[PSk]

We drove our 156 v6 from Tauranga to Hamilton yesterday to show my parents and to have dinner. Yes I put the old thermostat back in ... and yes she ran cold ...

But what an awesome car. So much torque. Doesn't really need a gearbox. How the heck did they do that? Man they must breathe so well.

Went up the Kaimai ranges in top gear without me having to accelerate more than a few millimetres and never dropped below 95km/h. Okay on the way home I dropped down a couple of gears because the corners are tighter.

Quiet, handles bumps well, corners instinctively (this sort of driving you can't tell that is is FWD), didn't use much petrol, aircon worked well, radio worked all the way (major concern with the kids as our old Honda Odyssey looses the station) and very easy to keep to the speed limit. I did though hit the rev limiter in 2nd near the end of the trip home when I was playing ... she revs so fast!

I honestly cannot understand why so many buy other brands! What a car, and strangely reminds me of my GTV in being such a solid and relaxed cruiser/mile eater.
Pete

 

[Charles Berman]

We drove our 156 v6 from Tauranga to Hamilton yesterday to show my parents and to have dinner. Yes I put the old thermostat back in ... and yes she ran cold ...

But what an awesome car. So much torque. Doesn't really need a gearbox. How the heck did they do that? Man they must breathe so well.

Went up the Kaimai ranges in top gear without me having to accelerate more than a few millimetres and never dropped below 95km/h. Okay on the way home I dropped down a couple of gears because the corners are tighter.

Quiet, handles bumps well, corners instinctively (this sort of driving you can't tell that is is FWD), didn't use much petrol, aircon worked well, radio worked all the way (major concern with the kids as our old Honda Odyssey looses the station) and very easy to keep to the speed limit. I did though hit the rev limiter in 2nd near the end of the trip home when I was playing ... she revs so fast!

I honestly cannot understand why so many buy other brands! What a car, and strangely reminds me of my GTV in being such a solid and relaxed cruiser/mile eater.
Pete

Shhhhh- we don't want the world to know our secret!:laugh2:

 

[Aggie57]

Maybe it doesn't help that in NZ middle-aged Alfa's like 156's sell for spare change and for many people cost quite a bit to run. Some of the costs my Dad was quoted over the years for relatively simple work on his series of 75s, 164, and 156 were criminal. Luckily even in his 80's he has been willing to question and research, but even he gave up in the end and bought a Hyundai.

 

[Erik]

The majority of car buyers follow the masses who buy GM, Ford, VW (who fool their costumers with false fuel economy and pollution figures), Toyota and what have we.
Apart from driving and looking good the many Alfa (+ Fiat and Lancia) my wife and I have owned the last 30 years have been reliable and easy to service plus holding their values pretty well.
Labour and parts hasn't cost more than other brands'. I don't necessary always use authorized Fiat/Alfa repair shops. Most thing car be done buy a local independently repair shop. This even was the case with my classic AR Spider 1970.

 

[PSk]

I had a very wordy reply about how my father views cars from an ease of servicing point of view being a mechanic but enjoys driving Alfa Romeos but lost it so not going to write that out again ...

One thing that is missing is cup holders and I have a solution but that will have to wait until I'm setup in our new to us house. Yes we have finally bought and moving in before Christmas so GTV restoration will restart ... again soon.

Will be interesting to see how much the 156 costs to run, but I have no intention of selling her. This car will be my "family" car.
Pete

 

[Del]

"Maybe it doesn't help that in NZ middle-aged Alfa's like 156's sell for spare change"

And we in the US cannot get any Alfa newer than 1995, alas. Oh, there are a very few 'bandit's' running around here but still...

 

[PSk]

Okay one reason might be because Repco cannot supply even something as simple as a thermostat. Two attempts now and both very wrong, although the second may suit some Alfa Romeo but neither of mine.

So thankfully because this is New Zealand there is Alfa Romeo dealers so that is where I will go tomorrow
Pete

 

[Aggie57]

Okay one reason might be because Repco cannot supply even something as simple as a thermostat. Two attempts now and both very wrong, although the second may suit some Alfa Romeo but neither of mine.

So thankfully because this is New Zealand there is Alfa Romeo dealers so that is where I will go tomorrow
Pete

Watch out Pete - from experience in NZ the main dealers know little about anything other than the new models and charge a fortune for even simple parts like that. Better I'd say to hit the Internet and send your custom UK way.

 

[PSk]

Watch out Pete - from experience in NZ the main dealers know little about anything other than the new models and charge a fortune for even simple parts like that. Better I'd say to hit the Internet and send your custom UK way.

Oh, thanks. Who do you recommend?
Pete

 

[nzoliver]

Hi Pete

Try The Italian Job in Akl or CHCH. Parts are OEM and cheap. Dealers re too dear in NZ. Stay AWAY from the Repcos of this world s thye know zNOTHING about proper cars'

 

[Aggie57]

Oh, thanks. Who do you recommend?
Pete

I'd try The Italian Auto Centre, Saleyard Rd in Otahuhu. We've had good service from them over the years.

Worth asking the local AROC(NZ) guys as well.

 

[PSk]

Yes time to rejoin the AROCNZ!!

Thanks guys.
Pete

 

[PSk]

Finally got the right thermostat. Yes I paid extra ($200) and went to an Alfa dealership but I was getting frustrated with not being able to sort this.

I will need to create an area on my shelving for this car as I'm not throwing the old one away ... yet . Note the new one is fully closed as expected when cold.
Pete

 

[PSk]

... and installed and now the engine temperature is perfect. Wonder how any miles the poor thing did with a stuffed thermostat?

Anyway easy fix.
Pete

 

[nzoliver]

Hi Pete,
Did you by any chance check the pipe that runs between the water pump and thermostat. Sometimes they can weep at the thermostat housing end. Mine did - I could smell hot water when I got home - it was a tiny weep but enough to drop the water level over a few days.

Oliver

 

[PSk]

Hi Pete,
Did you by any chance check the pipe that runs between the water pump and thermostat. Sometimes they can weep at the thermostat housing end. Mine did - I could smell hot water when I got home - it was a tiny weep but enough to drop the water level over a few days.

Oliver

Thanks for the heads up. I'll keep an eye on the water level.

I assume the water pump is at the timing belt end of the engine so you are talking about the "pipes" that run (or cast as part of the cylinder heads) in the V. If so it looked dry there.
Pete

 

[nzoliver]

Hi,
The pipes sit on top and run from one end to the other. It is the 'O' rings that go hard and weep where the pipe goes onto the housings.


Oliver:smile2:

 

[PSk]

Drove her from Tauranga to Taupo today and with the new thermostat and temperature was perfect.

Because of this I had a little more fun and gee passing using 3rd or 4th was just so much fun and loved the torque pushing us back in the seat and of course the sound. I sooooooo wanted to wind her right out but while I did have a small short play or two (while passing) ... I'll not say anymore other than there was considerably more left

Everybody so far is enjoying the comfort, helped because you can go around any open road corner with out any speed adjustment, and the stereo.

I'm going to contact the North Auckland FIAT Alfa Romeo place that last serviced it and see if I can find out when/if they replaced the timing belt. They might have the service history of the car for the last few years?
Pete

 

[Erik]

Sounds like you had an enjoyable trip on some very nice high ways.

 

[Aggie57]

Sounds great Pete. Lovely road and perfect for an Alfa. It joins the main road in Taupo just east of the township doesn't it? There used to be some sort of restaurant or reception place up that road a bit.

Is the road around the east side of the lake still as good as it was back in the 80's and 90's? Had some great drives down there, most often coming back through the national park and up the west side of the lack which by memory was a faster road?