Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

[notsogoodman]

Hi bros n sis,

I am considering between a 2nd Hand E90 320 versus a Brand New Alfa 159 2.2 JTS. What do you guys think of getting an Italian Babe that is

1. Brand new; 1st Owner
2. Hot looking (both in and out), but perhaps lack the resale value of a Bimmer
3. Good handling, but lacks the balance of a 320
4. Punchier engine than 320, but the Selespeed trans not as smooth as the ZF 6-speeder
5. Rarer on the look (but could also means getting killed in resale market)
6. 5 Years 100,000KM Warranty versus whatever is left of a 2nd hand 320's warranty
7. Much Lower OMV for current batch of 159 (at about $27K only)
8. The 2.2 Engine will be phased out but current production is through (replacement is Alfa's own 1.75 Turbo yielding better performance and efficiency)

Care to share your views guys? Would you get a 2nd hand E90 320 or a brand new Alfa 159 2.2 JTS?

 

[eric3417]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

Hi,

Juz add a little comment. My colleague got a 159 in 07 and in less than 18mths the selespeed failed 2x. Tink he mention stuck in low gear can't shift up or something. Then got 1x electrical failure. Didn't find out from him which area.

The he wanted to sell and nearly choke on the resale value. He bought $110+ and mkt oni offer him at abt $70k. And tat was quite some time back.

But have to admit it's a nice car & the exhaust/engine sounds great!
But i dun like the cramp rear and weak Air-Con...

:ehhh:

 

[JLMC]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

IMO,
a) 1st look is important for 20 something youngsters..
b) power is good for 30s..
c) cost effectiveness (depre value) is key factor for 40s man..
d) and finally "can pay or not?" kiasee-ism is main concern for over 50s..

so you belong to which Cat? I belong to open Cat..:woottt:

I would love to have an Italian "wife" some day...after the Germans bored me down..

 

[notsogoodman]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

IMO,
a) 1st look is important for 20 something youngsters..
b) power is good for 30s..
c) cost effectiveness (depre value) is key factor for 40s man..
d) and finally "can pay or not?" kiasee-ism is main concern for over 50s..

so you belong to which Cat? I belong to open Cat..:woottt:

I would love to have an Italian "wife" some day...after the Germans bored me down..

According to your theory, my mind reflects that of a 40s-50s man!!! Premature Ageing!!! OMG

 

[chicane]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

Hi bros n sis,

I am considering between a 2nd Hand E90 320 versus a Brand New Alfa 159 2.2 JTS. What do you guys think of getting an Italian Babe that is

1. Brand new; 1st Owner
2. Hot looking (both in and out), but perhaps lack the resale value of a Bimmer
3. Good handling, but lacks the balance of a 320
4. Punchier engine than 320, but the Selespeed trans not as smooth as the ZF 6-speeder
5. Rarer on the look (but could also means getting killed in resale market)
6. 5 Years 100,000KM Warranty versus whatever is left of a 2nd hand 320's warranty
7. Much Lower OMV for current batch of 159 (at about $27K only)
8. The 2.2 Engine will be phased out but current production is through (replacement is Alfa's own 1.75 Turbo yielding better performance and efficiency)

Care to share your views guys? Would you get a 2nd hand E90 320 or a brand new Alfa 159 2.2 JTS?

I'll wait for the TBi to see how the pricing is like. 200bhp, 320nm of torque and they will be doing away with silly speed and replacing it with a conventional 6 speed auto.

I was told by the SE that for the first batch (likely late this year ot early next year), EA will be bringing in the manuals first. Just like what they did when the new 159 2.2 was launched.

 

[ac323]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

Hi notsogoodman,

BMW any time.........

Cheers

 

[leebmer]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

alfa seems to be known for faulty transmission..also re-selling it might be hard..

at the end of the day, go with what your heart tells u..becoz u are the one going to drive the car..nearly everyday..rite?

