What do I buy??

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Jim - 23 Jul 2004 14:41 GMT

Ok heres the story...

I just finished uni and landed myself a pretty decent job. At the
moment I drive a battered old escort so I'm looking for a new (second
hand) car. I really want a 147! I've seen a few on autotrader for
circa £7k, this is the absolute top end of my budget and I'd have to
get finance. My other option is to get and old 145 for £3k and save up
for a year and get the 147.
So what I want to know is;

What are the old 145s like, reliable?

Should I get a bottom of the range 147, or should I go for a mid
range much more dull car?

Does anyone want to sell me their 147 for £3k??

cheers

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Simon C - 23 Jul 2004 15:35 GMT

I presume when you say 'mid range much more dull car' you are referring to
BMW, Audi, etc and not a 146 or other AR?

Simon C
156 2.4JTD V1 (2002)
To reply: remove nospam. from the address

> Ok heres the story...
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> cheers

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SteveH - 23 Jul 2004 19:24 GMT

> Ok heres the story...
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> What are the old 145s like, reliable?

They're OK, so long as you get one with good history and check the oil
regularly.

Avoid the 'boxer' engined cars at all costs.

IMHO, you'd be _much_ better off going for a very late 155, they're just
'better' in all respects.

> Should I get a bottom of the range 147, or should I go for a mid
> range much more dull car?

Bottom of the range 147 will piss all over a mid-range mainstream car.
120bhp TSpark engine is a little gem - revvy, sounds lovely, and
'adequate' power.

I'd still go for an older 155 or something though.

> Does anyone want to sell me their 147 for £3k??

Heh. If they were that cheap we'd all have one ;-)

PS: Get some insurance quotes before deciding what to look at - a 147
will cost you a packet if you're in your early 20s, older stuff a
slightly smaller packet.

Signature

Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300
VW Golf GL Cabrio - Alfa 75 TS - Alfa 155 TS Lusso - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

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Ex Alfa Adam - 28 Jul 2004 20:56 GMT

> PS: Get some insurance quotes before deciding what to look at - a 147
> will cost you a packet if you're in your early 20s, older stuff a
> slightly smaller packet.

Good advice, but even after paying for the insurance on a V6 155 you'll
still have an insane grin whenever you drove.... (anywhere!) (Or try a
Lancia Dedra Turbo, if you can find a good one - Lancia even did a
'integrale' Dedra which is based on the 155)

Adam H

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SteveH - 28 Jul 2004 21:07 GMT

> > PS: Get some insurance quotes before deciding what to look at - a 147
> > will cost you a packet if you're in your early 20s, older stuff a
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Lancia Dedra Turbo, if you can find a good one - Lancia even did a
> 'integrale' Dedra which is based on the 155)

The Dedra Integrale was based on the Delta Integrale, wasn't it?

Just as the 155 Q4 was a reskinned Delta.

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Neil G - 29 Jul 2004 22:45 GMT

My advice. Don't tiw yourself to a car for too long. Build your NCD and
subsequently age will follow by buying a number of fun, lower Ins group
cars. Then hit upon the Alfa. All the better for waiting IMO. :-)

Neil
156. God, it's good on the M3/A34 :-)

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