Faults:

I bought it used in September 2001 with 9,000 kilometers on the odometer. On delivery it was apparent that the front brake rotors were scored or warped as both sides made a loud grinding noise on brake application. This problem was fixed by a local Alfa shop who's owner is also a big Alfisti. He explained 2nd gear synchronizer is useless on these cars and he was right. To this day, second gear required double clutching prior to engagement. Mostly on downshift, but occasionally on a higher rpm up shift. There was a strange rattle in one of the rear doors, but I learned to live with it.

General Comments:

I've driven BMWs, Mercedes and Porsches all my life. And there is no doubt that they are superior cars. But Alfas have a subjective quality that cannot be quantified. It is the scream of the engine at 7,000 rpm (yes, the 1.6 liter has a 7,000 rpm redline). Or the quirky layout of the interior. My point is, despite the clear technical superiority of the German makes, Alfas have a soul. My girlfriend had a 156 2.4 litre turbodiesel that also has this characteristic.

Faults:

Front passenger door fell off while it was still under warranty.

Keys need to be recoded on a regular basis.

General Comments:

This car is fast - but only if you are prepared to have it tuned to near racing car conditions on a regular basis.

It does not like to be driven slow. It feels like a dog yanking on a leash at 30 miles an hour.

Brilliant on long journeys. Seats seemed a little hard when first purchased, but the support comes into its own on long journeys.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Direction it`s very good and the brakes too. It handles like glue on the road.

Faults:

Things are going impressively well up to now.

General Comments:

It is a very exciting car, with a wonderful engine in terms of sound and power.

The handling could have been better, perhaps it is because of the rear shock absorbers that look tired.

Electronics and the electric stuff work fine, I do not have even a burnt lamp.

Surely more reliable than I expected.

Faults:

First problem was with the drivers seat, the height adjustment was faulty, it took 4 visits to a main dealer to rectify the problem.

Next was the air system, it would only blow hot, this took about 3 visits to the main dealer in Limerick to get fixed.

Rear window washer didn't work after about 5,000 miles.

15,000 mile car started missing, needed new connections and spark plugs (spark plug weren't covered under warranty (EURO 240.00)

35,000 lambda sensor in Cat needed replacing. Covered under warranty.

50,000 miles Throttle Body needed replacing, took 3 visits as the first replacement was faulty, my second visit the wrong throttle body was in the box... 3rd time lucky (Alfa mechanic told me that it's a fault with Alfa throttle bodies, they all go around 50,000 miles.

60,000 Engine seized, shredded timing belt, off the road for 1 month (warranty only covered 1 weeks car hire) new spark plugs needed (another Euro 240.00 as they are still not covered under warranty)

General Comments:

Although this is not the most reliable, the driving experience is great. You really need the 2.0 Ti. The car is too heavy for the 103 bhp 1.4 engine.

The car is due for a change shortly, as a company car driver, I'd take another one, as a private buyer, I'd stay well away.

Depreciation is really bad, its hardly worth a pint of larger with 70000 and 3 years on it.