Alfa 147 GTA Car Review | Top Gear

[@Freakschwimmer]

Pls tell me their soundengineer got fired right after producing this

[@myownsite]

Freakschwimmer It's probably some social media chump since only the youtube version is shit.

[@Ktmzqw]

Freakschwimmer They change the music for the KZbin videos, which doesn't make sense. The sound engineering for the live show is usually spot on.

[@paianis]

Copyrighted music on the live show.

[@andrehoffmann2931]

They change the music, set the volume high, so you turn your tv on the bbc

[@ale58301]

Right? The music isn't loud enough, I can still hear Jeremy

[@JayRicci7891]

That 3.2 V6 engine is a work of art.

[@lightsaberlordp373]

Definitely!!!

[@alfainfezione5443]

Nothing will ever be able to replace the Busso. I don't care how much power engines of the future will make or how economical they will be, nothing beats a masterpiece

[@willtaylor6112]

You are never nuts for buying an Alfa, you are falling in love with a piece of art with a beautiful exhaust note. You can keep your bmw's and audi' s. I'll take an Alfa any day

[@saidalas7763]

it's ugly

[@willtaylor6112]

@@saidalas7763 I bet you drive a boring euro box lol, far from an ugly car. Cars nowadays have no style, are not distinctive and pop bang and crackle like a box of cereal. No distinctive engine notes like V6 Alfa's. Try one I bet you'll change your mind, although out of the 147 and 156 the 156 is way better looking

[@saidalas7763]

@@willtaylor6112 the 156 is better looking than the purist beloved e46. I'm not talking about sounds.

[@monifakhouri3036]

Yes same here I have the 147 gta in black

[@willtaylor6112]

@@FwAddin no, your opinion but ask anyone about what they'd like more a BMW E36 or an Alfa Romeo 156 GTA. A real petrol head must have driven an Alfa Romeo

[@YouThana]

I have one too for about three years now. It broke down twice and eats money for breakfast but i still love it so much. Intresting point, my gf sees it also this way, she also likes the 147 very much.

[@silvestrostileitalia]

No, my dear friend, it absolutely makes sense, and it's exactly true in life what Jeremy says about the three cars: focus is the cheapest and it's very racey but in real life you won't use it on track if you drive it everyday to work. Golf is german perfection but absolutely no feelings so wise asses will choose Golf. Alfa is ALL about feelings, and that's all you need in everydays driving.If you look for an exciting car, go for the Alfa! and that's the only way to look at that. I totally agree.

[@theodorelk3674]

do never buy an alfa, because this will be your life time mistake. that means if you own an alfa you will never ever want to leave these cars again, i do not joke, it is just a fenomenous, i have no idea how the italian designers and engineers achieve it. it is not being the best, it is being the alfa. every single day how it drives, or even when you sit in it, when you watch it. you enjoy it. i have an alfa 159. i cannot think myself in a f30 bmw, a bmw just has no soul, just perfect car, but means nothing, which one of us is perfect, we love ourselves.. alfa is something like that. the legendary company, with many sportive touches and details all around the car. So i repeat it again, stay away from an alfa. buy perfect bmw's. i want to stay special with my alfa.

[@Pete762]

that is so true!! My dad had an 164 v6 turbo and the timing chain broke and did some serious damage. We had no money to fix it right away so the car was left in the garage for 3 years... After that no one wanted it so we gave it away for scrap. I feel so empty that I was 15 when it broke down and never had a chance to drive it.

[@stefanoghidetti6340]

Brother! we are on the same page. My car has a soul, it's an Alfa! BMW or Audi are robots! Once you drive an Alfa you never go back!

[@ErikAnkan73]

I got the Alfa Romeo GT. It's my first car. I already can't see myself owning anything else xD Unless I still have an Alfa.

