... I then happened to come across a brand new imported fantasy blue 156 advertised at Monza Sport. This was the exact colour I wanted (it’s quite rare for this car…for any car for that matter), and in the spec I wanted (it had to have a sport pack, in my opinion, without this the 156 looks ugly).
So ... Read review
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Advantages: Friendly personal service; Experts in their field; Good value; after sales Disadvantages: May not be local to you.
...fantasy blue 156 advertised at Monza Sport. This was the exact colour I wanted (it’s quite rare for this car…for any car for that matter), and in the spec I wanted (it had to have a sport pack, in my opinion, without this the 156 looks ugly).
So the wife and I made the long trek from Kent to Cowfold in West Sussex. On first impressions the garage doesn’t look anything fancy, but from the number of new and nearly new Alfas standing ... ...was shipped over and ready. Monza had sorted out all the relevant paperwork, and got the car registered in the UK. I still remember the day I went to collect the car – one of the most exciting days ever.
One of the things John said to me was that ‘Once you drive an Alfa, you’ll never want to drive another car again’. At the time I took this as sales spiel and too little notice. 4 year on and I’m on my second Alfa, and I can fully appreciate ... more
As soon as I saw the Alfa 156 back in 1997, I knew I had to have one. Two years later, in 1999 I was fortunate enough to afford one. Having looked at a few franchised dealers, I was put off by their hard sales tactics. I then happened to come across a brand new imported fantasy blue 156 advertised at Monza Sport. This was the exact colour I wanted (it’s quite rare for this car…for any car for that matter), and in the spec I wanted (it had to have a sport pack, in my opinion, without this the 156 looks ugly).
So the wife and I made the long trek from Kent to Cowfold in West Sussex. On first impressions the garage doesn’t look anything fancy, but from the number of new and nearly new Alfas standing on the forecourt, I knew this was a specialist outfit.
I met the joint owner John Griffiths, (brother Bryn is the other one). The car I wanted was not on the forecourt, but he did have one exactly the same in a Selespeed. It looked fantastic – just as I’d imagined. He said that the car in question was still currently in Belgium, where they import the cars from (I’m not sure if they have changed their sourcing since then). It would come with the standard (back then) manufacturers warranty (you get 3 years now), an that this was a Pan European warranty so it would be fully valid in the UK. (BTW – I subsequently had to get some work done under warranty – and sure enough I had no problems with the UK franchised dealer I used).
He was offering nearly £3,500 off the (then) list price – which to me was a huge saving. However I (well more the wife) still tried and managed to haggle him down to closer £4,000 off list price.
About a week later, the car was shipped over and ready. Monza had sorted out all the relevant paperwork, and got the car registered in the UK. I still remember the day I went to collect the car – one of the most exciting days ever.
One of the things John said to me was that ‘Once you drive an Alfa, you’ll never want to drive another car again’. At the time I took this as sales spiel and too little notice. 4 year on and I’m on my second Alfa, and I can fully appreciate those words.
After the sale, Monza were always very helpful with any advice that I needed regarding the car.
Soon after I bought my car, Monza started offering full dealer servicing facilities. I did not originally take my car to them for servicing, because, having a brand new car, I was concerned about having a full dealership service history. However after having experienced their customer service (or lack of it – see my other opinion on this) after 3 services, I decided it was time to go to a specialist. Monza does not disappoint.
Back to the main topic of importing, I think Monza are one of the leading independent Alfa importers in the region. Recently they have been offering GTA’s at a considerable discount off list price (they currently have one in black at £25,995, UK list price is £27,170).
Overall, Monza are a professional and friendly outfit. Also I forgot to mention, brother John and Bryn race 156’s in the BRSCC, and apparently do very well……..that’s final proof that these guys are passionate about Alfa Romeo.
Advantages: Italian looks, Engine, Handling, Second hd value Disadvantages: depreciaiton, dealerships
for the Iooks, challenge anyone to argue that this car is not one of the most beautiful ever made. (Only in sport pack/veloce guise mind). If you are thinking of buying new, don?t. An Alfa depreciates like anything in its first 3 years (I lost over 50%), and this is the period when any ?teething? problems arise. If you buy nearly new, say 1 year old, then someone else will already have ironed them out for you. As for main dealers, avoid them??? but that?s for another opinion section. (See Alfa Romeo Dealers section, and for a good independent dealer, see MonzaSport under carimporters). ...
Ghaz 17.07.2003 (12.09.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: not helpful Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.5
