My first Alfa - £1.5k for a 147 or GTV

[Horsepower27]

Hi all,

Right I cannot resist any more, I'm going to get an Alfa, my first Alfa! Very excited about the prospect. Well I think I am going to get one..

I don't want to spend much cash, max maybe £1750 - I know what this means and I am prepared to accept that I'm going to have to go high mileage and maybe something not in the best nick.

Currently thinking 147 1.6 with 90k-110k like this 147 1.6 98k or this 147 2.0 80k

or a GTV like this 97 2.0 GTV too good to be true price?

I know I may have some problems and if I didn't have use of it for a while I could survive (live in central London) but am I crazy, is this going to cost me a fortune?

My heart says get one, my head says don't. At the moment by heart is winning but I cannot decide what to do!

Any guidance?!

[robsco]

I'm more than willing to spend money on Alfas, but I wouldn't have the balls to buy a GTV with your budget I don't think. 147s on the other hand are worth a gamble at that money. Whichever you decide, the Twinsparks MUST have had a belt change every 36k or 3years. If not, you'll need to set aside another 400 quid or so for an immediate cambelt change.

[Horsepower27]

robsco said:

If not, you'll need to set aside another 400 quid or so for an immediate cambelt change.

Cheers

If they haven't and I get it done immediately, could there be any problems existing because of late belt change?

Car will only be doing 2 4 mile trips every week and one 400 mile round trip once a month or so. Worst come to it I can do without but don't want to fork out hundreds every month on maintenance

[Horsepower27]

robsco said:

I'm more than willing to spend money on Alfas,

Just looked at your profile - how did you get your 147 at such a bargainous price for that mileage? If I found one that was an absolute bargain I could stretch up to the 3k mark, but only if I was getting it at an amazing price

[robsco]

There shouldn't be any problems if the belt has been changed late as such, I'd just query the previous owner's general maintenance of the vehicle if they don't replace such a vital component on time. The reason I say it needs doing immediately, is because these engines do have a tendency for cambelt failures; Alfa Romeo even halved the intervals from 72k or 6 years to 36k or 3 years, such was the abundance of failures. Saying that, if its changed on time, by an Alfa specialist, you should have no concerns.

You also need to check that the oil has been regularly checked and topped up, the Twin Spark does like a drink. Another point worth noting is that a lot of qualms with Alfas tend to be suspension or axle related. Check for clunking or creaking over speedbumps etc, these could be worn bushes or possibly arms.

As for the price of my 147, I work for Pendragon, a rather large motor group. Hence, I found the 147 and got it for trade price; it was on the forecourt for £3500. I've just sold her to a fellow PHer with 55k on her for £2100. She was immaculate, so it shows that you can get a very nice, well looked after car for not much more than your original budget, if you show patience and find the right car (and owner!). What's more, I'm collecting a 156 V6 on Thursday, so once you've caught the bug its a slippery slope!

[robsco]

2.0 147 looks nice by the way, as does the GTV. 1.6 has engine management light on.

[Alfachick]

I would go for the 2.0 147 out of that lot I think.

I used to have the 1.6 147 and it was just not fast enough, it was a VERY good car, the only car I have ever had that has NEVER broken down on me. Comfy, well put together reliable, practical. Generally a very nice car, and you still get the "look back" factor.

I also had a V6 GTV which was awesome, but heavy on fuel. Personally unless I had a lot of money to spend on upkeep I would not go for a GTV 2.0 at that price.

A word of warning though, my first Alfa was a 1.6 145 twin spark that had about 100,000 miles on it. The previous owner never really spent any money maintaining it, only put oil in it when the light came on etc etc. It was a lemon, but it was nicer than the fiesta that I had at the time. Anyhoo, it suffered total catastrophic engine failure - oil in the cylinders type of failure, on my way down to my first proper job.
That experience has put me RIGHT off cheap, high mileage twinspark alfas.

Even though my first Alfa was a stbox, I have had Alfas ever since, once you get bitten you cant not have one. They really are that good.

Buy the best that you can afford. Hope you find a goodun.

[waynedear]

Have you had a look round Alfaowner.com.............????...a mine of information.

[P700DEE]

If you can afford the insurance and if the GTV has cambelt and OK rear suspension I would definitely go for the GTV Age is irrelevant at this price condition and service history all. The GTV looks good for a P1 plenty of newer ones around and those that can afford to insure them will look newer and for a V6. A bargain and much more Kudos than a 147

[Horsepower27]

robsco said:

2.0 147 looks nice by the way, as does the GTV. 1.6 has engine management light on.

Isn't that just because the ignition is on?

Alfachick said:

I would go for the 2.0 147 out of that lot I think.

I used to have the 1.6 147 and it was just not fast enough, it was a VERY good car, the only car I have ever had that has NEVER broken down on me. Comfy, well put together reliable, practical. Generally a very nice car, and you still get the "look back" factor.

I also had a V6 GTV which was awesome, but heavy on fuel. Personally unless I had a lot of money to spend on upkeep I would not go for a GTV 2.0 at that price.


Buy the best that you can afford. Hope you find a goodun.

Thanks for the advice.... I'm thinking I might start on the 1.6, could do without losing the license and live in central London so insurance is £££ Is the 1.6 any more economical than the 2.0?

waynedear said:

Have you had a look round Alfaowner.com.............????...a mine of information.

Just been browsing the classified and now like a kid in a toyshop, cheers!

