Buying a 147 GTA

Going to see a 147 GTA on sat but wondered if there is anything to look out for?
I have read a few posts on here about the usual stuff, full service history, cambelt and tensioner change every 36k or 3 years, and that it has all its keys. I also seen a post about the 305 to 330 break disks as I am to look at a 04 I believe that this should be OK as Alfa changed them in late 03, am I right?
The car is a 54 plate 48K miles in Rosso red spoke to the sales and he says it missed a service but I would need to see the book to confirm which one and why, advert says Bose sound system but only a single disk is that possible?

Lost hope that a white one is going to drop on my door step!!

Cheers.

Originally Posted by 147gtaiwish

Going to see a 147 GTA on sat but wondered if there is anything to look out for?
I have read a few posts on here about the usual stuff, full service history, cambelt and tensioner change every 36k or 3 years, and that it has all its keys. I also seen a post about the 305 to 330 break disks as I am to look at a 04 I believe that this should be OK as Alfa changed them in late 03, am I right?
The car is a 54 plate 48K miles in Rosso red spoke to the sales and he says it missed a service but I would need to see the book to confirm which one and why, advert says Bose sound system but only a single disk is that possible?

Lost hope that a white one is going to drop on my door step!!

Cheers.

I wouldn't worry too much about the cam belt on the V6's but you should get it done with 48k on the clock.
It should have two keys, Bose sound single disc cd player (mine has multi changer in boot but think it was an extra) and the brake discs should be the 330 ones if its a late '04.
I think the only thing to look out for is clonking noise from suspension which usually means anti roll bar bush wear (not a major worry or cost).

They are great cars so just go for it!

I have just bought one myself. I would warn you not to bother looking at the silver/green pearlescent one near Sevenoaks. Wasted 2 hours travelling to see a car that wasn't quite right. Corrosion on the inlet pipes and badly kerbed alloys. Don't you hate it when dealers say "immaculate" and tell porkies ? Bodywork is excellent though, so excellent you almost wonder if it is a respray.

Check the rear exhaust box. Mine was badly corroded.

IIRC all the GTA rear exhaust boxes corrode badly but they have a double lining so even when the outer skin rusts through the box should remain in working order.

Downside is they look pretty tatty

Good luck with the search its a great car

I want one too, saw one yesterday and the difference in road presence to a stock 147 is pretty impressive. Wonder what it is about them?

Originally Posted by GhostyDog

I want one too, saw one yesterday and the difference in road presence to a stock 147 is pretty impressive. Wonder what it is about them?

They are 2"'s wider than a stock 147 !!

Cambelts are every 72k or 5 years on the V6, and engines are bullet proof.

Bose is std, as is single CD, autochanger and connect + were options.

See my website for a full rundown of the specs and options available.

Good luck in trying to find a Nuvelo GTA :-)

Mark

Originally Posted by Olly69

Check the rear exhaust box. Mine was badly corroded.

Common problem, or as the Lotus people have come to says, "TADTS" (They all do that, Sir)

Thanks for info. What about warranty is it 3 years and is it transferable to new owners?

Originally Posted by 147gtaiwish

Thanks for info. What about warranty is it 3 years and is it transferable to new owners?

Yes to both.

I get mine tomorrow.. Just a tad excited

Enjoy your 147GTA. Without a doubt the most exiting car I have ever owned.

Originally Posted by oldboy

Enjoy your 147GTA. Without a doubt the most exiting car I have ever owned.

Thanks for that. Just what I need to hear to help me sleep.

I bought a Seat Leon Cupra R just over 4 years ago. About 6 months later I drove a 147 GTA at the dealer between Hertford and Ware. Is it Desira ? Anyhow, foolishly (and probably only beacause they had the keys to my fairly new Cupra R) they let me take it out for 2 hours on my own. I thought it was the most fun thing you could legally do in front of strangers. It had practically all the power of the Seat (which was remapped to around 280bhp), but a much increased ability to get that power onto the road, with no turbo lag of course. And go round corners. And that sound!! I found myself revving the engine at the traffic lights like a 17 year old with his bean tin exhaust Nova.

Suffice to say I have wanted one ever since. I just thought the price was too high so I have been biding my time and waiting for depreciation.

I reckon I will be the happiest man in Herts tomorrow afternoon

Olly.

PS. Here's hoping I don't end up on this forum constantly whingeing about what has gone wrong with the car ! DAMN I shouldn't tempt fate.

Been to see this GTA today.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...00708272513347

Not just what it appears to be!!!
The back disk callipers are scabby and the rubber is coming off the passenger door handle! Driver seat is rubbing away but this is a higher mileage car for its age.

The ad says that it has full service history when it has bloody missed the 12000 service!! Dont you hate it when they lie?
54 plate £12995 48K miles

I have tried to up load the pics i took but they keep failing and they are under 100kb.

Originally Posted by 147gtaiwish

The dash is in Italian but the ad doesn't say its an import! 54 plate £12995 48K miles or is that kilometre?!!

That'll be a few clicks of the menu button if its just on the dash display. I sometimes have mine set-up to speak to me in eye-tye.

Originally Posted by Green Serpent

That'll be a few clicks of the menu button if its just on the dash display. I sometimes have mine set-up to speak to me in eye-tye.

Aaa I did wonder!!

147gtaiwish - I bought one last week that had a bit of warranty left on it, just have to fill in a form that's in the handbook and other gubbins, and then pay a small fee of course! Something like twenty quid. Says it takes up to a month to do, if it ever happens that is!

Originally Posted by minimad

147gtaiwish - I bought one last week that had a bit of warranty left on it, just have to fill in a form that's in the handbook and other gubbins, and then pay a small fee of course! Something like twenty quid. Says it takes up to a month to do, if it ever happens that is!

My warranty transfer came back within two weeks
Then had brake upgrade and new GT type spoked wheels as the old type spoked wheels wouldnt fit the new 330 callipers!
Well worth the 20 odd quid transfer fee

Nice one

Originally Posted by cul147gta

My warranty transfer came back within two weeks
Then had brake upgrade and new GT type spoked wheels as the old type spoked wheels wouldnt fit the new 330 callipers!
Well worth the 20 odd quid transfer fee

Being a 54 plate it already has the 330's!! Shame as the passenger alloy is scuffed!

Originally Posted by 147gtaiwish

Being a 54 plate it already has the 330's!! Shame as the passenger alloy is scuffed!

Originally Posted by 147gtaiwish

Been to see this GTA today.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...00708272513347

Not just what it appears to be!!!
The back disk callipers are scabby and the rubber is coming off the passenger door handle! Driver seat is rubbing away but this is a higher mileage car for its age.

The ad says that it has full service history when it has bloody missed the 12000 service!! Dont you hate it when they lie?
54 plate £12995 48K miles

I have tried to up load the pics i took but they keep failing and they are under 100kb.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...9032007004.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...9032007005.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...9032007003.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...9032007002.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...9032007001.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...7redsideon.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...gtaglasgow.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...ontglasgow.jpg

Dont know if you can make anything out in these but worth a try!!

Mine's low mileage and I think the previous owner seems to have looked after it pretty well - but it has still managed to get a bit of a scuff on the drivers seat as shown in your first photo. Guess it's because the seat bolsters are so pronounced, they get caught on the way in and out of the car.