Faults:

Clutch blew. Big-ish job to replace and get sorted. Went well afterwards, though they also did the coil packs as well plus TDC sensor. Not sure if I was being ripped off.

General Comments:

Great looking sexy car which has bags of personality as all Alfas seem to.

OK, I've owned this for a while, and while they're getting long in the tooth, they're not an entirely bad proposition. Mine's the 2.0 Selespeed. I quite like it, though I'd say ownership is a learning experience. Gorgeous looks of course. People say the Selespeed is fraught with problems, but aside from topping up the fluids and the occasional warning bleep, I've not found it to be too bad. The clutch failed, which was my biggest expense so far. I like it. Generally it goes. Starter needed some attention, but managed to sort that out for zero dollars.

Driving. Now this is where people either get them or they don't. I'm quite taken with the aesthetic as I am with a lot of Italian cars. The motors are very revvy but have no bottom end whatsoever. This combined with the Selespeed can work OK, but the city mode which turns it into an auto, it's not great. It'll want to pull away from near standstill in second which necessitates much clutch slippage. This and slow progress, when you really want to move, means they don't work for all. However be the captain and take charge yourself, give it a tickle and it'll delight. It loves the twisties and exploring the upper rev range, plus combined with the quick rack and lovely braking means it will generate endorphins.

Totally not the best city car, but in true Alfa style it has bags of personality and encourages the keen driver and someone who thinks outside of the box.

Far better than a VW or Audi reliability wise. And stands out as a choice in good taste in my opinion. As a status symbol, it beats the lesser badge engineered Germans as only dull people buy them.

There you go flawed, but fun...

Faults:

Cam belt pulley - became noisy on start up.

Ignition immobiliser - engine wouldn't fire.

Selespeed trans - slipping into neutral, not changing gear.

Airbag light came on - seems it is caused by a loose connection under the seat. Should be hard wired.

General Comments:

Love its looks and driving "feel".

Handles very well, surprisingly well at times.

Love the seating position.

Hate the jumpy driving in 1st or 2nd gear.

Biggest hate is no accessory position for ignition switch, which means cannot have radio on when parked without the ignition being on.

Lights not very good, quite poor in fact.

Faults:

Petrol consumption is very high (20-25mpg).

Suspension creaks and bangs.

Gear box crunches.

New tires, pads and discs all round.

General Comments:

A stunningly beautiful car that is a pleasure to own and drive.

I absolutely love it, but the mpg and problems are too costly.

Faults:

Drivers airbag warning light illuminated and will not cancel even when main dealer attempted to cancel it on several occasions at 70,000 miles

Climate control gave up the ghost at 65,000 miles.

Both rear suspension required replacing at 72,000 miles.

Front near side suspension required replacing at 70,000 miles.

With body work - paint flaking (badly) from front bumper.

Where roof meets windscreen on off side paint bubbling over rust.

Both front brake discs warped at 71,000.

General Comments:

In the 4 years and thirty thousand miles I have the car most things have gone wrong and has been expensive to repair.

Bearing in mind the car is a 2 Litre it lacks power - don't get me wrong it's OK, but when compared against a standard 2.0 mondeo or Vectra it struggles especially considering it has 155BHP.

It has a lot of extras such as climate/all around electric windows/6 CD changer uprated suspension/large alloys and carbon interior as standard on the Sport Pack option, but it just lacks oomph. I had a 2.2Vtec prelude before and looking back I wish I'd never changed it!!