147

[Oliver]

My 18 year old son s thinking about a new (to him) car and I suggested he should look at the 147. Problem he only has about £3500 to spend.

Question - At that price will he still get a decent car, what issues does he need to consider in buying and what problems may he have?

His alternative is a older BMW 318i which will give him relatively little problems.

Thanks.

Oliver

[ggmiller]

Hi,

Does the 3.5k include an insurance amount or is it 3.5 plus insurance?

Could make a big difference to his choice of car....

Glenn

[Oliver]

Up to £3.5 just on the car.

Oliver

[alfajester]

I say go for the 147. I would if I had that budget but would be ready for spending a bit on sorting any niggles/faults. Just a quick look on AutoTrader, cars starting at £2,600 for a 2001 1.6 TS Lusso 3dr. Loads of 147's for around £3,000 - £3,500 as I am sure you have seen. £2,800 for 2001 with 62,250 miles on - money left to sort any probs.

Problems with 147's seem to strike at any time/mileage (unless badly serviced/not looked after). I suppose if he avoids the Selespeed, that removes many potential issues (I had to buy a Selespeed as my wife only drives Autos otherwise I would not have).

The BMW will mean he will never get let out into traffic i.e. from a side street - ever! A friend of mine had a 318i and it had a drink problem which seems to be what dealers call 'a characteristic of the model'.

I dare say he will get cained for the privilage of insurance on the 147 though!

[norbert]

And don't assme a beemer will give no problems just coz it's German.

[Dai Alfa]

Agree with Norbert. But will go one step further - the £3,500 area is on the borderline of loads of rubbish high mileage cars from all marks. Definitely Caveat emptor at that price.

[Dibby]

On a complete tangent, he could go for an old classic - a MKII Escort at that sort of price, his mates would love it because it's different and there's nothing to go wrong with them.

[Oliver]

I think he is now set on a 147! What are they like to drive? Are they quick/ good handling?

[mo 156]

i'd say a 156! i know its a little bigger, but my first car was a rover 400! i had no problems and its good practice size wise. I almost got a passat as my first car!
and i think the 156 has a slightly nicer dash.

ah no, the 147 looks better on the outside! a 156 would have to be pre-facelift at that price.

[gazza82]

Originally Posted by Oliver

I think he is now set on a 147! What are they like to drive? Are they quick/ good handling?

It might be quick enough to push the insurance through the roof ... you are happy with an premium that will probably be the wrong side of a couple of grand???

IMHO An Alfa is the wrong car for an 18 year old. He'll get loaded by the insurance with a massive excess .. my 19 year old's been quoted well over £1700 for a 1.4 HDi Peugeot 206 and that's with me and the wife on as additional drivers ... even insured as me as primary driver with him as additional was going to cost £450 from end August to end Jan!

And if they really hike the premiums it's because they don't want to insure him ... but to refuse will mean he will never get insurance again.

[Turin Brakes]

More suitable for an 18 year old (IG 6) http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-p...73&buysell=buy

[alfa_147_jtd_16v]

If you are stil after one, there is one her (if its still for sale that is!).

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfas...1-6-lusso.html

[Paulus]

A low milage 146 might be a better bet, or even a 145.

Body shape is different but otherwise a very similar car. I would guess the insurance will be less (don't actualy know that for a fact!) but a low milage 145/6 will be a lot cheaper than almost ANY 147 and will leave change for the cam-belt change and brakes etc. that it might need!

Just a thought

Paulus