Thoughts on 147's?
Discussion
Hi All, the wife's old Clio is getting a bit long in the tooth and I was thinking of replacing it with something a bit newer/better.
Nothing fancy, it mainly does school runs and trips round town (London).
I just had a scan of 147's and see that you can get a decent low mileage (manual) 2004/2005 147 for £2.5k-£3k.
Personally I'd like a 2.0 TS although maybe for lower insurance/mpg a 1.6 might make more sense. But is the 1.6 a bit underpowered?
Also planning to dodge the Selespeed.
Any thoughts/advice/guidance?
Thanks
Nothing fancy, it mainly does school runs and trips round town (London).
I just had a scan of 147's and see that you can get a decent low mileage (manual) 2004/2005 147 for £2.5k-£3k.
Personally I'd like a 2.0 TS although maybe for lower insurance/mpg a 1.6 might make more sense. But is the 1.6 a bit underpowered?
Also planning to dodge the Selespeed.
Any thoughts/advice/guidance?
Thanks
2 litre all the way for me. It's quicker and smoother, they both do the same mpg, same VED and insurance seems to be very similar. Yes the belt service is slightly more costly due to there being a balance shaft belt and less room under the bonnet but we're only talking another £50 or so.
Avoid the Selespeed is the best advice unless you are friends with an Alfa specialist or are buying at the £500 mark when you just throw away if it breaks!
Avoid the Selespeed is the best advice unless you are friends with an Alfa specialist or are buying at the £500 mark when you just throw away if it breaks!
crostonian said:
2 litre all the way for me. It's quicker and smoother, they both do the same mpg, same VED and insurance seems to be very similar. Yes the belt service is slightly more costly due to there being a balance shaft belt and less room under the bonnet but we're only talking another £50 or so.
Avoid the Selespeed is the best advice unless you are friends with an Alfa specialist or are buying at the £500 mark when you just throw away if it breaks!
ThanksAvoid the Selespeed is the best advice unless you are friends with an Alfa specialist or are buying at the £500 mark when you just throw away if it breaks!
nkbish0p said:
2.0 is actually band K whilst 1.6 is band J.
2.0 MPG figure is 31 whilst 1.6 is 34
Personally I think they are both conservative as I have averaged 39mpg over the last 2000ish miles in my 1.6
And i quite regularly get 35-36 in my 2.0, and thats in the 156. Although at the moment i am only achieving around 30mpg, i blame the cold weather.2.0 MPG figure is 31 whilst 1.6 is 34
Personally I think they are both conservative as I have averaged 39mpg over the last 2000ish miles in my 1.6
The 1.6 engine is fine, quite short-geared and revvy. Feels more old-school Alfa than the others. Ride, handling and interior are all good, making it a nice car to drive. Downside is expensive maintenance - cambelt is needed every 36k, the wishbone suspension works well but basically falls to bits and costs a packet in new bushes etc. Also look out for a floppy gearshift - new lever assembly and cables are costly. They have a thirst for oil, which can lead to engine failure on neglected (i.e. empty) motors. But a decent one with service history is a nice car.
147 is a brilliant car, far better made than a Clio and far nicer place to sit. I had a 2.0 Selespeed and loved it. I know everyone says 'avoid' but mine never let me down ever, and had all the goodies as the Selespeeds come with cruise, dual zone climate, heated seats, Bose amplifier etc. I paid a grand for it and only sold it as I got a company car. I miss it every day, they are fantastic.
147 is a brilliant car, far better made than a Clio and far nicer place to sit. I had a 2.0 Selespeed and loved it. I know everyone says 'avoid' but mine never let me down ever, and had all the goodies as the Selespeeds come with cruise, dual zone climate, heated seats, Bose amplifier etc. I paid a grand for it and only sold it as I got a company car. I miss it every day, they are fantastic.
I'd personally go for the 2.0, as said before not a lot in it in terms of mpg. correct me if I'm wrong but I think the 1.6 has slightly softer suspension (thinner ARB's etc) so won't handle as well, I've had three (two 2.0 and now a gta) my second one is now with my sister on 140,000 miles and still going.
