USED Alfa Romeo 147 Hatchback (01 - 09)

My car

Having had this car for two years, and about to change, I thought I'd reflect on my ownership. This car drives like every other Alfa, with passion, poise, and admiring glances from the roadside.

No other car in this sector looks as stunning, or has this level of equipment for this price, dual-zone climate, leather sports seats, leather steering wheel and gearlever, steering wheel stereo controls, cruise etc.

Golf? Dull, boring and common. Focus? Dull, boring and even more common. However it's not all good news, one key issue that also effects Alfas, reliability...

It's not been an easy ride, it uses lots of oil, more than the average amount of fuel, and has had its electrical gremlins! If the reliability gets sorted, you don't have any excuses not to buy one!

My car

I like the style of the car very much, its distinctive off-set number plate makes it very unusual and classy. It is very easy to drive and responsive. Good acceleration and excellent cornering.

Good braking system - the anti-lock brakes are very good. It's a drivers car and the enjoyment level is high.

The servicing costs are also unfortunately high. I haven't been particularly impressed with the garage that services the car, although they generally manage to fix whatever is wrong. The foglight warning randomly and intermittently and, although the car has been in three times, it hasn't yet been fixed.

When the car was five months old, it had to have a new clutch as the clutch screeched every time I changed down through the gears. I think this was a problem for Alfa and they took several months to find a suitable part to remedy the fault. It's been fine since the new clutch was fitted but it wasn't what I expected after spending £14,000.

I think Alfa should offer a three-year warranty - at the moment they offer a two-year one and the garage top it up.

Generally I love the car and I will be very sad to part with it when the time comes.

My car

I have owned a Black 147 1.6 Lusso for just over one year.

If you have no children then this is the car for a mid-twenties couple who want to be different. If you have children then you'll probably own something more practical which gives you more space in the back.

The cabin is in my opinion the best in its class, everyone who has been in the car has always commented on how good it looks inside. The car itself still get the looks that you're after if you do buy a 147. The sleek lines are still a cut above anything else it its class.

I always compare the looks of a 147 with its rivals and nothing comes close for sexy and sleek styling. I agree that the ride leaves a lot to be desired and every bump, no matter how small, feels like a crater. To get round this I try and avoid the bumps!! The engine also sounds very hearty even if it is 1.6.

My experience of the dealer has been mixed with some let-downs but a couple of successes - only minor faults though. If you want to stand out from the crowd and not own a non-descript Golf, Astra or Focus then this is the car I would recommend you buy.

My car

The subject of a real love affair - you have to be in love with these cars to put up with their idiosyncratic ways!!

Most of the time you can forgive the car due to its fantastically sexy looks, great handling and comfy driving position. After a while, though, the car can become tiresome.

On top of that, they can be expensive to insure and service, and Alfa dealers can be less than I would hope for.

Only for the enthusiasts!