Alfa 147 JTD Turismo Am I mad?

[oldmanbm]

Well we always kept a third car in use just as a spare and jolly useful it has been too. Our last 'third' vehicles have been a Hyundai Lantra, an Audi a4 Tdi and latterly a Renault Laguna estate that I bought 5 years ago for £400 from a neighbour. The Guna has just over 70,000 miles but I have been told it will take lots of £££ to get through the next MOT. Roll on to work where a colleague casually mentioned that his sister's new Mini had arrived and she needed to sell her Alfa 147 JTD. 1 owner from new FSH and long MOT. Just turned 90,000 miles and in A1 condition. It was registered in 2005. I went to look at it and was most impressed. Tight as a drum and with the 16v 150 bhp engine is very sprightly. Wanted £1500 but range me last night to offer at £1250. I think I can get it for £1000 if I wave cash in front of her. The guna is still MOT (to Jan) so I reckon its its till worth £2-300 to someone. Never had an Alfa and it is said you are not a true petrolhead unless you have one. Is an old Alfa JTD 16v a money trap waiting to happen? Or do I go to see a dreary Passat that the garage says is ideal? Need to make my mind up quick!

[oldmanbm]

Thanks guys! Went again to see it this morning and how it started from cold. No problem. Tyres all the same and Goodyear and no electrical issues that I can see. She says it was between a Mito and a Mini but she got a sweet finance deal on the Mini (Cooper D) and that swung it. She says the car has given no with regular servicing. She has stuck it on Gumtree for £1495 and has had a couple of callers. Will see on Monday what has happened.