Oh dear, what have you got for me today…
May I introduce you to the refreshingly-Italian, Alfa Romeo 147 GTA all the way from 2002.
It’s hideous.
Alright, I admit, the GTA isn’t going to be remembered for its, ahem, polarising appearance. The aim here is to try and look past the podgy bodywork to find the gem that lies inside
I can’t. I’ve already gouged my eyes out.
Well, aren’t you just a little ray of sunshine.
How’s the driving experience?
…any half-hearted stint of acceleration was often followed by a lot of swearing and a crash. -Exciting.
In a word: Woeful.
As far as journalists of the day could work out, the steering wheel wasn’t attached to the front wheels at all. Rather, it appeared to operate solely as a beacon of hope, giving drivers the illusion that they were in control.
The truth was, any half-hearted stint of acceleration was often followed by a lot of swearing and a crash.
So it’s terrible?
Correct.
Then why the hell should I buy one?
Simple. For the engine.
It’s a 3.2 litre, naturally aspirated V6 that wouldn’t look out of place in the Louvre. It is a magnificent thing to behold.
So magnificent, that I think it’s worth paying the AUD$9,000 most private sellers are asking just to get the engine.
You have lost it…
Wait! Hear me out.
Yes, you’re paying $9,000 for a used engine, but think of it this way: you get a free car in the process (albeit a crap one)…
Worth it, I say.
What do you think? Get shouting in the comments!
Photography Credit: Manufacturer
Read more posts by Noah Charalambous in Defining Drives on DriveTribe the new website by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
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