2004 Alfa Romeo 147 Twin Spark 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Faults:

I have had the car for 6 months and, touch wood, it's been plain sailing so far.

General Comments:

The 1.6 Twin Spark handles very well for a performance car at this level, and is generally very fun and responsive to drive.

However I would prefer a greater torque as this version can feel quite pedestrian in terms of performance unless you really push the revs up. I actually test drove a model up in the range and really noticed the difference in terms of engine responsiveness.

The interior of the car is beautiful, mixing function with design effortlessly. And of course externally the 147 is a very, very smart looking car. I have it in black with 17 inch alloys as a minor upgrade and I am delighted with the look of it.

I would recommend this car without hesitation as this stage (I've had it 6 months now).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 5th April, 2005

2004 Alfa Romeo 147 Ti 1.6L 120 hp from Greece

Summary:

Special and Sexy

Faults:

Fuel consumption seems rather high.

Strange sounds occure from time to time

The driver's place is a bit narrow, which is good for sportivo driving, but bad if one wants to have sex...

General Comments:

Fantastic engine sound after 3,500 rpm.

Traction is simply everywhere. The 17" wheels are too much for 120 hp. The car is not that fast due to it's increased weight (1200 kg). Makes any single drive sheer pleasure. The sport leather seats create a similar atmosphere to a much more expensive car. Looking forward to tune it somehow (no turbos and other crap) after the guarantee expires. Can anyone tell me a site or anything similar for Alfa Romeo tuning?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th October, 2004

6th Nov 2004, 02:24

Try using google with keyword "autodelta" (Alfa semi-official tuning ). Also, try speaking to your dealer- some of them are more flexible with warranty conditions than the rest of them, especially since they may provide you with autodelta parts.

6th Nov 2004, 09:54

8th May 2007, 14:18

http://www.angeltuning.co.uk/ provide an engine remap/DIA package that will add about 15BHP-19BHP. The remap has also been recommended by other 147 owners - see www.alfaowner.com

2004 Alfa Romeo 147 Lusso 1.6 T SPARK from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great performance and looks at a reasonable price

Faults:

The dash display starts up with the Rear Hatch is open, and sometimes stays on for the journey, sometimes not, but is always there until you release the handbrake.

The drivers seat has developed a squeak similar to a romp on an old mattress..

Paint work appears soft and marks very easily.

General Comments:

Fantastic looks, appreciated by girls, guys and kids in the street.

Great engine noise, and decent power, even in the 1.6 TS.

Nicely spec'd and great interior, gives the feeling of driving a £15K motor.

The overall vision out of the cabin is restricted, but you soon get used to it.

The handling is superb, for a reasonable sized hatch, the steering is very responsive and overall a really good fun car to drive.

Took it for a long run from Glasgow to London, and the ride can be a bit hard and engine noise quite high, but it's worth listening to!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th August, 2004

2004 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great car, personality, performance, practicality and not too costly

Faults:

Nothing, the car has been bulletproof so far.

General Comments:

Beautiful inside & out, lots of character and a wonderful burble from the 3.2ltr V6. Handling is very good indeed, even compared to rear drive opposition. A definite head turner.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th June, 2004

18th Apr 2005, 06:00

This is an update:

The V6 can be very thirsty - almost as bad as STI/Evo thirst in fact, just in everyday driving, but it has a wonderful burble and torque at low revs.

Interior plastics are cheap and appear to be quite brittle. Also the bodykit side skirts appear to be separating! unbelievable. Black met paint scratches easily.

Computer gives false alerts e.g. low battery voltage and oil pressure messages - checked out by dealer to be nothing!??

A seductive mistress, but I'm getting ready for the gremlins.

3rd May 2011, 15:37

Strange, as the side skirts are part of the car NOT stuck on.

2004 Alfa Romeo 147 Lusso 1.9 JTD turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fun, but flaky babe magnet

Faults:

Clutch judder on take up which started off in reverse on hills only and has now spread to the other gears.

Clonking from offside front on full lock (suspect outer CV joint is about to depart this mortal coil)

Gearchange has become vague and baggy.

Central locking doesn't always lock the passenger door necessitating a check every time the car is left.

General Comments:

So much about this car is wonderful. It's gorgeous to behold, the JTD engine gives excellent performance yet returns 42 mpg average according to the computer. The interior is stylish and dynamically it runs my previous Focus very close. Build quality seems good too and the interior is squeak free and made out of much nicer materials than the Focus.

Reliability is good in terms of not leaving me stranded, but the car has faults at 8,000 miles that I would normally expect at 10 times that mileage. Dealers are nice people and seem to try hard, but it appears they get little backup or support from Alfa.)

So much cooler to be seen in than a BMW and I've never owned a car which women seem to be so attracted to, or notice so readily. Wasted on me as I'm happily married, but there you go. Life has its little bonuses.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 28th May, 2004

2004 Alfa Romeo 147 Distinctive 1.6 from Greece

Summary:

Not only sentimental, but also a reasonable buy

Faults:

- Strange rattles coming from the front passenger door - fixed from the dealer by applying some grease on the door hinges.

- Nothing else.

General Comments:

Stylish, luxurious, quick and of remarkable build quality. A pioneer of it's class.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th May, 2004