The Alfa Romeo 147 is a beautiful bargain
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- The Alfa Romeo 147 is a pretty car, but are its looks skin deep? Full review of Alfas hatchback sold from 2000 to 2010.
This particular car has 146,000 miles on the clock. Is it holding together?
Model in review is a 2008 147 1.9 JTDM Diesel Collezione 5 door hatch.
#alfa #alfaromeo
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I own a 147 Q2 Sport with the 1.9JtDm engine. It’s a great daily, quite rapid with an engine remap and I’ve had zero issues in a year of ownership. The front diff makes it great fun on country roads and the steering rack is very quick which makes the steering feel very direct. Will have to sell due to ULEZ though unfortunately
I have the 'Ducati Corse' version of your car in which my partner and i toured Italy last Summer. Didn't miss a beat and averaged 60mpg or 600 miles to a tank. Remapped to 210 bhp. Daily driver. Live up North so no ULEZ, yet.
@@Jo_Wardy is it reliable so far?
@@georgedebono8611 didn't buy it. GOT A FIAT INSTEAD
Loved your postive and honest review of your 147. I just bought one and I am so happy, obsessed even, with it. I had an Alfa, like 40 years back and finally I am back in that drivers seat, albeit at a cost of $AUD3000 for the 2005, cheap as chips, especially compared to the cost of second hand cars post Covid and chip shortage, not so "post" on the latter. I like one comment about the 147, "after you have got your giggles, you can pretty well throw it away at the cost." But giggles there are, lots of them. Way way fun to drive, yet simple enough for my wife to do the shopping. Who would have thought, Italian engineering on a budget. Love that!
I've got a 147 here in NZ. Had for 5 years without any big issues - has been very cheap to run. Only trouble is, the red paint is starting to turn pink now!
Oh nice I'm from Queensland Australia and I'm buying a 147 diesel manual 6 speed and I'm a bit nervous but I think the diesel can give me 5 years of good reliable daily driving. Plus I am getting the red with tan seats. Hope the paint handles hot weather. It is built italy because of Z on the vin. So they should be good because Italy is petty hot in summer like Queensland
I wouldn't trust a petrol as much as a diesel and I certainly would never touch an automatic 🤮
I've owned 2 of these 1.9JTDs, both remapped. One was 8V(150/160hp, 350nm) other was 16V(190/200hp 400nm). The performance is great, this engine is really responsive and ive had a really decent experience with the clutch and gears. The engine is mind blowingly reliable for the stress ive put on it. Ive never had turbo problems, except that ive torn out like 5 or 6 turbo pipes(mainly cause the cars were tuned and the pipes were rubber).Id say the suspension is the biggest downside of the car. Easily wears of and if u dont change what has to be changed on time the ride gets sloppy pretty quick. Pretty interior, comfortable seats, cruise control and flawless audio( Ive used both the bose one the standard sound system, both are really nice). The electrical system is sketchy tbh but nothing to worry about. To be honest ive had i better time with the 8V cause it was revving up to 5000rpm while the 16V was locked to 4000rpm and the gears felt too short. The car can get stupid fast with some upgrades and knowing it weighs around 1200kg just think of the hp to kg ratio if u push it to 250/300hp which these engines are capable of keeping up with. Overall best car for the price and class, there is no chance u would feel better in a leon, golf, a3, focus etc. To be honest id buy another one really soon.
The suspension was definitely somewhat neglected in this test car, maybe the owner got fed up of replacing bits haha
They are really nice and different cars, not perfect but they definitely have some character and soul (I always thought journalists were talking rubbish using these words, but I do get it now)
I came here because I'm looking at buying a 147. I subscribed because of your sense of humour. Cheers mate
😄 no problem at all, glad someone else has my sense of humour! Cheers
That's a great video! Thanks. I own a 147.... 10 years now. Been reliable really, except for the selespeed gearbox in the last few years. That part has been expensive.... But probably also due to mechanics not really investigating the issue properly :-/ I still love it... Looks amazing and people can't believe it's from 2008. I'm hoping I'll get a few more years from it!
Selespeed I think it's the hidraulic robotized gearbox, often some o rings in hidraulic unit leaks fluid and provoques a lot of problems.
There is a site in Italy that sells a kit for o ring replacement. That's how I got the problems on my Delta III
I’m talking to garage about getting one tomorrow, which will be my second 147 and third Alfa. The little 1.6 is exquisite. The most fun car to drive and soool beautiful. I’ve got a Saab 9-5 2.3 turbo that’s stupid fast too, but taking the 147 down some twisty bits is the most fun you can have. It’s simply amazing
Nice combination of cars you have. Saab for long distance comfort and power, and the 147 for B road blasts. 👍
Have owned a 147 1.9JTDM Ducati Corse with a 205hp remap since new. 14 years of happy motoring. The power never fails to impress and I have no idea what to replace it with now it's finally costing too much to get through an MOT.