 

[longhorn]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

here is my two cents. Both choices are good so u can't go wrong. Top things I would consider:
1. Looks. The 159 IMHO is e best looking car in its class. Was following one on AYE other day and can't stop staring at it. The e90 is really common now.
2. How long u intend to keep e car. If 2-3 years be prepared for big depreciation on the alfa.
3. Can you really really live with the selesspeed? Do u need conventional auto? I do cos of the wife.
4. Waiting for the Tbi is tempting but do u really want to own the first batch before kinks r ironed out?
5. Reliability. My 3+ year e90 no problems. Many ppl say this and that abt alfa. I have no experience so no comment.

And now back to your question. I would choose the 159 now. Good luck!

 

[makimaki]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

Hi bros n sis,

I am considering between a 2nd Hand E90 320 versus a Brand New Alfa 159 2.2 JTS. What do you guys think of getting an Italian Babe that is

1. Brand new; 1st Owner
2. Hot looking (both in and out), but perhaps lack the resale value of a Bimmer
3. Good handling, but lacks the balance of a 320
4. Punchier engine than 320, but the Selespeed trans not as smooth as the ZF 6-speeder
5. Rarer on the look (but could also means getting killed in resale market)
6. 5 Years 100,000KM Warranty versus whatever is left of a 2nd hand 320's warranty
7. Much Lower OMV for current batch of 159 (at about $27K only)
8. The 2.2 Engine will be phased out but current production is through (replacement is Alfa's own 1.75 Turbo yielding better performance and efficiency)

Care to share your views guys? Would you get a 2nd hand E90 320 or a brand new Alfa 159 2.2 JTS?[/QUOTE

Without Prejudice

Mate,

i was most impressed by e look n contour of an alfa.....hence, bought a GT few yrs back......

if tis is wat u do not mind going thru.....by all means an Alfa....

True personal experiences! tis was wat happen to my "Italian beauty"...

postives!

1. Everyone starts asking me abt e GT
2. Everyone stares hard on it
3. gals r so impressed by it...........
maximum attention!!!!!

negatives!

1. 3rd day...realised tat e tires were nt fitted on e right rotation ..hence, e ride was like a floating effect
2. within 1st mth, clutch pedal fell off while drive n almost bang right into a taxi queue
3. within 1st mth, car was surging forward when down shift...hence almost went into "longkang" while negotiating a bend
4. frm day 1, rattling noise frm almost everywhere within e "Italian Beauty"
5. ABS seems to activate 2 seconds later

while all tis happen, tis is wat i got frm e team.....

1. they told me tat e italian is so careless to nt even realised tat e tires r nt fitted properly as they r more concerned abt e engine nowadays
2. when called up e emergency hotline, was told to try to see if i can fix it myself as they might nt be able to attend to me on time (I was bloody causing a huge Jam at PS wif a Freaking heavy down pour n security guards were F@#*ing me up)
3. took them almost 1mth to try figure out wats wrong n e chief mechanic told me he is nt even sure wats e problem. at e end, i have to convince them it could have been e clutch n bingo
4. think e noises still there!!!
5. smashed into a truck n within 2 seconds, i can hear e ABS pumping......

Note: Tis is my personal experience n shud nt affect ur desicion for purchasing an Alfa. it is solely for sharing purposes.

 

[jonleeck]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

IMO,
a) 1st look is important for 20 something youngsters..
b) power is good for 30s..
c) cost effectiveness (depre value) is key factor for 40s man..
d) and finally "can pay or not?" kiasee-ism is main concern for over 50s..

so you belong to which Cat? I belong to open Cat..:woottt:

I would love to have an Italian "wife" some day...after the Germans bored me down..

i totally agreed!!!lol
when you are 20+ u like and dun mind colours like red or stickers all over!!
30+ u like white or black to reflect the power in yr car
40+ beige or gold...no need to wash mah..cut down cost on car washes

 

[ac323]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

Lol.............

cheers........

BMW = Sheer Driving Pleasure.......

 

[ClemZ]

Re: Alfa 159 - Worthwhile Buy at $99K?

haha this is a bimmer forum so majority would go for bimmer...try posting in the AROC forum...huge friendly bunch of alfa enthusiasts