Buying a used Alfa Romeo 159 (2006-2011)

Six years absence from the Australian market no doubt heightened desire among the Alfa-Romeo faithful to own another one. Yet despite new designs and classy new shapes the brand never truly escaped its burden of perceived unreliability.

If during the early 21st Century you wanted a quirky, compact sedan that wouldn't be mistaken for anything else in the airport carpark, Alfa's succession of 147 and 156 Series cars stood ready to serve. However it would take until 2006 and the arrival of its 159 models before Alfa could seriously threaten sales of Saabs and BMWs.

Heading the 159 pack in terms of price was the 2.2-litre JTS sedan. With six-speed manual the only transmission – a new six-speed automatic was still a year away – it snuck just under the $50,000 price barrier. Even at that level, the classy-looking 159 packed the place full of goodies like leather trim, climate-control air-con, 17-inch alloys, a dash screen display and six-stack CD player.

Those who needed to cart equipment for work or the family could spend just $3000 extra to slot themselves into a 2.2-itre JTS Sportwagon.

Air-bags bristled from every surface and ABS brakes (naturally) were standard. Helping keep things from becoming too unruly while still permitting the driver a degree of fun were selectable traction control and vehicle stability control.

To find the other petrol-powered model in Alfa's 159 range, buyers needed to jump a massive $25,000 up price list and choose the 3.2-litre, V6 sedan. With 191kW against the 2.2-litre cars' 136kW it was certainly a brutal performer but the price ensured few were sold and they are scarce in the used market.

Buyers seeking serious grunt plus economy and mechanical practicality were prepared to discard tradition and buy their first-ever diesel Alfa. Known as the JTD and later JTD Ti they came initially as a $56,000 sedan and $59,000 Sportwagon and again only as a manual. The 2.4-litre engine punched out 147kW plus a massive 400Nm of torque. The new full-auto transmission was supplied to Alfa by Aisin and shared with many other brands including Ford, BMW and Volvo and Mazda.

During the next few years, petrol engines would progressively disappear from the 159 range until by 2011 only the diesels remained.

Despite being bigger, more advanced and powerful than the 156 series it replaced, the 159 was generally less expensive. It also did a little better at maintaining value than did previous Alfa models.

Crowded roads in locales most usually populated by car-yards, or even the suburban streets where you may need to test a private-sale car, are not places where Alfa Romeos can most effectively demonstrate their attributes.

If you can find a road that combines a sequence of bends and undulations where the manual or automatic transmissions can be worked as their designers intended, you will discover a car that is endearing and surprisingly competent.

Those looking for a combination of performance, durability and economy could not go past a late-series JTD 2.4 in Ti spec with lowered suspension and 19-inch wheels wearing 40-profile rubber. For everyday use, the six-speed automatic is likely the way to go, however owners with a manual who don't need to slog through traffic every day rate them highly.

Power from the diesel with its common-rail fuel delivery system improved in 2009 from 147kW to 154kW and maximum torque was available from a quite ridiculous 2000rpm. Sorry, Alfa owners, there’s absolutely no need to rev the ring out of this one.

We didn't get an opportunity to do any serious open road motoring, however owners praise the Alfa's precise steering, the torque of the diesel engines and great brakes. Low-profile tyres and tightly-wound springs don't like big bumps or corrugations but anyone who drives a 159 with respect for its intended purpose shouldn't suffer any bottoming or bent wheels.

Inside, cabin space is good and tall drivers probably won't be as cramped as they once were behind an Alfa Romeo wheel. The seats are perhaps a little narrow to be classed as 'comfortable' by bulky occupants but they’re fine if you're slim and not especially tall.

Consider the wagon as just a sedan with a much bigger boot and you won't be disappointed. However in absolute terms there really isn't a lot of space and the oddly-shaped hatch is a hindrance to easy loading.

One complaint made by many 159 owners is about engine noise from diesels and yes they can sound terrible, especially starting from cold. Good cabin insulation and a comprehensive sound system do drown the racket to a degree, however friends will think they are getting a parcel delivery from some bloke in a four-tonne Hino every time you pay a visit.

The benefit of all that clattering was a massive 1100km potential range between fills, with highway cycle consumption of 5.9L/100km and road tests returning real-world averages in the 7.5-8.2L/100km range.

Professional inspection is vital before committing to buying an Alfa. So too is careful examination of the log book and any service receipts that come with the car as they give an indication of how well it has been maintained and the degree of abuse it might have suffered.

Resale – or the lack of it – is a double-edged sword for those considering one of these Italian charmers. Values during the decades since these cars arrived have diminished spectacularly, making them now very affordable.

>> So many issues afflict Alfa's semi-automatic Selespeed transmission that listing them would be an onerous task. Given that relatively few 159s were sold before the Selespeed was replaced, the best advice is to avoid these cars totally and go for a manual or the later sequential six-speed.

>> Engine oil leaks can occur even in quite recent models and are costly to eradicate due to the amount of dismantling involved. Look at timing covers, the sump and power steering pump and connections.

>> Despite the very best efforts of Alfa Romeo, parent company Fiat and its various suppliers, electrical issues still crop up. In Australia the most serious is air-conditioner failure which can cost big money to rectify. Even if buying in winter, find a copy of the 159 hand-book (perhaps on the internet before test-driving) and give the a/c system a complete workout.

>> Some owners report endemic paint chipping on the lower panels, even when mudflaps have been fitted. Look also for fading and clear-coat deterioration on horizontal panels. Cars with these problems may have spent a lot of time outside and be suffering dash warping or other damage to the interior.

>> Hard driving combined with suspect component quality sees front-end consumables not reaching 100,000 kilometres. If the steering pulls to one side when driving in a straight line or the tyres are edge-worn, get a professional inspection before committing to buy. Check with an Alfa specialist for aftermarket parts that will have greater longevity.

USED VEHICLE GRADING
Design & Function: 12/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 12/20
Value for Money: 12/20
Wow Factor: 15/20
SCORE: 66/100

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