Alfa 147

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Considering getting a car again and wondering why these are so cheap?

Are they particularly bad or just unwanted?

What in particular goes wrong with them/whats to look for? Any other suggestions for interesting hatchbacks?

Thanks for any help.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[RhynoCZ]

Because they are crap.
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[BenR]

[andys675]

work mate had one back in 2005 I think

don't remember exact problems but she had them all listed and new what to expect, one was definitely suspension creaking, she got the stuff it did suffer from fixed under warranty and then goodwill fixed enough of it for her to get shot of it after the finance was paid
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Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would happily go for one.

Main mechanical issue is front suspension arms. These wear out but are cheap and easy to change (good day, half an hour each upper arm).

With the petrol engines the main issue is the cam belts. Meant to be changed at 36k, and not a simple / cheap job.

Don't really know about those with engines powered by the fuel of satan.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Nash GT]

They also used to suffer from horrific gearbox problems, specially the ones fitted with the dreadful selespeed box.

I had the pleasure of the aforementioned gearbox in a 156
It kept forever breaking and producing exorbitant bills
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Suzuki GSF600N

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Thanks for the information. Was more interested in the 5dr than 3dr version but good option there BenR.

I'm not looking for an amazingly good car handling or performance wise. Just something a bit more interesting than the standard. Will look more in to the Alfa's as they seem even cheaper than the FIAT's!

All work will be done by myself so the cambelt issue is a bit worrying.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Nash GT]

156 manual is better option IMO
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Suzuki GSF600N

[Iain.]

[Robby]

My father in law had a 147 for about 5 years, 1.6 petrol. For the most part it was a normal hatchback experience. A little less reliable, a little more fun. He bought another Alfa afterwards.

[Mr Nice Guy]

My brother had a 156 1.8, lots of problems but the biggie was when the plastic impellor on the water pump shat its guts, meltdown, cost about £1800 to fix.
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Suzuki GSX-R750K4 ~ Mivv GP

[Rockhopper]

It's well known that you should change the water pump when you do the cam belt- £350 all in, not a difficult job. Cam belt on a V6 is a different story! A good used engine can be had for £300 so your bro had his pants pulled down on that one I'm afraid.
147 had a galvanised body so no rust issues, the 156 didn't and they suffer rotting floor pans
No common gearbox problems apart from Selespeed issues which are usually caused by mechanics who don't understand them.
Suspension creaks are common but easy and fairly cheap to fix.
Five door 147's are more desirable hence more expensive.
I've had a 1.8 156, a 1.6 147 and I've currently got a 155hp 1.4 MiTo (awesome car!).

[Kickstart]

[Mr Nice Guy]

[Annabella]

I'm with Keith on this one.

Be prepared to do a good full service on it once you've bought it - by that, I mean cam belt, water pump, oil and filter and check suspension over. Front arms are cheap to replace.
Find yourself a good independent Alfa specialist and the cambelt and water pump job shouldn't be much more than £300 all in. I'd usually change belts on any second hand car I've bought unless I knew they had been recently changed by someone I trusted.

My mum had a selespeed 156 which had intergalactic miles on it (>200k). Was an absolutely brilliant car. Paid £1000 for it, and absolutely nothing ever went wrong with it - genuinely nothing (despite Mum driving like the Stig everywhere) until she neglected to check the coolant levels

Now on my second Alfa, Mum and Dad own two and *touch wood* they have been as reliable as the MX5. Like any car, they just need love and some understanding. If you're the kind of person who cannot deal with 'niggles' (like the rear windows dropping for no apparent reason - my 146; or the alarm going off whilst driving - the GTV) then don't go near, it'll irritate you. If you think that sort of behaviour is endearing, then you'll love every second of Alfa ownership.
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[Annabella]

[1198]

[Nash GT]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Thanks for all the advice. Still getting shocking insurance quotes on them (but that applies to any car) thanks to living in London.

As for liking niggles, I ride an old Aprilia so not an issue dealing with that!

Good to see some of the older member have come out of the woodwork for this topic!
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Kickstart]

[arry]

[b422063]

Had the 3.2 V6 as a company car in 2005. Was brand new and only had a few gremlins. Engine management light came on for apparently no reason but was always a very quick fix by the dealer. GPS unit often failed to find any satellites too.

It felt like one of the quickest cars I've ever owned. Handled quite well too, but I've a feeling that was due to it's size, I've had bigger cars since. My biggest thing against it was the gearbox, it often missed gears, as rare as it is to happen in cars, this car did it frequently. I'd expect and look out for worn gearboxes in case you get my old car

[Tiff]

Alfa's (and Fiat's for that matter) are fantastic cars, if looked after the way they should be by someone who understands them. I've owned many, and never had any real failures and never ever broken down, even taking my 400 quid 145 Cloverleaf to Berlin and back, driving it like an Italian.

Cambelts are easy to do, if you have the correct tools, which can be supplied by a specialist for not a lot of money. Good quality lubricants and proper regular servicing is key. In fact the main issues with later Alfa's were mostly electrical niggles, caused by Bosch...

Plenty information,specialists, an excellent club forum and parts suppliers are out there. Only buy an Alfa if you REALLY want an Alfa, not just because it's cheap and different, and only buy from an Alfa enthusiast who will have all the keys,kefobs,service and handbooks,locking wheelnut keys,owners club badge and t-shirt. These cars need and thrive on love.

I started with a Gulietta 2.0 RS at 18, then a 146 Boxer,then a 146 Cloverleaf,followed by 2 GTV's. Fiat Coupe 2.0 20v, Lancia HPE and I'm currently on my 16th X1/9.

P.S Diesels are OK- I dislike Diesel as well but they are fine, same lumps that Vauxhall use- just finished a 147 JTD 16v at work which snapped a belt. Some new rockers,a water pump and a belt kit and it's right as rain. Pleasure to work on to, even though it was over 150,000 miles.
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