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Post by stokietomo on Feb 7, 2012 20:56:54 GMT
Im in desperate need of a cheapish motor and have seen a few Alfa's like the 147.
Now I know the older one's always got slated for being unreliable but does anyone have any input for me? Are they really that bad?? Or are they better than they used to be?
Cheers
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Post by onmebonce on Feb 7, 2012 21:02:36 GMT
take the risk man if ya like it and it drives orate and it cheap what else do ya need know. all cars fuck up mate thats why theres car garrages on most street corners
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Post by potterglen on Feb 7, 2012 21:15:33 GMT
Wouldn't go near an Alfa, they're a bucket of old bolts.
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Post by Orbs on Feb 7, 2012 21:23:15 GMT
Im in desperate need of a cheapish motor and have seen a few Alfa's like the 147. Now I know the older one's always got slated for being unreliable but does anyone have any input for me? Are they really that bad?? Or are they better than they used to be? Cheers Mate I had a 147 recently. I had it for 3 years and swopped it last April. It was the best drive, handling etc ever - fucking loved every single journey, felt like the wheels where stuck to the road. That's the good news. The bad news is the electrics were apalling - windows, lights, warning messages all the time. I was always worried that it would just stop altogether. Would I have another? Hell yeh ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by salopstick on Feb 7, 2012 21:48:51 GMT
having wrote my punto off today after a run around, everything decent has a mileage is that much of a problem on most modern cars
dont want to be stung with garage bills every month
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Post by frasier99 on Feb 7, 2012 22:24:56 GMT
"having wrote my punto off today " ;D Did you mean your mini?  |
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Post by Orbs on Feb 7, 2012 22:31:27 GMT
;D ;D ;D
Cunto in a Punto.
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Post by frasier99 on Feb 7, 2012 22:42:49 GMT
not forgetting on parade wearing his beloved bearskin   |
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Post by LL Cool Dave on Feb 7, 2012 23:15:27 GMT
Bought an alfa 156 in october, and as much as I love it, the reliability is shit. Great to drive though and not your normal boring run of the mill cars. If your gonna get one though, make sure its got full service history.
Check out alfaowner.com as well, loads of info on there.
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Post by padders01 on Feb 8, 2012 8:12:47 GMT
I bought a 147 a year ago, had done 46,000 miles and was cheap. Alfa's do not hold their values, they never have. Yes the electrics are known to be bad (aren't most new generation cars) but I've never had a problem
They are a great drive, cruise control, very smooth but not particularly economical
I love mine. Make sure the cam belt has been changed recently, apparently they need changing every 20 to 30,000 miles
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Post by foster on Feb 8, 2012 11:11:24 GMT
Got a 147 (the newer one) 4 years ago.
I have to admit that the engine is good, as is the steering.
The engine is good but I've had issue with pretty much everything else - Electrics, Brakes (pads wear out super quick), Spray for the Wipers, Radio and constant error messages telling me my lights are knackered when they're not. The messages are so common now that I just ignore them.
Gear box has also been replaced twice and the front suspension.
First year was fine, after that there's always been one thing or another that's needed looking at.
And my mileage is pretty low.
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Post by PotteringThrough on Feb 8, 2012 13:41:01 GMT
I've got a Mito - Was brilliant the first year but I've also had to have the Gear Box replaced.
The electrics in it have worked fine so far but it's not a fan of the cold weather. The starter motor actually froze and then blew up when I started the engine after a particularly cold morning.
Fantastic to drive though!
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Post by redstriper on Feb 8, 2012 14:12:28 GMT
I've owned two classic alfa spiders, always going wrong, the electrics in particular, prone to rust at the first smell of rain. But looked great, were fun to be in, and university girls with beautiful curls couldn't wait to be seen in them  recommended! |
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Post by iglugluk on Feb 8, 2012 18:59:20 GMT
known to be both unreliable and a great drive.
Guess you pay your money and take your chance !!
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Post by Chunky Lover! on Feb 8, 2012 19:16:28 GMT
Alfa Romeo make beautiful cars which are great to drive, but they break down every other day!!