P700DEE said:

If you can afford the insurance and if the GTV has cambelt and OK rear suspension I would definitely go for the GTV Age is irrelevant at this price condition and service history all. The GTV looks good for a P1 plenty of newer ones around and those that can afford to insure them will look newer and for a V6. A bargain and much more Kudos than a 147

Agreed, 2 usable back seats would be handy though. Hmmmm



One thing I do want is teledial wheels. Might have to get them seperate. Also not sure to wait for a red one or just not be fussy about colour.

I want a manual as have heard bad things about selespeed. Are these to be believed?? Usually I HATE automatics but have never driven a car with

Clarkson said:

flappy paddles

[Menguin]

Get yourself a 145. You can get a mint one for £1500 or thereabouts, 2.0 Cloverleaf the only way to go.

Same underpinnings as a GTV, but due to the lower prices than both your other choices, it won't be a dog - it will be a peach

[Horsepower27]

Menguin said:

Get yourself a 145. You can get a mint one for £1500 or thereabouts, 2.0 Cloverleaf the only way to go.

Same underpinnings as a GTV, but due to the lower prices than both your other choices, it won't be a dog - it will be a peach

I have considered. And I love 145s. But I will be travelling to some client meetings and while I know it is a great car for the connoisseur not all my clients will be connoisseurs and might think its an old banger - even if in great condition.

Well I have been known to change my mind before....!

[Horsepower27]

Horsepower27 said:

Menguin said:

Get yourself a 145. You can get a mint one for £1500 or thereabouts, 2.0 Cloverleaf the only way to go.

Same underpinnings as a GTV, but due to the lower prices than both your other choices, it won't be a dog - it will be a peach

I have considered. And I love 145s. But I will be travelling to some client meetings and while I know it is a great car for the connoisseur not all my clients will be connoisseurs and might think its an old banger - even if in great condition.

Well I have been known to change my mind before....!

Hmmm you've got me thinking, just looking at some ads and salivating

[funwithrevs]

Horsepower27 said:

One thing I do want is teledial wheels. Might have to get them seperate. Also not sure to wait for a red one or just not be fussy about colour.

I would be inclined to wait.

I got fed up of looking when I bought my 2.5l 166. I wanted a 3.0l, and have regretted not waiting ever since.

It is still a lovely car, else I wouldn't have kept it for around 5 years now, but I really wanted the 3.0 with the extra toys that brings.

[Muzzlehatch]

Horsepower27, YHM.

[14-7]

Horsepower27 said:

My heart says get one, my head says don't. At the moment by heart is winning but I cannot decide what to do!

Any guidance?!

I bought my first Alfa 8 years ago purely because I'd seen a 156GTA being reviewed against a Subaru STi and the Alfa just looked so sexy!

Ended up buying a 156 2ltr and loved it.

Now got a 147GTA and that's even better.

I can't recommend Alfa's enough. They aren't plagued by problems and don't cost anymore than their rivals.

I will say go for the 2ltr though and not the 1.6ltr.

[robsco]

Horsepower27 said:

robsco said:

2.0 147 looks nice by the way, as does the GTV. 1.6 has engine management light on.

Isn't that just because the ignition is on?

Of course it is, silly me! I could've sworn the engine was running, I'll grab my coat

[TdM-GTV]

If you can afford the insurance hold fire and get a V6 GTV. You would be suprised at the lack of difference in petrol/upkeep costs. The twinspark will give you better MPG if driven like a granny (kept below 2500 at all times) but that is IMPOSSIBLE. For a start it doesn't go that quickly below 2500 and second once you put your foot down you can't pick it up off the floor until it red lines... It's an Alfa that's just what they do...

Twinny engine will last ages if it's well maintained but will die quickly if you don't look after it properly.

The 145 is not the same as a GTV... it has the same 'basic underpinnings' but different setup and I don't think the 145 has the multilink suspension which makes a big difference to the handling.

V6 rear suspension will last longer. Twinny bushes will go fairly quickly but if you change them for Poly bushes (powerflex) they will last forever. Didn't like the driving experience in the 147 as much as the GTV I found it to be 'wobbly' as with most taller cars.

Don't expect the GTV to be comfy it will shake your fillings out. It also has TERRIBLE lights so you won't be able to see when it's dark (which is hilarious). The washer pipes also have a thing for falling off in the winter which can somewhat impair your ability to clean the windows in salty conditions...

Speaking of winter - you won't be able to unlock the doors/open the door even if you manage to unlock it. Locks freeze all the time and windows freeze to sills.

Handling wise on the GTV:
It grips very well unless it's wet. It will almost always settle into a scrabbling understeer when pushed too hard but is easy to balance around the corner with the throttle. It will tighten it's line with lift off - if aggressive it will glide into oversteer - this is rarely snappish and usually gives you time to collect it and, with a bit of power late in the drift, drive out looking like a hero.

If you are too aggressive and get very sideways it WILL snap back on you and you will have to be very quick on the steering to keep it going in the right direction - you have to really upset it to do this though.

I've owned one for 6.5 years - I love it!

[Horsepower27]

TdM-GTV said:

The twinspark will give you better MPG if driven like a granny (kept below 2500 at all times) but that is IMPOSSIBLE. For a start it doesn't go that quickly below 2500 and second once you put your foot down you can't pick it up off the floor until it red lines... It's an Alfa that's just what they do...

Haha, I like that and look forward to it!

As for GTV - I can't decide - perhaps I should get a GTV and a 147! In my dreams...

Still looking, still excited - although I have had to touch base with reality and now looking for the end of next month or beginning of October, hopefully no longer than that till my first Alfa!

[pdV6]

TdM-GTV said:

I've owned one for 6.5 years - I love it!

I bought mine 9.5 years ago intending it to be a quick bit of fun for a year and then sell on at no loss / small profit.

It's still here!