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Buying a 147 this weekend

1K views 21 replies 7 participants last post by  brianserena 
#1 ·
Well all going well with the test drive I should be buying it.

It is a 147 T Spark Lusso , 1.6 , 02 plate.

Never had a Alfa before, always wanted one though.

What can I expect from the above car? Does it pull well? Good mileage?
 
#2 ·
Hopefully welcome to teh fold. The 1.6 is a little sluggish TBH. Especially if you are coming from a GTI golf (member car?) although it'll be more pokey than any other 1.6. T-Spark engines are great so long as you look after them so oill must be topped up and cambelt must be done every three years or 36k. AT 9 years old is should be about due for its 4th belt. If its not been or is due then this a massive bargaing point with the seller. And don't let them say the service book says 72k or 5 years either as alfa have released a statement regarding tghis new millage years ago. :thumbs: Listen for rattles at the front indication worn wishbones and drop links (v common) and tractor noise on start up which goes away which indicates the variator is knackered (v common on cars above 80k). To change this is cambelt off job so more money can be reduced from buyer. Hope that helps
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the advice. I am currently driving a MK3 Golf Gti, which I have loved, but with the head gasket going on it last weekend, decided to get rid of it, as would cost around £300/400 to fix that.

I do know he had a new cambelt fitted last year and he even mention about it being doing every 3 years/36k. Also had new brakes, new tyres and also a new battery.

It has done 91.5k and he wants £800. So if it drives well and no obvious bad points, I will buy it.
 
#4 ·
He has just sent me pictures of the car before he comes round tomorrow. I have uploaded them, what do you all think?

I noticed on the back of the car, some of the lettering is missing..the 1, 7 , and the 1.6 T is also missing. Which is not a good sign.

How much would it cost to replace them?
 

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#8 ·
Yep, had no end of people on the Golf Forum moaning about the 8v. I do love my 16v but with the gasket going on me and the petrol was becoming a joke.

Really like the look of the car. Some scruff marks at the bottom at the back of the car, but that is normal for a near 10 year old car.

Should I not be worried about the badges on the back? Bit random how the have come of, not seen that before really.
 
G
#9 ·
Mine have just started to peel a bit wouldn't worry if the bodyworks was clean at the back with no marks or dents.

It's a big step up from the Golf, even the Mark 4. The 147 is probably the most modern looking car for it's price & especially the interior, which is why they're using more or less the exact same interior on the newer 147s.
 
#13 ·
We bought a 147 1.6 last weekend. I've been impressed with the way it drives, and handles very well. Ours is newer and less miles than the one you mention above.

Do check all the electrics work, switch everything on and off. Check the air con as well. For the money it is not going to be the cleanest with the best history. But that does not make it any worse of a car. Body work can be sorted, and for not a lot of money. Ours has some scuffs that need sorting out. I would check the interior, because that is the bit you see all the time. If it's tatty, there is not much you can do without spending the bucks.
 
#14 ·
Would you buy this car if the seller did not have the receipt for the £1300 worth of work he had done last year? That work included, the new tyres, brakes, battery and more importantly the cambelt.

I personally would make sure I kept all major paperwork like that and have no end of receipts and old MOTs for my Golf.

He did not turn up today saying something come up but he will come in the week when he finds the paperwork. Do other people feel he may not of even got the cambelt done or am I being paranoid?
 
G
#15 ·
I'd say that tyres/battery/similar aren't really important to have paperwork for, you can see if the tyres have tread & the battery can be check easily. Stuff like suspension/brakes i'd definitely want to see some proof.

Cambelt would definitely need proof tho.

Why is he coming to you anyway, i though the buyer goes to the seller?
 
#16 ·
I personally would like to go see him, rather than the other way round. That way you can check his address v the v5.

I would worry more about the general mechanics than the badges.

As for the receipts. I wouldn't worry too much, you can check condition of tyres, brakes and battery. Cam belt you can inspect also but more difficult. If it feels wrong, walk away. It's a buyers Market for £800 cars!
 
#17 ·
As for me not going to him, well as my main car is off the road at the moment, I have no means of getting to him, as not only do I not have transport, we have a little girl to look after too.

I have the RAC out tomorrow though, so all going well might get the Golf up and running again soon, so be able to get to him.

As for the receipts , I think if he can not get proof of the cambelt being doing, then it is a no sale. I may be being to over cautious but better safe than sorry as £800 is a lot of money for us at the moment.
 
#20 ·
I don't mind spending money over the year on bits here and there. I spend near enough £200/300 a year on my golf at the moment.

But what I meant was, if he has no paperwork to confirm the cambelt was done last year, I don't want to run the risk of it going on me or have to spend £300 straight away to get it done.

As for the interior shots, had none yet. Hopefully it is good inside though.
 
#19 ·
All the above + that is an original backbox , may be like for like replacement though, they rust like ***** so check for a blow. @ £ 800 if it checks out you have a good'un. Did he send interior photos ? As Marko said check that as well. Good luck :thumbs:
 
#22 ·
Bought a 2.0 2001 5 door 147 fully loaded for £1600 last month runs great once i had the alternator replaced after an engine cut out on the M5, now just need to deal with all the warning lights, and the rattle from the handbrake area under the car . not trying to scare you the 147's are a great looking car and most issues you can fix yourself, At £800 it sounds a bargain just remember it is a second hand car and i doubt you will get any warranty from the seller.
I am new to Alfa but have found the guys on this site have a vast amount of knowledge and are only too happy to help.

Good luck
 
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