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4 to 5k to spend on an estate car?

As for that example, Spy is right. No inherent reliability concerns, as much as we might like trotting out old tropes, but that car has not been well looked after and much nicer examples are available. However, as per an older post on the thread, 159s are decent cars but mostly bad Alfas.
 
No inherent reliability concerns, as much as we might like trotting out old tropes, but that car has not been well looked after and much nicer examples are available.
The seller's in limbo with it. £1500 would buy a much nicer 1.9 and any Alfa enthusiast will want a 2.4, leather, and better nick. If he dropped it to £995 it would go in a day to someone who just wants a cheap 'n cheerful runabout and will take a punt on it for a grand.
 
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Ive got a 159 JTS. Just had to get heater fixed but been fairly reliable other than that. Obviously one of the rear windows doesn't work. Getting on a bit but a great motor.
 
Are Alphas that cheap normally then? You'd struggle to find a diesel Mondeo with that milage for a grand?
Alfa not Alpha :p

The right 159 (specialist seller, high spec, 1.8 TBi engine) is still expensive, listed for up to £10k, although will probably go for much less. But high mileage, low spec, neglected private seller cars aren't worth much.
 
Oh FFS. Driving over to Wales this morning. Juddering I thought I was wheel balance as was happening between 40 to 50mph, but got worse. Pulled over at one point as when I breaked it felt like a puncture. Most annoying as I have 4 days work over here and no local mechanic Plus the dam thing was a money pit last year was hoping for a cheaper one this year.

Going forward I can't afford to replace it soon, but hoped to get a few more years out of it. It's an 2004 3 series estate. I guess driving a 14 year old car with 145k on the clock will not be without its headaches, but financially aside, I could really do with out headaches like this.

Wondering the most boring, reliable car would be going forwards. Toyata Aventis or similar?
 
Oh FFS. Driving over to Wales this morning. Juddering I thought I was wheel balance as was happening between 40 to 50mph, but got worse. Pulled over at one point as when I breaked it felt like a puncture. Most annoying as I have 4 days work over here and no local mechanic Plus the dam thing was a money pit last year was hoping for a cheaper one this year.

Going forward I can't afford to replace it soon, but hoped to get a few more years out of it. It's an 2004 3 series estate. I guess driving a 14 year old car with 145k on the clock will not be without its headaches, but financially aside, I could really do with out headaches like this.

Wondering the most boring, reliable car would be going forwards. Toyata Aventis or similar?

So what's wrong with it? Standard E46 subframe cancer? Control arm bushes? Wheel bearing?

E46s are junk IME&O. You're almost better off spending the same money on a better E36. No 1st gen. CANBUS for a start.

Just lease a new Toyota or Mazda and you'll never have to think about cars or their reliability again.
 
So what's wrong with it? Standard E46 subframe cancer? Control arm bushes? Wheel bearing?

E46s are junk IME&O. You're almost better off spending the same money on a better E36. No 1st gen. CANBUS for a start.

Just lease a new Toyota or Mazda and you'll never have to think about cars or their reliability again.

Not sure till I can get to a mechanic. Hoping for something simple like a spring and not something terminal. Not even heard that the sub frames went, but now have something else to worry about!

I wish I could afford to drive something new and just not have to think about this, but can't see that ever going to happen sadly.
 
Anything Japanese will go on forever and be as boring as hell.

I'm finding spending money and having problems when I can be doing without them rather boring.

Just looked at my online banking. Spent 1300 quid keeping it on the road last after stuff like tyres. And that's supposedly on a very good deal from the guy who does the work (I do actually trust him on this.
 
Is that just repairs or tax etc? How many miles did you do?

Potentially not too bad, depending on the above.
 
Is that just repairs or tax etc? How many miles did you do?

Potentially not too bad, depending on the above.

Just repairs, not tax, insurance, fuel etc. Basically searching for all the visits to the garage in 12 months. Had it 21 months and done 31k so fairly high mileage I guess.

My old Berlingo cost me a fraction of this, but guess that's luck of the draw!
 
Our '89 micra has cost 2 tyres, servicing and MOT's over the last few years, my Alfa also, I'm proud to say.
 
I'm just wondering what the deal is with all these different ways of buying a car on credit. I'm guessing you get lower intrest rates by financing over a straight personal loan, although seems a credit card is probably the cheapest way to do it.

Really could do without it this year though. I'm hoping Mondays bill won't be to high. Ive also got the fun job of driving a poorly car across some very beautiful, but intresting roads in what looks to be some shit weather on Sunday.
 
Just repairs, not tax, insurance, fuel etc. Basically searching for all the visits to the garage in 12 months. Had it 21 months and done 31k so fairly high mileage I guess.

My old Berlingo cost me a fraction of this, but guess that's luck of the draw!

Sorry mate - Mondeo. I've not had one cost me more than brakes and tyres till they get to 180k or so...
 
I think I'd consider £1300/yr on a ~14 year old car reasonably good going, given the mileage. Consider a nearly new car where you might only pay £300 for a service, but lose at least £1000 in depreciation.

Can't remember what I used to pay, more than that most years though.
 
Sorry mate - Mondeo. I've not had one cost me more than brakes and tyres till they get to 180k or so...

Yeah, I liked my Mondeo, although needed a new clutch in the short time I had it before the unfortunate accident involving a wall! I'd certainly consider the another.

I think I'd consider £1300/yr on a ~14 year old car reasonably good going, given the mileage. Consider a nearly new car where you might only pay £300 for a service, but lose at least £1000 in depreciation.

Can't remember what I used to pay, more than that most years though.

Yeah. Fair enough. Motoring is just expensive one way or another.
 
I'm just wondering what the deal is with all these different ways of buying a car on credit. I'm guessing you get lower intrest rates by financing over a straight personal loan, although seems a credit card is probably the cheapest way to do it..

I know there's some interest free offers about, but be very wary of the mileage limits on the various finance deals - personally I'd do either a cash loan or credit card and buy it at auction.
 
I know there's some interest free offers about, but be very wary of the mileage limits on the various finance deals - personally I'd do either a cash loan or credit card and buy it at auction.

Yeah, reading about them makes me nervous. Shuffling other forms of finance seems a better option. Although I'm still paying for assorted car purchases, the Mondeo I stacked and then making up the short fall from the insurance payout for the E46 I replaced it with.

I don't have the nerve to buy at auctions. I've a mechanic who was a friend of my Mums who does that for me. I'm sure I could get them cheaper on private sale, but he does look after me years on when the dam things break with very long labour warranties.
 
It was the break calipers seizing. Had that and the wheel balance done and am £250 lighter.

Realised that they must have been dodgy for ages and had affected the ride quality. I'd just put it down to it being an old car with lots of miles. :facepalm:
 
Sorry, I have no idea what this is. 50's, American? 4 doors as well

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