OT - new car in the pipeline, advice needed.

[David]

after i've fixed up the brava i'm going to sell and replace with hopefully an alfa romeo 147 (1.6 ts)
is there anything known that i should look out for when buying these? i know that selespeed models are known for their faults and i believe twin sparks are safe bets.
any bits of advice are more that welcome.
thanks.

 

[anthony]

are you after a 156,

ive got 1 for sale a W reg 2000 plate 78k on clock full service history, belts changed at 63k
silver,

its like it just come out of the factory

 

[Wimmy]

Possibly the wrong person to speak to but here goes.....

I loved the look of the 147 and bought one when the HGT died. Lovely car, exception cockpit and a fantastic drive .............. when it worked

I owned the car for a total of 32 days. Most of which were in the garage. The test run was fine before I bought her but the problems started not long after. Lumpy running, chugging, running hot etc etc. All bits changed that needed to be to get to fix it (including a new cat (2 cats on downpipe)

Couple of days later and stillrun like a bag of ****e.

It was the 2.0 TS Selespeed. I also heard horror stories of the selespeed but never had any probs in my short ownershipwith the box. I was nothing but great fun with the paddles and quick shift stick. The probs were with the engine.

Looking back it looked sweet,low mileage etc etc.

Here's the post when I bought her http://www.network54.com/Forum/15639/thread/1216929106/Eventually+-+New+Car+Pics

and the one after she was sold http://www.network54.com/Forum/15639/thread/1217876403/Alfi%27s+gone+already%21++-+New+new+car+pics+-%29

 

[Matt]

I wouldn't say a TS is a "safe bet", the diesels are more reliable and cheaper to run. just looks for the same things in the 147 as you would with a Bravo and MAKE SURE the belts are up to date,

 

[M G]

Sounds like wimmy was unlucky and bought a dog, it happens.

Check for suspension knocks, wishbones etc.
FSH is a must IMO and as matt says the cambelts are a major factor, does the 1.6 have the plastic variator?? If so, make sure that was changed with the cambelt as they are a weak point (horrible diesel like noise once knackered).

When you go to view an alfa, you will probably be blinded by it's beauty, see through it and give the car a damn good looking over and if theres ANYTHING you don't feel happy with either reduce the price or walk away.

Do a search on other forums and on the net to see what to look for when purchasing and seeing it's a buyers market, do not offer the asking price lol.