car dilemma..

[sara3]

arghh.. I don't know what to do! I have an O2 reg Alfa 147, I love him dearly. really.. a lot! the handbrake went last week and I booked it in for today, and had it serviced at the same time. the bill was just shy of £400, and they gave me a very long list of what else needs doing, which would cost about £1000 if I did it all (I am cynical over some of these things, btw).
what do I do? sell it and buy something else? I don't have a load of cash under the mattress so would have to get a loan. has its time come? I don't want to keep throwing money at it as it's not worth much money now.
also can anyone suggest a similar car, which might be loved as much as this one? I guess in the £5-7k region.
my heart is broken :o(

[AlBags]

1. Probably plastic bushes. Local garage or DIY person.
2. CV Boot: replace asap. Local garage or car bod. Front disc, carrier and balljoint off, pill driveshaft, replace boot. Sealed driveshaft boots can be replaced with new 'stretchy boot' if reqd.
3. Tricky without seeing or looking at aftermarket exhaust catalogue.
I would probably repair it ... Take note ...
http://www.alfaowner....haust-flexi-pipe.html
http://www.alfaworksh...a_romeo_exhaust.shtml
http://www.alfaowner....t-flexible-joint.html
4. 50-60 quid-ish!
5. Probably bushes .. easy/quick job for local garage or DIY bod.
6 Breaker like this one ..http://www.intapart.com/ 75-85 quid.
7 Ditto. No more than 50-60quid complete.

[AlBags]

Do the CV Boot and exhaust for now.
Get hold of the correct size flexy and have welded in. That would take about 2 hrs to mark up, drop, cut and weld pipes up.
Email that ebay seller to see if they know what diameter the pipe is .. if not get it measured and get the part.
Look out other parts local breakers .. Windscreen and wiper linkage.
Shame you don't live down the road or I'd do it for you.
Al.

[Khandro]

"everyone knows that Alfa's are the best cars", - hmmmm.

[sara3]

Khandro, do tell me what car you're passionate about..

Al, thanks for your time and trouble. I'll look into that.. a bit scared of ordering the wrong part but will look properly at the links tomorrow. the MOT isn't til the end of June and it's running fine (although the gears were awkward to engage driving home today, and they're not usually!). thank you x

[AlBags]

Make hay .... etc ...
Don't leave til last minute.
x

[sara3]

I will, I'll try to get it into a garage close to work this week, for a 2nd opinion and will do the essentials.

realistically, I'll probably start car shopping in a couple of months but am broken hearted :o/

[AlBags]

Don't waste your money.
You'll love it again when it's all fixed up!

[sara3]

I looked on a car price guide site and apparently it's worth maybe £1500, so I need to keep that in mind.. but I do love it and it's worth more than that to me!

[Jemisa]

sara....

Renault and Ford are working on a new small car for women. They are mixing the
Clio and the Taurus, and calling it the "CLITAURUS." It will come only in pink. It's believed that the average male thief won't be able to find it, even if someone tells him where it is.


Jem

[AlBags]

Sweet .. But I know where to find it ; )

Better than the old 'Ford Pubic' joke tho.

[AlBags]

Sara .. If my runabout Megane 2000 16v is going to sell for 1000 ish .. that ought to be worth nearer 1800-2000 fixed up.
How many miles and body condition? (Car, of course!)

[sara3]

Jem.. blimey!

Eddie, I'll try to do that, thanks x

Al, it's almost at 100k, body work is pretty good, no dents but some little dinks from other bloody car doors. it's been well looked after, full leather interior, cruise control, climate control, makes the coffee, etc..

[Fitzer]

If you are going to get shot of it get the floor pans checked before you spend any more, I have mine serviced at a specialist (bit too far for you) and they've had several in with corroded floor pans requiring mucho welding. Just a heads up and not wanting to load you with more worries. I love mine too BTW, £610 this month for plugs (108K) service, trailing arm bushes, MOT & clean and re-underseal as my floors were showing rust.

[Zeuhl]

To go back to your original Q

You need to make a reasonable estimate of what you 'have to' spend on your alfa over the next 12 months

and then add that to what you could realistically get for it as it is

and then ask yourself whether what you could realistically buy for that money would be a better bet than your alfa fixed up.

[sara3]

Zeuhl, it's a no. I'd definitely have to get a loan and I would cry forever ;o)

Fitzer, thanks for the advice. welding? that would really be the icing on the cake, lol! it takes another Alfa owner to understand the love :o)

I think the big decision (thus far) is that I don't want to part with the car. I'll get a 2nd opinion and do what needs doing.

[Fitzer]

Have you tried the Alfa Owners club, they list specialists by region and there's one in St Albans http://www.aroc-uk.co...romeo-specialists.htm you'll have to select the South East

[sara3]

thanks again, Fitzer. the St Albans one took me for £300 to do a bodge job on a previous car.. and the one I used yesterday (and quite regularly) is on the same page!

I think it's that "little-woman" theory :o/

[Khandro]

You could be forgiven for avoiding a used 147, as the car finished in an unimpressive 79th out of 100 in our Driver Power 2007 owner satisfaction survey.

Read more: http://www.autoexpres...47.html#ixzz1I21lhh60

[sara3]

that's fascinating.

it was Car Of The Year when my model came out.