The Irish Mitsubishi FTO Owners Club

Been doing the rounds this morning on the insurance front.
Car as follows:
Alfa 156 2L, all 3rd party F&T quotes
My current insurer (Allianz) has the car in group 20 and seems to be rating it the same as the FTO, therefore no additional premium if I change in the morning, but no refund either Looking for €1509 for the year on the alfa at renewal.
Allianz €1509
Best quote.ie €1030
Quinn direct €606
WTF is going on? With the exception of the FTO I thought this type of crazy quoting finished a long time ago!

Update.
Hibernian have offered cover for €731 including protected NCB and windscreen cover. They also added my girl friend on as they said it would reduce the premium

Mustang wrote:Update.
Hibernian have offered cover for €731 including protected NCB and windscreen cover. They also added my girl friend on as they said it would reduce the premium

Have you tried Axa?

I'm 31, 5 years NCB and paying €1030 fully comp on my golf gti.

FWIW, the alfa's are considered performance cars and I can see why - was take for a spin on a 2.0lt one once and boy do they go and handle..... get leather if you can cause they retro design on the seats is really cool.

But a word of warning - I know a mechanic who loves alfa's, he said they are the best cars ever for driving but he also said he would never own one because of the brittle build quality. Also if you get a 156 beware of all puddles - AFAIK the air intake for the 156 is somewhere low down near the passenger front wheel and a lot of 156's suffer water damage to engines as a result of driving fast through puddles.

Shane wrote

Have you tried Axa?

Yes, I have a contact in the local branch. €1484 I think that was comp, and she had to ring headquarters to have it ok'd.
They wanted me to be 30+, but as she knew me they'd reluctantly do it.
-What a load of rubbish
I tried the hibernian website..came up with a figure of €900 then threw me out because it was a 'sports' car.
Pleasantly surprised to contact the local branch and get a quote of €713 with the trimmings
I'd sooner give Hibernian, €713 than €606 to Quinn.

was take for a spin on a 2.0lt one once and boy do they go and handle

Yes they do

get leather if you can cause they retro design on the seats is really cool.

Done!

But a word of warning - I know a mechanic who loves alfa's, he said they are the best cars ever for driving but he also said he would never own one because of the brittle build quality.

I've been driving one for the last 5.5 years (my mother car) I've clocked up several thousand miles in it myself. I know all about the built quality...and performance. The twin spark on song is a seriosly sweet experience

AFAIK the air intake for the 156 is somewhere low down near the passenger front wheel

Correct. I was only just looking under the bonnet at the air intake yesterday I have not heard about the water ingress problem, although now that you say it I could see it happening.

Mustang wrote:I've been driving one for the last 5.5 years (my mother car) I've clocked up several thousand miles in it myself. I know all about the built quality...and performance. The twin spark on song is a seriosly sweet experience

I forgot you mentioned your mother has a 156 - I think they are one of the nicest cars on the road today... and I prefer the non-facelift model too. A nice set of 17's, a small spot of lowering and you've one sweet looking motor car with one of sweetest sounding 4-pot engines around. I was considering one when I changed the the golf but the depreciation really put me off....

Mustang wrote:Correct. I was only just looking under the bonnet at the air intake yesterday I have not heard about the water ingress problem, although now that you say it I could see it happening.

I'm sure with careful driving it would be avoided but the guy who took me for a spin told me he'd 3 customers who had to have the engine replaced as a result of water damage, 2 of whom didn't remember driving through any really deep pudles.... I learned this around the time I was having the tip box in my GR replaced after driving through a puddle and water damaging it....

I hear the 156 is a great driver when it's not in the garage !!

Shane wrote

I was considering one when I changed the the golf but the depreciation really put me off....

I've bought a '98 and it's already done the bulk of it's depreciating so no real worries on that front. It also has the sports pack 3 -leather, a/c, 16"s, side skirts, etc i.e. the highest spec available, combined with the meticulously maintained service history it should be relatively easy to sell on when the time comes.

Kace wrote

I hear the 156 is a great driver when it's not in the garage !!

Cheeky!

Mustang wrote:I've bought a '98

Nice one Mustang, was it hard to find the right one, did you end up doing a lot of searching? When will the GR be up for sale?

CJ

Kace wrote:I hear the 156 is a great driver when it's not in the garage !!

