Faults:

Drivers and passengers windows required adjustment due to 2 little L-shaped brackets that determine the window stop position bending over time.

Dealer will charge min 1hour labor each door, the adjustments can easily be done yourself by lifting off the interior door panel to expose the adjustment bolts (in the top of the inner door frame). Simply loosen them and re-position the brackets 1/4in lower.

The car's immobilizer would not allow the car to start the car when the battery voltage dropped below 12.5V after it had not been used for 2 weeks. Replacing the battery meant the ECU needed to be re-calibrated (according to the dealer)

The fuses/relays under the cover on the left under the bonnet are seriously prone to corrosion, another electrical fault was down to badly corroded connections.

General Comments:

The car is fitted with the aero-pack and looks the business. The red leather interior is high-quality and still looks superb at 88k miles. It is a joy to sit in and drive, and literally can feel rooted to the road (especially with Goodyear F1's).

Med to high speed cornering is its forte, though some tramlining under braking, and understeer in low speed corners. You really feel the low speed bumps.

The 3litre engine is awesome.

Braking is merely adequate.

Main dealers sometimes appear to lack the most basic knowledge about the range.

Faults:

Some electrical problems (airbag light, wipers at low speed), noises at rear suspension.

Fuel mileage can go quite low if used in a sports way.

General Comments:

The car is absolutely stunning and drives better than expected. Easily tuned, it can leave behind cars such as Porsche Boxster and (if you dare) can go up to and above 160mph.

Definitely a great purchase, if you are willing to accept a lack of boot space, a consumption that is not exactly low and occasional electric problems (that can be solved easely by your dealer anyway).

Always take it with the 3years/60000miles extended factory warranty.

Faults:

Near side window seal does not allow glass to sit flush to the sealing face unless window is lowered slightly and then raised. (Believe later models have a modification that does this automatically).

Syncromesh on first gear needed replacing when I bought the car (42,000 miles). As I don't know how the car was driven by the previous owner, I don't know whether this is due to a design weakness or bad driving.

General Comments:

A fantastic package with a few down sides;

Firstly, I was surprised at the poor fuel consumption from a modern 2 litre engine. I did not expect the 38 miles per gallon I used to get from my 1.8 litre 8 valve Golf GTI, but over the same journey I'm getting just 27 mpg from the Alfa.

The turning circle is awful! I'm getting used to this though, and it is only a problem occasionally.

Personally, I feel the driver sits too high in the seat, a definate feeling of sitting on the car and not in it. I believe the latest models have a height adjustment fitted, which my 1999 example does not.

Main dealer parts and labour costs are horrendous. I take mine to a specialist and use after market patten parts, so far to no ill effect.

So much for the down sides;

Performance is great, the engine just loves to rev. Mid range power is especially good.

The handling is wonderful. It is precise and is complimented by the quick steering rack. The car is slightly ruffled by man hole covers mid bend, but not excessively. The body is stiff and does not flex during hard cornering.

Road holding is great, I have thankfully never found the cars limits. Unsurprisingly, there is the slightest hint of under steer when powering round a wet round-about.

The ride is firm, but then this is a sports coupe!

I find the brakes to be sharp and very effective.

Build quality is good, with no rattles.

The looks are wonderful, and the car is still a fairly rare sight, so you generally get a friendly wave from any other GTV drivers.