[@srfnus]

Totally agree, well the part where BMW is perfect is wrong 😀

[@TetanusBooster]

I used to have a GTV. When it died I moved to Audi then Honda and enjoyed the reliability for a short time. Then went straight back to Alfa! I love my GT and would recommend it to anyone. Can't see myself moving away from Alfa again to be honest :-)

[@alejandrojevero3977]

147 GTA with a Q2 fitted is hell of a hatchback. The car is just brutal, and while you are sitting inside, you have that feeling that you are into something with a pulsing heath, something unique and special. It doesn’t matter if isn’t the fastest, the experience is wholistic, 0 to 100 or top speed are pointless figures if the driving experience is missing -> see TESLA

[@geriatricmotorcars9516]

i have a 147gta best car i have ever owned ... a street devil ' everyone loves this car, and i will not sell it

[@gui18bif]

Sell it to me

[@peterboot7120]

Hahaha 😉I now have one

[@stockeley7409]

Do you recommend as a first car?

[@woutertje026]

@@stockeley7409 only if you got the necessary driving experience

[@lightsaberlordp373]

@@peterboot7120 Don't listen to Clarkson because he's an idiot and he's a stupid poor old man!!!

[@Signal_feuer]

The italians always knew how to desing a car which is simply irresistable to you.

[@Rawrmothafuka]

I'm nuts, I bought Alfa 147 and I love it.

[@thejoewebb]

+rawr was it the gta?

[@Rawrmothafuka]

no :/ 2.0 ts

[@thejoewebb]

+rawr still nice though! better than the JTD ;)

[@Rawrmothafuka]

Joe Webb well that's true ;)

[@asd9508]

+rawr Me too!! hahha

[@1111Sean1111]

Jeremy pretty much sums up the Alfa owner. All the headaches aside, i love my Alfa to bits and wouldn't trade it for anything in it's price range.

[@mu22yy]

Agree 100% Had a 147 Selespeed (2.0 Twin Spark) - knew buying that gearbox was a bad Idea but thought I'd take the risk. Proved to be right as the gearbox ran in to issues and forced me to sell the car. Have to say that other than the gearbox, the car was perfectly reliable and a dream to drive. Afterwards decided I wanted to go back to RWD and Japanese reliability, so I bought a Lexus IS200. Now about to sell the Lexus not because of problems, but because it is one of the most dull cars I've ever driven. It's accelerates slow as a snail, the steering has no feel, the handling is dull, the seats are flat and get uncomfortable over long drives, the dash is boring, the brakes feel vague. I've never been a Toyota fan because they are as boring as watching paint dry, but the IS200 always has had a reputation as a sporty sedan thanks to the RWD, good weight balance, sporty 6 cylinder, etc. Sadly not true - it feels Toyota through and through. So now I am selling the Lexus (which has been utterly reliable since the day I bought it) and I'm going to buy another 147. A GTA if I can afford it, otherwise a regular 2.0 Twin Spark - just a regular manual this time though. The gearbox may have been problematic but I loved everything else about that Alfa. The most comfortable seats I've ever experienced in a car, amazingly chunky leather steering wheel, lively engine, powerful brakes, fun handling, gorgeous interior and exterior. Made me look forward to driving every day, while the Lexus makes driving feel like work. Good news is that not every Japanese car is so dull. Before the Alfa I had a classic NA6 MX-5 (Miata) and it was an absolute joy to drive. It was a Japanese car with character - as unbelievable as that sounds!

[@schonsospaet22]

mu22yy I bought a selespeed, but it seems to be still ok at 85.000 km did I buy shit? when will it brake? the car is so much fun, if it brakes down it's ok, it was worth it!

[@abollore]

I've had a 147 (albeit the "slower" 150 BHP turbodiesel) and I agree with Jeremy. It's a bad car but it's totally brilliant.

[@DJ_MH_Remixes]

I own now a 2008 147 150hp petrol. No problems yet

[@nicolapellacani4196]

He was wrong about the depreciation, it's been over 10 years and It still costs 12000 euros, if you want a good one. At least.

[@FLV95]

12 years, now it costs 15000 E

[@Negativvv]

An Alfa Romeo with a Busso V6... All the 4 cylinder and diesel ones will lose value yes but any well kept Busso V6 now is going to appreciate in value hereon.

[@WGanesha]

Si sbagliava di grosso il professore ....oggi (2024)ci vogliono 20 /35 Mila euro ....

[@carmaniac3961]

This car is still on the road in 2021!

[@NeXMaX]

I want an Alfa. Sure, it would probably fall apart, and I might not fit in one, but their cars are just so lovable. Put me in a 4C.

