Alfa Romeo 147 GTA | The Brave Pill

[Driver101]

Always liked these. They are such a good looking hatch.

[Leon R]

Best V6 sound ever.

https://youtu.be/aaO5IrBB3NI

[Court_S]

I really like these; that engine is a brilliant. Even more so for being shoehorned into a relatively small hatchback.

[adf83]

Just picked mine up today from its annual service. Mainly routine stuff, but like any car if you want to keep it in top condition the bills can be sizeable. Absolutely love the thing though!

[Jamie-rhpkn]

Absolutely beautiful car with an amazing engine

Good value at £6k I'd say as very few exist at that price.

I had one for a while, the only thing I didn't like is that the super quick steering exposed the terrible chassis so it drove like an absolute turd unfortunately and gave no confidence driving it. Completely the opposite of the Alfa GTV 3.0 it replaced which was very assured on the road and a blast to drive.

[Peppka]

I am on my third Busso-engined car the first being a 1998 phase one V6 GTV bought in 2004, the second a 2004 V6 GT bought in 2013 and now (in October) the third a 2003 156 gta with a difference being supercharged to 320 bhp which is exciting on the straight and challenging elsewhere. I should add all my cars had Q2 diffs which is a must IMO. Busso-engined cars just get under your skin.

[Chestrockwell]

I don’t understand the blind love for Alfa’s, I’m not a big fan but I appreciate a good Alfa when I see one, I haven’t driven one of these but the article seems to have slated the car in every aspect but the engine and driving normally yet it still receives a lot of praise.

It’s a nice looking car, it definitely sounds nice with a good engine but that’s at far as it goes!

I don’t see this as a classic, I see a not a very good car that was outshined by rivals that ultimately made it a flop.

Look at an EP3 Civic Type R, creeping up to 3k for a decent one despite thousands been built, now that’s a hot hatch that’s a future classic!

Edited by Chestrockwell on Saturday 18th January 17:04

[Prohibiting]

V6todayEVmanana said:

Prohibiting said:

I had one of these in the beautiful red colour. But unfortunately it threw me a £5k repair bill when the engine went. Very unlucky indeed. It tainted my experience and I sold it shortly after at a big loss.

What went wrong to cause such a big bill?
Cambelt / Water pump fail?

I

Head gaskets and then a couple of months later gearbox issues. I didn't even drive it hard.

[bilo999]

Chestrockwell said:

I don’t understand the blind love for Alfa’s, I’m not a big fan but I appreciate a good Alfa when I see one, I haven’t driven one of these but the article seems to have slated the car in every aspect but the engine and driving normally yet it still receives a lot of praise.

It’s a nice looking car, it definitely sounds nice with a good engine but that’s at far as it goes!

I don’t see this as a classic, I see a not a very good car that was outshined by rivals that ultimately made it a flop.

Look at an EP3 Civic Type R, creeping up to 3k for a decent one despite thousands been built, now that’s a hot hatch that’s a future classic!

Edited by Chestrockwell on Saturday 18th January 17:04

I’m quite sure as a GTA owner and most other owners would agree that there are more accomplished alternatives.

But it is a bit like saying, steamed green cabbage and a glass of water is better to eat than a succulent perfectly cooked steak washed down with a fine red wine. Everyone has different tastes and the cabbage is much healthier than the steak ...... but cabbage is boring. And to be clear here the Alfa is the steak and fine wine. Depth, character, nostalgia, looks and tastes great. You will enjoy it as you have it, but a bit too much mighty leave you feeling heavy and heady. But you will enjoy it.....unless you prefer cabbage and water!

[rxe]

Chestrockwell said:

I don’t understand the blind love for Alfa’s, I’m not a big fan but I appreciate a good Alfa when I see one, I haven’t driven one of these but the article seems to have slated the car in every aspect but the engine and driving normally yet it still receives a lot of praise.

It’s a nice looking car, it definitely sounds nice with a good engine but that’s at far as it goes!

I don’t see this as a classic, I see a not a very good car that was outshined by rivals that ultimately made it a flop.

Look at an EP3 Civic Type R, creeping up to 3k for a decent one despite thousands been built, now that’s a hot hatch that’s a future classic!

Edited by Chestrockwell on Saturday 18th January 17:04

As standard they were pretty flawed. Dampers were far too soft, springs were slightly too soft, and the roll bars were a bit too soft. For some bizarre reason, they decided not to fit an LSD, which really is very necessary.

Fix all of this (and let's face it, its all stuff that needs fixing on a 15 year old car) and the car is transformed. I've not really found the cornering limit yet, because I'm struggling to stay in the driver's seat....

[Mr Tidy]

I've always liked hot hatches with more than 4 cylinders, and these 147s look really good IMHO.

But as an RWD fan the only one I've had was an E46 325ti Compact, but I loved it. Tried to find a 130i to replace it, but budget constraints meant I ended up with a 330i instead.

But a GTA with an LSD must be great fun - maybe a future option!

I hope it gets bought by an enthusiast.

[MattyB_]

Best car I've ever owned.

One of the most expensive cars I've ever owned.

Mine got hydrolocked, the insurance couldn't get an engine so they paid Autodelta to install a 3.7 with 320bhp. It was awesome....but after I sold it, the oil pump seized and wrecked the engine. New owner couldn't afford to fix the 3.7 so it got put back to a 3.2

But I did love that car. Sounded glorious with the Supersprint exhaust too.

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to be honest & say I don't see this as a brave pill car.

[Micky Louse]

Nothing really wrong with these, apart from belt changes and the squeaky front end, any 15 year old car will have problems.

[Alfasadi]

I owned one in Alfa red with the tan ribbed leather interior, it was stunning just pure theatre to look at and to listen to
Down side was a heavy clutch and a chassis that worked up to 7/10s but wow what a joy it was unfortunately it drowned in a flood ( apparently low inducuction box on lower left). RIP gorgeous car

[russy01]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to be honest & say I don't see this as a brave pill car.

Likewise, just an old hot hatch.

[can't remember]

A fantastic car in almost every respect. I would love to own one but unfortunately it's at an age were this era of Alfas starts chucking bills at you with such regularity that I can't think of an adequate analogy.

This is a brave pill in the truest sense.

[Evercross]

Addymk2 said:

The gear linkage is a common problem, I once had to finish the final 30 miles of a 200 mile journey in 2nd... Thankfully it was late at night so traffic was minimal, but it's a relatively easy fix from a breakers.

He mentions the AC doesn't work.

The two issues are connected. When the gear linkage starts giving up it rubs on one of the AC pipes and eventually punctures it. I had the same issue on a GT (same car with a coupe body) that had had the linkage repaired but not the pipe. Still a big job replacing it though.

[iceicebaby1980]

Lovely looking car the R32 golf would be the more sensible option . But if you’re not being sensible and boring would have to be the Alfa

[Water Fairy]

Roy m said:

+1 - no bravery needed for this!

I think it qualifies as a brave pill. Horses for courses at the end of the day. Everything is relative. This may be 'only' 6k but could easily cost that again if you're unlucky. I don't think anyone would buy this and give up on it tbh. £2000 motor maybe, but not 6k on a GTA.