looking into buying a 147 02 model

[marshy]

Hi All,

i am currently looking into buying a 147, they seem like a pretty nice well equiped car for the price and they are within my price range.

however before i buy one i just wanted to know a few thngs about the car and get some feedback from ppl that actually own and know the car.

I have heard that Alfa's are not the most reliable car but this is just word of mouth and i would rather get the facts about the car rather then listen to ppl that may have never even owned or driven one.

So if you guys could help me out and answer a few questions that would help me out alot.

Are there any known issues i should look out for when purchasing a 147? It will be a  manual not the salespeed.
what are the service intervals? for example my current car gets serviced every 5000kms.
How much does a minor service usually cost and also what is the average major srevice price?
Are these cars reliable car to drive?

thats basically all i can think of at the moment i pretty much want a car that will be reliable and not too expensive to maintain.

Any help/advice would be great.

thanks guys.

[pep105]

Hi Marshy,

Check out the link here should be some answers to your questions

http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=1591.msg7377#msg7377

Cheers

Pep

P.S Let me know if you have any other questions

[marshy]

Thats for the link mate, very helpful.

Answered my question about things to look out for when buying and oil type to use. Just wondering about the service intervals and costs involved. Going by the oil consumption i would say a 5000km minor service would be recommended and major every 20,000km?

would i be right to say that a minor would be around the $350 mark and a major to be around $800-$1200 depending on what exactly needs to be done?

[spieret]

That would be a pretty good assumption yes. Also make sure it's serviced at an alfa specialist.

[John Hanslow]

The reality is the car is serviced and if parts need replacing, costs increase.  I get my car serviced every 5,000kms so I do not get any surprises and so far so good.  Its peace of mind for me.  I suggest that 20,000kms is much too much especially with the timimg belt issues.  This needs regular inspection if a few years old.  It has to be changes every 3 years or (I say again) 50,000kms - that's what the new Alfa sticker in the service book says.

Good oil is about $80 dollars at Autobarn or otherwise.  10w-60 like Martini, Selenia or eg. Castrol Edge Sport.  You need good oil to minimise usage.  The engines uses oil and some use a bit more than others. 
Check out our sponsors for your local Alfa Specialist who know and understand the cars.  Some give discounts to club members.

What ever you go, get a prepurchase inspection so you know what has to be done for the RWC.  Good tyres and replacements parts all add up so its all part of the price negotiation.

Cheers.

[marshy]

thanks for all the advice and info guys.

i tried looking for the sponsers page but i can't find it could someone point me in the right direction.

thanks

[Simon Aarons]

http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/content/view/20/33/

[marshy]

are there any info on sponsers/workshops in Sydney?