HELP-Potential 147 GTA owner - are these costs realistic ??!
Discussion
Hi !
I’m really hoping for some advice from GTA owners before I take the plunge !
I’m edging closer to my car-purchase and after months of deliberation have come down to two choices; a 147 GTA and the Megane R26 – my heart is with the Alfa but the R26 is a great car and they’re creeping towards the £10k mark for a 2007 car with a manufacturers warranty etc.
I’ve been trying to get some rough cost estimations down for the GTA and would be hugely grateful for any thoughts and advice – current thinking/budgeting is as follows:
- Circa £9-£9.5k for a sorted GTA with Q2 diff and belts/tensioners/water pump done or circa £8k for a tidy car still requiring the work.
- £130/year for a 12k service and/or c. £550 for a cam-belt service.
- C. £500 for a Q2 diff.
- I’d budget up to £600/year for unforeseen costs (suspension for ex.).
Insurance and tax would be £550 and £210 respectively and I’d be doing no more that 5k miles/year.
Does that all sound realistic or are there other likely costs that would blow my £600/year out of the water ?!
I’m really hoping for some advice from GTA owners before I take the plunge !
I’m edging closer to my car-purchase and after months of deliberation have come down to two choices; a 147 GTA and the Megane R26 – my heart is with the Alfa but the R26 is a great car and they’re creeping towards the £10k mark for a 2007 car with a manufacturers warranty etc.
I’ve been trying to get some rough cost estimations down for the GTA and would be hugely grateful for any thoughts and advice – current thinking/budgeting is as follows:
- Circa £9-£9.5k for a sorted GTA with Q2 diff and belts/tensioners/water pump done or circa £8k for a tidy car still requiring the work.
- £130/year for a 12k service and/or c. £550 for a cam-belt service.
- C. £500 for a Q2 diff.
- I’d budget up to £600/year for unforeseen costs (suspension for ex.).
Insurance and tax would be £550 and £210 respectively and I’d be doing no more that 5k miles/year.
Does that all sound realistic or are there other likely costs that would blow my £600/year out of the water ?!
There's a good guide to servicing costs here:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_servicing...
Your estimates seem about right.
Don't forget tyres! And petrol - lots of it.
From what I've read the R26 seems like a very capable car up to and beyond the limit, but how often do you get chance to drive like that? The GTA strikes me as a much more appealing ownership prospect, especially the interior. Both great cars though, no doubt.
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_servicing...
Your estimates seem about right.
Don't forget tyres! And petrol - lots of it.
From what I've read the R26 seems like a very capable car up to and beyond the limit, but how often do you get chance to drive like that? The GTA strikes me as a much more appealing ownership prospect, especially the interior. Both great cars though, no doubt.
A friend at work has a 147 GTA. It's a very nice car but as with any Alfa it does go wrong sometimes. The engine sounds EPIC but it seems that even in dry conditions it's just understeer all the way to the kerb. Would be interested in one with a diff, might be a different story but still quite nose heavy.
Dont listen to people who 'have a mate who has a GTA' - they don't go wrong anymore than any other car out there (if you buy one that has been looked after) and they certainly dont understeer into the kerb unless you drive it like a t
t.
Find one that's been cared for, has a recent cambelt and possibly a Q2 diff and you'll be OK.
Have a look here -
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta/89970-156-...
t.Find one that's been cared for, has a recent cambelt and possibly a Q2 diff and you'll be OK.
Have a look here -
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta/89970-156-...
ChapppeRS said:
A friend at work has a 147 GTA. It's a very nice car but as with any Alfa it does go wrong sometimes. The engine sounds EPIC but it seems that even in dry conditions it's just understeer all the way to the kerb. Would be interested in one with a diff, might be a different story but still quite nose heavy.
Ive a 156 GTA + i'll never regret buying it. After my last car ( a supposedly indescructible Audi ) my Alfa is far more reliable + desirable. Super cars IMO. Good advice would be to suss out where your nearest Alfa indy is for servicing etc Edited by daphantom on Thursday 26th March 17:25
swanny71 said:
Dont listen to people who 'have a mate who has a GTA' - they don't go wrong anymore than any other car out there (if you buy one that has been looked after) and they certainly dont understeer into the kerb unless you drive it like a tt.
Find one that's been cared for, has a recent cambelt and possibly a Q2 diff and you'll be OK.
Have a look here -
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta/89970-156-...
Lol... Ok well thanks, I'll be off then but all I ever hear is "I couldn't go anywhere today because all I had was wheelspin. Wonderfully fast in a straight line though. Beautiful car, gorgeous sound but saying any Alfa is as reliable as ANY other car is just plain silly really. ot.Find one that's been cared for, has a recent cambelt and possibly a Q2 diff and you'll be OK.
Have a look here -
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta/89970-156-...
ChapppeRS said:
all I ever hear is "I couldn't go anywhere today because all I had was wheelspin.
