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:

Erratic revving a week ago perhaps due to air filter being faulty?

Injection system malfunction light intermittently on.

Rear left electric window failed.

General Comments:

I have only had this car for 2 weeks and already I pray I haven't bought a lemon.. Something tells me I have. It doesn't enjoy city driving, but eats the road up in the country which is amazingly fun. It goes to the garage tomorrow to have the problems addressed... I sure will miss my romeo (and my dollars?)

Faults:

Interior lights do not work together, but will work individually.

Small interior trim pieces loose.

Very jerky when cold and/or under part-throttle in 1st & 2nd gears.

Headlining sagging a bit under sunroof.

Fuel gauge inaccurate under 1/2 tank.

Driver's door button initially jammed, but dealer fixed it with WD40 and haven't had any problems with it since.

General Comments:

Amazon Green, cloth interior, sunroof.

Have only had the car a month, and absolutely love it.

Minor gripes in terms of lack of interior storage for CDs etc.

I would also not like to be any taller than I am (180cm). I have a friend who is 190+cm, and he can't drive it (which I am completely unconcerned by...).

Dealer was arrogant and generally uncooperative (a real "We are the only Alfa dealer in this town and we know it" attitude). Have heard very bad reports about their servicing, so I definitely won't be sending my little car there!

Beautiful to look it; wonderful to drive. Everyone who has seen it thinks it is fantastic.

I am somewhat fearful of the many concerns I have read in other reviews of various problems, but fingers crossed!

Faults:

Weak rear demister.

General Comments:

Brilliant handling.

Beautifully revvy engine marred only by crap Australian fuel (95 R.O.N), solved by using Shell Optimax (98 R.O.N) which GREATLY eliminates lack of performance under 3000 rpm.

Faults:

Every 3000 kilometres the auto transmission error light comes on. Is reset by turning car on & off (mildly annoying).

General Comments:

Great car - best stress relief ever invented - can't believe that there hasn't been rave reviews about the Q-system auto transmission.