2003 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA from UK and Ireland - Comments

Been reading some of these comments with disbelief. People, please! Alfa Romeos undeniably have soul and character. As a company they have so many years of sportscar heritage and history, and all the special Alfas make you feel exactly that, special. In fact I would go so far as to say that all Alfas are special, in their own way.

Type R's are undoubtedly great cars, reliable, fast, fun. But Where's the passion? Look, with unlimited funds what car do you yearn to own. A Honda? My guess is that anyone who truly appreciates fast cars, any red blooded male (or female!) would die for a Ferrari. The GTA's provide a lot of the pleasure, visual aural and sensual, that comes from Italian supercar ownership, but they are affordable, practical, and can be used everyday.

To the worldly and wise 23 year old, you say that no Alfa has ever been worth anything, how about the gorgeous 8C's and Stradales etc? I could list endless Alfas that, with respect, I imagine you will never be able afford. And give it 15 or 20 years and then see which is worth more, a GTA or a Type R.

It's the difference between a car one can really want, like a fast Honda, and a car to lust after and be so passionate about, a car that makes your heart warm and your kids so happy when you pick them up from school in it. A car you fall in love with.

That is why, despite being potentially less reliable or technologically advanced in some cases than an alternative Japanese or German car, people with soul LOVE Alfas. The beautiful hand stitched leather interior and the howl from the exhaust make you feel like you're in a Ferrari every day. And talking of Fezzas, now there's depreciation, how about a 175 grand when new 456GT for 30 grand now. Yet I imagine we'd all agree it certainly doesn't mean it's a 'bad car'.

We have a '74 Maserati Indy for occasional use. Unreliable? You betcha. Expensive to run and service? Oh yes. Parts a NIGHTMARE, etc etc.

BUT, does our 5 year old son BEG to be taken out in it, and does it make every journey we do in it exciting and special, and do I look forward to that one day a week when I wake up and the sky's blue and I think, I'm gonna take the Maserati out today? Yes yes YES!

But of course I can't use it on a daily basis.

The most recent cars I have owned as everyday transport have included an S500, XJR, an SL600 and a new Mini Cooper. The cars I've owned for everyday use that have made me smile ear to ear every minute I was driving them were, an '86 BMW M5, Delta Integrale and above all... an Alfa 164 3.0v6. And that's why we are about to take delivery of a 2003 156GTA. I want to be enamoured with my car every minute of every day again. That's Alfa Romeo ownership.

And who gives a F%<£ if it breaks down occasionally.

I completely agree with the comment made previously to this one in that the 147 GTA is as close as you'll get to earning a baby Ferrari at a fraction of the price. It is full of soul and feels like a hand crafted, passionate extension of yourself.

The Civic is a good all round car handling wise especially, but that is probably all you could say that is an advantage over the Alfa. Right you want to talk about 'so called' claimed performance figures lets try this.

For any of you who claim to know anything about motor cars will appreciate the importance of Torque. Lets compare - the Honda has around 142lb ft @ 5600 rpm (UK official figures), the Alfa on the other hand produces 221 lb ft @ 4700 rpm. So for you out there thinking the type R is even close to as quick catch a GTA half way up a hill or at 3k rpm full throttle and it will destroy you!

I personally do not want my valves to come and dance on the bonnet before I see any acceleration at all aka 6000 rpm plus! The Civic is completely gutless below 4k rpm. This is just not usable on the roads (well legally anyway).

As for raw 0-60 times Evo magazine officially clocked the 147 GTA at 5.9 scds to 60, (the heavier 156 GTA has a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds and as a result the 147 was under rated so more people would buy the more expensive 156 not wanting to be eclipsed by the 147).

Also start the Alfa's engine - it is in a different league, start it and there is a deep rumble. The Type R sounds like any other Civic and no we are not including 'untasteful' huge rear boxes or induction cones, you can make a micra sound good with that.

I'm not even going to waste time talking about the VXR, this is about as soulfull as a box full of plain paper. Along with the other 20 billion on the roads (oh look mum another Astra). I havn't seen another GTA in 6 weeks.

My four year old GTA has been bullet proof reliability wise so I am very happy. I purchased a year old and as a result paid less than a Type R for twice the car. I also have an investment oppertunity on my hands.

The switches in a civic Type R interior look like a 1970's fan heater compared to the Alfa which is ergonomically very tailored to the driver with the very finest in Italian style. Sitting in my friends Type R just reminds me of any other Civic your grandma would own and looks like it has been designed with that oh so passionate 'japansese flair'...Not!!

If you were serious about competing with a GTA you would buy an original NSX (after driving the two I would know). The Original 90-97 NSX only has 210ft lb torque as standard (11 ft lb less than the Alfa) and 17bhp more than the Alfa. I may talk to you with some seriousness if you were comparing a GTA to one of those, rather than an 'everyday' sporty hatch back for the masses on an average income such as the Civic. Indeed when I purchased my GTA I was comparing to NSX's in driving not the comparatively mediocre civic.

I'm not putting the Civic down for what it is, for its engine capacity it's an impressive performer and good handler, its just eclipsed in this 'high end' sector.

Negatives in my GTA experience is that the turning circle is poor and it is also heavy on fuel but only in Town driving (it is a V6).

But from where I'm say the exclusivity and passion of the car makes it the perfect enthusiasts choice.

The Alfa would never stand a chance against the NSX, the NSX competes with Ferrari's etc, the S2000 would leave your Alfa.

What mpg do you actually get in the 147 gta, town and mixed?

In the UK, the fuel economy of the 147 GTA is only of the considerations - on the new road tax band with 287g/km CO2 emissions, 2009 road tax is £440, rising to £455 in 2010...

Taking into account the low 20s mpg (with a light foot), huge insurance costs, huge repair and running costs then a Lear jet would be a practical alternative!

Even as a true Alfaholic and petrolhead who thinks the 147 GTA is the pinnacle of modern Alfa charisma, I could not justify the immense costs involved. As a daily driver and not just a weekend toy, it would be cheaper to lease a new diesel GT coupe instead - the lease cost will be cheaper than running a 147 GTA if you take into account the tax, fuel, repair, servicing, parts and so on. Then weekend hire something flash a few times a year to feel special.

147 GTA: a true petrolhead's dream but look at the whole cost before buying one. Buy carefully - good ones are rare now and the headache of fixing an abused or tired one simply outweighs any pleasure of owning it. Think of it as a base model Ferrari rather than a top spec Golf when considering running costs and repairs.

Best advice - buy a very very good one, enjoy it for a few months, sell it before it goes wrong, then remember it fondly as living out the petrolhead dream. Either that, or get the best warranty in the business and most vital; a good Alfa specialist who understands the GTA.

They are becoming rarer and more desirable and depreciation is minimal - but this may well change due to fuel costs, environmental concerns and when buyers start to understand the punitive costs of the new road tax bands.

Well luckily £ is no object for me, and out of my hot hatch collection it is always the 147 which I take out for fun.

Enough said!

Just bought a 147 GTA... agreed with above. F**k the money, you can't take it with you when you go. I have a Delta Integrale too... Italian sports cars are so full of drama. Not knowing if you will even get to your destination is part of their "charm" LOL.

The missus hates all of this car stuff as it just burns money, but who cares. For sheer thrills of ownership, passion and noise the 147 GTA is simply stunning. It makes no financial sense to have one, but what a car!