Advantages: Out of the Norm Styling & Performance
Disadvantages: Getting Old Now

...WHAT IS IT? The 147 is Alfa Romeo's compact hatchback, produced in three and five door forms and competing in the Ford Focus / Vauxhall Astra market. This is actually an interesting, diverse and most popular market sector now, outselling all other types of car. The competition is fierce and many of the alternatives, such as the Honda Civic, are new and bang up to date. In 2001 the Alfa 147 was voted European Car of The Year. WHICH SPECIFIC MODEL? The actual car that I am reviewing here is right at the top of the Alfa 147 tree. It is a five door 1.9JTD 150 Lusso. The 1.9JTD 150 has the most powerful two litre version of the now ubiquitous GM (Vauxhall / Saab) engine in it, which was co-developed with Fiat, parent company of Alfa Romeo. IN WHAT CAPACITY AM I REVIEWING THIS CAR? OK, hands up, this is not my own car... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Style, equipment levels, ride.
Disadvantages: Petrol consumption, insurance costs.

...From an early age, I've always hankered after cars that dare to look a little bit different and had always fancied an Alfa Romeo. Having now reached an age where I've owned several cars, Ford, Vauxhall, Citroen, Renault and Ford again, I decided the time was right to be that bit decadent and treat myself to an Alfa. The model I've bought is the 2.0 TS Selespeed Lusso, just over a year old with 3500 miles on the clock which is absolutely stunning in black with light grey Momo leather upholstery. Having paid just £12000 for it (best part of £20000 new with the extras it's got), they're are plenty of bargains to be had in the used car arena, and you'll get a lot of car for your money. Having owned a fully specced up Ford Focus 2.0 Ghia previously (full leather, air con, traction control, cruise control etc etc) I really wanted... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Eye catching looks - relatively rare
Disadvantages: Other peoples perceptions

...I purchased my 1.6 Lusso in June 2002 from a car supermarket. I had been torn bewteen the 147 and the new Mini. I visited both dealers - the Alfa dealer was keen but couldn't come down to my price, whilst the Mini dealer was very much "I can sell 10 of these tomorrow - why should I bother trying to help you!". Frustrated I visited a car supermarket and was somewhat bewildered by the choice on offer. I would strongly recommend it to anyone - even if you don't buy from them. Seeing the car in full colour beats trying to imagine it from the 2 inch square card in the showroom. The supermarket offered a favourable rate on my car and at £12,300 it was £2300 less than list. I picked it up a few days later and was suprised to wait in-line for the keys along with about 10 other people collecting at that time. Once they hand over... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Looks great, loads of extras, high level of safety equipment
Disadvantages: appalling build quality, expensive repairs, few dealers

...Having always wanted an Alfa Romeo I was thrilled when the 147 came out. Bought as an ex demonstator Feb 2001.I have had so many problems with it that I have again contacted Alfa UK and will have to sell the car very soon as I've had enough of things going wrong. Things were not good right from the start: It failed its PDI as the odometer read 6000 when new Both leather seats replaced as stitching too tight and leather was going to split Both electric windows have stuck in 'down' position No heat guard fitted Gearbox problems - difficulty selecting gear, often no neutral could be found, when leaving motorways no gears could be selected, select first and it went forwards! Problem since resolved by second dealer I took it to about this Bonnet would not shut Bonnet would not open Boot regularly will not release on key, remote... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great to drive and look at. Reliable and well built.
Disadvantages: Insurance can be pricey with some companies.

...Well I purchased the 147 2.0 Lusso last July (2003), brand new, from one of the many car supermarkets. It was just £13500 and has everything from the 17" supersports Alloys to Leather interior, sunroof as well as the comfort pact and winter pack. I saved around £6000 on the UK retail price and therefore should protect myself from any early depreciation. Should you buy this car? Well YES it drives like it is on rails and the ride is still smooth considering it's on the wide 17" low profile tyres. Mine came with Goodyear F1 Eagle tyre which give excellent grip. I have had no problems and the first 12000mile service was done by my Alfa dealer in Amersham for a very reasonable £150. Average fuel consumption is 33-35MPG. It holds a decent amount in the boot, as shown by a recent holiday with the Inlaws and in our previous 1.6Lusso (which... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: design, quality, timelessness, engine, handling
Disadvantages: second hand value

