Which 147 or 159 Alpha
Discussion
Hi guys i`m looking for a new used car i`m quite interested in either a 147 or a 159 two amazing looking and two different cars i know. I know very little about Alphas apart from they need a new timing belt and water pump more often than most other makes of cars, There are so many models of the 147 and 159 so which are the ones to go for and ones to avoid? I am only refering to petrol versions as i dont like diesels, also i dont want/need a big engined car so nothing to hefty on the juice.
I have seen some collizoine 147`s for sale are these any different to the usual 147`s any advice on these two cars would be appreciated
I have seen some collizoine 147`s for sale are these any different to the usual 147`s any advice on these two cars would be appreciated
147s came with two petrol engines, 1.6 and 2.0.
If you don't want the power / torque the 2.0 gives you then the 1.6 will do the job. It also has slightly cheaper servicing costs due to one fewer belt / tensioner to change.
Speaking of these - the cambelt needs changing every three years / 36k miles. There are lots of good independent Alfa specialists out there (AforAlfa being one of the better ones, and best value). The water pumps are not a major addition (£40?) to be changed at cambelt time and are not unique to Alfa in being recommended to be changed. Also need to be aware of the variator which can fail if oil changes have not been carried out regularly, adds c.£110 on to the cost of the cambelt change (best done at the same time as involves the cambelt). There are 8 spark plugs too, which will cost c.£8-10 each. These do last a long time though - c.60k miles, but nice to know if any of the above work has been carried out recently before buying a 147. All of the above at one time can cost over £500 if you're unlucky - although you'd have an engine set up for the next few years of course. These twin spark engines can also drink oil, and certainly need regular checking of the oil level. Need to be kept at / near the max mark on the dipstick.
I'd avoid the Selespeed gearbox - too prone to giving expensive problems. Some people never have a problem, some never-ending woes. Just best to steer clear IMO.
159 petrol engines come in either 2.2 litre GM units, or more modern 1.75 Alfa. Neither is particularly economical but perform 'okay', especially if you're not too bothered about performance. The 159 is a heavy car, even the later ones which were supposedly lighter, and these engines can need all of the rev range used to make progress. But if you're not bothered about outright performance I daresay you can pootle around in them and achieve semi-decent mpg...
Both cars are based on different floorpans. The 147 is an older design, and should be a sharp drive. It will need semi-regular suspension works to maintain. The 159 is a more modern / solid drive and less prone (as far as I know) to suspension component failure - much more mature drive than the 147.
The special editions of either car are worth seeking out as came with extra kit etc. As well as the one you mention, also look out for the Ducati edition of the 147. Not sure if it came in the petrol engine, but a lovely specced run-out version of the 147. The 159 version many people desire is the Ti spec. Lovely but it does come with larger 19" wheels and correspondingly expensive tyres which don't always last long.
With both cars ideally the suspension set up needs to be correctly aligned to deliver both driving pleasure and longevity of wear for the tyres.
Personally, without knowing your budget, I'd go for a late 147 than an early 159.
Try to get a good warranty with whatever you buy.
HTH but all of the above may not be accurate, but I am sure someone else will come along soon to correct any errors I've made!
Oh, and it's ALFA ROMEO!
If you don't want the power / torque the 2.0 gives you then the 1.6 will do the job. It also has slightly cheaper servicing costs due to one fewer belt / tensioner to change.
Speaking of these - the cambelt needs changing every three years / 36k miles. There are lots of good independent Alfa specialists out there (AforAlfa being one of the better ones, and best value). The water pumps are not a major addition (£40?) to be changed at cambelt time and are not unique to Alfa in being recommended to be changed. Also need to be aware of the variator which can fail if oil changes have not been carried out regularly, adds c.£110 on to the cost of the cambelt change (best done at the same time as involves the cambelt). There are 8 spark plugs too, which will cost c.£8-10 each. These do last a long time though - c.60k miles, but nice to know if any of the above work has been carried out recently before buying a 147. All of the above at one time can cost over £500 if you're unlucky - although you'd have an engine set up for the next few years of course. These twin spark engines can also drink oil, and certainly need regular checking of the oil level. Need to be kept at / near the max mark on the dipstick.
I'd avoid the Selespeed gearbox - too prone to giving expensive problems. Some people never have a problem, some never-ending woes. Just best to steer clear IMO.
159 petrol engines come in either 2.2 litre GM units, or more modern 1.75 Alfa. Neither is particularly economical but perform 'okay', especially if you're not too bothered about performance. The 159 is a heavy car, even the later ones which were supposedly lighter, and these engines can need all of the rev range used to make progress. But if you're not bothered about outright performance I daresay you can pootle around in them and achieve semi-decent mpg...
Both cars are based on different floorpans. The 147 is an older design, and should be a sharp drive. It will need semi-regular suspension works to maintain. The 159 is a more modern / solid drive and less prone (as far as I know) to suspension component failure - much more mature drive than the 147.
The special editions of either car are worth seeking out as came with extra kit etc. As well as the one you mention, also look out for the Ducati edition of the 147. Not sure if it came in the petrol engine, but a lovely specced run-out version of the 147. The 159 version many people desire is the Ti spec. Lovely but it does come with larger 19" wheels and correspondingly expensive tyres which don't always last long.
With both cars ideally the suspension set up needs to be correctly aligned to deliver both driving pleasure and longevity of wear for the tyres.
Personally, without knowing your budget, I'd go for a late 147 than an early 159.
Try to get a good warranty with whatever you buy.
HTH but all of the above may not be accurate, but I am sure someone else will come along soon to correct any errors I've made!
Oh, and it's ALFA ROMEO!
To add to HH's post above the 147 was available in 2 versions of the 1.6 - 105bhp and 120bhp. I think I'm right in saying the lesser powered version didn't have the phase variator.
The other petrol 147 available was the 3.2 V6 GTA - awesome car but expensive to maintain.
Other petrol 159s available were the 140bhp 1.8MPi and 160bhp 1.9JTS as well as a 260bhp 3.2 V6. Best of the bunch, if your budget can stretch, would probably be the 1.75TBi in Ti trim. GM derived 2.2 and 3.2 V6 use timing chains and not belts.
The other petrol 147 available was the 3.2 V6 GTA - awesome car but expensive to maintain.
Other petrol 159s available were the 140bhp 1.8MPi and 160bhp 1.9JTS as well as a 260bhp 3.2 V6. Best of the bunch, if your budget can stretch, would probably be the 1.75TBi in Ti trim. GM derived 2.2 and 3.2 V6 use timing chains and not belts.
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff