Alfa Romeo 147's talk to me
Discussion
Looking at getting an Alfa Romeo 147 for my next car to replace my fiesta in around august time and just wanted to know what to look out for really. Would have to be a 1.6 twin spark model ideally with leather have around 2500 to spend seem's I can get something 1/2 decent for that. Are these going to be a money bit as they do have a reputation and my dad had a few issue's when he had a 156 before. However I fell in love with the thing it looked fantastic and I think the 147 to me anyway seem's a hell of a lot of car for the money and far more interesting that a golf etc... So really just wondered the do's and dont's of buying one and an idea of running cost's etc...
My wife has had one for the last 8 years and with the exception of a clutch at 70k everything else has been routine maintenance. Things to check on any car are that the cam belt has been done at the correct intervals. Check tyre wear and listen for any creaks from behind the dash as this will be the upper wishbone bushes, possibly on their way out or just needing lubircating. Replacing the upper wishbones sounds worse than it is. Parts are reasonable (£30 each side if I remember correctly) and it is a job that is easy to DIY. Other rattles from the suspension can be drop links, again easy enough and cheap enough to sort.
Other than that if driven hard frequently you need to keep an eye on the oil level. Having said that my wifes used very little between services, probably because she doesn't drive it hard.
We have found the electrics to be reliable, after 78k miles everything still works like the day we got it. Ours is currenlty for sale (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2558760.htm) as we want a bigger estate and to reduce the number of vehicles. I will be sad to see it go as it is a great little car and for a 1.6 fun to drive, a world away from the understeer soggy hadling you will get in a golf and you will get a lot newer less tired car for your 2.5k with a 147.
Other than that if driven hard frequently you need to keep an eye on the oil level. Having said that my wifes used very little between services, probably because she doesn't drive it hard.
We have found the electrics to be reliable, after 78k miles everything still works like the day we got it. Ours is currenlty for sale (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2558760.htm) as we want a bigger estate and to reduce the number of vehicles. I will be sad to see it go as it is a great little car and for a 1.6 fun to drive, a world away from the understeer soggy hadling you will get in a golf and you will get a lot newer less tired car for your 2.5k with a 147.
Look for proof of the cambelt having been changed within the last 36,000 miles or three years. Suspension bushes wear rapidly - as quickly as 35-40,000 miles - drive over a few speed bumps or a stretch of bumpy road & listen for squeaks & knocks. Power steering pipes can corrode & leak - the first sign with mine was a smell of power steering fluid when the bonnet was opened with the engine hot. Handbrake cables can cause problems - the outer covering splits at the caliper end, allowing water to get in; the handbrake can freeze on in cold weather. Brake light switches fail, giving ABS/VDC failure warnings which don't register a fault code so they don't show up on diagnostics. Random bulb failure warnings can occur - possibly a sign of impending body computer failure. Other than that, not much to worry about.
When buying a used 147 I'd advise looking for evidence that it's had a lot of money spent on it - doesn't mean it won't be a money pit, but it may shorten the odds!
EDIT:
Oops, forgot sloppy gear change caused by wear in the linkage - a common problem but cheap to fix.
When buying a used 147 I'd advise looking for evidence that it's had a lot of money spent on it - doesn't mean it won't be a money pit, but it may shorten the odds!
EDIT:
Oops, forgot sloppy gear change caused by wear in the linkage - a common problem but cheap to fix.
Edited by Dave Brand on Friday 11th March 09:07
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