Then I think there's something wrong either with your mate's driving, or with that specific car. It'll understeer if you drive like an oaf, same as any other vaguely powerful fwd car.ChapppeRS said:
saying any Alfa is as reliable as ANY other car is just plain silly really.
My first-hand experience of seven Alfas tells me otherwise.ChapppeRS said:
Lol... Ok well thanks, I'll be off then
Bye. 
according to a few people in here the cambelts are required a lot sooner than alfa recommend.
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
do a search for gta above for more info.
nice cars but seriously alfa`s arent as reliable as every other manufacturer. some maybe more reliable than some models of other marques but in general they have earnt their reputation on their own.
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
do a search for gta above for more info.
nice cars but seriously alfa`s arent as reliable as every other manufacturer. some maybe more reliable than some models of other marques but in general they have earnt their reputation on their own.
jamieboy said:
ChapppeRS said:
all I ever hear is "I couldn't go anywhere today because all I had was wheelspin.
Then I think there's something wrong either with your mate's driving, or with that specific car. It'll understeer if you drive like an oaf, same as any other vaguely powerful fwd car.ChapppeRS said:
saying any Alfa is as reliable as ANY other car is just plain silly really.
My first-hand experience of seven Alfas tells me otherwise.ChapppeRS said:
Lol... Ok well thanks, I'll
be off then
Bye. be off then
rsstman said:
nice cars but seriously alfa`s arent as reliable as every other manufacturer. some maybe more reliable than some models of other marques but in general they have earnt their reputation on their own.
They do have a reputation, but my experience is that it's mostly put about by pub experts and in reality isn't justified. But as I say that's only based on the seven that I've owned over the last fourteen or so years, comparing them to the other makes that I've owned over the same period. They need servicing by someone who knows what they're doing, obviously.What problems did you have with yours?
had a 147GTA for about a year. its a magnificent car. Performance is good, understeer sure if you want it, but no more noticeable than any other powerful front driver.
My cambelt needed doing, and even though I did it on the service recommendation it was all frayed on one side, so do it soon as you buy one, unless there is proof its been recently done.
There's a lot of nonsense about cars with 305mm brakes being a problem, but mine had these brakes and as long as they are properly maintained and you don't always drive like a total idiot you'll be just fine.
Really special car and I wholeheartedly recommend. I used to average about 22mpg which mounts up cost wise!
Avoid puddles - mine was written off when it sucked up water from a 4inch deep puddle during a rain storm.
My cambelt needed doing, and even though I did it on the service recommendation it was all frayed on one side, so do it soon as you buy one, unless there is proof its been recently done.
There's a lot of nonsense about cars with 305mm brakes being a problem, but mine had these brakes and as long as they are properly maintained and you don't always drive like a total idiot you'll be just fine.
Really special car and I wholeheartedly recommend. I used to average about 22mpg which mounts up cost wise!
Avoid puddles - mine was written off when it sucked up water from a 4inch deep puddle during a rain storm.
jamieboy said:
rsstman said:
nice cars but seriously alfa`s arent as reliable as every other manufacturer. some maybe more reliable than some models of other marques but in general they have earnt their reputation on their own.
They do have a reputation, but my experience is that it's mostly put about by pub experts and in reality isn't justified. But as I say that's only based on the seven that I've owned over the last fourteen or so years, comparing them to the other makes that I've owned over the same period. They need servicing by someone who knows what they're doing, obviously.What problems did you have with yours?
but then in contrast i know people that have had serious problems with volkwagens and audi`s, personally i think the reputation these cars have for reliability is questionable.
Many thanks all for the input – most of what I’ve head and read has been encouraging!
Rick, cheers for the heads up – it was actually Alfa Workshop where I got the original figures – love the GTV, my Grandma had one in 1971 in Preston which I’m sure made quite an impression back then – stunning cars and definitely on my wish list !
Swanny, cheers for the link, a it’s a superb resource and whilst there’s a lot on there much of it sounds like common sense (belts etc) or lower cost stuff like sensors etc – nothing too frightening !
Re. the handling of course it’s going to understeer and the one I test drove recently was loony on roundabouts – would definitely buy with a Q2 or have one fitted which makes a big difference apparently.
Have been advised re. the cam-belt timings also – basically halve the manufacturers recommended time to be safe !
Thanks again !
Rick, cheers for the heads up – it was actually Alfa Workshop where I got the original figures – love the GTV, my Grandma had one in 1971 in Preston which I’m sure made quite an impression back then – stunning cars and definitely on my wish list !
Swanny, cheers for the link, a it’s a superb resource and whilst there’s a lot on there much of it sounds like common sense (belts etc) or lower cost stuff like sensors etc – nothing too frightening !
Re. the handling of course it’s going to understeer and the one I test drove recently was loony on roundabouts – would definitely buy with a Q2 or have one fitted which makes a big difference apparently.
Have been advised re. the cam-belt timings also – basically halve the manufacturers recommended time to be safe !
Thanks again !
