USED Alfa Romeo 147 Hatchback (01 - 09)

My car

I got rid of this car last November but thought i would warn others! This car is frighteningly quick, but only drive it in a straight line or it will kill you! terrible chassis, flawed dynamics,hideous running costs, terrible dealer support. I bought my 9000m, main dealer sourced,FARSH 147 GTA in Nov 05..... Failed head gasket, radiator, coolant system, drive shaft assembly! It spent 7 weeks off the road in one year! This car will cost you ££££££££££s in every way... Dont buy Alfa!

My car

Only had the car a week or so....pleasantly surprised at its performance on a long trip (790 mile round trip day after delivery) Handles well for its class, reasonable economy but space in rear is not very generous. I had a GT Coupe before so not in that class but for price, the spec is high, performance still spritely and has a little touch of class only seen with alfa

My car

I have owned this car for two years. It's a 140bhp model, and is just over three years old with 30,000 mileson the clock. Buy from a main dealer, or at least with a full Alfa Romeo service history, and probably avoid any Selespeed gearbox model. Purchase the extended warranty and hopefully you've paved the way for a long and enjoyable Alfa ownership.

The car has been absolutly trouble-free, apart from alternator failure, which was replaced under extended warranty. Servicing costs I offset against the fuel savings made over a petrol vehicle. Performance is generally exellent. Considering the levels of grip and handling, the ride is comfortable. Cruise control and steering-wheel radio/CD buttons, for example, are a bonus.

Any complaints? Considering the engine torque quoted, I find the car doesn't respond to motorway overtaking quite as readily as I thought it would, although it's still pretty good compared for example to my previous car, a Honda Civic Type S (160bhp).

My car

bought from new( via importer - dont pay full dealer prices ) , have now covered 9k miles and I'm very pleased with this car. couple of minor issues within first 2k of owning , 1st - a leak on the windscreen wash and 2nd - one piece of loose trim. my local dealer sorted these quickly and efficiently.

Engine is a pleasure , high 40's mpg can be achieved however I find myself with a heavy right foot when driving such is the torque from the diesel unit, leaves many a petrol hot hatch behind, the only downside being yo run out of rev's quickly!

handling is good but sometime's a little too harsh.. this may be due in part to the 17" alloys my car is wearing. the alfa is not so keen on uneven surfaces. road noise is very good considering my tyre size though I have heard that different tyre makes can make a considerable difference to this!

the cabin is well equiped and the materials are very good quality. the cars downside is it's practibility, plenty of space for front passengers (leather seats are well worth the money) but in the back it pretty tight for this class and the boot, well if your putting any sort of luggage in you will have to drop the back seats! the stereo doesnt give as good a sound as i had hoped but it is adequate. The diesels seem to be the least problematic in the range of 147's and well worth a look over the pertrol variants.