General How does the Sporting feel?

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General How does the Sporting feel?

ejaymclane

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To anyone that has test driven the Sporting, how does it drive and whats the ride like?

Also, do you know if a petrol Sporting will be coming out as i dont really like diesels. Saying that, what is the 1.9 diesel engine like?


:yum:
 
I found it really quiet and smooth, you wouldn't knoiw its a diesel unless you rant it, which i did :D Saying that though, it must have been quiet to not notice I was doing 90 on an A road without realising!
 
The ride is just as firm as the usual italian cars - feels about the same as my Alfa 147. As it has lower profile tyres than the rest of the range it is slightly firmer, but still felt very comfortable over pot holes and such like without crashing around.
 
courtster said:
The ride is just as firm as the usual italian cars - feels about the same as my Alfa 147. As it has lower profile tyres than the rest of the range it is slightly firmer, but still felt very comfortable over pot holes and such like without crashing around.


Would you say the Grande is better than your Alfa?
 
oooh thats a good question.....

Well the Punto doesn't have 80k on it for a start!

I love a powerful petrol engined unit alot of the time, the twin spark unit loves to rev and I take it very near the limit when i'm in the mood and it sounds fantastic for a 4-banger.

I prefer the steering in my Alfa, very nicely weighted and the 2.1 turns lock to lock I love (just a shame I have to do a 7 point turn in my office car park:D ) I also prefer ther clutch in the alfa, I'm not a fan of these girly clutches, but at the same time my leg does start to ache in traffic.

I'm just happy I get to drive my Alfa during the week and use the GP at weekends while Mrs Courster is at work, I can behave like a teenager again, kids don't want to play at the traffic lights when i'm in the 147 least i'll look like fair game in the GP :D
 
courtster said:
oooh thats a good question.....

Well the Punto doesn't have 80k on it for a start!

I love a powerful petrol engined unit alot of the time, the twin spark unit loves to rev and I take it very near the limit when i'm in the mood and it sounds fantastic for a 4-banger.

I prefer the steering in my Alfa, very nicely weighted and the 2.1 turns lock to lock I love (just a shame I have to do a 7 point turn in my office car park:D ) I also prefer ther clutch in the alfa, I'm not a fan of these girly clutches, but at the same time my leg does start to ache in traffic.

I'm just happy I get to drive my Alfa during the week and use the GP at weekends while Mrs Courster is at work, I can behave like a teenager again, kids don't want to play at the traffic lights when i'm in the 147 least i'll look like fair game in the GP :D

:yum:

Ive always liked the 147 but it was expensive and so recently ive been looking at second hand ones on ebay. Around £4-4.5k for a 2001/2 2.0 147
 
They're great value now, go for the 2.0 litre, however much I love the selespeed I think as it gets older it's gonna be less durable and expensive to maintain (maybe) so I'd say go for the standard manual.

Get one with leather - maybe try and find one in Black with the blood red leather, I looks fantastic.

The lusso comes with most creature comforts, the only other big things on the options list was the telematic system, leather, winter pack (with headlamp washers) and the Bose upgrade stereo with subwoofer, and sweet alloys. If you can get any of these in on the model you're looking at then all the better.

On the 60,000 mile service they change the spark plugs - main dealers price is £15 each - and there is 8 of them....

Beware the 72,000 mile service, it's cambelt change time, you're looking at around £1000 from a main dealer - mine charges £79 per hour + VAT!!

Go to a specialist and they'll do it with much more care, and half the price.

If you want any other advice regarding the Alfa just let me know.

Cheers
 
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