Hi Chuck,
I see there are two good looking examples currently listed on the AROC Classified pages
http://www.aroc-uk.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale.h...
The AROC 147 Registrar is very helpful and will bend over backwards to point you in the right direction.
http://www.aroc-uk.com/147Register
Jamie Porter / The Alfa Workshop is also a good source of help and advice
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/
Hope this helps
I see there are two good looking examples currently listed on the AROC Classified pages
http://www.aroc-uk.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale.h...
The AROC 147 Registrar is very helpful and will bend over backwards to point you in the right direction.
http://www.aroc-uk.com/147Register
Jamie Porter / The Alfa Workshop is also a good source of help and advice
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/
Hope this helps
You'll be able to buy a sorted one within your budget.
However, you should probably budget nearer £1k ish per year for servicing and repairs (excluding tyres - I found Michelin PS2s were the best). Put the money aside and create a fund to cover anything costly that comes up.
Your costs for the cambelt and Q2 are about right, but the cambelt needs changed every 3 years or 36k miles - not 5 years as others may state.
Standard exhausts also corrode within about 3 years and are expensive. But you can get decent cat back systems for around £500. Suspension components also wear out quite quickly. And the radiator needs changed about every 4 years. Check the oil coolers too.
Other costly jobs on mine were new driveshafts (around £500), new air con pipe (£250 - check the footwells for dampness) and an engine rebuild following cambelt failure (covered by Alfa UK although car was out of warranty).
Can't think of anything else. I loved mine for the 3 and a half years I had it. Check out the GTA forum on www.alfaowner.com for more info.
However, you should probably budget nearer £1k ish per year for servicing and repairs (excluding tyres - I found Michelin PS2s were the best). Put the money aside and create a fund to cover anything costly that comes up.
Your costs for the cambelt and Q2 are about right, but the cambelt needs changed every 3 years or 36k miles - not 5 years as others may state.
Standard exhausts also corrode within about 3 years and are expensive. But you can get decent cat back systems for around £500. Suspension components also wear out quite quickly. And the radiator needs changed about every 4 years. Check the oil coolers too.
Other costly jobs on mine were new driveshafts (around £500), new air con pipe (£250 - check the footwells for dampness) and an engine rebuild following cambelt failure (covered by Alfa UK although car was out of warranty).
Can't think of anything else. I loved mine for the 3 and a half years I had it. Check out the GTA forum on www.alfaowner.com for more info.
Edited by Ecurie Ecosse on Friday 27th March 22:40
Many thanks again Stuart/EE et al - really helpful advice and feeling much more confident; the 1k/year sounds workable and for such a rare and incredible car you could say it's bl**dy good value for money !
One last question if anybody has any thoughts; are after market warranties worth having and if so can anyone recommend a provider ? Perhaps that's one for general gassing....
Chuck
One last question if anybody has any thoughts; are after market warranties worth having and if so can anyone recommend a provider ? Perhaps that's one for general gassing....
Chuck
Chuck21 said:
Many thanks again Stuart/EE et al - really helpful advice and feeling much more confident; the 1k/year sounds workable and for such a rare and incredible car you could say it's bl**dy good value for money !
One last question if anybody has any thoughts; are after market warranties worth having and if so can anyone recommend a provider ? Perhaps that's one for general gassing....
Chuck
Cheers. Good luck with your search, they are very special cars.One last question if anybody has any thoughts; are after market warranties worth having and if so can anyone recommend a provider ? Perhaps that's one for general gassing....
Chuck
I didn't have a warranty but there was some chat over on www.alfaowner.com about how good in reality certain warranties were.
Another upgrade worth budgeting for is the fitting of Koni FSDs - again around £500 IIRC - may be a bit more. I didn't get these but they are meant to be good.
I had the 330mm brakes. The earlier cars have smaller brakes which allegedly are more prone to warping, but you can fix this with different pads IIRC.
ChapppeRS said:
swanny71 said:
Dont listen to people who 'have a mate who has a GTA' - they don't go wrong anymore than any other car out there (if you buy one that has been looked after) and they certainly dont understeer into the kerb unless you drive it like a tt.
Find one that's been cared for, has a recent cambelt and possibly a Q2 diff and you'll be OK.
Have a look here -
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta/89970-156-...
Lol... Ok well thanks, I'll be off then but all I ever hear is "I couldn't go anywhere today because all I had was wheelspin. Wonderfully fast in a straight line though. Beautiful car, gorgeous sound but saying any Alfa is as reliable as ANY other car is just plain silly really. ot.Find one that's been cared for, has a recent cambelt and possibly a Q2 diff and you'll be OK.
Have a look here -
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta/89970-156-...
If no then you have NO right to either give credible advice to Alfa ownership or to give comment on Alfa reliability.
My 156 gave me 2 years service and only left me stranded once. I drove it MERCILLESSSLY.
It's divvys like you that drive me nuts, putting off potential owners.
If you have owned one then i appologise totally. But your car was probably built on a friday. Just like Audi's and BMW's are.
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff