Faults:

Automatic climate control doesn't really work -- the problem is that my outer temperature meter doesn't work. It still works manually, and I'll fix it soon anyway. Will cost about $5, only if I would have the time...

At around 90000, the heating went out - turned to be problems around the fuses.

At 94000, the fuel pump got "ill" (not stopped, but started to kill the fuse every average 50 kms.)

Once the auto mafia tried to steal it, broken both side locks, but haven't got in.

I actually had fewer problems with the Alfa than my Golf III!

General Comments:

Really the best general-purpose car I can imagine. I actually could not imagine it before I had one.

First, there is a PLENTY of room. Both for the passengers and for the luggage. Several times I went to Vienna with three friends, stuff for a week for everybody, and we never had space problems.

Comfortable for long journeys (>300 km), even for five people.

The seats are a dream. My back pain that I had with all the previous cars is completely gone since I drive the Alfa (I drive about 100kms a day (about 2 hours), so comfort in the car is priority).

Every control is within reach. At first, it may seem that the radio is a bit hard to reach since it is low, behind the transmission, but on the first night drive you realize that this way the radio's lights are completely out of your vision. if you look at the road, so it doesn't disturb your eye. The pedals are also very comfy.

This car is RESPONSIVE. The power steering is great -- the complete turn-around of the wheel is only 2.1 turns (in all 155 models since 1995). This allows you to make fast direction changes.

Really, very good acceleration. If you push the pedal, it gets going. No other car with a 1.8 engine or less can race with it. Not even all 2.0's. Even in 5th gear. For example, from 160 km/h to 170 km/h it takes approx. 3 - 3.5 seconds.

Road stability is great. Very few other cars can match it. I can maintain the same speed in curves as my boss with his BMW.

The car's turn-around circle is a bit big. But after all, it's a big car.