Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD

Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD 3dr Lusso

You probably just don’t understand Alfa's and until you sit in one-you never will…

Just bought an Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD 3dr Lusso and on first impressions I’m delighted. It’s Navy Blue in Colour which sets the car off great against the Cream Leather, its a top of the range model and comes with SAT NAV, Cruise Control, Telephone, full heated Leather Upholstery, trip computer, 16inch Alloy wheels etc. The options are great, although not a requirement for everyone-however I would recommend the leather upholstery as a MUST its fantastic.

I test drove many cars before buying, yet decided on the Alfa 147, because it put the biggest smile on my face, it was the nicest car to sit in and felt the best to drive by a long way. The Golf mk4 GTi felt its age, and although the Golf mk5 1.6s that I drove was nice it was very basic compared to the Alfa and more expensive. The Astra 1.8 (new shape 06) was nice to look at but a rather dull drive, and the focus was dull to look at but a nice drive. But as I said earlier, I wanted a car that could put a smile on my face just by looking at it and then sitting in it, and there was no match for the Alfa.

The Car is 5 years old, it’s a turbo diesel with 44000 on the clock, and even though I know Alfas depreciate very heavily, it was only £4195, which seems a bargain. I Shudder to think what a mk5 Golf with a similar equipment range and diesel engine would cost.

It comes as standard with 6 airbags, I think, which is good considering my old car only had 2, I was a little surprised when I seen the car had a crash rating of 3 out 5 instead of the usual 4 for cars of this size, and it does feel rather sturdy even when compared to Ze Germans.

The car looks absolutely gorgeous and so much different to any similar sized car on the road its fantastic, and definitely one of the selling points, the Italians are style obsessed and it really really shows in this car- its just such as nice-nice place to be. Now I childishly raced a Golf Mk4 1.8t GTi from the lights today, and although he initially pulled away the sheer of torque of the Alfa meant I out muscled him after 10 seconds or so –childish I know but it demonstrates this car has a sweet engine.

Now space, the boot is not all that useful for anything other than shopping, or a suitcase, and the tailgate itself is rather small, and you cant open the boot with a handle its key fob or dashboard button only which is a rather premium touch-I suppose. Interior space is excellent in the front, and as I rarely travel with passengers so I wasn’t bothered about if it was 5 door or not, so the rear does look like short distances for adults im afraid- but as I said rarely have a full car so its not of problem to me, if it is to you then buy a 5 door.

It sounds like a petrol engine. FACT. Which I know sounds like I’m disappointed it’s a diesel and not a petrol but I’m really not, Im told that the petrol versions of this car average 31 and 33mpg if that, whereas this diesel is quicker to 60mph and does 49mpg and it feels fruity through the gears and has a lovely engine note. Definitely if you can afford the extra-get a diesel.

Now, sales figures show that even though this car was European Car of the Year in 2001 before it even went on sale in the UK, people are still afraid of Alfas due to their poor reliability record and there’s no doubt I considered it. And unfortunately I can’t comment as when writing this I have only had the car for a week. What I will say though, is that the record is improving and the 147 is one of the most reliable Alfas and if there is a full service history and it looks cared for, and you continue to care for it, then its recommended, its not as if they cant do the miles, I saw a diesel one on Auto Trader with over 170,000 on the clock and many of the petrol ones in a lower price range i.e. under £3000 have over 110,000 on them.

I drive over 400 miles a week, and see so many boring Golfs, dull Focus’s and uninspiring Astras and whatever else, I just drive by and think “you’ve bought the wrong car” Once you sit in Alfa you will understand, but if you don’t understand Alfas then you don’t understand Cars!

Postives
Fantastic Engine
Looks Magnificent (in 3dr or 5dr)
Leather Upholstery
Options

Negatives
3/5 Euro Ncap Rating
Alfas Reliability Record – maybe of concern later
Dealership Record- maybe of concern later