Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon Lusso

[sutoka]

Thought I’d introduce my latest purchase have owned a Giulietta for the past 5 years or so but recently saw this Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon also known by the family as ‘the hearse’. Have loved these since the came out so when a low mileage with Caramac interior came up I had to have it, a 1.9jtdm diesel on 107k so barely run in given some moon mileage examples I've seen on here.

It's had 3 owners from new, had new sills a few years ago, floor is solid right along and it's been rustproofed. The best part *deep breathe' it came with zero service history although I spoke to the garage who told me they did a cam belt and water pump on it not long ago, and did regular servicing but the owner for one reason or another didn't think he should keep the paperwork.

and the best part, MOT until next March and I only paid 650 for it

[trails]

That is crazy cheap!

Such nice proportions, I hope it treats you well

[Scoobydrew95]

How on earth did you get that for such little money?

Great purchase with one of the best interior colours. One of these with the tbi/2.2/2.4 is becoming increasingly more tempting.

[Cambs_Stuart]

That's a crazy price. It's hard to get anything with an MOT for £650 let alone something as lovely as that. Great buy

[alfabeat]

Very nice indeed - great purchase!!

[Countdown]

Congrats OP - an absolute steal! These are gorgeous cars

(although I have to admit i think the 156 looks nicer )

[J4CKO]

Makes me feel old, remember someone locally getting one and the wife an I were walking past and I had a good luck at it and was saying how striking the looks were, hadn't noticed the owner stood nearby, think he appreciated my words on it, he had a big grin on and said hello.

One of the best front ends ever.

[AlfaCool]

Blimey That's for nowt. Hope it serves you well.
How the front subframe?, a known weak point.

[Liamjrhodes]

£650 for anything with MOT is a bargain. I still think these are one of the best looking cars especially in the 'Sportwagon' body

[Jhonno]

These are such good looking things.. Spectacular in wagon guise. Parts availability just feels to me, to be becoming a bit of an issue these days, for someone used to the generally brilliant classic support in the BMW/Porsche world.

[Juan B]

Looks class, best spec combo.

[sutoka]

J4CKO said:

Makes me feel old, remember someone locally getting one and the wife an I were walking past and I had a good luck at it and was saying how striking the looks were, hadn't noticed the owner stood nearby, think he appreciated my words on it, he had a big grin on and said hello.

One of the best front ends ever.

I agree, have had a few people walk up and say nice 'Brera because they've seen the front end, then they realise it's a 159, and then didn't. notice they made them in Sportwagon form

[BORNXenon]

Love an Alfa, never been brave enough to own one though given their reputation for poor reliability.
Place I used to work at had a 156 with the massive rear wing as a pool car, used to nab it whenever possible, can't remember what the other options were, which tells you something about how memorable it is to drive an Alfa!

[Mr Tidy]

That's a stunning car for £650.

[sutoka]

First little issue was a slight weep from the little pipe at the top of the power steering pipe. Phoned Alfa and the guy on the parts desk that I was joking when I asked if I could buy a new one. " You want a power steering pipe for a 159". It seems Alfa stopped doing those about a decade ago so you can't buy one new or in fact anywhere in the UK, plenty of LHD ones from Italy and Germany so it took a few days but managed to find a company that repaired hydraulic hoses in tractors and other site machinery up to 6000psi so 30 quid later and we are back with a repaired hose with a new section

[Cambs_Stuart]

I've done something similar in the past when I needed a hose for a JDM subaru. The local pirtek knocked one up same day for about £60.
Apart from hose, everything OK?

[petrolsniffer]

Great looking cars.

I was tempted to get one while I was looking for a new family car but settled on a 1.4 tdi skoda rapid spaceback

I just couldn't get over but it's an alfa and i'll end up with a friday afternoon special

I read far too much about rusting subframes and all sorts of other issues.

Although for £650 I guess you can't complain!

[curvature]

What a great buy. They look lovely inside and out.

[sutoka]

Cambs_Stuart said:

I've done something similar in the past when I needed a hose for a JDM subaru. The local pirtek knocked one up same day for about £60.
Apart from hose, everything OK?

Had to garage give it a once over mechanic seemed impressed the underneath has little rust on the sills and subframe is holding up well seems the previous owner removed the plastic bits that hold the water at the spot they rot.

Other than that it's had front ball joints both sides

[Jhonno]

sutoka said:

First little issue was a slight weep from the little pipe at the top of the power steering pipe. Phoned Alfa and the guy on the parts desk that I was joking when I asked if I could buy a new one. " You want a power steering pipe for a 159". It seems Alfa stopped doing those about a decade ago so you can't buy one new or in fact anywhere in the UK, plenty of LHD ones from Italy and Germany so it took a few days but managed to find a company that repaired hydraulic hoses in tractors and other site machinery up to 6000psi so 30 quid later and we are back with a repaired hose with a new section

This is an example of why I can't take the plunge.. I can ring BMW/Porsche and generally have it within days. Or hop on eBay and find an aftermarket supplier. Even my 1966 Mustang I can have any part here in days.

However I absolutely applaud those brave enough, I'd just find part availability too stressful, and I had a Cerbera for 14yrs