2001 Alfa Romeo 147 owners manual 2002 Alfa Romeo 147 owners manual 2003 Alfa Romeo 147 owners manual 2004 Alfa Romeo 147 owners manual 2005 Alfa Romeo 147 owners manual 2006 Alfa Romeo 147 owners manual 2007 Alfa Romeo 147 owners manual
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Few thought that Alfa Romeo could follow on from the success of the mould breaking 156 saloon. The 166 executive saloon was a nice try, but it never threatened the class establishment. With the 147 hatch, however, the company scored its biggest hit to date, scooping the European Car of The Year award in 2000 and signing up thousands of converts to the Alfa way of doing things. As a used purchase its no different to the 156 its no Toyota Corolla as far as reliability goes but its certainly class competitive.
Those who had been gravitating towards an Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf GTi, BMW Compact or Renaultsport Clio 172 should take time out to run the rule over a used 147. If you put a premium on value for money, the 147 appears to hold all of the aces. Bearing in mind the pricing, it delivers a knockout punch at the opening bell to all of the aforementioned rivals. If they expect the 147 to fall down in the area of quality, theyre likely to be similarly snookered.
Fact is that since the 156 was launched at the end of 1997, Alfas understanding of how to screw together a decent quality car has come on leaps and bounds. Anybody exiting a Mercedes E-class and then entering the 166 executive saloon could attest to this. The 147 takes this foundation and reinforces it further. Sit inside the new car and the memories of Italianate driving positions that we grew up with in Alfasuds and Giuliettas are banished forever.
Seat, pedals, steering wheel, gearstick and mirrors all appear to be positioned around an anthropomorphic figure of a human being rather than a gibbon (as was the case with the 145). The rest of the interior has other such considerate touches too. Alfa hasnt forgotten its heritage and has built upon the inherent romantic appeal of Italian cars. Whereas the 156 brought back the classic cowled fascia dials, the 147 goes a step further by squeezing in two additional dials, evocatively labelled benzina and aqua.
The tachometer bears the legend giri making you feel if not like Nuvolari, then at least distantly following in his wheeltracks. Its not all dewy-eyed nostalgia, however. Elsewhere in the relentlessly well-finished cabin are some determinedly high-tech touches. Six airbags come as standard, as does dual-zone climate controlled air conditioning.
State-of-the-art multiplex wiring has made possible the option of a full-screen voice activated satellite navigation system with an inbuilt Bose stereo and GSM telephone system.
Prices for the earliest 2000 model year X-registered 1.6-litre 147 Turismo models start at 4,900, with Lusso trim commanding an additional 300. The 2.0-litre cars with the sequential Selespeed gearboxes can be yours from 6,000 in Lusso form, again on the X plate.
Five-door cars are generally only 150 to 250 more than the three doors. Insurance for the 147 is reasonable, the 1.6 Turismo opening at Group 11 with the Lusso slotting into Group 12 and the 2.0-litre cars usually rated at Group 14.
If youre worried about insurance bills, best to pass on the GTA.
The 147 feels well built and for those who do know how to wield a spanner it isnt the nightmare to work on the Alfas of yore were. The Selespeed model has an appetite for clutches if used predominantly as an urban scoot and you should also check wheels for kerbing. The interior trim is generally of good quality although the metallic paint on some of the plastic surfaces isnt too durable. Otherwise there have been few niggling problems with the 147.