Alfa 159, Audi A4, or Liberty STI?

[Yellow Meanie]

Does anyone here own one of these?



If so, tell me all about it. The good, the bad, the bella  


I was looking at the Audi A4 3.0 TDI, somewhere around the '06-'08 model. They're such a beautiful and sophisticated car.
Then I found the 159. Alfa 159 Ti 3.2 JTS V6 to be exact...

Here's my comparison so far-

Prestige: Audi
Looks: I think they are pretty much on-par.
Performance: Both all-wheel drive, Audi quicker? Alfa better in the corners?
Reliability: Audi. I know older Alfas have a "dubious" reputation, is this still so?
Fuel consumption: Audi. I've read the Alfa has less than average figures.
Price: Alfa, cheaper. Audi hold their value better.
Popularity: I see Audis everywhere in Tassie, I see relatively few Alfas. (This is good)

Unfortunately there is no Alfa dealer in Tassie, and there are no 2nd hand 159s for sale.
I'd love to take one for a spin, but rarely even see one, let alone get the chance to have a drive.
My old man has an A4, I drive it every time I'm in Brisbane, that's why I like it so much.

What do you think fellow Monsterererers?  

[Bazz21]

buy a street fighter 

[DUCMONROB]

All I hear is extortion when you get it serviced, anything euro is going to have expensive parts and services. I wanted a C200 CGI Benz but I could not afford so I went for a Japper WRX. So far so good! And so far because of the earthquake there is hardly any wide body models out on the road.

Rob

[monstermick58]

I really like the Audi













But I love the Alfa 







                                      Mmick

[DUCMONROB]

I have always loved the Alfa GTV

What a motor!

[mattyvas]

Two very good choices. I am a TDI fan and the 3.0 VAG engine is a brilliant engine.
The 159 has style to make all the Germans weep, it is a Bella automobile and has beautiful lines from whichever way you look at it.

If it's style only then the 159 would be your car but then if there is no Alfa dealer local for you service and any other issues might be difficult to sort out.
The Audi would be the safe choice if you can get it seen to locally and it's not likely to have many issues.

Now that style and potential mantainence issues are done let's get to the cars.
Sure the Audi might be faster but they generally do suffer from heavy nose syndrome when it comes to cornering, as many modern cars they have an inherent understeer built-in to them. Audi do suffer even more from it but then you also have to be driving it pretty hard to get to that level of feel.
The 159 might well corner better but can I ask you what is it you are buying the car for?

If you want a prestige sedan that has a train for an engine, has refined style and handles itself to a point that many never really find then my money would go to my local Audi shop.

If you want something that goes like stink handles like a slot car and looks mean as a mother farker....
Evolution X

[goldFiSh]

Pm mostro900, can't recall which alfa he has, perhaps a 156 rather than a 159

The 3.0 tdi is a sweet motor, also went though this a year ago or so, and ended up in realizing that the fozzie is ok for now.

I ended up at the a4 quattro 3.0 tdi, it started with m3's and rs4's! Ask Matty - he rode though my ordeal and tempted me along the way!

[mattyvas]

Oh yeah buy a 3.2 6cyl M3
The sound of that motor is one of the prettiest mechanical symphonies I've ever heard.
Along with an RS4 in full sound through the RNP
Or the Maseratti 3200GT.…

I'll stop there.

[DUCMONROB]

The mother in laws supercharged S4 is one wicked car!

Though buying an Audi you do get that stigma that Clarkson promoted.

My nect choice will be the Audi or the Benz c200.

Rob (Am I getting old or what?)

[Yellow Meanie]

Matty, I think I wan't just about everything you described... Prestige, style, good handling, and mean 
Evo X? Although I'm sure they go like stink, they're just a bit too "boy racer" for me.
RS4, Maseratti???   Yeah - I wish.

I need something I can comfortably cruise around in, limousine style, but still be able to have fun on the backroads.
Handling must be sufficient for "spirited" driving. It's not as if I'll be taking it to the track (or will I?) There's roads down here better than the track anyway 
I've pushed the A4 reasonably hard (for a car that's not mine) and would be happy with that. For a while anyway.
Servicing would not be a big issue for the Alfa as there is an authorised service and parts supplier in Hobart. The auto engineer who inspected my Suzuki races an older GTV in Targa Tas. Hopefully he knows something about them too. I'll have a chat to him when I move back there.

I've had my heart set on the A4 for a while now. I've only just started to consider the 159.
I might have to start stalking local 159s so I can get a drive 

[tricolore]

I owned an Alfa 156 selespeed, servicing was expensive, It did break down once, the pump in the selespeed shit it self. That was covered under warranty though. Beautiful car to look at and drive. I lost a lot of money at trade time...

It is italian 
Like said before - Beauty, style driving experience, buy the Alfa. Resale, reliability and comfort, buy the Audi.

[Bazz21]

dave only had gtv,s but they were a pleasure to work on and drive , i think alfa went down hill when fiat took over get a gtv 6 for an old car they fly   cheers bazz

[ducmeister]

Always liked the look of the 159.  Don't know much about them at all but the look alone has been enough to tweek my interest.

[mattyvas]

Then I'd say it's a A4 3.0TDI Quattro that you're looking for then.
I certainly would be unhappy with that being parked in my drive. 

[DUCMONROB]

dave only had gtv,s but they were a pleasure to work on and drive , i think alfa went down hill when fiat took over get a gtv 6 for an old car they fly   cheers bazz

Hey Bazz, I have been told the 6 is too heavy in the front. I have been told the 4 is a better car. I have never driven one so I can't speculate. Any truth to what I have been told??

Rob