Alfa Romeo 147?

Lojak

I'm currently looking to buy a nice little hatchback , around 02 - 04. The 147 has caught my attention and seems like a lovely little car. I have been told however they are expensive if they give trouble. What are peoples experiences or opinions on them? And maybe some suggestions on other hatchbacks?

ottostreet

Lovely car, well equipped, fun to drive, and is 'unusual'.

I had one and really liked it. However, it wasn't a great example and it was expensive to get pretty much anything done to it. No catastrophic failures for me or anything, just it was more expensive than I hoped for to maintain. Wishbones in particular are weak, and expensive.

GavMan

Own 1 from new since 2008.

They really aren't that expensive to service and maintain compared to any other european brand. Especially if you use a top indy garage like Ti Motors. Gerry is hands down the best in the business. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

If you're viewing, make there is a full service history. Or at least a comprehensive one for the last 5 years or so. Oil and filter changes at least every year. Check if the Variator has been changed. If not, assume it will go soon. Costs about 400 to do but that includes a full timing kit change. Timing belt should be done every 40k miles or so. Alfa specify 36k, but Gerry from Ti will tell you 48k is sufficient.

As mentioned above, listen out for very load bangs and squeaks going over ramps. If present, it would indicate that the wishbones are gone. Can be dear enough to replace.

Make sure all the electrics are working correctly.

Not too much else goes wrong if they've been looked after. Try and get one with leather if you can. Maybe stretch to around 2005 for a facelifted model

discombobulate

GavMan wrote: »

Own 1 from new since 2008.

They really aren't that expensive to service and maintain compared to any other european brand. Especially if you use a top indy garage like Ti Motors. Gerry is hands down the best in the business. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

+1 for Ti Motors. Really couldn't find a better garage to deal with if you travelled the country.

Nonoperational

You need to be careful. Nice car but need to check certain things.

I wrote this ages ago mainly for a 156, but the 147 is basically the same car.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055705272

timing belt every 3 years/36k miles, suspension problems, make sure the gearbox is smooth, especially going from 2nd to third at highish revs...

At that age it won't be perfect but you can still get a good one.

The Recliner

I have an 02 147

Bought it last year, it didn't have service history but looked clean enough

Needed a few small bits doing to it but for the little I paid for it the extra to fix it up it still cost a reasonable amount

It is a nice car to drive and much better looking than anything else of the class and age

Another thumbs up for TI autos, fantastic to deal with

Lojak

Was on gumtree there and spotted this. Seems too cheap? Is it a bargain or too good to be true?http://www.gumtree.ie/cp-cars-in-kildare/alfa-romeo-147-t-spark-for-sale-453221400

discombobulate

Lojak wrote: »

Was on gumtree there and spotted this. Seems too cheap? Is it a bargain or too good to be true?http://www.gumtree.ie/cp-cars-in-kildare/alfa-romeo-147-t-spark-for-sale-453221400

I'd say too good to be true. Would be worth a ring though. Must be something wrong with it

skyhighflyer

I own a facelift 147 and love it, but if I were you I'd be saving up an extra few quid and finding a facelifted model; the older and cheaper ones will almost invariably require a lot of work doing.

When I bought mine the previous owner had spent about €1.2k on the car that year; this included T-belt, aux belt, tensioners, ARB bushes and four tyres, plugs (x8) and an oil change. I haven't spent a penny on the car in the 6 months I've had it, but it goes to show the kind of cash needed for preventative maintenance alone.

The only real weak points on the 147 are:-

suspension (wishbones and anti-roll bar bushings go, wishbones aren't cheap)
T-belt failures (if not changed every 36k miles)
oil use (not a problem per se, but these engines like a drop of 10w40 and hate to be run low. low oil can also cause variator failure)

On the plus side, the engine if well minded pulls like a train from 4k revs and sounds great, interiors are lovely and well-equipped, and they have a bit of character to them that many modern cars lack. Just go in with your eyes open