[@Zgmflegend]

If something falls apart. It would be German cars these days. Italian cars are much better build than the German counterparts.

[@svetko05]

Zgmflegend Speaking of quality today almost every car is the same. There are specifications and rules that the car manufacturers should follow and every part is made from the same material and should be as reliable as the others. If a car breaks down it's the drivers fault.

[@suckmysilencer747]

D13H4RD2L1V3 I just bought my first car a few days ago, a 1999 Alfa 156 V6. Speedo doesn't work, brakes are god awful. But I still love it!

[@svetko05]

suckmysilencer747 I have a 05 Alfa GT and the previous owner took a good care on it. Everything is working fine, there's just a little bit of squeeking on the front suspension, but that's normal for these Alfas. A bit of wd40 does the trick for a month.

[@EmanuelsUtube]

My Alfa 147 from 2003 have 220.000kms, and I have no problems with it. And there is nothing falling apart. To be honest I'm surprised with the interiors, are still like new, awesome finishing and top quality. My brother have a VW from 2008 and he likes more my car than his own. Both are good cars, but I would not trade mine ! =)

[@Scavemx]

Yes, it's the old series. The Golf R32 is the Mark IV version. There already is a Mark V version (I don't know, if they already relased the Mark VI R32). This vid is several years old.

[@fernandofragoso4118]

Put a Quaife LSD on that 147 and youll have a completely different animal. What a shame that Alfa died on the beach with the 147 GTA. The LSD on that car makes a tremendous difference. As well on the 156 GTA. The LSD part is 900€. Well worth it.

[@JedemPoKucama]

And another thing..if he was a bit more cautious with the gas i the corners it wouldn't understeer that much..of course it will smoke the tires if you press it all the way..new cars are made for dummies not to crash them...

[@elnyoutube123]

Nah, its better without the LSD. Makes it way more aggressive and enjoyable to drive. LSD makes it boring.

[@SanDiegoOfficial]

jeremy always does this. when i started hearing how he was bashing the car completely i knew he was going to say at the end that is also the best car ever. his gotten predictable

[@TRHardware]

Too bad that TG didn't review the 156 GTA.

[@abumu]

The way I see it is the 1st 1/2 of the review based on if they're going to race it, and the 2nd 1/2 is if they would use it just for transportation. The wont be flying around corners or flooring it, so the bad handeling and traction control dont matter. Its just a nice looking interior and for some thats all that matters. (I wouldnt want one though)

[@Leatt25]

Ive driven all three and the Alfa is by far the most fun and the hardest to control. Love it! Cheaper than the other two second hand and in my opinion is the best looking. This is the only time I have ever agreed with Clarkson on Top Gear as well.

[@Racersbase]

"Bad cars can be briliant...." LMAO

[@zetohd5625]

Well, they are wrong on one account: values are up. A well maintained car is now worth the original asking price.

[@woooGazza]

I had a 147 1.6 turbo diesel M which I bought from new. The main dealer took it off to get a little bit of light fettling, and came back with a smile on his face and said "193bhp". With the extra torque and being lighter, I don't think that it would have been much slower than the GTA. Certainly felt a lot faster than my 3.0l V6 diesel E class and a previous 3 series. Once did a stretch of auto-bahn at over 125mph and got over 40mpg. When I had to sell it come to the UK after 30,000 km the only thing that had gone wrong was the headlight bulb. Alfas are / can be perfection. But I think that I might have been lucky.

[@quantummechanic90]

Is the audio technician going to return from holiday anytime soon?? Otherwise, great episode. My favourite show, in fact.

[@Reihe_sechs]

The wheel wobble isn't strange when you've been ruining the tyres on track all day long....

[@phantomloita]

I think what your looking for is a Pagani Zonda F, It doesn't have Japanese electronics and frankly i don't think it needs it. But it has Italian exterior and interior plus a Mercedes V12.

[@lordloss121]

Thanks I know I should really brush up! But I only started to watch it recently!

[@NorthTimes]

I know it's an old clip but still fabulous. I've driven one and the body control really is as bad as they say. But in a straight line it's wild! And the noise...Unbelievable! EVERYONE. Stop driving boring cars, it's the law.

