Alfa 159 - seeking those with knowledge

MAF260

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7,662
I'm looking for a sensible-ish car for everyday duties. I don't want a bland euro box so have been eyeing up the 159 Ti as a possible contender. I'm looking at the 1.9 or later 2.0 diesel which seems to have a decent balance of low running costs and reasonable oomph. The TI spec seems to be the best of the bunch.
So, who has any practical experience of these cars? What should I be looking out for? Should I even be looking at one of these? All advice accepted and appreciated.
 

Trev Latter

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I've had a 159 1.9 JTDM Lusso for almost 8 years from new. It started off as a 150bhp, but has been chipped to a whisker under 200 and has now clocked up 120k miles. Oomph wise, it's fine for everyday use and has been almost fault free for all of those miles. I had a few initial teething troubles when it was new with some electrical gremlins in the central locking and mirrors. Long story, but it took about three months to sort, largely due to being an intermittent fault. Other than that, Boost pressure sensor failed at just over 110k (common fault, so maybe I was lucky) and it had a set of injectors just after. The usual EGR valve issues at about 80k. The other issue that probably won't apply if you're looking at a TI is the swirl valves. The early (alloy) manifolds were prone to swirl valve and linkage failure. The later plastic manifolds have a different design and don't seem to cause issues. I've not had any issues with mine (plastic manifold), but it was badly coked up prior to being removed and cleaned out at 100k ish miles.

They do have a bit of an appetite for front tyres. I usually get about 18-20 out of Conti sport 3s with a mix of normal and spirited driving. They are quite sensitive to geometry and it's well reported that thyres scrub quickly as bushes get worn. Economy wise, expect about 40mpg in normal use (I can get mine into single figures if trying very hard). From what I've read on the Alfa forums, the gearbox on the 1.9s is made of cheese and is a weak point, plus the diesels have a dual mass flywheel which can be prone to failure. Mine's still on the original despite mileage.

I would be looking at a 2.0 rather than 1.9 as like most cars, are better sorted than the earlier ones. The TI is a nice spec (sadly not available when I bought mine). I'm just waiting for the replacement to eventually be available from Alfa. I love mine and it will be missed when sold.

Hope this helps.
 

highlander

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5,214
I use an alfa GT on 05 plate daily which is basically the same beast with 2 doors. I've found it very reliable overall over the past 4 years with no major bills other than usual service and wear and tear. good cars imo.
usual things to look out for with alfas - shuddering wipers, check all electrics work, cruise control working and body work (especially around the nose and wheel arches).......oh and as masers, they are prone to battery drain so leaving a week or two and the battery will soon be flat:battered:
 

zagatoes30

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20,759
My Alfa specialist hates all 159s, he thinks they are GM toilets - quality is all cost related i.e. accounts want it cheap so quality is poor. They are closer to a Vectra than anything from Italy but they are pretty especially in Ti spec
 

CatmanV2

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48,547
I had a GT. Was always under the impression it was 156 derived, and the 159 was something else.

All my Alfa specialists also advised me against a 159. Simply that I wouldn't enjoy it for the GM ness as well. Sadly, not much option now :(

C
 

highlander

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5,214
I had a GT. Was always under the impression it was 156 derived, and the 159 was something else.

All my Alfa specialists also advised me against a 159. Simply that I wouldn't enjoy it for the GM ness as well. Sadly, not much option now :(

C
156/159..........maybe my number dyslexia is showing again. lol
 

Andyk

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61,039
Ti is the one to go for Mark without a doubt......Not driven one but y neighbour had one as always wanted an Alfa...He loved the way if drove and looked but sold after 6 months due to too many visit to the dealer to put things right...Nothing major just silly little things to be honest. i drove a 3.2 Brera at Llandow on Friday and really liked it as an everyday car...Not that fast but was better than I thought it would be.....It was quick rather than fast but comfy, great to look at and great to be in......Seemed pretty well put together and I would be tempted as an everyday car especially now you can pick a good one up with under 50k on the clock for around 7k.
 

conaero

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34,593
Got a GT JTD as my daily driver. Its magnificent but you know that as you had one.

I too agree that the 159 is not much kop. If I had to go for one it would be a Ti spec sportwagon with the 2.4JTD.

