My car is going in for a service. It's a late '02 Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 T-Spark Duel Injection. However, having only been driving it for a month, I have found that the previous owner didn't understand that driving with headlights out (used the fog lights!!), no water in the washers, a slight veering to the left, a dodgy key fob and a leaky window means the car needs looking at. Oh and don't get me started on the amount of crap, dirty, crumbs and waste that was in it. UGH! Had to have it valeted big time.

What's also frightening is that people who obviously have been driving a lot longer than I have, seem to either not know the width of their car, or do some utter stupid things. I've had someone only yesterday who came around a blind corner quick so that he didn't have to wait for on coming traffic, but on MY side of the road...

Seems the biggest thing you don't get taught by most instructors is how to deal with stupid drivers. Fortunately, the one I had was a police instructor so he knew his stuff. I used to worry about my first accident being my fault... and now I realise that I'm more worried that one day I will probably just be out of luck to these stupid people.

http://pictures.netniv.com/latest/_thb_mycar.jpg (http://pictures.netniv.com/latest/mycar.jpg) http://pictures.netniv.com/latest/_thb_mycar2.jpg (http://pictures.netniv.com/latest/mycar2.jpg) http://pictures.netniv.com/latest/_thb_mycar3.jpg (http://pictures.netniv.com/latest/mycar3.jpg)

some nasty dents in that door :(

I used to have a silver Alfa 147 as a company car. Not a bad motor in general, but I prefered my Golf 1.9TDI. That rocked.

shes a looker

You're right about the scruffy so 'n so's who had it before you - look at the stains on the drivers seat - too many white ones? Or was that you being a bit too happy in something sporty?

Need to take my old banger out for a test drive now - aquaplaned into a kerb last night and wrecked one of the front wheels :(

btw - save up for some nicer wheels - car like that deserves something a bit larger and wider :nudge nudge wink wink: ;)

The trouble is when you have been driving a while you start to pick up and use lots of bad habbits. But I have to agree with you i sometimes wonder how on earth some people pass their test. I very nearly got hit head on the other day with the local Dustbin lorry if it had been later in the day when the road was clogged on either side with parked cars we would have been hit. What made me even angrier once id stopped shaking was the bloody bin man was laughing his head off.

btw - save up for some nicer wheels - car like that deserves something a bit larger and wider :nudge nudge wink wink: ;)

I got a Silver 147 also...

Have a gawk at these wheels.

Mind you, I gotta say that in answer to Gm, the 2.0 Selespeed is the mutts !!!

I always thought selespeed was some sort of automatic gear box... but if I understand right, it's a semi-automatic as you don't need a clutch ?

some nasty dents in that door :(
Yes there are.

btw - save up for some nicer wheels - car like that deserves something a bit larger and wider :nudge nudge wink wink:
If I was paying for them, I probably would, but I have only to pay petrol.

That a patch of rust at the bottom of the passengerside door hinge or just muck? I've got two identical rust patches on my car where the bumper connects. My dad took it for a quote and was told they could sort it but the design flaw meant it'd rust up again in six months. So now basically I have to leave the rust til it's so bad I have to change the whole panels :(

Nice car though, far better than mine :D

I have a feeling it's dirt, but I'll have to go take a look later. :D

I always thought selespeed was some sort of automatic gear box... but if I understand right, it's a semi-automatic as you don't need a clutch ?

Yeah, thats right. it is a Semi Auto. There is NO clutch at all, and the gear change is a simple up/down choice (either on the stick or on the steering wheel paddles). But unlike an auto, it WILL roll back at traffic lights !

There is a "city" mode in which it becomes fuly automatic, but its best for pottering around town only. On the open roads, its a lot more entertaining to thrash the hell out of it in sports mode without taking your hands off the wheel !!!

When my boyfriend told me he had a Fiat I instantly dismissed it as I've owned a Fiat and although I have to admit it never gave me any problems (apart from a flat battery) and was a great runaround, it's not the best for style or power... so I thought.

When I saw it I thought hmm ok it looks like a nice car but I bet there's not much to it... was I wrong? Yup.

He took me out in it and as men do, he proceeded to show off and scare the living daylights out of me. He changes up the gears on his own but if he floors it, the car will do it automatically anyway, albeit after getting revs so high it must be near the red zone on the counter (I'll have to take a look next time)

I commented that the g force was much the same as in my brother's car, a 3.2 Boxster, and that I was quite surprised. I know nothing about Stilo's so when he told me it had a 2.4 engine I was a bit gobsmacked although should have guessed really.

It grips the road almost as good as a Boxster too. My brother has yet to make the car skid, although he's tried numerous times. I guess you have to REALLY throw it to make it do that, and that's not advisable in public areas :S

So anyway, it's changed my perception of Fiat cars, although I've always thought Alfa Romeos were for old people like Jags and Lexus's

I've always thought Alfa Romeos were for old people like Jags and Lexus's

LOL :rolf: not to say a little :shocked:

I am NOT an OLD PEOPLE !!

I have had my alfa for about 8 months now, and I rate it above all my previous company cars (excluding a BMW, but thats not fair to compare)

I think you would be hard pushed to get any comparable motor (c/w Leather, climate control, Sat Nav, Voice control, fully integrated phone) for the money.

