Alfa Romeo 147 Hatchback 2001-2005

The Alfa 147 (01-09) hatchback is a sporty small family car which was voted European Car of the Year 2001 ahead of the Toyota Prius. It was launched in 2000 as a replacement for the Alfa 145/146 hatchbacks.

Pros and Cons:

• Looks like a business car
  Has the best interior in the Alfa range
  Cheap to buy second hand
  Great engines
  Handles well

• Running costs are exceptionally high
  The rear seats are cramped
  The car is not that comfortable
  Has a very small boot
  Body control is poor and the ride is uncomfortable on rough roads

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Exterior and Interior

The 147 GTA is short and light and also comes with its own unique trim. All the other cars across the range come with a choice of either the Turismo or the Lusso trim. The Turismo does not have a CD player or alloy wheels whereas the Lusso has both of these fitted as standard. There is also a choice of either a three or five-door model with the extra doors adding practicality to the car. Climate control is fitted in all the cars in the range as standard. In addition there are also optional extras such as leather seats and sat nav depending on how much you are willing to spend. The cabin is the also the classiest looking amongst Alfa"s other cars, although the legroom for the front and rear seats are less than desirable. The dashboard inspired by the Lamborghini Miura gives the car style, class and a sense of heritage.

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Engines

The engines are powerful with a high level of equipment. There is the option of a semi-automatic gearbox in the larger engines; this works well but is not sufficiently reliable. The 3.2v6 GTA is the top of the range and has 250bhp with a top speed of 153mph. However this amount of power is too much for the car to handle and thus, is not recommended. There is also the choice of two diesel engines; these being the 115bhp and 140bhp, but being as it"s a sports car it"s probably better to go for one with more power.

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Performance and Economy

The Alfa 147 was pretty cheap compared to its rivals when bought new but the depreciation when it comes to selling it on leaves a lot to be desired. However the sharp depreciation makes buying it second hand excellent value for money. The running costs are also exceptionally high with the servicing costs for the 147 being costly compared to those of their rivals BMW and Mercedes. The diesel cars are highly economical giving around 48mpg but the petrol cars do not return the 34mpg for the 1.6-litre petrol engine, and 31mpg for 2.0-litre petrol as claimed by the company. For most of the cars, the insurance is reasonable except for the 3.2GTA which can be little on the pricey side for those below the age of 25.

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What it's like to Drive

Driving this car is an enjoyable experience. The acceleration is fantastic, and the chimes are loud, the pedaling is swift and the torque steer is quite manageable. The car gives a lot of comfort with huge amounts of grip and impressive body control. However the car becomes uncomfortable around bends with the grip being weak and the driving experience not effortless. The stability control reduces the fun somewhat but some drama can be experienced at the rear end.

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Faults and Repairs

The newer 147 models tend to be very reliable and won"t have a single problem but the older versions can be problematic. The cost of servicing is also too high, compared to that of rivals Mercedes. Spares are also expensive with some parts costing a lot more than one would expect, and complicated routine repairs raise the labor charges. The car has to be maintained for its smooth functioning by spending large amounts on its regular servicing and other routine repairs. A significant problem occurs with the cambelt as it should be changed every 36000 miles or after 4 years, whichever comes first as it tends to fail before its recommended 72000 miles.

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