147 or 159 - Which engine..?

[warp9]

Hi all
I'm leaning heavily towards Alfa as an every day hack after enjoying driving them in the past. Depending on if me or the mrs drives it, it could do up to 60 miles a day, so needs to be reasonably light on the juice, but would like it to have a bit of oomph. Doesn't need to be particularly practical - thus thinking of the 147 (although like the elegance of the 159). I've got £5K to spend (could stretch a touch more if need be).

Engines - Am thinking to ditch the 1.6 as too weedy, 3.2 as too thirsty.

What are your thoughts on the 2.0 TS and 1.9 JTD? Is the 2.4 and 2.2 on 159 only and from what year (and price)?

Cheers
Warp

Update EFA: Space cadet moment, meant the 156 not 159!

Edited by warp9 on Thursday 14th January 09:28

[JR]

Given your price and fuel requirements I think that the 147 deisel is the only choice.

[velocemitch]

Or perhaps a late model 156 2.4JTD 20V, economical rocket ship, that still looks a million dollers

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1431112.htm

bit of negotiating required on that one, but there will be others

[jamieboy]

JR said:

Given your price and fuel requirements I think that the 147 deisel is the only choice.

I'd go along with that.

Not sure you'd get much of a 159 for your budget anyway, would you?

[warp9]

Thanks for the responses. So is the 1.9 quite a pokey engine, what are your general impressions of it?

BTW - Space cadet moment - I meant the 156 not 159! Too much time spent trawling the classifieds!

[jamieboy]

warp9 said:

I meant the 156 not 159!

In that case I'd go with Mitch's suggestion. I think the 156 is looking a bit dated now, moreso than the 147, but the 2.4d would be the engine to go for. Unless you fancied the 2.5 V6? Even then, the 2.4 is probably just as quick in real-world driving.

[E31Shrew]

Wifey has a 147 JTD thingy. Engine is superb to date and very economical. Lots of low end grunt but runs out of puff a bit at higher revs. As per most diesels

[4mo]

147 1.9jtd 16v (150) as said above plenty of grunt but does run out of revs a little to quickly. But I suppose that depends on what your used to.
Good entertaining drive for FWD.

ETA. 40 plus mpg with heavy right foot as long as it's doing reasonable runs (10 miles plus) could be pushed of 50 mpg on a sensible speed long run. Only doing short trips at the moment and with the cold weather has dropped to 33mpg. Still higher mpg than I've ever seen in the Passat though

Edited by 4mo on Thursday 14th January 12:54

[k-ink]

2.0 is best all rounder imo. I've had this engine in two Cloverleaf 145 and a GTV when they came out.

I also had the new 147 GTA when it came out. It made an awesome sound. But it couldn't put the power down or handle that well due to the mega anvil weight out the front. I swapped it for an R32 after six months (which was far superior, if dull)

[valkyerie]

I own a 03 1.9JTD and would highly reccomend it. Compared to the TS's the 1.9JTD gives the best of both worlds, Lots of tourque and easy
on the wallet.

Plus it has never let me down.

[Mr Pockets]

The 2.0TS is a very good engine, provided you don't mind keeping it well maintained. The power is good enough (a bit better than the jtd but not massively so), its respectable in terms of mpg (very high 30s on the motorway, mid 30s on a-roads type of thing) and the sound is awesome for a 4cyl, especially after 3500rpm.

Certainly wouldn't hesitate to reccomend a well-loved TS if its had the belt & oil changes on the dot etc.

When it comes to the JTS I've heard that other than requiring a bit less love and attention its a bit meh compared to the TS, not driven one myself though.

[Robert060379]

Small block Chevy LS1.

[wink]

The 16v 1.9JTD (Multijet?) is a damn good engine. Masses of torque make it a great overtaker, and mid -40s mpg. Doesn't rev, so needs the 6-speed box but it's hard to fault for a daily car. Made me change my mind about diesels.