Alfa Romeo 147 GTA | Spotted
The right colour, the right gearbox, the right options and - dare we say it - maybe the right price as well...
Over the past decade and a bit, we’ve all become familiar with iconic hot hatches of the 20th century soaring in value. It has sometimes felt like every month saw another auction record for an RS Turbo, GTI or Williams, cars that were bargain hot hatches for so long now apparently classic exotica. This became acceptable, because the 21st century still had their affordable heroes - but then they started creeping up…
We now live in a world of the £50k Focus RS Mk2 (not even an RS500), the £80k Clio V6 and the £25k Golf R32. There are not especially low mileage breadvan Type Rs at £15k, the same money being asked for Megane 230s, and a Lupo GTI on POA. The same thing, sadly enough, appears to be happening all over again.
There are a good few reasons why the Alfa 147 GTA might have joined them. Sure, it was never the best thing in the world to drive, but that has never stopped a lot of the old, rubbish hot hatches being worth a fortune. The joy of nostalgia. It’s rare, fast, looks fantastic and is powered by one of the great combustion engines. This one has a manual gearbox, too, as well as that gorgeous Alfa Red paint.
So it’s a very good spec - including the aftermarket, desirable fitment of the Q2 diff - with a sensible mileage (71k) and what appears to be lovely condition. Sunshine and space for the pictures always help, but the paint is lustrous and the engine bay clean as a whistle. The interior perhaps looks more like 20 years old, though that was never really a 147 strong point. Nothing a bit of leather feed can’t aid.
And it’s £11,995. Even as far back as 2012, a really good, low-mileage one was £8k. For whatever reason, the 147 hasn’t soared, not like so many of its contemporaries have and which its mechanical spec suggested it might. Which is great news, of course, for those who want to experience one of Alfa's maddest moments on a reasonably regular basis. A 3.2-litre V6 was always a large engine to go in the front of a small family hatch; today, when McLaren and Ferrari hybrid supercars have sixes smaller than 3,000cc, it looks absolutely barmy. And brilliant.
This GTA appears to have been in enthusiast care since 2005. The fact that the diff went in as early as 2009 was an encouraging sign, as are three cambelt changes in its life. A prospective buyer will have to keep a healthy kitty for front tyres, brakes and suspension bits (because there’s a whole lotta engine ahead of the steering wheel) but which classic V6 doesn’t need a bit of a TLC? While the mid-2000s may not feel all that long ago, there’s no doubt that the cars of that era can offer experiences no longer available in new metal. So the c-word is becoming more appropriate by the day. Handily, in the Alfa’s case, it seems like values aren’t yet accelerating with its classic status.
SPECIFICATION | ALFA ROMEO 147 GTA
Engine: 3,179cc V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 250@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 221@4,800rpm
MPG: 23
CO2: 287g/km
Year registered: 2005
Recorded mileage: 71,000
Price new: £23,205
Yours for: £11,995
Lowered, spacers, job done. I saw a nice one getting a dover - Calais ferry at easter with the GT wheels (if your on here, that was gorgeous)
Always remember that BS TG episode when Hammond pretended he was hypnotised
As usual, PH’s advertorial is all puppy dog glass-half-full enthusiasm, but the reality is not so great – eg, serviced at 1-year-old / 11k, followed by a 3-year / 21k gap. Props to the dealer for outlining the history, mind.
As usual, PH’s advertorial is all puppy dog glass-half-full enthusiasm, but the reality is not so great – eg, serviced at 1-year-old / 11k, followed by a 3-year / 21k gap. Props to the dealer for outlining the history, mind.
As usual, PH’s advertorial is all puppy dog glass-half-full enthusiasm, but the reality is not so great – eg, serviced at 1-year-old / 11k, followed by a 3-year / 21k gap. Props to the dealer for outlining the history, mind.
History file needs scrutiny - were garage visits due to a need for repair and to save £s no servicing was done, or was it serviced while being repaired?
As it stands, dealer’s description is ambiguous, but in fairness they do offer PDFs of all bills pre-sale…
As usual, PH’s advertorial is all puppy dog glass-half-full enthusiasm, but the reality is not so great – eg, serviced at 1-year-old / 11k, followed by a 3-year / 21k gap. Props to the dealer for outlining the history, mind.
Pic for attention
…
There’s a nasty corner of hell reserved for the Fiat Group bean-counter who said “no” to giving the GTA a
Pic for attention
Lowered, spacers, job done. I saw a nice one getting a dover - Calais ferry at easter with the GT wheels (if your on here, that was gorgeous)
Always remember that BS TG episode when Hammond pretended he was hypnotised
Pic for attention
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