2009
Manual
47.9 mpg
Tax: £210
Mileage: 60,000
Diesel
The 159 is as close to a risk-free used Alfa buy as it's possible to get. Beefy build quality, a great range of engines, decent used stock availability and razor sharp styling make this a decent left field pick. An optioned-up 1.9-litre diesel in Lusso trim is the wise move. Buying a used Alfa Romeo used to be an eventful experience. Many people tried it once and then moved on to less risky activities like BASE jumping, recreational Russian roulette or holidays in Gaza. A lot has changed since then. Alfa has pulled its socks up and the results are apparent in improving independent customer satisfaction surveys. The product range is smartening up its act as well, after a period when it was rather lacklustre. The cars that really started this upswing were the 147 and 156 and the 156's replacement, the 159, is bigger, more solidly built and even better looking. It's possibly the safest used pick of any Alfa.
The Alfa Romeo 159 has succeeded in lifting the marque further towards the premium end of the market and it hasn't done this on a bedrock of patchy durability. Alfa's belt and braces approach to many reliability issues is laudable and while the 159 doesn't have the integrity of a Lexus, it's no longer a shot in the dark. Look for low mileage cars in silver, grey or black as the 159 doesn't particularly suit signal colours. There's not a weak engine in the line up but the 1.9-litre diesels are rightly the most popular pick.
Borrow £6,000 with £1,000 deposit over 48 months with a representative APR of 18.1%, monthly payment would be £172.36, with a total cost of credit of £2,273.28 and a total amount payable of £9,273.28.