[@jeffrey88888]

I don't think they post videos until they are on DVD. The new episodes we usually see are from people with DVR Capture Cards

[@erikxzod]

to those who are complaining about the audio.. its not the BBC or anything.. youtube just takes uploads in mono, not stereo, so only one side of that audio is uploaded to these videos and you hear this reallllylyyyy uneven sound going on

[@Stormmover]

Song on 1:01 is FELIX DA HOUSECAT - SILVER SCREEN

[@framekixrr]

What’s the one at 15 seconds

[@Stormmover]

@@framekixrr i dont know.

[@framekixrr]

@@Stormmover good to see you still kicking bro

[@Stormmover]

@@framekixrr its been a while

[@logandarklighter]

Same here. This particular upload the soundmix is off. That's happened once before with the music being too loud.

[@z00h]

umph, that is very fast through there, very fast. POWERSLIDE, POWERSLIDE, POWERSLIDE, POWERSLIDE!

[@subeefan]

agreed i couldn't really hear jeremy when they were straight speed testing them

[@iwanthalo3]

@bubbles867 if you mean the ads that pop up in the bottom of the video, its youtube, and by ownership, Google. not the BBC.

[@RQG1979]

I have a 2.5 V6 Alfa 156... and I just care a shit about depreciation and iffy reliability. Car runs smooth, fine, and sounds better than anything on the planet. It's cream on wheels (BTW Ibought it after trying some beemers and found them just boring)

[@USGiorgi]

that is a beautiful car. The golf is also very nice but Alfas have some sort of magneticity that attracts me and every car enthusiast. It just has "Passion and Soul."

[@WCPRCModelsCraft]

got to love the alfa, it not quite as bad round corners as they make out, but most owners fettle with theirs anyway, no they not great on fuel unless on motorway the best u will see is 30ish mpg and they are built quite well, i have the 156 gta version an it over the 100k mark an still goin strong, if u r goin to buy one get on the AO forum, it really is a nice place to be

[@DocWolph]

That car reminds me of the old 80s-90s Dodge Duster compact with the 3.0L V6. A muscle Compact pure and simple. The ALFA just look so much better. But still this is why you build RWD and AWD cars.

[@jjjos]

My 147 is just the standard 1.6 petrol, but I’d say it’s the most engaging drive of any car I’ve driven. Previously I had a V8 jag, but with the jag it didn’t matter if you did 40mph or 140mph, it was just smooth as a magic carpet, but the Alfa is just nuts, you have to concentrate or you’ll be in a ditch, it’s not fast, but it feels fast, it’s weird, you think you’re hitting 60 on a tight road when it’s only going 35, it’s just built with the driving experience paramount to anything else, it breaks down, nothing is accessible to change parts, but it is a fun car, pure Italian flair

[@iwanthalo3]

@bubbles867 that includes the ads that play before the video, that cant be skipped or removed.

[@CarbonFiberSpoon]

Indeed. BUT it can also be of the differ of PC speakers and TV speakers.

[@michael22414]

The Top Gear guys just love the Alfa spirit. You've probably seen the Alfa Romeo challenge, you'll understand why they picked that car. But its not like their opinions would really influence it when any sensible person with the money to buy a car would just pick the Golf or Focus. Personally I'd go for the Focus for sure, regardless of what Clarkson, May, or Hammond say on this one.

[@jamesadams117]

I want a 147 as my first car. Even though it will cost me £2000 to insure.

[@Matt-pp8ss]

Turns out it's worth 3 times as much as the others now lol

[@mcmugget]

mark VI is out i drove many i used to work at a vw dealer about a month ago i dunno about public release but theyre here

[@RogerFingas]

I'd say the music is fine, it's just a question of mixing it lower so we can hear Clarkson.

[@Rhidrio3]

Seeming as it's black Stig, these are old Episodes. The mixing is much better now.

[@benchafe]

I REALLY dislike how every time they review an Alfa they say that everything is rubbish with it, but they still say that it's a good car. And every time they have a decent American car (rare as it may be) they say how everything is fantastic, but they wouldn't have it. Personally I think they have a point, with most American cars only being available in right hand drive. I just wish they'd be as practical when reviewing Alfas.

