Alfa 147

jozi

Having a look around for a cheap car and spotted a couple of Alfa 147's going for within my budget. Are they reliable though? Read they need the timming belt done every 40k.

It's either one of them or a 2dr Megane, both 2000-2002 model years.

mgbgt1978

Did you deliberately pick these two cars ?


....and omit all other Makes?

jozi

I quite like the Alfa and the Megane isn't to bad looking either (2dr).

I could go for a fiesta or a plo but I like these better and I'm wondering how reliable they are as dailies?

king_of_inismac

While you may be very lucky and get a solid car, the odds are not in your favour (previous Alfa owner speaking).

I'm incredible anal about car maintenance , but my Alfa still gave me more trouble than any car I've ever owned.

They are a beautiful car but seriously high maintenance. If its one of your first cars (and you dont have plenty of cash left aside for repairs), I'd go for something else.

jozi

Not my first car but it's been a few years since I had my E30 on the road. I'll not be doing mega miles with it and once the E30 is finished it will be used during the summer months.

What kind of trouble were you getting and what kind of money to keep it going properly?

king_of_inismac

jozi wrote: »

Not my first car but it's been a few years since I had my E30 on the road. I'll not be doing mega miles with it and once the E30 is finished it will be used during the summer months.

What kind of trouble were you getting and what kind of money to keep it going properly?

You name it, I had it.

Had to replace almost all suspension parts. I bought the parts online and did all the work myself and still was very expensive.

Car was constantly overheating. Had to do the head gasket and everything that goes with that (probably not maintained by previous owner).

It also burned a lot of oil. I topped up every 200 miles.

If there was frost, the handbrake would stick on. Complete disaster. Had a few 180 degree spins in the first mile from home due to stuck shoes.

Don't get me wrong. Beautiful car inside and out and I understand the attraction completely. Just not reliable enough to be practical for me at least.

Edit: I should add the second worst car I owned was a TDI golf! Maybe I was unlucky?!

166man

Get a good one and it will serve you well

Get a bad one and it will cost you.

By bad I mean poor maintenance in a previous life. Try and find a nice one though, cracking cars.

jozi

Theres a few on donedeal but I've no idea if they are good one for the money, few that stand out are these

http://www.adverts.ie/7413703
http://www.adverts.ie/7445013
http://www.adverts.ie/7410764
http://www.adverts.ie/7398814

What tell tale signs are there pointing to them needing suspension work doing?

Mahogany Gaspipe

I was going to start pretty much the same thread myself this morning!

I'm looking on DD at 147's and they all seem to have low mileage for their age(<80K), I'm looking at 02-03.

It seems like getting one with a comprehensive FSH is preferable, especially more so than with other makes and models of car.
N.B. seems to be that the timing belt has been replace on schedule. Suspension condition seems also to be flagged as a area of concern.


There is a really good Alfa 156/147 buyers guide here on boards.

jozi

I found the thread you mention here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055705272 incase anyone else is looking for it.

I've read much the same about the engine/suspension.