The Alfa Romeo 147 is a beautiful bargain 

I own a 147 Q2 Sport with the 1.9JtDm engine. It’s a great daily, quite rapid with an engine remap and I’ve had zero issues in a year of ownership. The front diff makes it great fun on country roads and the steering rack is very quick which makes the steering feel very direct. Will have to sell due to ULEZ though unfortunately

I've got a 147 here in NZ. Had for 5 years without any big issues - has been very cheap to run. Only trouble is, the red paint is starting to turn pink now!

Thanks for another informative and entertaining video JJ. I find myself looking forward to backseat JJs antics, keep it up. That good looking Alfa is certainly a cheap and interesting alternative to the Golfs and Focuses on Britain’s roads - that’s for sure.

Love the fact when doing the shot of you in the back. You are wearing a seatbelt. Whilst stationary.

That's a great video! Thanks. I own a 147.... 10 years now. Been reliable really, except for the selespeed gearbox in the last few years. That part has been expensive.... But probably also due to mechanics not really investigating the issue properly :-/ I still love it... Looks amazing and people can't believe it's from 2008. I'm hoping I'll get a few more years from it!

Loved your postive and honest review of your 147. I just bought one and I am so happy, obsessed even, with it. I had an Alfa, like 40 years back and finally I am back in that drivers seat, albeit at a cost of $AUD3000 for the 2005, cheap as chips, especially compared to the cost of second hand cars post Covid and chip shortage, not so "post" on the latter. I like one comment about the 147, "after you have got your giggles, you can pretty well throw it away at the cost." But giggles there are, lots of them. Way way fun to drive, yet simple enough for my wife to do the shopping. Who would have thought, Italian engineering on a budget. Love that!

Entertaining and informative review as always JJ!

There are a tempting left field choice and that interior leather is just lovely. As you said loads of GTA on the Bay of E… but more humble cars are rarer

Good solid cars, only horrible job is front anti roll bar bushes, means dropping the front subframe..knocking from front suspension.

Nice review well though out thanks

I've owned 2 of these 1.9JTDs, both remapped. One was 8V(150/160hp, 350nm) other was 16V(190/200hp 400nm). The performance is great, this engine is really responsive and ive had a really decent experience with the clutch and gears. The engine is mind blowingly reliable for the stress ive put on it. Ive never had turbo problems, except that ive torn out like 5 or 6 turbo pipes(mainly cause the cars were tuned and the pipes were rubber).Id say the suspension is the biggest downside of the car. Easily wears of and if u dont change what has to be changed on time the ride gets sloppy pretty quick. Pretty interior, comfortable seats, cruise control and flawless audio( Ive used both the bose one the standard sound system, both are really nice). The electrical system is sketchy tbh but nothing to worry about. To be honest ive had i better time with the 8V cause it was revving up to 5000rpm while the 16V was locked to 4000rpm and the gears felt too short. The car can get stupid fast with some upgrades and knowing it weighs around 1200kg just think of the hp to kg ratio if u push it to 250/300hp which these engines are capable of keeping up with. Overall best car for the price and class, there is no chance u would feel better in a leon, golf, a3, focus etc. To be honest id buy another one really soon.

Nice for you to review a car that mortals actually drive. Look up AR Crosswagon if you wanna do bargain offroads.

Hi JJ. Not seen a vid from you for a while and was very pleased to see this one. Nice looking motor and the thing that strikes me is that the 0-60 figure of this sprightly, sporty little number is only a gnats nadger less than my pitifully sluggish CT200H. I'm sorry to keep wittering on about my car but I have to defend the little rascal at every opportunity. Cheers.

Its a bit of a shame really. I had one of the very first models built in 2001. It was a beautiful car and I think Alfa took some risks when it came out. It really was different from everything else which was built back then. I spoke to the Alfa dealer and he said that in future it will be a sort after classic and that other cars which had been brought out at the time would fade and be forgotten. I sold mine when I left the UK and I am still looking for a nice one

I came here because I'm looking at buying a 147. I subscribed because of your sense of humour. Cheers mate

I bought a 2003 147 in base spec ran the 1.6 petrol for 3 years never serviced and never let me down in 75k I am ashamed to say I scrapped it.when I should have looked after it

I have a 1.9 jtdm diesel 2003 but with 2004 engine 55 mpg on motorway with air con no rust passes mot 36.500 mls scotland 8 hrs a breeze only one problem KHAN mayor every time I want to go out don’t drive in London much only on motorway £12.50 for half hour to get to motorway. C#@t destroyed my liberty no pollution here. I had covid pneumonia and I’m still alive

