With a budget of up to Ј6,000UKP what would the group consider my best

I'm leaning towards a 2000-2001 Velococe and I'd like a 1.8 but I'm not> seeing many available, unless I want to travel a bloody long way.>

I'm going to take a look at a 1.6 2001 (Y) with 56Kon the clock, full> leather, metallic black tomorrow, dealer is asking Ј5,500 with 36 month> warranty. Seems a reasonable dealer price especially with a warranty of> that length, although I will pick over what that includes>

I'm staying well clear of Selespeeds, and a 2.0 is not really an option as> they're a bit thirsty for me. But I could do with some advice regarding

1.6 and their performance, I'm well into my 40s now so I've no desire to> tear up the road, but just looking at a 156 one has to ask if that's big> enough.>

All of the above is a roundabout way of asking if the 1.6 is underpowered.> I've trawled the groups and am I right in thinking that if you didn't know> you were in a 1.6 or 1.8 you'd be hard pushed to tell the difference?>

Your thoughts>

Cheers>

Alan>

Cambelts and thrice cambelts. Either evidence that they've been changed> (with tensioners) or get it thrown into the deal.>

Saving the tough ones til last, huh? ;)>

Creaky suspension - get it out over some speed bumps at low speed.> Water ingress in footwells - check under any mats for dampness.> Make sure that the heater control selects all positions. (up, down, > screen..etc)>

I wouldn't have a 1.6. For the engine size they have a fair bit of power> (120bhp-ish, ISTR), but it's a heavy car for that engine.>

I think you'll find the 2.0 is no thirstier than the 1.6 in real world> driving.>

A 1.8 would be a compromise, but why do that when buying an Alfa?>

That does seem a reasonable price for a car with 3 year warranty,> though.

fwiw - I'd prefer a bit more poke rather than my 1.8 Veloce - and check > the> boot for a huge puddle of water in the spare type well .>

I'm going to take a look at a 1.6 2001 (Y) with 56Kon the clock, full > leather, metallic black tomorrow, dealer is asking Ј5,500 with 36 month > warranty. Seems a reasonable dealer price especially with a warranty of > that length, although I will pick over what that includes>

Interior was very good, everything worked apart from the ashtray which> wouldn't close but that was about it. Exterior was a bit of a problem, both> spots broken, crack in the front bumper, bit of a dink on the bonnet and a> bit of imperfection in the paintwork on the rear near-side quarter, other> than that pretty good.

Oil was low which was worrying.

Drove nice, sounded nice, but I do have to say I think the 1.6 ain't big> enough.

However, it had done just over 60K, was flat black rather than metallic and> cambelt had not been changed. Warranty was not dependent on them doing the> servicing, just had to be done by a garage that was VAT registered, didn't> really go into any depth as to what it covered as we sort of grew apart over> price. Said I wouldn't go any higher than ВЈ5K in the condition it was it,> there then came the usual 'need to make a phone call if I'd commit to it> today', blah, blah.blah.>

So we shook hands, thanked them for their time and walked. It is after all> the first one I've looked at and it wasn't really what I wanted.>

Have to say though the interior was sumptious and it felt great on the test> drive. Will definitely keep looking for one.

Surprising. There is of course the maintenance costs, a local

1.8/1.6>

Alan

Believe me, there will be no significant difference in fuel consumption>between­ the 1.6 & 2.0 cause they're pushing the same kerb weight>around. If you do spend lots of time idling in traffic, then there>will be a difference but it'll be well worth the extra refinement.>Bear in mind the 2.0 has balancer belts (that make it smoother) and>much better low end torque (useful if you're not into caning the>engine).

And yes, stay away from the selespeed to keep your maintenance costs>down.

With a budget of up to Ј6,000UKP what would the group consider my best > buy?>

I'm leaning towards a 2000-2001 Velococe and I'd like a 1.8 but I'm not > seeing many available, unless I want to travel a bloody long way.>

All of the above is a roundabout way of asking if the 1.6 is underpowered. > I've trawled the groups and am I right in thinking that if you didn't know > you were in a 1.6 or 1.8 you'd be hard pushed to tell the difference?>

Your thoughts

I'm staying well clear of Selespeeds, and a 2.0 is not really an option as > they're a bit thirsty for me. But I could do with some advice regarding > the 1.6 and their performance, I'm well into my 40s now so I've no desire > to tear up the road, but just looking at a 156 one has to ask if that's > big enough.>

All of the above is a roundabout way of asking if the 1.6 is underpowered. > I've trawled the groups and am I right in thinking that if you didn't know > you were in a 1.6 or 1.8 you'd be hard pushed to tell the difference?>

Your thoughts

Every fibre of me is telling me to buy something else, but there's just >something about Alfas.

Never owned one before btw.

Channel hopping yesterday I came across an episode of Top Gear from a couple >of years ago where they did a piece of the 147 GTA. They put it up against >the Focus RS and Golf GTI, in every way ( apart from straight line speed ) >the GTA came third[1], but when Clarkson and Hammond did their summing up >both said that, despite their better judgement, if it were their money >they'd buy the GTA.

However, all this pales into insignificance when judged against all the > positive points. I still think it's a stunning looking car, and the > handling is sublime regardless of the engine size. My only regret is that > when my four-year lease runs out next month I won't be replacing it with > another, as Alfa appear to be taking forever to bring out the 157/159 (or > whatever it's being called today).>

I'll miss it when it goes. ­>

<snip>>>The high spoiler is hilarious! Only the GTA would be able to use such>> a device and Alfa upset a few folks by not fitting it for aesthetic>> reasons, seemingly.> <snip>>

Oh cheers ! Have a go at the bloke with the big spoiler.> Which for reference was less than half the price of any of the other> spoilers & is factory fitted so matches perfectly.>

With this kind of abuse I'll be getting a Vauxhall when the 156's lease is> up ;o)

Well I *like* the big spoilers> -- > Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3> Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)> Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 155 TS> Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits> www.cuore-sportivo.­co.uk

"Catman" <catman@rustcuore-s­portivo.co.uk> wrote in message>news:425377­9d$0$94528$ed2619ec@­ptn-nntp-reader01.pl­us.net...>> o wrote:>>

Size IS important :o)

On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 07:47:23 GMT, "o" <nospam@formehere.c­om> wrote:>

Huh? Are you guys just closet 'Chavs'??!! ­>

You seen my Burberry paint job? ;)> -- > Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3> Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)> Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 155 TS> Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits> www.cuore-sportivo.­co.uk

"Catman" <catman@rustcuore-s­portivo.co.uk> wrote in message> news:425415c3$0$422­86$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp­-reader02.plus.net..­.>> Zathras wrote:>>

Weh-HEY !!! - oops sorry, you said "paint" ;o)

But you need to wait anyway... Get something on a short term lease and > then go the whole hog for the 3.2 AWD 159 next year... ­ But in the > meantime take a facelift 156. Infact, can't you negotiate a deal for a > 159 where they supply a similar car for now up until the one you *really* > want is available...?>

Dave

"WavyDavy" <dnk.haynes@btinter­net.com> wrote in message> news:d2pfcs$oee$1@h­ercules.btinternet.c­om...>

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