Bangernomics - Alfa Romeo 147 any good...?

[mboy]

Minor update...

Done around 1500 miles in the car now, and just did an oil service on it this morning... Jacked it up properly for the first time, and blow me... Literally ZERO rust underneath it! OK there's a bit at the back of the wheelarches, but underneath is absolutely solid!

Got to be said, just as well I've done the oil change now, old oil came out quite thin and black (obviously, it's a diesel!), but new oil has silenced the slightly tappety sound nicely which I wasn't expecting...

Have had a few teething troubles with the electrics (it's an Alfa!)... The airbag light is on, which I'm going to have to pay someone to investigate sadly (at least if I want it to pass an MOT in 6 months if I still need the car then), and I had to replace the driver's side electric window regulator as it kept playing up. There's also a loose connection to a sidelight bulb and also rear numberplate bulb (which is very annoying as it gives a loud warning and a symbol on the dash, but a smack in the right place on the bumper makes the fault go away again!) and the aircon and the cruise control don't work... But honestly, for the price, how well it drives (it really is lovely to drive!), the economy (it's returning a solid 50mpg verified) and the comfort (nicest leather seats I've ever sat in!), this car was an absolute steal...

Spoke with an Alfa specialist today about getting the airbag light looked at, and he said with 105k on the clock, the 1.9jtd engine is barely run in! He's seen them do 350-400k before and is sure you would get 500k out of a well maintained one before it would need rebuilding. I don't think I'll be going that far in it, new jobs I'm applying for either come with a company car or a hefty car allowance (and I'm guessing the expectation to drive something less than 5yrs old), but I'm enjoying the 147 for what it is right now and should at least get my money back when I come to sell it all being well...

[Ditchfinder]

As it's an Alfa if it accidentally caught fire due to an electrical fault no one would bat an eyelid

[mboy]

So after 6 and a bit months and about 3k miles, the Alfa is back up for sale... If anybody wants it, here's some details...

Selling my 2006 Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD... Reg VK06 JHY...
I bought this car as a stop gap 6 months ago, I have done 3k miles in it in that time and it has been totally reliable. I have recently changed the oil and fitted a new drivers side window regulator too. This is the 8V model with 115bhp, an incredibly reliable and low stressed motor that will do many, many more miles to come with good fuel economy too...
Good points...
-Low Mileage at 107k (might go up slightly but not much)
-LOADS of history (first owner for 19yrs owned a car garage and it got serviced annually regardless of mileage).
-MOT til April 2026
-2 Keys
-Only 2 previous owners!
-Mechanically in VGC, good engine, pulls strongly, returns 50+mpg.
-Lovely cream leather interior in good condition.
-No warning lights
-Invoice for £650 to get it through its last MOT!
Bad points...
-Bodywork is tatty. A few scuffs on the bonnet, bumper etc. and a slight dent in the bootlid too from where a van reversed into it.
-Advisories on last MOT still present so will want new anti roll bar drop links and a pair of tyres probably to get through next MOT.
-Air con doesn't work (might just need regassing, I don't know)
-Drivers side window needs fixing properly, I have fitted a new regulator so it goes up and down ok but the window occasionally drops off its mount, so needs a mechanic who knows what they're doing to sort it.
-Been used for tip runs and carrying a mountain bike in the back, so it's not mint in the back.
For sale as I have a new job and a new car now...
Based in Worcester. Priced for a quick sale.

[Tarmacsurfer]

Did I miss the price?