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Post by torgaustokie on Feb 8, 2012 19:38:19 GMT
And a grill that looks like a minge
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Post by torgaustokie on Feb 8, 2012 19:56:06 GMT
Did have a new 2.0L T spark 156 every 6 weeks for 6 months as a rental car in Germany great drivers car and very stylish inside and out including the grill ! but buy one, maybe as a second car!
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Post by foxxy on Feb 8, 2012 20:24:46 GMT
I like to think im pretty clued up on Alfas, having worked on them @ a main dealer for 5 years The 147 is an awesome car to drive but does indeed come with a few issues. *Cambelts must be done every 36k, it was originally 72k but they were prone for snapping leaving a big repair bill so Alfa changed it to 36k. Customers were not happy at all having to pay £800+ for a 3rd year service and cambelt. *Cam variators become very noisy, very quickly. *Front suspension is pretty awful - Antiroll bar links and bushes. Lower arm bushes also. *Rear trailing arms were quite common also. *Handbrake cables are also pretty common problem. Never really saw a great deal of electrical problems to be honest. I'd say if you want one, get a diesel and dont be put off by what ive just said, just make sure you check them points. I'd have one |
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Post by basingstokie on Feb 9, 2012 8:46:06 GMT
Alfa Romeo make beautiful cars which are great to drive, but they break down every other day!! Perfect, super cool, great to drive, but will break down. Alot |
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Post by potterglen on Feb 9, 2012 9:46:47 GMT
Get yourself an old Volvo, can get one cheap and about as reliable as you can get.
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Post by hamptonpig on Feb 9, 2012 10:02:20 GMT
Had a 156 for 4 years. Loved every minute of it but had a persistant problem that main delaer never resolved in all that time. I'd occasionally lose all power to the accelerator, had to re-start it and it would be fine. Not a massive issue - although could get hairy in the outside line of the m6 when you suddenly had no umph!
Bear in mind the cam belt issue that others have warned you of - I didn't get mine changed as it was an extra £600 on tip of the service- a month later it went, wrecking the engine too. Cost me over a grand to get sorted and it was never the same again.
Will it cause you problems? Probably.
Will it cost you more in the long run? Likely
Will you love it and never regret having it? Absolutely!
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Post by LL Cool Dave on Feb 9, 2012 22:24:37 GMT
Had a 156 for 4 years. Loved every minute of it but had a persistant problem that main delaer never resolved in all that time. I'd occasionally lose all power to the accelerator, had to re-start it and it would be fine. Not a massive issue - although could get hairy in the outside line of the m6 when you suddenly had no umph Got that on mine at the moment. |
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UNKLE
Youth Player
Posts: 418
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Post by UNKLE on Feb 9, 2012 23:13:09 GMT
I've had a 156 JTD mjet for 5 years. It's an awesome car, the handling is superb and gets 50mpg. I bought it from an independent Alfa specialist, it's immaculate and it's still a real eye catcher. I was going to get rid of it this year as it was a bit sluggish and the front suspension was squeeking. A £600 service with new turbo hoses, and new front wishbones and it drives like new. I'll keep it for at least another year  . Get a good one and you'll not regret it, get a bad un and like anything else it's going to cost you. ps Orbital only got one because I had one ;D |
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Post by Orbs on Feb 9, 2012 23:18:43 GMT
I've had a 156 JTD mjet for 5 years. It's an awesome car, the handling is superb and gets 50mpg. I bought it from an independent Alfa specialist, it's immaculate and it's still a real eye catcher. I was going to get rid of it this year as it was a bit sluggish and the front suspension was squeeking. A £600 service with new turbo hoses, and new front wishbones and it drives like new. I'll keep it for at least another year . Get a good one and you'll not regret it, get a bad un and like anything else it's going to cost you. ps Orbital only got one because I had one ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by sonofbanks on Feb 11, 2012 14:50:45 GMT
Go for it, loved the alfa cars i've had. Just got rid of a 156. Have had a 147 for just over a year. Black with red leather interior, cruise control, dual climate control etc etc, alot of car for not too much money. Do yourself a favour and get one, you may regret not doing so.
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