktO.jpg)
New exhaust:
(https://i.imgur.com/PpStoEk.jpg)
Still loving the 159!!!
Cheers, Andrew.
What has happened Andrew, I just noticed your 159 up for sale today, have you lost interest already or do you have another model Alfa Romeo on your mind now?
Nothing matches the 164's charismatic Pininfarina side creases, cabin comfort and lazy torque.
Well, save for the SAAB 9000 series and the Peugeot 605!
Purely just an expression of interest so far. Nothing to do with not wanting the 159 anymore, just seen a couple older... ahem... Nissans... for sale recently at reasonable prices. era 1990 and rwd. I'll let you figure out what I'm talking about. Most likely will keep her though, just done a full service and running very beautifully.
Andrew.
:o ???
You need a bike.
Italian.
Learner legal.
A bit unusual.
Maybe a Guzzi Lario?
Quote from: Citroënbender on August 15, 2018, 07:26:54 PM
Maybe a Guzzi Lario?
Dealing with the Lario heads?? That'd be like living with ... a 164!
Monster 659 is the go.
QuoteDealing with the Lario heads?? That'd be like living with ... a 164!
;D
Why do you think I suggested it?
How's the Lario hunt going, Andrew?
Nice mods, but rather sudden to put her on the marketto
Quote from: bazzbazz on June 25, 2018, 07:33:15 PM
Quote from: Colin Edwards on June 25, 2018, 01:36:27 PM
And I don't care how special your exhaust note is, the sound of that oh god glorious Merlin engine shall go down in history as the most emotive sound ever created.
You may never have heard the sound of one in your life, but the second you do, your heart will race, a lump will appear in your throat, and a tear to your eye.
If not, you've been dead for 6 weeks.
You are absolutely right there. I have been in love with Spitfires since I was a kid in the 60s. Back then I had never heard a Merlin engine but had read enough about them to know they were something special. I also never thought I would see a Spitfire fly either because I thought they were pretty much all gone, apart from the BBMF ones. Well that has all changed now. There are heaps of them flying around the world, including three in Australia with two more on the way. I saw my first Spitfire fly at Shuttleworth in 2005 and as you said, it caused a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Even my wife who is not into engines like I am, (although she is a true Alfisti), was really moved by the sight and sound of it flying 200 feet off the runway at over 300 MPH.
We have an aviation museum here in Adelaide that has a Spitfire engine on a special mobile trolley that they fire up several times a year and that is an awesome experience. They used to do it at 10:00pm in the street at their old location and that was even more awesome because the stubby exhausts glowed red and blue flames came out of them like huge oxygen torches when it was warmed up. Being three metres from a running 27 litre Supercharged V12 Merlin is the ultimate engine experience. Earplugs are a necessity of course.
On the subject of 159s, we recently bought a 2011 ti 1750 TBI manual sedan to replace our ti 2.4 JTDM Sportwagon, which sadly suffered a turbo seal failure that led to cascading problems. (It is advertised in the for sale section currently by the way.) We loved the wagon and it is still a beautiful car, but the TBI is something else again. That engine is an absolute gem and a true Alfa engine in every way. Being considerably lighter it is very nimble. Not that there is anything wrong with the handling on the wagon. The ti sedans have fold down rear seats like the wagon, so it has almost as much load space but with less height. 159s are definitely Alfas and possess the Alfa soul and fun factor, despite what some motoring journo idiots have suggested in the past.
The rear seats fold down?? I didn't know that! How??
EDIT: Okay, I looked in the obvious place. They DO fold down!
Quote from: kaleuclint on September 28, 2018, 05:40:54 PM
The rear seats fold down?? I didn't know that! How??
EDIT: Okay, I looked in the obvious place. They DO fold down!
::)
R.T.F.M !!!!!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
(Seriously . . .HOW long have you had that car! You are NOT gonna live that down)
Quote from: kaleuclint on September 28, 2018, 05:40:54 PM
The rear seats fold down?? I didn't know that! How??
EDIT: Okay, I looked in the obvious place. They DO fold down!
Haha!
Well, I never carry anything that big in an Alfa because I have a wagon for that. And I suspect the 2.2 I had didn't have folding seats. Handy to have and handy to know though!