Oh nice, that's a long ol' time to have a car! I bet it does go well with 200+ hp. Any thoughts at all on a replacement?
@@JJonCars It pulls hard and just keeps going! Hard on clutch and flywheel though, need to avoid hard acceleration at lower revs or it wears prematurely. I've no idea what to get. I just need a cheap A to B car for work. Only do about 40 miles a week these days so no point spending much. Might try to fix the 147 myself to keep costs down.
@@welsty2003multiple Alfa owner, including a Ducati corse - repair it mate, you'll miss it of you don't, trust Me!! 😅
I bought a 2003 147 in base spec ran the 1.6 petrol for 3 years never serviced and never let me down in 75k I am ashamed to say I scrapped it.when I should have looked after it
That's impressive! Maybe I was being harsh about the reliability, or you were lucky. I know how you feel, I've done that to a car before. Ah well!
My son managed to find a JTDM as his first car. Low mileage and very clean for the price: I am jealous , never had a car that is such a pleasure to drive
There are a tempting left field choice and that interior leather is just lovely. As you said loads of GTA on the Bay of E… but more humble cars are rarer
The humble cars don't get their time in the sun, until they make it to the festival of the unexceptional 😄
Great wee motor , I had one , sadly let down by the previous owners, there wasn’t a nut or bolt that didn’t have the corners rounded off , loved it
I've had four, three 1.6 and a 2.0, one had red leather seats, great looks, great engine sound, superior handling and I found mine very reliable but the suspension is usually worn and they suffer floor and sill rust but what a special car. I find with Alfa Romeo if anything stops working talk to the car, it'll suddenly start working again. Can't believe they said it wasn't amazing, I drive any other hatchback it feels dull compared to the 147, I did enjoy driving a 116i and it felt nice and solid but it lacked the soul and rawness of the 147. The media just talk bullshit.
Red leather is my fave :)
@@JJonCars I sold it in Nov 2021 for £650 and one of lads at the garage I use said he's seen it driving around the other week, it's gold with a red front towing eye cover and red cloverleaf on the boot. I've got a 146 now, great drive, I do high mileage and it's been bulletproof especially given its age but the driving is not for tall people so I'm selling that now.
Its a bit of a shame really. I had one of the very first models built in 2001. It was a beautiful car and I think Alfa took some risks when it came out. It really was different from everything else which was built back then. I spoke to the Alfa dealer and he said that in future it will be a sort after classic and that other cars which had been brought out at the time would fade and be forgotten. I sold mine when I left the UK and I am still looking for a nice one
Perhaps they will have their day, once there aren't many left. It's happening to the GTA so you never know! Fair play to Alfa for doing things differently
I have a 1.9 jtdm diesel 2003 but with 2004 engine 55 mpg on motorway with air con no rust passes mot 36.500 mls scotland 8 hrs a breeze only one problem KHAN mayor every time I want to go out don’t drive in London much only on motorway £12.50 for half hour to get to motorway. C#@t destroyed my liberty no pollution here. I had covid pneumonia and I’m still alive
i got a golf gti mk6, and this alfa looks amazing, unfortunately we cant have it in the US...
1500!!! thats a bargain...
nice review
Thanks! Mk6 GTI is a nice car though so don't worry too much 😄
Mine a jtdm 1.9 140 hp love it but London mayor doesn’t does 34mph in London 66mph to Scotland and back full 🎉 all over uk ! With air con on my dream car in 2000 got it in 2008 yes lumber and duel air con 🎉🎉🎉🎉😊
Sweet, you've had it for years then - a good way to look after the environment is to keep a car going for a long time.. but the London Mayor doesn't agree with that it seems.
My friend has this car and he loves it, he bought it for 2k euro and repaired a few issues and now he has a great car 😁. It was a crash repair car so hence why it was so cheap for Ireland
Love the fact when doing the shot of you in the back. You are wearing a seatbelt. Whilst stationary.
Safety first :)
I have a 2008 1.9 Collezione that I've had from new. Currently at 118k. It's been brilliant - fun to drive and very reliable. Sadly, now nearing the end of It's life, due to a combination of many car-park dings, and longish list of MOT advisories, mostly suspendion parts. I'm looking for a 1.6 to replace it, but will probably transplant the interior, because that's still like new!
Ah wow, from new! That's awesome. If you transplant the interior at least you'll keep part of the car going on for longer :)
Good solid cars, only horrible job is front anti roll bar bushes, means dropping the front subframe..knocking from front suspension.
