Depriciation? Who makes up the rules?

Take a look at what I can only describe as a stunner. Designed by the great Walter de'Silva who is now in charge of design at V-Dub. The Alfa Romeo 156 offers the ultimate Italian thorough bred experience: style, speed and a harmonious engine note for a fraction of the price. Most of you sceptical people do not appreciate the soul, passion and sophistication an Alfa Romeo brings. Most people overlook the flawless styling with the reliability issues. 

I do admit there are some problems with Alfas, but non of which should be impossible to fix in the hands of a mechanic. However sometimes in Britain, it is the mechanic that is the problem. In my opinion it is (my honest opinion has been omitted from this part of the blog) which ruin Alfa's name. In Italy, your bog-standard mechanic can fix any marque, car, lorry,van or motorbike. Lets start at the beginning of the life of an Alfa, you buy it new or second hand for a price you believe is respective for a car in its league. If by a strike of misfortune you have some technical problem, you immediately take it to the trusted dealership to fix. They may spend many hours of your time, money and patience fixing the problem, but you could find (if you are very unlucky) it returns with the same problem. (my honest opinion has been omitted from this part of the blog) . The specialist tools that Alfa make specifically for their cars may prevent your local mechanic who's had forty/forty-five years repairing all sorts of automobiles from even taking off the plastic engine cover. In my opinion if you cannot fork out the money to buy some uniquely shaped screwdrivers and spanners and the original parts you might as well smash the car with a sledge hammer. 

I must admit Alfa Romeo's are born as works of art; throughout the ownership of an Alfa you are guaranteed to experience many contrasting emotions.

The Alfa has given my family some great memories, it drove us all the way to the south of Italy and back, which in itself is an achievement. I remember the first time I sat in the body hugging racing seats as we upped the revs as the tuneful exhaust note echoed through my ears; it was a world away from the cough and splutter of our diesel Fiat Tempra.  

The reality is that not all cars are valued on individuality, mileage, and specifications, some  are immediately slated because they are Alfa Romeos. During the space of around five years you loose almost all of the money you paid for the car my rust-bucket of a Fiat 500 is actually worth more than our 156! I feel that if Alfa Romeo offered the service and quality of their German counterparts, their cars would be worth a lot more in the long run. I also believe that Alfa can no longer put BMW prices on cars which have the mechanical specs of their FIAT siblings, they have the perfect designs, but need to develop unique platforms that are not found in your Average Giorgio's Fiat.

The future for Alfa Romeos must be with a bit more Vorsprung durch Technik.

Franco