RE: Alfa Romeo 147 GTA | Spotted

[Fermit]

montokpoint said:

Engine definitely makes up for it, however most owners (including me) have fitted a Q2 or Quaife and uprated suspension/coilovers which solves most of the early criticism of how it left the factory. A few other changes, e.g. exhaust to really make it sing, make it quite a fab car to drive

Pic for attention

That, sir, is simply gorgeous. The want for one of these is still strong.

[ITP]

NGK210 said:

Dombilano said:

Why is its arse so high?

It was to transfer weight balance forward to aid traction when accelerating from standstill.
Unfortunately it was also an aid to comedy understeer when travelling faster than walking pace.

There is no comedy understeer at all.
On a standard diff and with deliberate provocation by lots of power and steering lock applied of course you can make it understeer, it’s FWD. With a Q2 diff and driven properly they are fine, no understeer, unless pushed right to the limit, like any other FWD car. No traction issues either with the Q2.

[Yahonza]

montokpoint said:

Yahonza said:

So these are less than the sum or their parts and that engine doesn't make up for it?

Engine definitely makes up for it, however most owners (including me) have fitted a Q2 or Quaife and uprated suspension/coilovers which solves most of the early criticism of how it left the factory. A few other changes, e.g. exhaust to really make it sing, make it quite a fab car to drive

Pic for attention

Have to agree this looks great.

[Leon R]

One of the all time hot hatch greats

[fantheman80]

montokpoint said:

Engine definitely makes up for it, however most owners (including me) have fitted a Q2 or Quaife and uprated suspension/coilovers which solves most of the early criticism of how it left the factory. A few other changes, e.g. exhaust to really make it sing, make it quite a fab car to drive

Pic for attention

Aha you were the chap at the front of the queue at Dover!!! I was gonna have a chat with you but you were eating your BK you queued up ages for

Looked the nuts, sounded the nuts on start up

[montokpoint]

fantheman80 said:

Aha you were the chap at the front of the queue at Dover!!! I was gonna have a chat with you but you were eating your BK you queued up ages for

Looked the nuts, sounded the nuts on start up

OMG, the queue for BK felt like it took longer than passport control! You should have come over, I would have happily had a chat

Conversely, this was the "queue" at Calais on Sunday morning on the way home!

[cerb4.5lee]

I've always read that these are pretty terrible to drive. However that still hasn't stopped me having a soft spot for them though. I've always admired the small(ish) car/big(ish) engine combo too.

[mario64]

I’ve owned a few FWD Alfas and I think the 147 Gta is the best of them. The 3.2 is a magnificent engine and the chassis can be brought up to a good standard with a Q2 and KWs. It’s an intoxicating little car that drives really well.

If my Euro million numbers come up I will commission someone to create the Q4 version that should have been but never was. I reckon it would be doable with 155 Q4 / Integrale parts and some cutting and welding the floor plan?

[Mr Tidy]

I've always loved smaller cars that got big engines fitted to them, so I love it!

I just wish it had been RWD like my BMW E46 325ti Compact. I should have replaced it with a 130i, but budget constraints meant I now have an E90 330i instead which isn't exactly small.

[GreatScott2016]

I recall motoring journalists giving these a lot of criticism in the handing department, but I always wanted one of these back in the day. Loved the interior and exterior and as for the engine bay, sublime

[911Spanker]

Mr Tidy said:

I've always loved smaller cars that got big engines fitted to them, so I love it!

I just wish it had been RWD like my BMW E46 325ti Compact. I should have replaced it with a 130i, but budget constraints meant I now have an E90 330i instead which isn't exactly small.

I've just picked up a 130i as a cheapish hack.

May go "full Birds" with it.

[MikeGTi]

montokpoint said:

[Trebor1970]

It lovely in Alfa Rosso.

I always swore I'd never have another Italian car after multiple Alfas and FIATs but that's a beauty. And such an antidote to all the giant EV SUVs knocking around.

[asci.white]

911Spanker said:

I've just picked up a 130i as a cheapish hack.

May go "full Birds" with it.

I recommend swapping out the run flats too. Makes a massive difference to the handling.

[username_checksout]

NGK210 said:

There’s a nasty corner of hell reserved for the Fiat Group bean-counter who said “no” to giving the GTA a Haldex 4WD setup.

Would have been a Torsen system, as used in the other 4wd Alfas - and the integrales.

[smilo996]

Although very few hot hatches are RWD, an Alfa with that engine seems to be crying out for RWD or even better drop in a supercharger and port the Integrale 4WD on to it, actually all Alfa from that era.

[cnut]

Had mine nearly 3 years now and it's been a definite love hate relationship! Unfortunately the combination of an overly obsessive owner and a car with many "quirks" don't always go together.

So far it's had a replacement ECU, two clutches in a year, brand new Brembo caliper £££, complete replacement set of front wishbones, floorpan rust fixed and many other parts.

It's at the point now where I have spent so much in it that I may as well see the fruit of my labour.

When it's running spot on though, the engine and looks more than make up for it!

[cerb4.5lee]

911Spanker said:

Mr Tidy said:

I've always loved smaller cars that got big engines fitted to them, so I love it!

I just wish it had been RWD like my BMW E46 325ti Compact. I should have replaced it with a 130i, but budget constraints meant I now have an E90 330i instead which isn't exactly small.

I've just picked up a 130i as a cheapish hack.

May go "full Birds" with it.

I've always really liked the 130i, and I really like the smaller car/bigger engine vibe with them.

Enjoy it.

[dinkel]

As with all the FWD Alfas most are now neglected, scrapped or shiny like a fresh turd.
I'd avoid the shiny ones and get on with a wild miler: make it your own car and enjoy it as long as you can.

Now's the time to drive the last of the analog babies: superb steering, decent road holding, pretty soundbyte and great to look at.

My wife and I enjoy our twolitre Alfas: a 2006 147 with an uprated TS and a 2002 916 Spider project.
Every my mile is a cracking event and our garage loves to see us coming in for help to extend these beauties lives: our last cars!


A mate bought this one a few months back: Selespeed GTA
No Garage Queen and with some bits & bobs here and there.
If you can live with a few glitches there's nothing holding you back to get one now and enjoy it.
If a Busso is too much for you, you will be amazed what a properly sorted TS can do for you.

[dinkel]

Dombilano said:

Why is its arse so high?

Steers like a MF if the underpinnings are OK: you will be surprised how quick this will fly through highway corners

Michelin PS will be your friend.