I have heard steering rack, front brake corrosion issues and paint that falls off. Couple that with the fact you don't get a true Alfa drive I would pass and stick with the GT personally and save myself £5k plus in the process.

I have to concede they are pretty though.

Brother has a 2.2 Brera S (Prodrive) which is a 159 underneath, again looks pretty but is cr@p to drive and the niggles are already present. Dies when pulling away, engine lights and a dual mass flywheel that is playing up at 16k miles.
 

CatmanV2

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48,547
I'd have another GT like a shot, but it's the only recent Alfa I'd have :( I was seriously warned off the Brera, even the Prodive. Apparently that new V6 really isn't much cop, but I've never had one.

C
 

conaero

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34,593
There was a guy at Llandow who had a 3.2V6 Brera and recon'd it was quicker than a 3.2 GTA/GTV point to point which I am sorry, I just don't believe.

GTV, 1360kg with 250bhp 0-60 6.1
Brera, 1778kg with 260bhp 0-60 6.5
 

nfm

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856
Have a 1.9 JTDM sportswagon. As a daily hack it is fine but engine nothing to get excited about. In 10 months of ownership only issue was a broken coil, which pretty much all cars seem to suffer these days. Emerging possible issue of front and rear crossmember rust so had mine waxoyled. I do miss the 156 V6 but I commute 40 miles a day so had to chose something (relatively) economical.

My 2007 with 27k and one lady owner was only £7.5k last Summer so a lot of car for the money in my view.

In a nutshell, it isn't a bad car and even with a diesel you still get someone ownership buzz and it is a nice looking thing and stands out from the boring eurobrands.
 

Needamaser

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1,491
Just sold a Giulietta QV to make way for the Maser.
Drove the diesel versions before I bought but they were too "sensible" for what I wanted but I would have been tempted with bigger engine one if needs were different.
Build quality is still patchy on them. Gear knob fell apart in my hand, lacquer lifted off the wheels and twice replaced under warranty, aerial base affected by water and lost half of the stations. Not much fun in the Highlands where reception is patchy at the best of time.
No major mechanical issues and I would have another which hopefully had all the niggles addressed.
Facelift version due soon so "old" model prices dropping. Might be worth a look?
 

Andyk

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61,039
There was a guy at Llandow who had a 3.2V6 Brera and recon'd it was quicker than a 3.2 GTA/GTV point to point which I am sorry, I just don't believe.

GTV, 1360kg with 250bhp 0-60 6.1
Brera, 1778kg with 260bhp 0-60 6.5

Agree Matt.....I drove it actually really enjoyed being in it but my 3l GTV felt quicker.....The only way it may be quicker is on a twisty road on the wet...That 4 wheel drive would help with that..
 

dunnah01

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648
I've been seriously looking for 2.4 JTDM Ti Sportwagon for a month or so to have as the daily hack - I'm not bothered by any niggles and just like the way it looks
 

MAF260

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7,662
Thanks for the responses, a very mixed bag. I'm going to do a bit more research and speak to a couple of specialists. I'm not after an amazingly dynamic drive, just a workhorse to munch some miles and cover everyday duties. It's a pretty car in Ti flavour and well specced. I don't want a boring BMW/Audi/Merc etc. equivalent. I loved my GT Blackline but don't want another as it no longer fits my needs and had plenty of 'character' (faults) of its own. They're also too old now, I think the newest is 2009 build.
 

Maser Sod

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1,962
Thanks for the responses, a very mixed bag. I'm going to do a bit more research and speak to a couple of specialists. I'm not after an amazingly dynamic drive, just a workhorse to munch some miles and cover everyday duties. It's a pretty car in Ti flavour and well specced. I don't want a boring BMW/Audi/Merc etc. equivalent. I loved my GT Blackline but don't want another as it no longer fits my needs and had plenty of 'character' (faults) of its own. They're also too old now, I think the newest is 2009 build.

I'd take a 159. Most daily drivers these days are boring euroboxes, and most motorways are generally built in straight lines, so I'd choose the good looking car every time. But that's just me.
 

dunnah01

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648
Just bought a 159 Q4 3.2 JTS Sportswagon - I couldn't bring myself to buy a diesel despite what the head was telling me- I'll let you know when bits start to fall off..