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:

In 9 years my beautiful Sud has had 2 new handbrakes (I believe Suds usually come with bricks and buckets - I have not needed the bucket) the usual tyres, oil filters but little else.

Only now is the passenger seat slightly wearing, the driver's seat has a fitted sheepskin cover.

It has no faults.

General Comments:

This wonderful car has not a spot of rust anywhere.

After being garaged for two years while I was overseas it started again at first turn of the ignition.

Strong handling.

Needs sensitive handling changing down, its complaint otherwise is audible.

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...