2003 Alfa Romeo 147 Lusso Selespeed review from UK and Ireland

3 distinct Selespeed failures.

Buyer beware of this car! The question with the selespeed system it is not a question of whether it fails, but rather when it fails. I have had 3 failures of this system in 3 months of ownership, and the car has now been with Alfa Romeo for the past 2 months. The 3rd failure of the selespeed system happend on the fast lane of the M25, in roaring traffic, on an uphill stretch. The gearsystem locked up, and the car could only move backwards. I had to escape my car, leaving it standed on the fast lane, and had to seek refuge in between the two lanes of the M25. Not a nice experience. The police and AA were swiftly on hand to rescue me, and the car duly returned to the dealer, this time with a note that 3 failures in 3 months is not acceptable for a new car costing me over 18.000 sterling, and please send me a cheque for the refund. I immediately phoned a lawfirm, and got a laywer involved. We are now some 3 months down the line, still without a car, and Alfa have still not budged. They claim it was only a minor technical fault, I claim my life was endangered due to their shoddy engineering. Alfa Romeo should take note of other car companies that have the same issues - both the new Mini from BMW as well as the Smart have apperantly suffered some teething problems, and they a had no hassles refund policy. Alfa, you suck!