Today I drove a CTDi 150 Astra with a 200 bhp chip

[Ben_]

Never ever ever show me that in an argument about a good car or a bad car.

Obsurd peice of evidence.

So a 147's performance is 1 star. Yet a a3 is 3 star, and then the 1 series is 1 star again LOL

Bollocks, absoloute bollocks.

[Ben_]

As for all these hot diesels, I would seriously consider buying one apart from the fact that diesel prices have rocketed so much that it barely makes it worth it for the mileage I usually cover. And I too fear that I would break out in the yawn fit that Ben_ mentions

Efa

[Ben_]

Below average performance on the Meganne?

The same car that in its hot form is arguably the best hatch of the last 5 years?

Oh yeh, great survey. Terrific stuff.

[dangel]

Never ever ever show me that in an argument about a good car or a bad car.

Obsurd peice of evidence.

So a 147's performance is 1 star. Yet a a3 is 3 star, and then the 1 series is 1 star again LOL

Bollocks, absoloute bollocks.

I honestly don't care either way mate But you go girlfriend!

[Lowe]

Keep it aimable gents.

[Barakka]

Alfa deisel engines wipe the floor with anything vx can offer

Old Ground here but...

Fiat diesels actually, they invented/pioneered the common-rail, jet-TD and most recently Multi-Jet TD concepts. It's to be hoped they're reliable as they're used in Vauxhalls, Suzuki's, Saabs, Lancias, Alfas, Fiats....

And although Alfa far from topped the JD Power Survey, in the What Car Reliability Supertest, which is based on actual costs to repair rather than people's opinions, Fiat drew with Vauxhall beating Audi, Saab, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen, Volvo....

...although they all beat Alfa Damn the old GTV's wearing out

[dangel]

It's all good here Lowe

The R26 is (very likely) the best hot hatch atm (autocar love it) - but I doubt it makes up a large proportion of megane sales overall. SEAT do better because they sell more 'hot' versions of their cars (or at least they have done in the UK) by contrast. I'm not defending the survey but as I said, I'll change my mind about Alfa reliability when they start topping user surveys. How else do we measure reliability/satisfaction?

But it's all subjective - and you're quite welcome to your opinion Ben, it really isn't that big an issue for me one way or the other but I wouldn't buy one based on reputation - in the same way i wouldn't get a TVR (hardly the same level of hell though!). That's not to say things won't change - I'd buy a Skoda thesedays as they're darn well built (and nothing like the cars of yore) but they've proven themselves - something Alfa has yet to do IMHO.

[Ben_]

It's all good here Lowe

The R26 is (very likely) the best hot hatch atm (autocar love it) - but I doubt it makes up a large proportion of megane sales overall. I'm not defending the survey but as I said, I'll change my mind about Alfa reliability when they start topping user surveys. How else do we measure reliability/satisfaction?

Reading reviews from people that have driven the cars? RThe power survery is very general and poo as outlined by me on two occasions.

TVR wouldnt even make it onto that list because of how poor they are?

Would I buy a cerbera 4.5 if I had the chance??

HELL YES

[dangel]

Reading reviews from people that have driven the cars? RThe power survery is very general and poo as outlined by me on two occasions.

TVR wouldnt even make it onto that list because of how poor they are?

Would I buy a cerbera 4.5 if I had the chance??

HELL YES

LOL - perhaps we're more like minded than you think (see my edit above).

I wouldn't get a TVR because i've seen what happens when they (do) go wrong - a friend of mine bought one and it (literally) melted on the way to the 'ring. One new engine later he's a poorer man.. You'd love it - right up until the moment it either a: killed you (but what I way to go) or b: did what most TVRs do regularly.

I love Alfas and TVRs for the same sort of reasons - the cars got da soul baby - but the head overalls the heart because I really don't like sitting on hard shoulders waiting for the AA or having to take a second mortage out to fix it/cover the depreciation

I try and drive as many types of cars as I can - and yes, i've been behind the wheels of alfa's over the years and YES I loved them for all sorts of reasons - style, sound, feel... Now i'm an old fogey it's far easier to blag drives in the more upmarket/high insurance group stuff too which helps. Can't recommend it enough for both fun and (ahem) research purposes.

[Ben_]

Well when I pull up in my cerb and your in your vrs I will give you a wave

[dangel]

Well when I pull up in my cerb and your in your vrs I will give you a wave

Can I bring my Audi 80?

[Ben_]

As long as it can tow my cerb when the coil pack fails you can bring what you like.

[kalniel]

I think I should bring my Astra diesel!

All 83hp of it

[dangel]

Well i do have a towbar - so as long as it's not on fire..

Coilpacks.. my leon had one of those go - the aa replaced just two of them so i had to appropriate replacements via a test drive of another leon if you get my meaning

The '80 has a mighty 75bhp and a turbo the size of a snail

[jimborae]

It's not a Type R, but a Type R would only pull out on a very twisty section, with lots of slow speed 90's and 180's where it's pure revs would dominate. As soon as you're in 2d and 3rd, this is a tool.

Depends on who's Type R we're talking about, doubt it would give mine much trouble any road. ...Supercharged, Hondata chipped, DC Sports race manifold and exhaust, Gruppe M induction, Clutchmasters Stage 3 clutch and Quaife lsd............I'll put my willy away now

No, it's bolted together properly.

The engine is only part on an Alfa that is bolted together properly, everything else just falls off with frightening regularity. And this is speaking from some experience, I've owned 6 Alfa's in my time and not one ever brokedown due to engine problems. Shock absorber going through the rear axle..Check. Central locking locking me out...Check. Door falling off...Check. Brake pedal snapping....Check. Driveshaft bolts shearing .....Check. Countless electrical faults.....Check Engine failing....Not a chance

Funnily enough I then went on to a phase of owning VW Corrado's because I thought they would be better built. Big mistake

[Guy]

Depends on who's Type R we're talking about, doubt it would give mine much trouble any road. ...Supercharged, Hondata chipped, DC Sports race manifold and exhaust, Gruppe M induction, Clutchmasters Stage 3 clutch and Quaife lsd............I'll put my willy away now

Your car does indeed look very nice, yet to see it fly up the link though . . . !