Oil consumption is always a problem so look for a seller who is aware of this and regularly checks/tops it up rather than one telling you it doesn't use any, they are more than likely telling you porkie pies.
wishbones do wear out, good ones have lasted ~40,000 miles with me with hard driving and some rather rough roads.
Over-all they do need a bit of looking after but then you save on the initial purchase price and they are all good fun to drive! Have a look here for a more in depth buyers guide:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_147.shtml
Or have a read in this lounge:
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
Oil consumption is always a problem so look for a seller who is aware of this and regularly checks/tops it up rather than one telling you it doesn't use any, they are more than likely telling you porkie pies.
wishbones do wear out, good ones have lasted ~40,000 miles with me with hard driving and some rather rough roads.
Over-all they do need a bit of looking after but then you save on the initial purchase price and they are all good fun to drive! Have a look here for a more in depth buyers guide:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_147.shtml
Or have a read in this lounge:
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
robsa said:
147 is a brilliant car, far better made than a Clio and far nicer place to sit. I had a 2.0 Selespeed and loved it. I know everyone says 'avoid' but mine never let me down ever, and had all the goodies as the Selespeeds come with cruise, dual zone climate, heated seats, Bose amplifier etc. I paid a grand for it and only sold it as I got a company car. I miss it every day, they are fantastic.
A grand!Wow that's nothing.
Off to search the classifieds...
StentGTA said:
I'd personally go for the 2.0, as said before not a lot in it in terms of mpg. correct me if I'm wrong but I think the 1.6 has slightly softer suspension (thinner ARB's etc) so won't handle as well, I've had three (two 2.0 and now a gta) my second one is now with my sister on 140,000 miles and still going.
Oil consumption is always a problem so look for a seller who is aware of this and regularly checks/tops it up rather than one telling you it doesn't use any, they are more than likely telling you porkie pies.
wishbones do wear out, good ones have lasted ~40,000 miles with me with hard driving and some rather rough roads.
Over-all they do need a bit of looking after but then you save on the initial purchase price and they are all good fun to drive! Have a look here for a more in depth buyers guide:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_147.shtml
Or have a read in this lounge:
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
Many thanks, very useful.Oil consumption is always a problem so look for a seller who is aware of this and regularly checks/tops it up rather than one telling you it doesn't use any, they are more than likely telling you porkie pies.
wishbones do wear out, good ones have lasted ~40,000 miles with me with hard driving and some rather rough roads.
Over-all they do need a bit of looking after but then you save on the initial purchase price and they are all good fun to drive! Have a look here for a more in depth buyers guide:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_147.shtml
Or have a read in this lounge:
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
I gave £1000 for this one. It had done 65,000 miles and had a rattly variator.
I spent a bit of time tidying it up, did the belt, pump, tensioner and variator and then thrashed it around for a while.
It was a 1.6 TS. Bit short geared on the motorway, but performance was adequate. Rather expensive to tax and insure compared to the alternatives.
Spark plugs are expensive and there are eight of the bloody things. I'd echo the sloppy gearchange warning. You need to drop the exhaust to get to the selector, which is a big job.
Check that the flexible section of the exhaust isn't blowing.
And it is no use just changing the timing belt. The water pump and idler/tensioner need to be done at the same time.
They are a car with a lot of style and character for the money, but can be expensive to maintain if you can't use a spanner.
I spent a bit of time tidying it up, did the belt, pump, tensioner and variator and then thrashed it around for a while.
It was a 1.6 TS. Bit short geared on the motorway, but performance was adequate. Rather expensive to tax and insure compared to the alternatives.
Spark plugs are expensive and there are eight of the bloody things. I'd echo the sloppy gearchange warning. You need to drop the exhaust to get to the selector, which is a big job.
Check that the flexible section of the exhaust isn't blowing.
And it is no use just changing the timing belt. The water pump and idler/tensioner need to be done at the same time.
They are a car with a lot of style and character for the money, but can be expensive to maintain if you can't use a spanner.
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