Alfa 147's any problems?

prospect

maidhc wrote:

These threads are great!

I think so too It will steam roll on for a while, someone will loose it, and then a mod will lock it.

maidhc wrote:

Always watch the taxi drivers; has anyone ever seen an Alfa Taxi?

Actually, yes. I recently saw a 166 taxi going into Wyeth on the nangor road!! But this is also subjective, as taxi drivers do not normally opt for 'drivers cars' just purely reliability. Also, they look after their cars properly as they are their livelyhood.

maidhc wrote:

I am contemplating a new car at the moment (Octavia or Corolla),

Octavia, deffo.

maidhc wrote:

and I find certain comments about Toyotas amusing. The 147 looks nicer than a corolla (subjective), but there its benefits seem to stop. I think though the new corolla is a nicer drive, and a more comfortable car. It also holds its value, and the engine doesnt have to be removed to do the cam belt.

I have driven both aswell. I know nobody that would say the Corolla is nicer looking.
I found the 147 to be far nicer inside, handled and performed WAYYyy better. But i must admit that the ride on the straights was more refined on the toyota.

It is simple:
If you want higher resale value, and a better chance of reliability, buy the Toyota/honda etc.
If you want a drivers car, that will give reliability as long as you pay a bit more attention to it, buy the Alfa.

Eoin

prospect wrote:

Actually, yes. I recently saw a 166 taxi going into Wyeth on the nangor road!! But this is also subjective, as taxi drivers do not normally opt for 'drivers cars' just purely reliability. Also, they look after their cars properly as they are their livelyhood.

I saw a 156 taxi a while ago - couldn't really understand it as a choice for a taxi because
1) The 156 is not the most spacious in the back (though, I also saw a Pug 206 taxi :eek:)
2) I don't think that Alfas tend to have a great MPG
3) The recessed rear door handles meant he had to put signs up and neon coloured tape on the back door showing how to open the rear doors!

prospect

I'll be perfectly honest with you guys, I am a HUGE alfa fan, but I would NEVER consider one if I was going to be a taxi driver....
Likewise I wouldnt use a spoon to dig the garden.

ds20prefecture

No you shouldn't buy a 147. You should buy something dull and worthy like an Octavia or Corolla and then just admire 147s from a safe distance. If you don't take any risks at all and make sure you do exactly as everyone else (particularly taxi drivers) do then you won't get burned.

Do you know, now that I think of it, you'd probably be far better off on public transport, it is statistically much safer and less prone to breakdown than any car. You won't have to worry about depreciation, or parking, or servicing costs or any of that dangerous independant thought nonsense that motorists have to do.

On second thoughts, public transport can be risky enough, so maybe you should just walk. The reliability of your legs should be pretty good provided you service them regularly. Watch out for motorists though (particularly Alfa drivers). Their reckless independance is bound to cause one of them to spin wildly out of control and they might hit you. Of course if it's an Alfa, you'll only sustain minor damage because they are made of tissue paper and rust and will vapourise when they touch anything.

Still, maybe you'd be better off staying at home altogether and lining the walls with reflective foil to stop them stealing your brainwaves for use in Alfa-sponsored experiments.

Buy the 147 - enjoy life for a while. Don't buy new, and make sure you get the common things (Front wishbone bushes, timing belt, variator, semi-auto) checked out by someone who knows before you buy.
Once you get it, make sure it is serviced regularly at an alfa specialist (e.g. TI autos in Dublin 7) and don't scrimp on parts.
Mostly, just enjoy it. They're a fine car (although personally I prefer the 156) and exceptional value for money.

BTW: I had an Alfa 156 for 3 years & 45000 miles, not 1 problem. I replaced it with a 1972 Citroën DS 3 years ago, and you know what? not 1 problem. I have a Skoda Octavia for 5 years and 60000 miles without a problem. It might seem obvious, but if a car is cared for properly you won't have problems.

bmoferrall

lol DS. Funniest post in a long time.

ciarsd

DS, I applaud you. Your post sums it up - and some great buying advice

maidhc

ds20prefecture wrote:

Do you know, now that I think of it, you'd probably be far better off on public transport, it is statistically much safer and less prone to breakdown than any car.

You must be joking, an Alfa is probably even more reliable than Bus Eireann!!!