Ya, anyone I've known with them got to know their dealers pretty well alright!

Ah well, I'm sure thats not all 156s, best of luck with yours Mustang!

Kev.

Mustang wrote:I've bought a '98 and it's already done the bulk of it's depreciating so no real worries on that front. It also has the sports pack 3 -leather, a/c, 16"s, side skirts, etc i.e. the highest spec available, combined with the meticulously maintained service history it should be relatively easy to sell on when the time comes.

Nice car Mustang - good spec - I take it those 16's are the "telephone dials" - quite like those. If I was to choose a 4 door saloon - I'd be going the same route.

Looks like the GF is going with the new facelifted 147 - I've also added the complete GTA kit (6 pieces inc front and rear bumper, skirts and spoiler) and red leather to the spec - so it'll certainly look the business.
Ye can start the Irish Alfa owners club between ye

You'll have to give me a spin in the 156.

CJ wrote

Nice one Mustang, was it hard to find the right one, did you end up doing a lot of searching?

Well I did a lot of ringing. And it was difficult to find something even worth going to look at (all cars not just the 156) Are there any genuine private sellers in the buy and sell
TBH this was the first 156 I looked at (never buy the first car you look at! etc) but I knew from the description that it was a serious contender.
Originally maintained by an alfa main dealer and more recently by TI autos -alfa specialists in Dublin, generally regarded in alfa circles as the best place in Dublin (and possibly the country), to have some TLC adorned on your alfa. The current owner is also an Italian who is really into the car.
And I have not seen a cleaner used car interior in a very long time.
All the big bills are taken care of. T/ belt and variator -big job on the alfa, there are about 6 parts that need to be replaced when doing the T/belt and the alfa dealers charge circa €800 parts and labour! Also had the 8 plugs replaced ~€30 a pop!



CJ wrote

When will the GR be up for sale?

Soon. I was hoping you could host some pics for me CJ?
I need to replace the front ARB's and droplinks, currently on order from camskill, as soon as I have them fitted I'll be advertising the car. (I wanted to have it right before advertising).
In the meantime, the current owner is having the alfa serviced (in TI autos) and having new front discs fitted. So nothing happening in a hurry.

CJ, Kev, MfFTO thanks for the kind words.



Kev wrote

Ya, anyone I've known with them got to know their dealers pretty well alright!

I know, I know. But like I said above I am very familiar with the 156 so I am going in with my eyes open. Also, most of the serious faults, if any, should have been ironed out in the warranty period (3 years).

I accept that the cars are not perfect. However I do maintain that one of the single biggest factors giving alfa's (in general) their questionable rep, is the dealers, generally speaking they are a shower of incompetants.
This is where an independent specialist and /or owners clubs/forums come into their own for support, advice etc.



MfFTO wrote

Nice car Mustang - good spec - I take it those 16's are the "telephone dials" - quite like those.

Yes they are the 5 hole telephone dial ones



MfFTO wrote

Looks like the GF is going with the new facelifted 147 - I've also added the complete GTA kit (6 pieces inc front and rear bumper, skirts and spoiler) and red leather to the spec - so it'll certainly look the business.

Nice one. I was telling her she should go with the 147, you know it makes sense.



MfFTO wrote

Ye can start the Irish Alfa owners club between ye

Perhaps I could get my mum to join aswell....any advance on 3
(on a side note we really should get Dave's mum involved in FTO Ireland )


MfFTO wrote

You'll have to give me a spin in the 156.

I'm still on edge after your drive in the GR.
Oh go on so, I'll stock up on nappies

Mustang wrote:Oh go on so, I'll stock up on nappies

Why - Is there another reason why you're buying a 4 door?
If I see a 156 going around Shannon with a "Baby on board" sticker I'll make sure to give you a wave from my "single-city" 2 door coupe.

(on a side note we really should get Dave's mum involved in FTO Ireland )

now now!!

Dave wrote:

(on a side note we really should get Dave's mum involved in FTO Ireland )

now now!!

Heres a picture I took of her recently at one of the FTO meets. I like what she done with the leather interior. CJ seems fairly interested as well by the looks of things

Myfeckin FTO wrote:CJ seems fairly interested as well by the looks of things

Yeah, I'm easily won over with a nice leather interior

CJ

she's not that old!!

good one though!

