1987 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint / Sprint Cloverleaf review from UK and Ireland

Amazingly - nothing. The car had the usual UK rust, but this never stopped the car getting me to work and back. When I first bought it, the electrics were damp due to the car being parked outside standing for 6 months. A few days in a warm garage and the wipers and other switches started working again.

A lovely car. Not many people have heard of this model, and it is a little gem. To be fair on the rust issue - many late 70's to mid 80's cars also rusted badly - and this one is no different. However rust is by no means inevitable - you just need to take some time to use rust killer on any that does appear. This is a car that appreciates some fine fettling. The engine is the best part - robust and long lasting - but only if you regularly check oil, water, belt tension etc etc and it helps to have regular oil and coolant changes (5000 miles for the oil) 10w/50 is the best oil to use, semi synthetic even better. The worse part of the car is the weak interior trim - door handles are known to get brittle and eventually snap off. Electrics can be entertaining, but nothing on these cars cannot be fixed by a DIY mechanic with the good Haynes manual. You would be hard pushed to find such a fast car (0-60mph in 8.9 seconds for the 1.7) for less money than this. Just expect to have to spend some time at weekends tinkering - which many people will tell you is half the fun. Remember, you're not a true petrolhead until you have owned an Alfa - and this is the best introduction you will get. The brilliant handling and roaring little flat 4 makes journeys fun - and it feels like you are going a lot faster than you are. Alfa Romeo dealers will not even know what it is, but around the world there is many specialists that will know the car inside out and have all the parts to keep you on the road. All in all a good "new classic" which is cheap to buy and brilliant fun to drive. The fuel economy (as with all Alfa Boxer engined cars) is quite poor for a 1.7 / 1.5 and you will be doing well if you get 27mpg / 10 litres per 100km. But enjoy these cars whilst they are still around and still available for very little money.