MANGOLETSI.COM

For most people buying a new car involves nothing more than popping down the road to the local garage or dealership.

But for Chris Ball it involves crossing the Irish Sea by ferry and a round trip of 400 miles.

For he values the cars and service so much at Mangoletsi that he travels from his home on the Isle of Man to the showroom near Knutsford.

“It is worth the journey because I have dealt with them for many years and find them pleasant to deal with,” said Chris.

“They also have a large stock of vehicles and offer good service and value.”

Chris lives in Laxey and there are no Alfa dealerships on the island so each time he needs to make a new purchase he has to find his sea legs and take a ferry to Heysham in Lancashire.

Once on dry land it is another three-and-a-half-hour journey by road to the Mangoletsi dealership in Knutsford.

For the father-of-two it is a trip worth making as he picks up his latest Alfa.

 But while seasickness is not a problem for solicitor Chris, his wife – also called Chris – is not so lucky.

 “If my wife is with me we hire a cabin because she gets seasick and you can lie down in there,” he said.

 Fraser Hudson, Managing Director of Mangoletsi, said the dealership appreciated the loyalty of its customers.

 “Chris is a valued customer and it just goes to show the loyalty Alfas command when someone is prepared to travel so far to buy one,” he said.

 Chris has owned 13 Alfas – at one point he owned five at once; a Spider, a GTV6, a 33 Permanent 4, a 33 1.5 Veloce and a Bertone Coupe.

The 58-year-old’s latest trip was to pick up his new Giulietta.

 Based on the original 1950s Giulietta the updated model, currently being driven by actress Uma Thurman in a series of television adverts, will complement Chris’ other car – a 33-year-old Alfa Spider.

 “I’ve had quite a few Alfas in the past and this one looked like it would fulfil our requirements so it’s worth the journey,” said Chris.

 “Alfas are a bit different to other cars.

 “If you have got unlimited funds you can always buy an interesting car but I get an Alfa because we have a reasonably limited budget and wanted to have something interesting.”