Good buy?

[jbj4700]

Hi All, I had a 156 JTS Selespeed a few years ago but sold it due to paranoia (Selespeed)
I've had a few cars since and now currently have a boring Lancer.

Just wondering what people reckon of this?
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/greenslopes/cars-vans-utes/2008-alfa-romeo-gt-jts-monza-blue-5-speed-manual-coupe/1187264635

Cambelt appears to be 12 months overdue but under k requirement, looks like it was done in 2014.
It seems a bit cheap too?

[poohbah]

It looks good in the photos, but if I am reading the service stamps correctly, it seems to indicate the belt was changed twice in 18 months (mid 2012, and again in Jan 2014, after only about 15,000k). That looks odd - . And what's with the service at 70,000k that has been scrubbed out? Has there been anything done since then (odo now reads 94,000km).

Also looks like it is unregistered. So if you add back the cost of the belt change, and getting it re-registered to the purchase price, it might explain the "cheap" list price.

If you are seriously considering it, you would definitely need a pre-purchase check by an Alfa specialist (maybe contact Bazzbazz - he's a Bris Alfa mechanic).

[jbj4700]

Yeah I'm a bit suss on the service book, I'll never buy a car from a dealer uninspected again, been burned more times by dealers than I can even remember.
Might look at getting it inspected, looks like an ok example provided it's been cared for, in any case I'd need to do cambelt, aux and WP asap.

[Citroënbender]

Ambitiously priced, I would keep looking.

1. Suspension wear and tear may be issues at the mileage
2. Yes; belts, coil packs, injectors can all give concern
3. JTS fuel pump weepage, stuff of infamy
4. Orange rot to the door trim inserts - note sagging at NSR and probably headlining too
5. Wheels appear non original

[jbj4700]

Nope, dealer tried 8k trade on my 2016 Lancer with 7,000k, recently had trade offers of 12k, redbook is 10-11.8k

[poohbah]

I get a bit twitchy when a see a dealer name like Cheap Car Co. Doesn't usually scream decades of repeat customers. Or that they have any useful understanding of the history of the car at issue.

[jbj4700]

Yeah, they'd list Lancer for 6-8k more.  Might refinance and sell privately.

[Citroënbender]

I'd suggest the only GT which has a chance of holding some value longer term is a full fat Busso. Every other one will likely follow a similar depreciation to the 3 door four-pot 147s.

My point is you could have the same fun for less buying a 147...

*********

Edit: And a mea culpa - the wheels I thought aftermarket I have now seen on several other GTs after some internet searching. So there is unlikely to be an insurance hike from this.

[ugame]

I'd suggest the only GT which has a chance of holding some value longer term is a full fat Busso. Every other one will likely follow a similar depreciation to the 3 door four-pot 147s.

My point is you could have the same fun for less buying a 147...

^^^^

This is good advice.

After sitting in a couple of GT's (and I'd Love a Busso one day), I then got back into my 147 TS, tilted the driving seat back a little further than before, and it felt pretty much the same.

And mine is a 5 door.

[Craig_m67]

I agree with the Bender.  There is no value in a 4pot from this chassis (147/156/GT) at the moment unless it's a 1.9 derv.

It's not too cheap, its worth nothing really. Offer them $2.5K, let 'em talk you up to just under $3K.
Then it's warranty free for them and a bag of JTS cambelt, coked heads, chocolate suspension and worn brakes or trouble for you.

That said, it's a nice colour. 
Pity is not a V6, or a Sportwagon.
... but of course, then it would be sold.


There are eleventy billion Lancers out there, and they're so cheap most will pay a little more for a brand new one simply for the warranty (free servicing?) and peace of mind (new car smell, choice of colour, latest bits, etc).. you will need to suck that up and factor into your private sell price - shift it quick and cheap before it gets older. Like pulling off a bandaid, then forget about the loss and move on

(and it's EOFY, so they're all going to be cheap until end of August)
Sorry

[Craig_m67]

This is good advice.

After sitting in a couple of GT's (and I'd Love a Busso one day), I then got back into my 147 TS, tilted the driving seat back a little further than before, and it felt pretty much the same.

And mine is a 5 door.

It is the same.. fairly identical even.  The GT is 156 Sportwagon chassis, drapped in a slinky Bertone body with all the bits from the 147 bolted into instead
(as 156 production ended for the 159)

Actually, was it Bertone?
My mind is slower in winter (24DegC here today, brr)

[poohbah]

My advice - forget the GT and forget a 147. Look out for a decent 156 with V6, 6sp manual, and decent service history. A good Series 1 (my preference over the "gussied up" facelift model) should cost you less than $5k. And even a later face lift model is unlikely to be more than $6k.

Why? Because I prefer sedans over hatches.

[Citroënbender]

And once you've had wagon you'll never go back. (Willingly, at least!)

[poohbah]

The 156 Sportwagon is definitely one of the best looking wagons of the last 25 years. And in V6 manual form, its a brilliant bit of kit. But I still prefer the sedan.

[ugame]

guys guys guys.....

Coupe > Sedan > Hatch > SUV > 4x4 > Any other shape > Wagon

You know I'm right.