Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 Lusso 3dr

I've had my Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 Lusso for just over 3 years and I love it! I agree with other reviews that it's a drivers car. I love driving and it's such a pleasure to drive. Everyone told me not to get an Alfa because they're unreliable but the only problems I have with it are electrical - having to replace bulbs and sometimes I get warning indicators that bulbs have gone when they havent. But thats nothing that a quick diagnostic test wont solve. Unfortunately my car has been bumped 3 times in 3 years (all NOT my fault)! A lot of people have advised me to get rid of it but I love it so I'm keeping it!

This car deserves to carry a name that is reputed for racing success. With the P-Zero tyres and regular servicing it never fails to perform in class above its contemporaries. Dealer costs are very high though. Recently, Alfa Romeo reduced the CAMBELT replacement down to 36k miles as they do break and destroy the heads, get it done while in warranty or a bill of over £1900 can be expected.

These engines are designed to use oil so don't be bemused if you are topping up the engine every 500 miles.

OEM parts are expensive but thanks to the boy racer culture, many after-mareket parts are available at either lower cost or higher spec.

I love this Alfa and have always loved Alfas, but they are a drivers car and not a family commuter, unless you can shell out for dealer servicing for the life of the car.

Love the Alfa Romeo 147 but have to admit that I would think long and hard before buying another. Servicing is expensive through the dealership but you can pay approx. a third less if you find a good 'Italian car specialist' garage. Very reliable and best at high motorway speed, pulls lovely from 90mph up to 130moh+ (whilst driving in Germany) but mpg drops to low teens.

Really nice car with loads of gadgets. Very stylish and drive really well. A+++ Recommended

What a load of rubbish. I waited for ages before I bought one of these Alfa Romeo 147 monsters!! I have only had it 3 months, and half of that time (really) has been back to Dixon dealer. I still need £1000 spending on it. It only had one owner and 34,000 miles. Never again.

Have my 16 Lusso for 3 weeks now, still look at it. Having an BRG MgZR+ before I thought what is gonna match the styling. The MG was just about styling wanted to change. 147 caught my eye. The styling, a designer interior which easily outshines a beemer. Have had a few niggles with it (warped disc, airbag failure light), all have been repaired by Alfa dealer whom I would give a thumbs up for their customer after service as they'd also repaired a couple of other faults which I hadn't mentioned. Have upgraded wheels to 17" aftermarket, not sure about any difference to fuel consumption yet but traction is excellant, looking around for styling mods (spoiler, skirts etc.) to complete its appeal. The interior switchgear and intruments are a little niggly as in the ease of use. The bigger the hands, the more awkward they can become. The stereo has a mind of its own in that it changes balance/fader and the aircon/climate cont I think, decides how warm/cold I should be or I haven't fully understood the instructions. They seem a little complicated. The sales person told me to sit in car with manual to get to grips with it, but I'm comfortable with it as it basically does what I want it to do and on a note the best ventilation system I've seen as the windows have never steamed. Cruise control is great, easy to use and can drastically improve consumption as exceleration is smooth and constant.

Overall, the 147, is a prestige car, up there with the BMW 3s, Merc As, Audi As.

Looks, obviously. If you consider that the main rivals for the Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 Lusso 3dr car are the Astra, Focus and Golf, the 147 stands out from the crowd. Sweeping lines and and glorious interior are easily the match of any car in its class, and will wipe the smile from any BMW compact owners you come across. Add to this a 1.6 engine that feels far faster than it is, never feels underpowered and you have a car with sharp handling, and loads of gadgets. The Alfa 147 is the finest car in its class, and if you don't believe this, try swapping it for a Golf & Focus (as i recently did while mine was being serviced), you'll soon realise thr error of your ways. As said before, the engine revs highly at motorway speed, but the noise is never intrusive. The pay off for the high revs is the ease of acceleration from 70-100mph. Build quality, while an issue on earlier Alfa's has been ironed out, leaving this car without a rattle or squeak, and the only trips to the garage are for services.

A stylish sporty car that is comfortable & full of gadgets for the typical male driver.

Great fun to drive, with good acceleration and road handling beyond belief.

Above 70mph the ride is noisy and the fuel gauge drops quickly (25mpg!)

The heater fan is also noisy.

The bodywork is not of German standard. I have noticed on nearly all 147's that the bonnet does not fit well with the wings.