Faults:

Not a lot has gone wrong really, despite worries about Alfa Romeo's reliability record.

New driver's door handle was fitted after the push button stuck in and the door would not close.

The rear suspension has had new bushes fitted, but this is probably a reflection on the state of the roads in North East Scotland!

The brakes were awful until I had to seriously use them from high speed one night and since then they've been great! Probably glazed pads and the glaze was burnt off by the emergency stop.

The paintwork is fragile. Chips and scratches easily.

General Comments:

This car has one huge redeeming feature and that is its looks. It really is beautiful and attracts many admiring glances, especially as it's still a rare sight in this part of the country.

The handling is top notch, as are the brakes now (see problems comment).

The optional Recaro seats are very uncomfortable though. Too short a seat squab meaning all your weight is on your bottom instead of spread over the thighs as well.

The engine has fantastic top end power, but poor bottom end power. Definitely an open road car rather than a town car.

Faults:

The car was late being delivered. Had a flat battery off the ship which was jump started from a truck which fried a number of electric components.

Major problem is a battery drain after two days. The dealer is unable to fix it. It has now left me stranded 7 times.

Build quality is dreadful.

The leather seats are becoming apart.

The interor trim is falling apart.

Passenger door handle has broken.

Missing parts of screen wash.

Selespeed has a habit of selecting neutral at high speed.

Dealer is not all that bothered, never been called when parts have arrived.

So far has been in the garage for 7 weeks.

General Comments:

Do not buy this car.

Drives great for when it goes, but quality is so poor.

I am trading it in for the new Mercedes sports coupe.

Faults:

Delivery - N/S head lamp washer not connected.

6000 miles - water in the boot - rear windscreen sealant problem.

8000 miles - City switch on the Selespeed failed.

General Comments:

Brilliant design, looks good from every angle! And the touches only Italians can bring!

Performance and road handling have brought a smile to my face (well! my last car was a Honda CR-V).

The dealer (Hylton Worcester) has been excellent (they did not do the PDI!).

A bit twitchy in town - but on the open road it is FUN!!!

Faults:

Immobiliser/key-code failed 1 month after delivery. Told by the dealer to call the AA, and to get them to bring the car to the workshop. AA engineer knew about a recall that Alfa had issued, to get the immobiliser software upgraded. He fixed the problem by disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes, after which the car started as normal. Dealer knew nothing about the recall.

Car overheated at 4000 miles due to a loss of coolant. Dealer replaced the water pump, but the coolant still required topping up by 1 liter every 500 miles. Contacted 1 week later by the dealer, enquiring if the car was OK. I said no, the car was still loosing coolant, so they then told me about a recall to get the cylinder head bolts replaced, as the ones fitted were too long!

General Comments:

The car is a great combination of performance and comfort.

1.6 TS engine seems as powerful as other manufacturer's 2.0 liter engines.

Worried by reliability - 2 recalls in 3 months!

Dealer (Westover Alfa, Bournemouth) struggling to cope with service and repair work. Not enough courtesy cars, no room in the workshop. Mechanic sat in my car (pale grey leather seats) in dirty overalls!