Back on topic!
Mustang wrote

Been doing the rounds this morning on the insurance front.
Car as follows:
Alfa 156 2L, all 3rd party F&T quotes
My current insurer (Allianz) has the car in group 20 and seems to be rating it the same as the FTO, therefore no additional premium if I change in the morning, but no refund either Looking for €1509 for the year on the alfa at renewal.
Allianz €1509
Best quote.ie €1030
Quinn direct €606
WTF is going on? With the exception of the FTO I thought this type of crazy quoting finished a long time ago!

Well a month later and Allianz came bcak with a renewal quote of €962,
a full €540 lower than they had advised the previous month.

In the meantime I've gotten some more quotes.
FBD 3rd party F&T no windscreen protected NCB. €693
FBD 3rd party F&F no windscreen no protected NCB €640 - I reckon this represents good value, and the price and cover is very close to what quinn are offering. Now that FBD have removed the requirement to take out property insurance with them, in order to get a motor policy they are looking like a serious contender i.e. proper insurer, with low rates,in the overpriced Irish insurance market.

FBD and Hibernian both seemed genuinely interested in getting the business and both asked was their quote competitive relative to others - nice friendly phone manner. In contrast to AXA who would have me believe they were going out on a limb and doing me a big 'favour' while quoting a hugely overpriced premium and Eagle star & Allianz direct who just point blank refused to quote.

This is madness I'm 27, Ive been driving since I was 17 (and earlier, not on public roads garda ). I'm getting old for gods sake! this kind of treatment from insurance companies is crazy.

UPDATE

Mustang wrote

Well a month later and Allianz came bcak with a renewal quote of €962,
a full €540 lower than they had advised the previous month.

So my broker has just called me back. And Allianz have offered a renewal premium of €749, compared to €1509 a month ago
50% discount just like that!

Mustang wrote:UPDATE

Mustang wrote

Well a month later and Allianz came bcak with a renewal quote of €962,
a full €540 lower than they had advised the previous month.

So my broker has just called me back. And Allianz have offered a renewal premium of €749, compared to €1509 a month ago
50% discount just like that!

proof in the pudding that insurance companies are making massive profits at our expense!

Mustang wrote:UPDATE

Mustang wrote

Well a month later and Allianz came bcak with a renewal quote of €962,
a full €540 lower than they had advised the previous month.

So my broker has just called me back. And Allianz have offered a renewal premium of €749, compared to €1509 a month ago
50% discount just like that!

That would be funny if it wasn't so serious.
Looks like they will quote what they think they will get away with quoting and if you bite - then great - and if not then sure they can requote.
Sounds like the insurance companies have a yield management department - get as much out of you as you're prepared to pay.

Myfeckin FTO wrote:That would be funny if it wasn't so serious.

Agreed. Mustang, did you question the broker on this one of of interest? If anyone knows how the insurance industry operates, its brokers, its just a pity that so many of them are in the companies pockets

CJ

CJ wrote

Agreed. Mustang, did you question the broker on this one of of interest? If anyone knows how the insurance industry operates, its brokers, its just a pity that so many of them are in the companies pockets

CJ

The original €1509 quote was on last months rates, and I got this verbally only. I immediately complained and told them I had a quote for €600. Said she could not confirm and would have to wait till next months rates were in to confirm pricing. I suspect that they took note of my complaint and revised the renewal premium downwards to €962.
So I rang them up said I had a quote from Hibernian for €731 -and what you gonna do about it. I was told that the amounts are determined by the company and the broker was simply acting as an intermediary. They said they'd need a copy of the Hibernian quote to pass on to allianz as the broker was not aithorised to discount. I obliged and the result was a revised quote of €749
Actually three quotes
Me only €763
Me + GF €749
Me, GF + Both parents €801 (despite it being free to add them on two months ago!)
Seems like they have given the maximum discount and are now trying to claw back a few quid!
I'd prefer to stay put as I belive the overall package is better than the Hibernian one, but not sure at this stage. Watch this space.

Seriously, i'm not trying to poach business or what not and i wouldn't bad mouth anyone, but if you want an honest broker you could always just sign an appointment mandate and we would take over your business at the exact same premium and next year would obviously re-broke and try to get the best quote rather than what some might think they could get away with.