snotter advice
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Discussion

chrispmartha

Original Poster:

23,478 posts

158 months

Saturday 24th May 2014
quotequote all
My M135i delivery date has been put back to end of August, Ive sold the Cayman so was going to use my classic a s daily but TBH i don't want to put that many miles on it, I could have copse till end of June so...

Think I'll buy a snotter, I think Ive found one, an Alfa 147 1.6 lusso Tspark, just had a new clutch, test drove it today seem fairly tidy and quite pokey! 700, anyone got any thoughts on these, I know Alfa have a bad rep for reliability!

Also test drove a saab 900 convertible (I've got a soft spot for saabs) for 500 I actually liked it it was well used and roof stuck open half way through opening and it wouldn't go down :-)

Any other suggestions budget 500-700

bearman68

4,929 posts

161 months

Saturday 24th May 2014
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147 is tidy enough in my view. I personally like the 1.6 engine in it better than the 2.0, seems to match it better.
Crank sensors can be a problem, resulting in erratic running, or occasional non starts / breakdowns. Aside from that the system is all Bosch and fitted to loads of stuff, so no worries.
The subframe can rot as well, and that can be a bit of a pain, but it it has more MOT than you need, go for it. What's the worst than can happen.......

wemorgan

3,583 posts

207 months

Saturday 24th May 2014
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You only need the car to last 3 months, so absolute reliability shouldn't be an issue.
The 147 sounds like it will fit the bill nicely.

Pebbles167

4,572 posts

181 months

Saturday 24th May 2014
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306 D Turbo? Very cheap and easily sold. Give it a clean, and you might even make some money!

Out of the two you mentioned, id have the saab. I found the 1.6 t spark a little lacking in oomph.

NashGT

467 posts

212 months

Saturday 24th May 2014
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+1 on the 147

chrispmartha

Original Poster:

23,478 posts

158 months

Saturday 24th May 2014
quotequote all
Pebbles167 said:
306 D Turbo? Very cheap and easily sold. Give it a clean, and you might even make some money!

Out of the two you mentioned, id have the saab. I found the 1.6 t spark a little lacking in oomph.
I would have taken the Saab today if the roof hadn't have stuck halfway open/shut.

The only issue with the 147 is MOT runs out mid august so would probably have to MOT it to sell it on which I didn't want to do, but the car is really tidy for the money.

I know I shouldn't be fussy with a snotter but I'm actually seeing it as an opportunity to buy a car marque Ive always fancied owning, I just can't seem to sensible enough to buy a ford focus or something like that :-)

As I say Iv've always loved Saabs I may see if theres any more around locally, its actually quite good fun looking for these cheap motors :-)

chrispmartha

Original Poster:

23,478 posts

158 months

Saturday 24th May 2014
quotequote all

poing

8,743 posts

229 months

Saturday 24th May 2014
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That's a LOT of car for the money! Go check that one out for sure.

eltax91

10,755 posts

235 months

Saturday 24th May 2014
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Buy Saab. It won't break and it'll fly its mot if needed before sale.

Sell it for what you paid for it and take zero risk. smile