I have driven in.. a mini cooper estate, a corsa, a 206, an astra coupe and my alfa. I have to say of all, the alfa is by far the best drive. It's not the quietest, as that would fall to the astra coupe, but the astra coupe was light on the peddles (couldn't feel much at all with them) and I felt it was TOO quiet. The corsa/206 are nice town cars, and the cooper estate was nostalgia (my first car.. in which I headed towards a brick wall before mentioning to my mother that I didn't know how to change down gears correctly).

If I was paying for them, I probably would, but I have only to pay petrol.

Surely new alloys can be added to running costs of the car? I knew a guy in IT who wangled some nice wheels and tyres out of the company. Just show some fuel and efficiency graphs once the new wheels are added, they'll buy it everytime ;)

If only... it's a lease thing so I don't think that'll happen...

dukesy]Yeah, thats right. it is a Semi Auto. There is NO clutch at all, and the gear change is a simple up/down choice (either on the stick or on the steering wheel paddles). But unlike an auto, it WILL roll back at traffic lights !

Nope sorry your wrong (regarding the clutch)

The gearbox and clutch in the selespeed is absolutely normal, in fact its out of the Stilo (ex of the Tipo)

In fact there is even a part number for the clutch --- you can even buy an Alfa recon clutch kit

Been there done that

In total my selespeed cost over £7000 to put right over a period of 18 months

4 gearboxes (all recon as Alfa wont supply new)
1 Clutch (cover and plate)
1 Engine after cam belt went with only 23000 miles done
1 respray after laquer peeled off
1 respray (after they got it the wrong colour)
1 entire brake system overhaul
Various ECU's
numerous suspension componants

The dealer tried to get me to pay the bills despite warranty (which they contested) it was only when watchdog began to call them that they settled out of court with my solicitor.

I am still out of pocket for the hire cars/days off work.

What ever you do, never ever ever ever touch a selespeed or infact an Alfa not even with someone elses barge pole

I merely meant that there is no clutch PEDAL !!! (Therefore "no clutch")

Its interesting that you mention this, cos I just had mine in for a standard 32K service, and by the time they had done the brake pads (which apparantly needed it!), the service cost me over £700 !!!!!!

It is interesting to see someone else having the same (or similar) problems.

I am always in the garage for repairs *(under the warranty, so It dont cost), but I have already decided that it is going before the warranty runs out !!!

Dukesy
:moo:

/crosses all alfas off his list of cars to consider

What ever you do, never ever ever ever touch a selespeed or infact an Alfa not even with someone elses barge pole

Nope, with somebuddy elses bargepole (like a company car) they're wunnerful.

I had a 75, about 75,000 miles, broke: a driveshaft, some airbox thing that stopped it starting. Brilliant motor.

2 2.0 155s, after they sorted out the suspension - look for the ones without the flared front wheel arches. Did 85,000 in the first one - only problem the gearbox fell out cos it wasn't bolted on right, helluva mess, warranty. Tother didn't miss a beat over about 60k. Best handling cars I ever drove except the Integra.

That said, I'd never buy an Alfa (cept mebbe an SZ if I found one). Uh, and if you like Alfas why have a Selespeed, it's a contradiction in terms.

That said I own a N reg Fiat Bravo, done about 90k and would be just fine cept the electrix are starting to slowly give up. Done Oxford to Paris & back in it a coupla times 'n the only thing better for that trips a landcruiser.

Mine IS a company car, but I have already decided to get rid.

If I was buying with my own money (rather than company rough), then (with hindsight) I would NOT but Alfa again. Having said that, it IS a lovely car to drive and be in...>Very luxurious and very fun to drive

The corsa/206 are nice town cars
Well i wouldn't class my Pug 206 GTI GT as that.... more fun on the open road, town driving is like putting it in a box not letting it stretch its legs!

I commented that the g force was much the same as in my brother's car, a 3.2 Boxster

It grips the road almost as good as a Boxster too.

These comments suprise me as the the boxter is 3sec quicker 0 - 60 which in acceleration time is an eternity. Also Porsches are re-nound as being one of the best handling cars ever made...although the 911 is far superior the boxster is still a good entry level model. Maybe your bf is just a better and faster driver than your brother cos his car is certainly not.

Its up in 9 months... so I am gonna miss it if I can't get sommat similar. I must admit that I reallly like the handling, though maybe the acceleration could be slightly better.

Having said that, I'm not sure I would want to buy one myself, but I'll enjoy it whilst I can.

I think you would be hard pushed to get any comparable motor (c/w Leather, climate control, Sat Nav, Voice control, fully integrated phone) for the money.

Having said that, it IS a lovely car to drive and be in...>Very luxurious and very fun to drive

I agree with both (looked at a couple of Alphas when deciding what to buy). The downside is (to my knowledge) that the reason you get more for your money is Alphas are one of the fastest, if not the fastest depreciating car brand that I know . Never buy brand new, you'll lose a packet as you drive it off the forecourt. :\

Alright if you know a thing about motors (or have freinds who do), but no good for me!!!