I had the old model of the Alfa Romeo 159 back in the nineties - I bought it new and I was really impressed with it. I now own the updated model and I think it's even better! In between I bought an Audi. I know that Audis are supposed to be so much better but to be honest I much prefer my Alfa Romeos!
Top of the list is the looks. My 159 is certainly dressed to impressed - it looks even better than the old one with both the front and the interior having been restyled from the old model. Next good point is the engine - a great all-rounder with a really nice sporty feel and some pretty nice sporty credentials. It handles really well and it comes with the full range of stuff that you expect nowadays.
There are some less impressive aspects of the 159 - I know that my old one needed some work done to it but I haven't had any problems with this one yet (touch wood!). I also think that the running costs are a bit too high - the mpg is pretty low by today's standards. But hey, it's a great car and it makes me look good!
I keep hearing about how good-looking my Alfa Romeo 159 is but frankly I'm not sure I agree. The car's "face" is certainly unique but go off it every time I see it. Now it just seems to be scowling at me. Anyway, enough of my rambling. My Alfa159 has yet to disappoint me in any huge way but I'm starting to wonder whether it was really worth the not-insignificant sum I paid for it.
In terms of engine performance the Alfa Romeo pulls itself along very happily, albeit a bit less efficiently than most cars these days should. The handling is sturdy and confident but I can't say it's exactly a thrilling drive. And so far it's been reliable, but then it is brand new, so that is to be expected.
Overall I think I resent buying a car that looks at me in this way and so perhaps my view is a bit clouded on it. Objectively it's not a bad motor and it's well built and classy, but it's nothing special. Get one if you want, but don't expect too much.
Thing about Alfa is, once you've driven one it is difficult not to go back, even though you've been hurt before haha... ugh I dunno, the repair bills are just getting too much now. I still love my Alfa Romeo 159, but my better half has long since given up on it and just wishes I'd sell. So basically, the problems have been:
- odd looseness of the rear view mirror
- engines seem to be made of lego, it's had 2 new engines!!
- some sort of persistent rattle noise from the dashboard, which the dealer swears he can't hear
- generally flaky windscreen wipers
Also it gets through tyres like nobody's business (front ones are the worst). I got it all done on the extended warranty I got from the dealer (I know the Alfa reputation already)
Well then, those are the bad points. Apart from that (!) it's ace. The seats are comfy for a car like this, even for epic journeys. I took it back to the Italian motherland for one holiday and it was fine for that. We had our little girl in the back too and she seemed happy enough back there. Worth pointing out: I spose the back seats wouldn't actually have been much good for anyone but a child. Fine for us though. And the boot was big enough for all our gear. We were fully catered though, so only had summer clothes and stuff with us.
I admittedly don't know all that much about the Alfa Romeo 159 engines, but they sound absolutely brilliant. Ours is one of the smaller ones cos I knew it would be thirsty, but it still gives a nice return when you floor it. It's not that thirsty I suppose, but I was a bit gutted when they released an 'eco' version the year after we got ours, which apparently gives much better mpg. Still ours isn't bad on that score.
When the Alfa 159 is not in the garage being fixed it's a dream to drive, especially on big open roads in the sun. It clings to the road really well, and the roar and power from the engine are crazy, I swear nobody else can make a diesel produce that sort of noise.
But yeah, just annoying that it's got so many things going wrong all the time. The extended warranty is gone now so I might have to rethink if the bills start mounting.
The Alfa 159 JTDM is a great car to look at, own and drive, always attracts attention of the positive kind. Would advise buying one a couple of years old to miss the depreciation. Far better value than some of it's competitors, car looks and feels solid with nice tight panel gaps and plenty of extras as standard. A real joy to drive whether you are getting a shift on or having a nice relaxed drive.
Designed by Giorgiro - Ok, so I can't spell his name, but it's still a great design. It just looks italian, from the lovely lights, to the interor that aches cool, the 159 is just a beautiful example of how good Alfa can be when it tries.
It doesn't handle as well as a BMW or Audi because it's front-wheel-drive - which means you will get understeer. But to be honest, unless you're thrasing it, you can't even tell. I've had it for 3 years now and it's yet to put a foot wrong handling wise.
I've had it into the service department twice - one for a broken clip on the exhaust and the other for a dodgy wheel. But apart from that it's been smooth sailing.
If you want a bit of Italian style, then the 159 is the business.