Hi,
I've been looking for a "new" alfa for a while. Was originally looking at a 156, but am now thinking of a 147 (5 door manual Monza).
Any thoughts (I know this is a loaded question on an alfa board :) ... )? Have they been reliable? How do you find the interior space - especially the cargo area?
I will be carrying things from time to time (as well as having a child seat) so I need it to be practical. Currently have a Peugeot 207 (3 door) which is ok space wise but difficult due to only having 2 doors + a child seat....
I am assuming reliability is good.
Have been searching on the web but there aren't too many reviews.
WOuldn't mind some "real user" reviews!
-F.
I had a 3 door 2001 147 and it was awesome! I only sold it because our first child came along. If it were a 4 door we would have probably kept it. Pram fits in the boot when folded up, just get the right one. Car seat fits fine, just getting in and out was the problem. Like any car, try to get something low mileage and with a good history. These cars are reliable in general. Mine was faultless since new. 147 is a more modern car than the 156, even for the same production year the 147 feels like a much better put together car but a 156 does have more boot space. I would stick with the twin spark (non JTS) if you want lower running costs.
Couldnt agree more my 147 I have owned for 2 years now and its been great apart from a flat battery :) I have done almost 50,000km in it over those years and its been good every one of them! Only complaint about it is the servicing costs on a uni student budget :'(
I've found that a 147 is more practical than a 156 purely because you can fold-down the seats (which are split so you have the option of folding down 1 side). Oh, and the 147 comes with a cup holder. 147s also come with the uprated ac vents giving more effecicient airfow on hot days which came out only on the later 156 variants.
The 147 5 door would be more practical than a 156 4 door as you can fold the back seat down and turn it in to a small station wagon, the cam belts have to be done every 50,000 or 3 years or buy new engine, they use some oil, oil is 10-40 fully synthetic, for more reliability and enjoyment and lower running costs get a manual, but get it checked out by Alfa Specialist to see what needs fixing and what hasn't been done, front suspension start to knock after 60,000, look after it properly and it will look after you, good amount of safety gear, stability control and EIGHT airbags, good fun little car and join the Alfa club for added fun and enjoyment, Colin.
Hey Thanks for the reviews guys. I think I will take the chance and put the Pug up for sale and grab the Alfa.
I certainly will be joining the Alfa Club!
=F.
Both our 147 and 156 twinsparks used no oil. You can expect the latter JTS motors to use some.
Ah, just one comment in favour of the 156 if I may, have you considered a 156 sportwagon, the space and convenience of these is IMHO, far superior to either the 147 or 156 sedan. I have carried everything from building materials to surfboards (even my 7.6 mini mal), skis to camping equipment for extended camping trips. No dramas in storage space.
I have had my '03 JTS one since late 2007, its been reliable, comfortable, well appointed, economical. I can't actually see how the 147 would feel more modern than an equivalent age 156 as they are built on essentially the same platform (or at least same principles). I am not an expert on these things, but the same issues that can be prevalent to the 156 are from what I have learned over the years equally true for the 147. Don't get me wrong if you want a 147 than go for it, but I like the extra space of the 156.
Having tried out a 159 sedan, now that was better put together than the 156 but from a drivers perspective, for me, it was lacking somehow in feel, a bit like the other half's beemer. Just my $2 worth.
Yes agree the 156 has more room. My preference was originally a V6 but i couldnt find a low milagr one. The 156 is off the list.
My dilema is that my peugeot is faster (slightly) than the alfa and has more features. So i am actually trying to choose between the 147 and existing 207.(style vs gadgets). But i do think the alfa will be so much more fun to own...
Go for the Alfa 147, you know you want to, great buying at the moment, as they were superceded by the new Guillietta, great aircon, stability control 4 airbags + curtain airbags, cup holders, practicle hatchback, 100 years of sporting history, built in Italy, Puegeots are not bad cars either, and its amusing how Alfa and Puggy owners go from one brand to another, as they are both interesting Marques, Colin.