Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 Selespeed Review

Overall Rating

The way this car makes you feel! It's just amazing. It's not a German car!

The boot isn't huge.

If you are reading this, it's probably because you have seen an Alfa Romeo 147 and thought, as I did, "Wow, what a beautiful car, I wonder what it's like to drive/own?" If you are reading this to confirm your suspicions that the Selespeed gear-box is bad, stop now. You won't hear a word said against it here. I have not had a single problem with this car. Not one.

This is a very personal review about a love affair with a car. I have owned a five-door 147 Selespeed for 18 months now. It's a 2001 model which I bought second-hand (2 previous owners) with 35,000 miles on the clock, Lusso pack, mettallic paint, in pristine condition for just under £10,000. I've now done another 12,000 miles in it (it has just sailed through its MOT and service) and I can honestly say they are the most pleasant, trouble-free hours I have ever spent in a car.

This is the thing about the 147 - if your primary concerns when buying a car are reliability, resale value, dealers, petrol consumption, then this probably isn't the car for you. As the Top Gear team put it when they reviewed the 147, if you want to be sensible, take the bus! This car makes you feel like no other car in it's class; its looks have since been copied by Vauxhall, BMW and Mazda but it still stands out from the crowd. The fantastic front grill with its quirky off-centre number plate, the way the engine really does rev all the way up to 7000; the interior is stylish & functional, beautifully laid out, the BOSE sound system is out of this world. The exterior, with its hidden rear door handles and chrome accents are a joy to behold, there's just so much attention to detail. I went to the car supermarket where I bought it with the intention of getting a Renault Megane automatic! You really have to get in one of these beauties before you judge it, nothing else will give you a true picture the car.

Okay, let's just say a couple of words about the Selespeed gear box. I live in London but also do regular trips to the Midlands as well as quite a bit of driving on the continent. I wanted an automatic gear box and for that the selespeed system in CITY mode works admirably, although I admit it does take a little bit of getting used to if you're used to a standard automatic. But more and more I drive it as a manual with the paddles on the steering wheel. It's just so easy - even in manual mode it will change back down throught he gears automatically when you slow down, and you do get a slightly sportier drive. And, as I said at the start, it has never so much as hinted at being problematic. A real smoothy.

Finally, driving comfort. I am a 6 foot tall man with a dodgy back and this is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. The 2001 VW Golf was appalling for long journeys. Lumber adjustment, adjustable rack & tilt steering, heated seats...aaah! And my partner feels the same, she's as smitten as I am. Just driving down to Tesco's we have big fat relaxed smiles on out faces.

Forget what you think you know about Alfas, just go and drive one. It wasn't Car of the Year 2001 for nothing...

Members' Comments ontooshydeshy's Review

• revvyman on 1st Nov 2005

  Great review, your enthusiasm reminds me why I bought one!
  I also had about 18 months where I was totally in love with the 147 Selespeed, the box is great, engine fab and looks both in and out are just brilliant. Unfortunatley it then started to misbehave, not just a bit, but a lot. I can assure you getting a box full of neutrals whilst overtaking is not fun. The bus suddenly looks an appealing option! I tried 4 different dealers and contacted Alfa UK, and none were able to cure it's ills. A car for the brave and fit (it's a long walk to the bus stop!)