I’m talking to garage about getting one tomorrow, which will be my second 147 and third Alfa. The little 1.6 is exquisite. The most fun car to drive and soool beautiful. I’ve got a Saab 9-5 2.3 turbo that’s stupid fast too, but taking the 147 down some twisty bits is the most fun you can have. It’s simply amazing

Mine a jtdm 1.9 140 hp love it but London mayor doesn’t does 34mph in London 66mph to Scotland and back full 🎉 all over uk ! With air con on my dream car in 2000 got it in 2008 yes lumber and duel air con 🎉🎉🎉🎉😊

I have one 1.9 jtdm 16 v no issue did Scotland twice , once in a weekend ,wales ,ok all round uk .Scotland 1/2 tank! At65mph .passes mot 20 years old only one problem. I live in London and mayor says it’s evil . The cost of parking in my council estate, on the street ,is over the top. Ulez lies but dot commute in London just motorways just can’t get rid of it . Just love it so does wife. Just London mayor is the c@# t that’s causing problems…

I've had four, three 1.6 and a 2.0, one had red leather seats, great looks, great engine sound, superior handling and I found mine very reliable but the suspension is usually worn and they suffer floor and sill rust but what a special car. I find with Alfa Romeo if anything stops working talk to the car, it'll suddenly start working again. Can't believe they said it wasn't amazing, I drive any other hatchback it feels dull compared to the 147, I did enjoy driving a 116i and it felt nice and solid but it lacked the soul and rawness of the 147. The media just talk bullshit.

Have owned a 147 1.9JTDM Ducati Corse with a 205hp remap since new. 14 years of happy motoring. The power never fails to impress and I have no idea what to replace it with now it's finally costing too much to get through an MOT.

i got a golf gti mk6, and this alfa looks amazing, unfortunately we cant have it in the US... 1500!!! thats a bargain... nice review

That clunk will be the driver side upper control arm most likely , it's most noticeable when you put the clutch in . The 147 has a bulletproof engine if you maintain it , it's weaknesses like all Alfas during it's era is rust and for this model suspension and oh and big oh electrics. The car will decide what it dosent want to use anymore , my own decided it didn't want an interior alarm anymore so that shorted Fuse 39 so took away heating window control radio boot lock. It definitely is Italian

Great wee motor , I had one , sadly let down by the previous owners, there wasn’t a nut or bolt that didn’t have the corners rounded off , loved it

Great review, but the fact that they once sold well but are now very rare is very concerning but not surprising, since Alfa Romeo's have a pretty bad reputation for reliability...

I have one in Ghana is best 147

LOVE MY ALFA 147 Ti iz a Pleasure to Drive 😘

My son managed to find a JTDM as his first car. Low mileage and very clean for the price: I am jealous , never had a car that is such a pleasure to drive

My friend has this car and he loves it, he bought it for 2k euro and repaired a few issues and now he has a great car 😁. It was a crash repair car so hence why it was so cheap for Ireland

If Johnny tightlips owend a car this would be it

Beautiful car!

I have a 2008 1.9 Collezione that I've had from new. Currently at 118k. It's been brilliant - fun to drive and very reliable. Sadly, now nearing the end of It's life, due to a combination of many car-park dings, and longish list of MOT advisories, mostly suspendion parts. I'm looking for a 1.6 to replace it, but will probably transplant the interior, because that's still like new!

just bought one and I love it😍

Nice to see you back good review mate

I live in italy and I own one. Love it to bits. Was wondering, do people in the UK look at it? I mean, does it get second looks or not? Since it's so rare there

Based on an 80s FIAT Teapot, no bad thing.

Great review JJ 😀😀

A review on a 145 would be appreciated

That weather lol

I've never seen an alfa on a pick up truck but have seen a few Audis, Mercs and BMs. Just saying.

CNC wheels

Yep, lovely looking car, great video 👌

A pleasurable gear shift and pleasurable air vents? 🤔 All part of the Alfa experience! 😀

good video !

I have one in Ghana is best 147

HAHA absolutely hilarious

I have one in Ghana is best 147

I have a 2005. Really reliable. I wouldn't part with mine now. Although it's a 2nd car.

Would you say this is a young man's car ?

*not just GB - oz, Jap, SA