Vanity over Sanity (Alfa Romeo 147)

Member Name: dblyde007

Product:	Alfa Romeo 147
Date:	15/11/02 (3684 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good, imaginative styling, Postitive, precise steering, Good engine noise

Disadvantages: Poor inter-dealer communication, Computer and associated faults, Quality of upholstery

-Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful motorcars in its league with an apparently solid build.

However I experienced so much utter frustration with my first example (bought in February 2002 at 5 months old with a low mileage). The accumulated time that it spent off the road having mechanics attend the various 'motor control system failures' (throttle potentiometer), interior rattles, immobiliser problems, fog light problems, ASR and ABS problems, weird air con smell problems, rear wiper problems, boot catch problems etc. etc. etc. etc. - ran into weeks.

Fortunately the dealer eventually provided me with an ex-demonstrator replacement car (at slight extra cost to myself) which I sincerely hope means trouble-free motoring.

I would advise to only buy new. However if a used example attracts your attention - in addition to my second paragraph - make sure you carefully check the paintwork, especially around the front, as chips manifest without due reason, mainly in the darker colours. Also basic cloth seats (as opposed to sports cloth) wears quickly.

Also note that some examples are ex-rental, and, being Alfa Romeos, are more likely to have been thrashed.

One further warning: Alfa Romeo's customer service infrastructure is based in Milan. This unfortunately means inevitably difficult conversations based around their long, erratically placed lunchtimes.

Summary: