What have I done?!?!?!?!

"Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa" (bularmy)
09/12/2015 at 16:24 • Filed to: Alfa

I traded my ‘06 CLK 280(manual) for a nice profit from what I have bought it(another story for another time which will make Tavarish blush) and because I am a mad man that need a more economical car, because of a rather large commute to work, I decided to go Alfa, because you can’t be a true petrolhead, if you have not owned an Alfa - because JC.

1.9 JTD 85kW, manual, not much extras. We started right off the bat with an ABS/TC failure, but my handy electric repairman made his magic on the cheap.

For now I love it!

DISCUSSION (12)

AMC/Renauledge > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
09/12/2015 at 16:41

I would need a second car because I’d be too busy staring at this one. And fixing it.

But it’d be worth it. I can’t believe they replaced the sensual 147 with the clumsy-looking MiTo and bland Giulietta.

LongbowMkII > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
09/12/2015 at 16:44

i don’t think they were referring to diesel Alfas. how does a diesel compare to the raspy high revving idea most people have of an Alfa? still a good steer? looks good :)

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > LongbowMkII
09/12/2015 at 16:56

Well the gas ones, especially the more normal one are to much fuel consumption for what it offers, even if nice overall. Alfa’s diesels were the most sporty diesels in commercial cars, till the BMWs introduced things like the 330d E46 and E60/90 - 535d/335d.

For now it is pretty nice, it doesn’t have torque kick that will glue you to the seat, but it is nice affair. The engines are bulletproof, if you do above average maintenance, it is not a Japanese car. The 150hp version is a beast, but as I said I need a commuter car, so I opted for the less powerful engine.

Handling wise it is very nice in my view, it is no BMW, but it is much more happy car than the heavy CLK, which did corners with passionate hate. No other brand I think do corners as good in this segment, even things like the 4/5 Gold or the Seat equivalent.

Compared to the CLK it is like a poor man’s definition of luxury, but it is much more nice feeling than every other car in this class, yes even something like Audi A3/A4.

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > AMC/Renauledge
09/12/2015 at 17:02

Late 2000s, early 2010s are the dark times of Alfa. Even with the bad reputation of yore, can’t be as bad as the boring ot the MiTo and Giulietta. The 147 is really a nice car, let down by sub-par built qulity, but making it up with this so hard to define thing - character.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
09/12/2015 at 22:50

Very nice! I’ve contemplated importing one as a fun car here to Canada! :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
09/13/2015 at 17:05

Good man :) the jtds were the first of the proper meaty diesels ever. Now everyone has common rail injection.

The front of these is the same as my 156 so if there’s any work you’re doing on it givr me a should i might be able to help :)

Oh, best tip i can give: get a remap. It works absolute wonders on diesels. They rev so much more cleanly, right up to the redline (not as energetically as a petrol, but the won’t run out of puff at 3500rpm...)

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
09/14/2015 at 12:07

Well I was looking at that or a 156, but I went with this, because the other 156 were very bad.

I am thinking on a remap, because I wanted to get one with the 16v 150hp engine, but I couldn’t find a decent one in my budget.(really, really tight, beause I am starting my own business ontop of work)

The first thing I need to do is the grille and the badges, which I hope can be fixed, without dropping the bumper. The interior also need some work, especially on the armrest and sun visors, but are small things. I don’t think I will keep this for a long time, I hope in 2017 I will be able to go for a Giulia.

BTW do you still have the Niva?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
09/14/2015 at 15:33

Nice :) what’s the business you’re starting up?

Yeah the lada’s still chugging around :) always half broken, never broken down :)

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
09/15/2015 at 15:14

Mhmm, when I am ready I will talk, it is just that it is not the most user friendly business, lets word it that way, it is nothing illegal, but not the most one of the liked ones, when it comes to common people.

And that is the Lada spirit, I am kind of sad to let go of my Samara, it was my winter car(3y with no repairs, even oil) and outlasted the CLK, but the rust is getting to it and I want to drive the Alfa.

Actually I have a question, do you know if the wiring for the front fog lights(147/156) is there even without factory installed ones?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
09/24/2015 at 17:25

Alas i don’t know, both of our 156s have got fog lamps :S

How are you finding it so far?

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
09/25/2015 at 13:37

Pretty nice, but there are still things to do, like the shocks and maybe clutch very soon. I also got a tan leather interior from a junker, but as weather went to crap here and I don’t have a good place to change them, it will wait till spring. I am looking at sorting the grill and new badges.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
09/28/2015 at 04:28

Yeah they’re right at the age where scrapyard have a decent stock of them which is useful. I meant to get a full panel set for my 156 from one a few months ago but I didn’t have the cash at the time :S

That'll look great with tan leather though :)