G'day All

[Bell]

Thought I would post here and officially introduce myself, even if some have already warmly welcomed me to this forum. Positive first impression!

About me, have owned a few nice Alfa Romeos and am now in a new Audi (I know, please, don't hold it against me ..lol)

Great car but being Germanic, sometimes the cliches do hold true - it is a bit soulless, even if wonderfully reliable and screwed together.

To be honest, miss hearing a wonderfully raspy engine note and the gorgeous sheet metal the Italians have a talent for.

Whilst I don't think I'll ever go back to an Alfa given what they've gradually become these days, have always wanted to own a Maserati - Granturismo or Quattroporte.

Look forward to contributing to the forum!

 

[lozcb]

Its inbred Bell , that can only be a good thing , Flair and Kudos its what the Italians do so well , we await in anticipation for that forthcoming purchase and biting of the bullet , i also keep a couple of germans for reliability , but to be blatantly honest both my Massers have been just as reliable as either of my germans and give so much more on the smilometer


regards loz

 

[Bell]

I guess I got stung a bit with some of my Alfas on the reliability front. Part of the reason for the eventual move into something more solid.

Great to hear your experiences with Masers have been positive ones.

Guess that's part of why I'm here. To educate myself with the best form of knowledge IMO, that of the respective owners.

 

[Andyk]

Welcome Bell, hope you enjoy your stay here.......

 

[Parisien]

Welcome to our forum, enjoy and posts lots about what ever you want!


P

 

[stradaman]

Before you own a Maserati, or before the driving days are over, every petrol head, should own at least one Alfa. Alfas are fab raspy cars, but yes, reliability is sometimes awful. Mostly, its niggly things. Sometimes major issues!
But, the italian car virus, gets into your blood, and yes, we all sway away, to German, and other nice cars, but we all return at some point, to Italian car ownership. Its impossible, not too!
Anyway, welcome to the forum Bell.

Andy.

 

[BennyD]

I have never owned an Alfa and don't really plan to. TBH, I think owning a Maserati gives you the same fizz, for five times the cost!

 

[Andyk]

Before you own a Maserati, or before the driving days are over, every petrol head, should own at least one Alfa. Alfas are fab raspy cars, but yes, reliability is sometimes awful. Mostly, its niggly things. Sometimes major issues!
But, the italian car virus, gets into your blood, and yes, we all sway away, to German, and other nice cars, but we all return at some point, to Italian car ownership. Its impossible, not too!
Anyway, welcome to the forum Bell.

Andy.

It has been said you are not a real petrol head until you have owned an Alfa........apparently.......I've had 6 of the things in my time.

 

[stradaman]

I have never owned an Alfa and don't really plan to. TBH, I think owning a Maserati gives you the same fizz, for five times the cost!

Tell that to my mate, who had an Alfa 147 JTS. 3 new engines, 4 gearboxes, yes 4!, 2 ECU's, Front shocks and springs, 2 window motors, and umpteen niggly things.
He bought it new, and somehow, covered 23,000 miles in 3 years! Thank god, he had an extended warranty! And he still loves Alfa's!
1st engine, the crank went, 2nd, crank had too much float. 3rd, fine for a year, then water pump impeller went. 4th, fine with 10,000 on it. Gearbox problem, not unheard of.
Wife, made him buy a Focus, because she liked the colour!! But he has now seen an Alfa 159, for sale, in a similar colour to the Focus, so could be back to an Alfa!

Andy

 

[Parisien]

Thats horrific....no wonder people shy away from them...............really not good enough in the 2000s!

P

 

[Andyk]

Friend had a 159 company car...Kept it 6 months and gave it back....So much went wrong with it he gave up..Wasn't big things just loads of little things.....

 

[richard_masa_4200]

Welcome to the forum. Where are you from?

 

[Emtee]

Welcome to the forum Bell. Hope you manage to make it to Maserati ownership. You won't be disappointed if you do.

 

[toomanyhorses]

Welcome Bell!

I too am an Alfa man in that I've owned 4 of them over the last few years. 3 have been performance ones, and used that way, NO troubles at all! The current one, bought as an economical run around, quite a different story. Has really let me down. All's not lost though.............. hit a deer REALLY hard the other day, so with any luck it's a right off



ps: No, can't forgive you for having a new Audi ;-D

 

[Brendan]

Welcome there. I dont have any car at the moment but I am working on it.

 

[Bell]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

From Perth Richard Masa.

First-hand experience here as well in regards to Alfa niggles. One of them (my last one) had so many problems, I was on a first name basis with the dealer's service centre staff.

Maybe it was the Friday Afternoon Lemon model. Who knows....

Bought from new, ran into the following:

* Faulty fuel tank as the original tank would fill only half-way. Never to full.Replaced under warranty.
* Groaning power-steering when turning. Faulty pump. Replaced under warranty.
* Faulty brakes. Would jam under hard braking. Replaced under warranty.
* Blown Cigarette lighter fuse.
* Failed drive shaft. Out of warranty. Had to wear the cost
* Brake warning light constantly on. Never resolved. Despite countless visits to dealer.

Needless to say, it was the Alfa that drove me away. But you know what? Still miss it as when everything was working, was such a great car to drive.

Masochist much? Yes Sir! lol

Whilst some of the Alfa engine notes are nice, the Maserati's I've heard are just insane. A distant crack of Rolling Thunder.

Superb.

 

[conaero]

I have had 4 and apart from one cambelt going ping, requiring a head refurb (£500) it's been all good. Ok a few nigles but I like to tinker.

The best of the bunch was my beloved 3.2 GTV which I bought new for £25k and was worth £12k 2 years and 24k miles later...horrific!

 

[dem maser]

Ive had 2 alfas and both were reliable.....no probs....

 

[Andyk]

My 155's and GTV's have been reliable the...The 156 was a nightmare.......Put me off 156's for life...

 

[mjheathcote]

My last Alfa, a 146Ti was great, infact most reliable car on the company fleet with Mercs etc.
Infact never had any real problems with any of my past Alfa's, Fiats's or Lancia's.