[@dustz33]

I agree, the BBC should be able to do better on details like that!

[@scarp114]

So did I... A Monza edition... I completely agree with the conclusions at the end...

[@drackula1985]

Me and my gf just bought an Alfa Romeo 147 :D

[@FoxRS]

I love Alfa Romeo, but in this case i got a great love for the Focus RS. x)

[@CaptainScrummys]

Why can't the BBC seem to ever mix audio correctly for their Top Gear videos?

[@MRANAS2007]

this is the black stig who was killed in the end of season 2 and from 3 till now the white stig is the man

[@akadanielmaia]

If it was RWD it would be considered almost perfect though

[@TassieLorenzo]

+Daniel Maia drool!

[@JR-uy2nd]

That will be dangerous!!!

[@Monacomaverick]

Alfa is just one of those brands that can make a left field car so appealing through design and presentation alone. Jaguar wasn't always that great, and yet no one can talk about automotive heritage without mentioning them. The same can be said for Lotus and Alfa Romeo. They are responsible for getting the masses interested in cars in the first place. Alfa's are for people who want and can afford to have something less common. I think that is what Top Gear meant when they chose the GTA.

[@AlfettaMilano]

6:16 always the best shot of the track!

[@johnjackson12]

interestingly according to evo magazine and much testing the focus rs was quicker to 60 and 100mph than the alfa 147, although to be fair there is a broad power range on the focus, some are 215bhp some as high as 235! depends if you get a good one i suppose! All 3 are great cars and very nearly bought an alfa, glad i didnt now after knowing somebody who has one and the problems he has had lol

[@Croissier]

This Alfa only needs wider tires in the front, a LSD, and a front diffuser. It has a lot of power

[@bonskiiTV]

I just can't get it: how can it be that Alfa 147 GTA's lap time with the Stig behind the wheel is 1:35 and Kia Ceed's lap time with some celebrities driving are 1:42???

[@NotRealNamesAgain]

Thanks for posting!!!!

[@thugstyle86]

Clarksons please...Who goes corrosion curve at full throttle?When you hear the engine reaches the limit you shift up a gear.and do not hold gas so that the engine reaches the limit....and makes an an an an.....

[@ckole11]

Im glad 256,087,458,703,974,092,307 people wrote a comment about the bad audio. I never would have figured it our for myself....

[@1g2002541]

god, The interior is gorgeous!!!

[@MrGaableenz]

hey thanx!! So i understood well but was not sure what he was speaking about the bad cars ... He think that Alfas are bad cars that can be only sometimes brilliant? Am i right???? Or Honda is a bad car and it can be brilliant. Or both of them? Whats true?

[@Saskue78]

Alfa's I would never buy a brand new one as they lose way to much money, but when they have reached the lowest value then is the time to buy one. 146 GTA is insane to drive but if you tweak the set up and adjust the power delivery to the wheels then can be good to drive. I prefer the 156/159 although they still have Alfa problems.

[@gloup81]

thats excactly the case , if u are going track days , the ford is better overall , if u do milles on highways get the 3.2v6 and enjoy , on the other hand if u just learned to buy cars ( others put ur likes and dislikes ) u should take the vw

[@sinisterstu]

I parked my 147 GTA in the garage, left it there for 2 months, came back to it, turned the key in the ignition and drove off... and even more amazingly it is still running, fault-free, 6 months and 5k miles later! But I guess you must be right because you know a mechanic who once told you that GTA models are always being fixed. Or maybe you're a nonce who talks utter bullshit... my experience certainly suggests that is the case!

[@pete3198]

Happens to me all the time. I have a Giulietta QV as my main car, and the 147 GTA is my 'weekend car' - so it often goes for 1 or 2 months without being driven. Yet every single time I've gotten in the car and tuned the key, it has started first go without a moment of hesitation.

[@LukeGB003]

My MiTo Veloce has never ever failed me

[@Patruck92]

A 147GTA wouldn't ever be slower than a Focus in a fair test.

[@pete3198]

They said in a straight line. And yes, in a straight line the Alfa is faster...

