USED Alfa Romeo 147 Hatchback (01 - 09)

My car

I bought this car almost 2 years ago, perhaps a little naively on hindsight, and I love it - especially the interior which is incredibly luxurious in the lusso model. Running costs are astronomical though! Services (at an Alfa approved garage so as not to invalidate the dealer's warranty) cost the earth compared to other vehicles. I've also had to have work done to the suspension to around the cost of £1000 and replace the back windscreen motor (this is the only thing which has been covered by the almost worthless dealer warranty). Despite all this I had vowed to keep the car I loved just being in let alone driving until I could no longer afford it - that was until I returned from holiday recently to find that it had completely seized after a problem with the actuator in the selepeed system, something which is costing in excess of £2000 to repair (£1000 alone for the part which is standard in a Ferrari apparently!) and a VERY common problem with the selespeed model apparently, according to the many garages I spoke to - most of whom will not even touch a selespeed model due to their complexity! I love my car but will be selling it once it is able to move again and although in the words of Top Gear you can't be a true petrol head until you've owned an Alfa please remember that unless you have a large salary and wish to just throw money needlessly at a car don't buy one - well not a 147 Lusso Selespeed anyway!

My car

I have owned this car since new and despite the determination of my mates trying to put me off... I loved the look of it and apparently the reliability was supposed to be better these days.

It's a 53-plate and I can count the amount of times I have broken down on one hand!

I have had to have the turbo replaced twice and the steering replaced which cost over £1000.

However, it drives well and looks the business. It's one of the fatest cars I have ever driven. It has good fuel economy, too.

Despite that, it keeps breaking down. The turbo pipe is constantly bursting; the turbo has needed replacing twice in the last one-and-a-half years. The belt driver has just flipped off (today) on the way to work which powers the whole car. The alternator and starter motor were to blame. The air-con packs up if it's really cold.

I'm really disappointed that Alfa Romeo can't get these problems sorted - it's so nice to drive otherwise. I wouldn't have anything else, it's just the reliability issues which are HUGE!

My car

Ok, time to take the boxing gloves off and type that last bit again!!!

For those of you who have suffered with reliability problems I feel bad for you, because you have not been able to enjoy this car at it's best.

But please don't think that the problems you have experienced are exclusive to Italian cars, just take a look at some of the BMW reviews. It makes for very interesting reading.

My car

This is an excellent car!! I owned it for four and a half years. I had did 75000 miles and had no major faults or problems. It felt good every time I drove it. These cars look fantastic, definately the best looking car in their class, that's both inside and out! The engine is keen, the handling is sharp, and the admiring looks from BMW owners is priceless! I can't say if the servicing costs are high because I have nothing to compare it with, but I did get the car serviced by a main dealer at every interval and did not regret or begrudge one penny of it. In all I enjoyed owning and driving this car and I have upgraded to a GT, anyone wanting a hatchback that won't fade into the background should look one over. As for those of you who have had back luck, I feel bad for you bad I'm sure bad luck has played a part, just look a the BMW reviews!!!