Loads of cars share the same floorpan, not just Fiat or VAG, but some executive stuff as well. My car shares it's floorpan with Porsche and Audi models! It's the rest that matters, my wife's Mito is a much nicer place to sit than any Fiat! As Top Gear said, every petrol head has to own an Alfa at some point
The difference is that VAG platform has better dynamics and is much better developed, I'm a petrol head and have had the misfortune to own both a Lancia Delta and an Alfa 33 in the 1980's both were terrible cars. I soon went back to the holy grail, a Mk2 Golf GTi 16V and have driven VW's, Audi's and BMW's ever since.
Thats exactly what I had, the Lancia had no brakes and the Alfa had the worst offset driving position I have ever experienced and spent more time in the dealer than it did on the road, both looked cool, (especially my 33 sportwagon) but were shockingly bad cars.
You just got a naff one. My 33 SW was ace, and the fact you could stick it in 4x4 mode on snow or heavy rain was just genius.
I think we'll accept that. I'd just ask, that if they are so good, how come you've needed 16 of them? I've only owned 5 cars in 30 years.
because we had a long period where my wife and I both ran them and changed them regularly, usually GTi's or VR6's. Not quite so obsessed these days, our current BMW I've owned for 7 years, however I still managed to buy a new A3 sportback year before last.
But Golf interiors... they're so... unexciting. And Golf exteriors... they're so... everyday. I know they work, but that's not really the point, is it? Is it?
I agree, I think they have lost the magic of the old Mk1 and Mk2, the last GTi I bought was a mkV back in 2005, great car but very bland inside and out, that's why this time I bought a black edition A3, it just feels a bit more special than the Mk VI Golf.
I've owned two Alfas in my time, a 156 and a GTV both the 3.0 litre 6 speed manual models. I loved them. I've owned and driven more powerful cars but there's something about an Alfa that gets under your skin. It's hard to explain but if you buy one you'll know what I mean. At the time many of my friends couldn't decide whether I was brave or just insane for owning an Alfa and a Ducati!. Don't be put off by scare stories, there usually over exaggerated by people who've never owned one. I never had any trouble with mine and the build quality and reliability of them now a days is equal to that of a VW.
I cant comment personally on Alpha's but, my mate worked as a salesman for Alpha. He said that when even they sold a car in the agreement the buyer had to make sure that the oil was topped up for a certain amount of miles while being run in. He said that while he was there he saw quite a few times car's turning up on transporters with seized engines where buyers had not taken any notice of the oil thing....oh - he said spares were a nightmare to get. But youd expect that as its Italian.
I'm in the same position, new car time. Thing is once you take out VAG, BMW and Mercedes what's left ? I'd love to break away from the Germans but I just know if I move I'll be disappointed. Very nearly had the Alfa 156 5 years ago.....very nearly.
They're an engine/drivetrain specialist, dealing with engine, gearbox, diff rebuilds and various other engine ancillaries. Trade/fleet customers only. Discos and Navara's keep them pretty busy.
Well, weve got an old Renault Megane, 5 door, 1.5 diesel (2004) with all the extras, big wheels, comfort pack as Renault call it - proximity sensor, keyless etc etc. Its done 50k, never broken down, never fails to start in the time we've had it (from 70 miles old) its needed a handbrake, set of brake discs and the rear springs changed. Apparently the cups which the springs sit in pool water and they rust. Been abroad in it, round the county etc etc. Wife uses it for work, general stuff. We've got young kids so they unknowingly destroy the interior but looking at the life its had (a hard one) its weathered very well considering it been thrown up in, had food chucked around it, drinks spilled in it. I was sitting in the front passenger seat one day while we were on the motorway. Little one said "i don't want this yoghurt anymore" to which my wife said "well, throw it away then" so he did, at her. The first impact was the side of her head and the rest detonated all over the dash - I did think at the time "well, you asked for it". Yup, its been a good car. My mate has the top end performance version, he's had no problems with his either (2007). Years ago we had this, before kids etc etc.... Renault 5 owners club guy said change the oil and the coolant regularly and youll never have a problem, which we didn't - it ran for 3 years (while we had it) with no issues. Kinda stuck with Renaults ever since...