[@donjuanpond1]

gotta love Autechre!! V-PROC forever blowing my mind

[@Roxak]

they changed the circuit in the meantime... and the ceed is the better car than the liana they used to drive during these seasons... and maybe the black stig was slower than white stig ;-)

[@OGSpacely555]

Hey I like the GTI and STI.. those are some good hatchbacks!!

[@acronus]

Very old episode. The Golf R32 is still an MK4 version.

[@Cellsolid]

I can't understand how the upload date on this video is July 2003, when KZbin was made in 2005. ????

[@losteden]

Alfa v6 busso is the best ever!!! the new turbo engines are crap

[@miguelfreitas962]

I agree with you there.....even the gm v6 fitted to the 159 isn't as good as the 3.2 bussos in the gta's

[@GTRfiend26]

Wait is this the old series because I see the black Stig.....or did they decide to change his outfit again?

[@rotor13]

When you've owned at least ONE Alfa in your time.... you'd know what its like to choose it over the other choices that make more sense. That said.... its not uncommon for Alfa to pay TG for a good review

[@CapeDeepShark]

Not sure if 'bad' is the right word....its more like - a different measure of the car...today, while collecting my flatties Honda from the garage where it got its WOF, the train passed the motorway. A Red Ferrari 360 rag top with the roof down, a 147 GTA (yeah baby!) and a MiTo went past going the other direction. All 3 took my breath away while everything else Japanese and German looked BORING and uninteresting and DULL.....but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, always...

[@jeffman3]

It is so sadly true. There are very few American "Sports" cars I would buy, and none are newer than 20 years save the '05 GT

[@nitromenoob]

I could imagine if sir allan sugar was the director of this show could almost hear him say "Your Fired". although the sound editor would just to screw it up

[@Th3Freeman]

waaaaa!! the volume of the music is too loud, i was unable to fully appreciate jeremy's wisdom! :(

[@ondasuondaable]

jeremy fall in love with everything is italian

[@MrSmokingTires]

I just LOVE the interror in the Alfa. It's the same as the GT. Just fabulas!

[@sammyboi44]

the sound is stuffed up with the last few videos uploaded by topgear

[@HowkeyLL]

@KPKaccountt it has in most Europe, its pretty sharp but the quality and "safe drive" its not and many cars broke down. Alfa is pain in service and its there a lot. BUT, its sharp :) I got rid of mine for 1/3 price after 3 years. Been to service 8 times. (Wasnt the GTA though)

[@MikeTauroRules]

I drove the diesel version of that car and even that felt much more fun and eventful than my friends gti

[@SRVMETAL]

I'd still go for the focus. cheapest and best looking... the interior on the alpha is lovely though

[@joschomo1010]

the bad sound editer is back

[@MischievousD33ds]

It must be Stigs evil twin brother that stole his job xD

[@draakon64ftw]

cause in earlier series The Stig was in black clothes, but in season 5 or something they decided to "kill" the black on and get the white Stig.

[@SparkMomentum01]

I came here because l miss an 2001 Alfa 147 2.0 that I once owned. Been looking at 05 dc5 integras recently and the interior feels really cheap compared to my old Alfa.

[@TassieLorenzo]

+featherless robin Yep, naturally.

[@Axetele]

I think it's meant for 5.1 Surround.

[@ATKATOO]

Alfa 147 the best car ever

[@MarcinKus90]

I have black 147 ! Love Alfa's

[@tylerselman1343]

i am going to buy one soon

[@sprinter223]

Is there new top gear episodes on now?

[@SimianWonder]

Pretty similar, yes, but in which case why would anyone ever buy over and above a base model? Put a GTA next to any other 147 and the ither 147 turns invisible. A GTA has much more presence thanks to the much wider wheelarches, deeper front and rear bumpers and that thumping great V6.

[@pete3198]

Plus it is a COMPLETELY different driving experience. Like comparing a base model bargain basement Lancer to an Evo, or comparing a base model Subaru Impreza to an STi. Totally different machines.

[@terryturner4116]

I dunno my 2007 147 sport stands out everywhere I park it, it's absolutely gorgeous and there's only 105 of them 😉

[@Eliano55]

BBC do something about the audio in this video!