Thanks for another informative and entertaining video JJ. I find myself looking forward to backseat JJs antics, keep it up. That good looking Alfa is certainly a cheap and interesting alternative to the Golfs and Focuses on Britain’s roads - that’s for sure.
Thank you! :)
A review on a 145 would be appreciated
If I can get my hands on one I will :)
just bought one and I love it😍
Still got it?
Nice to see you back good review mate
Cheers Tony!
Beautiful car!
True!
Nice for you to review a car that mortals actually drive. Look up AR Crosswagon if you wanna do bargain offroads.
I enjoy driving and reviewing cars for mortals :) I'm not sure what an AR Crosswagon is tbh, we didn't get them in the UK as far as I know!
That clunk will be the driver side upper control arm most likely , it's most noticeable when you put the clutch in . The 147 has a bulletproof engine if you maintain it , it's weaknesses like all Alfas during it's era is rust and for this model suspension and oh and big oh electrics.
The car will decide what it dosent want to use anymore , my own decided it didn't want an interior alarm anymore so that shorted Fuse 39 so took away heating window control radio boot lock.
It definitely is Italian
😂
Great review JJ 😀😀
Thanks Matt!
I have one 1.9 jtdm 16 v no issue did Scotland twice , once in a weekend ,wales ,ok all round uk .Scotland 1/2 tank! At65mph .passes mot 20 years old only one problem. I live in London and mayor says it’s evil . The cost of parking in my council estate, on the street ,is over the top. Ulez lies but dot commute in London just motorways just can’t get rid of it . Just love it so does wife. Just London mayor is the c@# t that’s causing problems…
LOVE MY ALFA 147 Ti iz a Pleasure to Drive 😘
That weather lol
Based on an 80s FIAT Teapot, no bad thing.
FIAT Teapot? 🤔😄
Nice review well though out thanks
Cheers Rudi!
Entertaining and informative review as always JJ!
Thanks Gary!
I live in italy and I own one. Love it to bits. Was wondering, do people in the UK look at it? I mean, does it get second looks or not? Since it's so rare there
It's rare, but it's not so rare that it would get too many looks. I think they are a pretty car and people would likely comment so if they knew you, but I don't think it's a big head turner. Over time though I think they will as they get even rarer.
I have a 'rosso red' 3 door sport q2 (16v) and I honestly can say I've only ever seen one other 147 in my area of the world (North Dorset)
I get the nod or wave from most Alfa drivers I pass by, so I think for those who know, it's a head turner and gets the second look.
Hi JJ. Not seen a vid from you for a while and was very pleased to see this one.
Nice looking motor and the thing that strikes me is that the 0-60 figure of this sprightly, sporty little number is only a gnats nadger less than my pitifully sluggish CT200H. I'm sorry to keep wittering on about my car but I have to defend the little rascal at every opportunity.
Cheers.
Cheers John :) that did make me laugh - it's all about how it's feels I think. The way the CT200h is set up with its CVT, it would probably feel slow if it was doing 0-60 in 3 seconds 😂 but it's a relaxing reliable luxury-eco car, speed would be unbecoming
Yep, lovely looking car, great video 👌
Cheers Will!
Great review, but the fact that they once sold well but are now very rare is very concerning but not surprising, since Alfa Romeo's have a pretty bad reputation for reliability...
Thanks Martin - yeah it certainly rings some alarm bells. The 650k is total sales so I don't know how many they actually sold in the UK, but I'm guessing it wasn't quite as popular as it was in say, Italy :)
@@JJonCars I'm from Australia and these things aren't that common at all
they are quite popular in europe. there's like 20 listed in Slovakia (5mil population) right now
@@unoriginalcopy9844 That's not a whole lot of cars for sale if they were once popular in Europe...
@@MartinJones123 They weren't that popular in slovakia tho. So I would say that is a good sign
I have one in Ghana is best 147
good video !
Thanks!
A pleasurable gear shift and pleasurable air vents? 🤔 All part of the Alfa experience! 😀
😂
CNC wheels
I've never seen an alfa on a pick up truck but have seen a few Audis, Mercs and BMs. Just saying.
Well, there are less Alfas around, but I'll take your point :)
@@JJonCars I like to think it's quality over quantity ;-)
I have a 2005. Really reliable. I wouldn't part with mine now. Although it's a 2nd car.
Good to hear it's been reliable :)
HAHA absolutely hilarious
Would you say this is a young man's car ?
Yeah I would say so - more so now that they are affordable to buy
*not just GB - oz, Jap, SA
I have one in Ghana is best 147
Nice one!
I have one in Ghana is best 147