147 for the wife?

[Davie_GLA]

Good morning all.

I'm after a car for the wife and found what i think looks like a nice little 147. The ad reads:

ALFA ROMEO 147 2.0 TS Selespeed Lusso

5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 70,000 miles, Red. ABS, Alloy wheels, Cruise control, Electric sunroof, Front armrest, Headlight washers, Folding rear seats, Lumbar support, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Side airbags, Radio/CD, Rear headrests, Traction control, Alarm, Heated door mirrors, Rear electric windows, Space saver spare wheel, Heated front seat, Body coloured bumpers, Electric door mirrors, Front electric windows, Height adjustable drivers seat, Isofix child seat anchor points, Steering wheel reach adjustment, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Audio remote control, Drivers airbag, Front fog lights, PAS, Remote central locking, Trip computer, Front head restraints, Solid Paint, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Cloth seat trim, Rear wiper. Insurance Group:14, £1,495

Now i've been digging around and the selespeed box doesn't seem to fair very well in any conversations so that may be a problem.

I'm test driving it tonight so what should i be looking for?

regards,

David

[alfa pint]

My missus had a manual as a company car and it was absolutely superb apart from being a little thirsty (32 mpg).

Thing about the selespeed is its reliability and £££££ to sort out. Be prepared to get scrap value for the car if it goes as it will be 'beyond economical repair' as they say. But for £1400, definitely worth a punt.

[Davie_GLA]

Thanks!

Just realised that the ad says it has cloth trim, it doesn't it had cream leather. The rear bench is stained and has a tear on it but i might be able to pick one up for reasonable cash.

It also has a bose stereo set - was that standard?

David.

[Davie_GLA]

Reading on, What Car has quoted it as 'No family car'

The primary role of this car will be ferrying mini me to nursery and back so will need room for a car seat.

Thoughts?

David.

[alfa pint]

Davie_GLA said:

Reading on, What Car has quoted it as 'No family car'

The primary role of this car will be ferrying mini me to nursery and back so will need room for a car seat.

Thoughts?

David.

What Car only said that because the boot isn't the biggest and neither is the leg room in comparison to say a Golf. You won't have any problems getting a car seat in there, and a normal size pram will fit in the boot, but there won't be much room for owt else.

Think the bose stereo was an optional extra. I'd be surprised if the leather seat won't clean up using some of the recommendations from the 'detailing' forum, rather than buying one that will almost certainly not match the rest of the leather.

At that price, my missus would be sorely tempted to replace her ageing V40 with another 147!

[Davie_GLA]

I'll need to have a look though the service. If there is no evidence of the cam belt being changed and the dealer can't say yay or nay, do i walk away?

Also what else am i looking for during the drive?

[p17sut]

A 1.6 manual 5 door like mine is a better option than a 2.0 selespeed in my opinion, there more choice of them usually too.
Performance feels very close to the 2.0 and its cheaper to insure with marginally better mpg too.

Bose was an option as was leather, you can find leather second hand if you really want it.
Had the Bose sat nav+ system in my GTA and its nice to have for the nicer looking front unit and better speakers but the satnav is rubbish.
The sub woofer in the boot further limits boot space mind you so its maybe best not to have it for you.
And the leather looks better but I've got cloth in my current car for a change and quite like it.

Also if there is no evidence of belt change and he probably wont do it on a car at that price, then i'd just look for one that has.

Edited by p17sut on Monday 16th May 10:44

[Davie_GLA]

I must say i'm struggling to commit. So much bad about them on the web.

I've just registered at alfa owners, lets see what they say

[p17sut]

Davie_GLA said:

I must say i'm struggling to commit. So much bad about them on the web.

I've just registered at alfa owners, lets see what they say

I'm a South Scotland area rep on there!

Mines a late 2003 Lusso with about 55K on it, good 1 previous owner history and its been fine......got it at a good price from Western Alfa in Perth as it was a trade in waiting to go to auction.

Its at the age/mileage where it needs a bit spent on it mind you, some knocking and squeaking from suspension, and certainly front brakes before its MOT soon, but nothing too expensive really.

[Davie_GLA]

So can the selespeed operate as a full auto as well as changing using the flappy paddles?

[crostonian]

Bose was standard on Selespeeds, personally I would avoid the Selespeed firstly because they are crap to drive and secondly because of the costs of remedying faults when, not if, they happen.

I would look for a 2 litre manual 5 door, the 1.6 isn't as smooth and feels sluggish in comparison, insurance and running costs are very similar.

They are reliable cars in general, I would go for a car with a low number of owners, full service history with evidence of regular oil changes and unless the belt has been done, budget up to £300 for a belt change and variator service. Leather is almost essential for speedy resale, they look good on 17s but drive much better on standard 16s.

[Patrick1964]

"Don't buy a Selespeed" is the best four word piece of advice for any prospective Alfa owner bar none.

[Davie_GLA]

I called tonight and cancelled the test drive. Too many horror stories I'm afraid.

The search continues.

[JR]

Patrick1964 said:

"Don't buy a Selespeed" is the best four word piece of advice for any prospective Alfa owner bar none.

5

[p17sut]

Davie_GLA said:

So can the selespeed operate as a full auto as well as changing using the flappy paddles?

I'm sure they cant be......but never driven a selespeed so dont have any personal experience of one.
I've driven a MITO with the new TCT system which can though.
Good luck with the search anyway, and dont dismiss the 1.6 if your not needing an auto!
And thats coming from a previous owner of plenty 2.0s and a GTA V6.

[14-7]

p17sut said:

I'm sure they cant be......but never driven a selespeed so dont have any personal experience of one.

You can put selespeeds in to city mode (I think that's what it's called) and it will do all the changing for you so similar to an auto but it isn't a very good system. When I had one I always found that it wanted to change gear at the worst possible time and wasn't very quick to change down when you wanted it to.

[sunbeam alpine]

Patrick1964 said:

"Don't buy a Selespeed" is the best four word piece of advice for any prospective Alfa owner bar none.

What he said. Seriously. I've got 2 Alfa's, and one of my best friends is an Alfa dealer. He hates them - when they break in warranty it's a pain in the arse for him, when they break out of warranty it's a pain in the wallet for his customer.

[Alfachick]

I would say go for a 147 as a second family car, for the wife as you say.

But as has been said on this thread already:
1. Stay clear of the Seelespeed box. Not worth the hassle.
2. Make sure that the cambelt and tensioners have been changed at regular intervals every 34k IIRC, if this hasn't been done the car will sound like a diesel, and also all the other stuff that goes with not having had a cambelt change. If you are in any doubt, budget for this to be done.
3. Check the oil!
4. 2.0 is faster and generally nicer than the 1.6, although I had a 1.6 and it was fine.

They are great cars, and great VFM now! But they must be looked after, try and find an enthusiast owned or a low mileage example. The oil should be checked fortnightly if not weekely as these engines can have a tendency to drink the stuff. My 1.6 was fine for oil, but a previous 145 that I owned which has the same engine was really really bad for using oil, and eventually blew up on me (it was a £250 car though so kinda expected!).

Keep looking around for a good one and you will not be disappointed.