Alfa 147 jtd Q2

[gsxrblue]

I keep thinking about getting my first Alfa (and then putting it off) and have seen one of these for sale.

Its an 08 plate with 81k miles so I'm guessing should have had at least 1 belt and pump change.

Its on for £3500 which seems quite reasonable. Would I be better off spending more and getting a lower mileage.

Any experience's from people who've had one and anything else to watch out for.

PS The other car that I'm thinking of is a Honda Civic tdi which is probably a safer bet on reliability but doesn't have that certain something.

[Uncle John]

I've recently picked up a 55 plate JTDm Lusso 82k miles with recent service, belt, pump and wishbones done for 3.2K. Check that all these are recent on yours.

And I'm very pleased. Don't think mileage is an issue, mine has a decent punch of torque and I get 50 mpg on my 84 mile m/way commute.

Everything still works and it's also very comfortable. I think they still look fresh as well, mines a rare Radifocani Red which has grown on me as it looks brownish when dull but in the sun the metallic red flake comes out and it's very nice indeed.

[S10GTA]

The Q2 diff is an awesome bit of kit.

[renorti]

those honda 2.2 diesels are't as reliable as you would expect a honda to be.seen a few accords/civic with bottom end failures,and cam issues.

[crostonian]

Honda 2.2 diesel is a poor engine, along with the 2.2 Toyota/Lexus diesel.

I'd be checking the clutch/flywheel on an Alfa JTD at 80k, if it's heavy or juddery you could be in for a bill just shy of four figures.

[Nigel_O]

I run an 08 plate Alfa GT 1.9 Jtd - think of it as nothing more than a "fastback 147", as the majority of the car from the A pillars forwards is near identical

Mines done 176,000, and returns an easy 50mpg (managed over 65 on my 39 mile commute last Thursday evening).

Not entirely sure it needs a Q2 diff with only 150bhp, as traction isn't really an issue as long as you have decent tyres. It'll break traction in 1st gear in the wet and if its provoked on greasy roundabouts, but if you use the inbuilt semi-intelligent traction control feature (called a "brain" - involves lifting the throttle a bit), traction just isn't an issue. In the dry, I would suggest a Q2 is pointless (on these cars at least)

Mines had the usual front suspension arms, ARB droplinks, a clutch at about 140,000 and a re-con turbo at about 160,000. Other than that, its just consumables

I'd suggest the GT is almost as practical as the 147 (on a trip to Currys, in addition to a toolbox and a socket set, I got a washing machine, a boxed microwave, and a boxed full-size Dyson in with the seats down)

As is usual on anything like this - buy on history and condition - might be useful to take someone along that knows what they're looking for - as mentioned above, a heavy clutch is a precursor to a four figure bill. A creaky clutch is usually just a dry master cylinder plunger. Suspension knocks and clunks can turn into a £500 bill. Check the fuel consumption - if its been trundled around town, it'll be choked up with oily sludge in the inlet manifold. EGRs get clogged and the variable vanes on the turbo get sticky, causing overboost spikes. Known issues with swirl flap ingestion too, which can destroy the engine if it doesn't get caught in the inlet port first.

A good one is a joy to drive - a duffer is a money-pit

[omeryb]

Hi all,

I have had a 147 TS TI for about 5 years from 3 yrs old and abt 18k on the clock, was a pleasure to drive. Problem is i haven't driven any other Alfa so I don't know how it compares to any other models!

If the OP is still looking for some models have a look at mine which I'm selling on Piston Heads classifieds.

Got a company car coming my way and space for 1 car so need to get a quick sale done otherwise car parking tickets!!

ta,

Edited by omeryb on Thursday 9th October 16:35