FOR many years, the 147 was the smallest Alfa on the market and it’s a stylish and funky Focus-size hatch which was available with three or five doors.
It’s pretty from all angles and just as stylish on the inside making the cabin a great place to be.
Reliability was a problem for Alfa for years but its reputation is now much better in the trade and any problems are likely to be slight as long as you get full service history.
It has been around long enough for early prices to be very reasonable so if you fancy one, take a good look and a long drive before you buy anything else.
It’s based on the 156/9 which gives it a superb chassis for marvellous handling and road-holding in the true Alfa tradition.
The smallest engine is a 1.6 petrol with 120bhp. Next up is the superb 2.0-litre with 150bhp and the top of the range is the tarmac-chewing 3.2 V6 GTA - a barnstormer with 250bhp.
There are also two excellent 1.9 diesels with either 115 or 140bhp.
Interior
The handling is marvellous and road-holding brilliant but the ride is fairly hard and can be unsettled on rough surfaces.
Equipment is excellent across the range, seats are very comfortable and the driving position multi-adjustable.
FAST FACTS
Alfa Romeo 147
Price: Pay £1,225 privately for an ’04 04-reg TS 5dr, or £5,900 from a dealer for an ’09 09-reg TS Lusso 5dr
Mechanical: 120bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving the front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 121mph
0-62mph: 10.3 seconds
Combined mpg: 34
Insurance group: 24
CO2 emissions: 194g/km
Main rival: Vauxhall Astra