Faults:

Coil lead pulled out on the second day of ownership.

Needed new front tyres after 3000 miles.

Headlights would blink on and off whilst driving.

Blower motor failed.

Headlights needed rewiring every 12 months.

Rust, especially the front wings.

Front brakes and pads always needed attention.

Shock absorber burst through the rear beam axle.

One head gasket went at 70,000 miles.

Clutch slave cylinder failed, a pig to change.

General Comments:

Despite all the faults listed above, the 'Sud was a hoot to drive. It was a logical progression for me, having come from a Mini.

The twin carb boxer engine would pull like a train, sounded utterly glorious, and it handled like a dream. She would cruise all day at 85, and shame many 'faster' cars when out for a blast. I would seek out tunnels, hairpins and twisty stuff, when I should have been doing more productive things.

I acquired another 'Sud and a Sprint for parts to keep her going, and keep the costs down, but it did seem that I was forever attending to those inboard front brakes.

Having done 80,000 miles in her, the tin worm finally killed her; I jacked her up, and the jack went right through the sill, so I tried the other side and that was the same... very sad to see her go to the scrap yard in the sky.

I had a 33 1.5 and a 16v after that, but they were no comparison. If I had a double garage I'd have another, but the TVR Chimaera needs the space.

Faults:

Petrol tank holed with rust

Front/rear arches holed, with rust

Floor o/s holed, yep rust

Rear cross member crumbled in hands, rust.

Headlamp inners rusted

Clutch slave leaking

Horn intermittent, depending on weather.

Fan relay rarely relays, wired it to a switch instead.

General Comments:

Look at it, and that's the reason for owning an old Alfa-sud.

Its fast, incredibly so for its age relative to 'modern' cars (still got 100BHP+ on the engine), goes round corners like they aren't there, and says style at you with a big smile.

On the downside, it rattles, things regularly fall off, but that's the ownership part. If you enjoy maintaining cars - as well as driving them - its perfect. If you want something to drive to the shops (that'll be a 4x4 then) its not for you.

Get one without too much tin worm and its great fun, but remember rust doesn't stop, it just moves around to another bit...

Faults:

Gearbox selectors went twice.

Quality of interior is appalling. Seats disintegrate.

General Comments:

Bought a good one to try the legendary handling and nippyness. I found the car a ponderous, underpowered lump.

The steering was dead, the brakes were wooden. The engine was weak. All in all, something like an old MK1 Astra is much more sporty. I can't understand how the 'sud got its reputation as being a drivers car.

Faults:

The clutch gave up the ghost at60000 miles as a result of over-enthusiastic downchanges whilst listening to the engine play its 6000 r.p.m. symphonies.

Seats needed refurbishment at 110000 miles.

The warranty ran out 22 years ago.

General Comments:

One of the greatest landmarks in automotive history. Unfortunately Hruska's fabulous vision was betrayed by politics and State bean counters. If this car had been built at Wolfsburg (it was perceived as a people's small sports saloon), many more would be on the road today. Still - with much TLC mine is still here on the salted roads of the North West. Given a dry day (!) this car can keep up with most modern naturally aspirated 1.3s - mainly because I put a Green Cloverleaf engine in...

Faults:

Alternator has problems regulating the current and various connectors failed.

Fuel guage as accurate as a tennis ball in a bow.

Rust, had around the windscreen cleaned up and sprayed. Still has a drivers door skin and sills on the list for the next visit to the body shop.

Leaks by passenger door when using a car wash!

General Comments:

Used daily during the summer and stored over the winter to try to protect the bodywork from salt, the Sud provides more grins per mile than any other car I have driven.

Handling is precise and kart-like, and you find you put on a bit more lock than needed expecting under-steer that just never happens.

The 1.3 boxer engine sounds wonderful through the twin 'pea-shooter' exhaust, just egging you on to push down on the faster pedal. Could do with a bit more power, but this car cannot be beaten around the twisty stuff.