...The car is a driver's car for sure. Great handling, great engine, fun driving, agile, faster than most 1.6 engines. The design is magnificent. Some other brands have copied bits of its design later on. Alfa 147, winner of European Car of the Year Award 2001, has a lifetime of 7 years by now which proves the success of the model. Alfa 147 looks good inside as much as it looks good outside. The material quality and feel is high. The hidden door knob gives the coupe impression and is a nice little detail that now Seat Leon uses. I think Alfa 147 will be one of the cAlfa's icon models in the future. I now own a Hyundai Coupe and i love its looks too, but a part of me wants to go back to my Alfista days. Rumor has it, Alfa 147 won't be with us by the year 2009. Hope newcomer 149 will alsobe a true hot hatch... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fantastic free revving engine, bags of style
Disadvantages: Dodgy service support

...a bit soft for my liking. The transmission is a bit of a let down - a bit like stirring porridge but all in all, a lot of fun. Following this test drive, which lasted about 30 minutes I just had to buy the car, it was just such a laugh to drive. So I did……. Alfa Romeo 147 Turismo One of the first selling points for me is the look of the thing. This is a beautiful car. The low-slung sweeping hatchback body style, with a snarling, chromed front central grill. This car oozes style like no other car in this class. I bought one in Alfa Red, which for me is definitely the best colour. Performance Specifications BHP 120 at 6200 revs Torque 108lb/ft at 4200 revs 0-60 (through gears) 10.6 secs 30-70 (through gears) 10.2 secs ** ** Figures are taken from the WhatCar road... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Cracking line, exciting drive, young 2nd hand cars cheap
Disadvantages: brand new car expensive, dealership = con-artists, Alfa central customer services is absolutely useless

...I bought my Alfa 147 1.6 Lusso in Nov. 04 in second-hand (manufactured in Jan. 04). I loved it for at least a year, until serious problems started to occur: In my first year of ownership I experienced some minor annoying problems like fan noises, window rubber sealing adrift, defective airbag sensor, but the car was under manufacturer's warranty (2 years) and this issues were temporarily fixed. When this warranty expired and was replaced by the 3rd year Dealership warranty, things became suddently much more difficult: My car was definitely not reliable and soon I experienced problems with the manual gear box (defective bush that prevented changing from 2nd to 3rd gear), fan motor (Again!) and Climate control broken. For the gear box, my car was stuck in my Alfa-Romeo Garage in Leicester for 3 weeks - mainly because they did... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Acceleration, comfortable (relatively speaking), unusual
Disadvantages: Fuel bills

...anyway to keep their baby in tip top shape. Some GTA's are now going for as little as £13000 which is a heck of a lot of car for the money. From my experience you will not regret owning a 147GTA. Sure the fuel bills will probably cripple you but if you want economy you don't buy something with a 3.2 in it do you? Just look outside and think "That's my very own Alfa GTA". I still do it after 8 months of ownership (and yes the girlfriend does think I love it more than her). If you are looking at a car like this chances are you know what you want and like your cars. Don't be put off by people sucking their teeth at the word "Alfa Romeo", all that have done that to me have never owned one. If you're passionate about cars then I can whole heartedly recommend the 147 GTA. I looked at BMW's, Audi's, Evo's, Scoobies etc, but none... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Aesthetically pleasing, stylish, spacious boot, security, quick and knee tremblingly superior!!!,
Disadvantages: can be expensive to run....thats it really!!!

...The Alfa Romeo 156.…Where to start? The first thing you notice is it's elegant curves and aesthetics which makes the 156 an attractive semi sports car. There is something however that many (including myself) notice though about the rear doors, there is no handle or at least no visible handle. This little touch of Italian design is something of a puzzle to some and absolute genius to others. It is only a shame the same style could not be incorporated to the front doors which would finish it off a treat! Inside there is a surprising amount of space in the front with just enough in the rear to make it a comfortable ride. With the fabric interior and its colour scheme of grey and black with the Alfa Romeo motifs on the front seats creates a nice touch. The front seats are slightly contoured for ultimate comfort and style and to some... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful