Faults:

Selespeed system failure on 3 occasions causing the steering to lock up.

Gear selection problems causing the car to change from 2nd to 5th (resulted in a new gearbox).

The car would slip into neutral from 2nd gear while accelerating.

VDC system failure followed by a complete electrical system and engine shut down, causing me to wait for 10 hours for a breakdown truck in freezing weather (Jan 30th 2003).

Air-bag warning light permanently on as a result of loose wiring under the passenger seat.

General Comments:

Compared to my previous Alfa the general build quality is much, much better.

The interior look and feel as well as the 'toys' are high quality, but fairly cramped other than in the front seats.

The handling is pretty good in all weathers.

The car's performance is more than adequate on UK roads, but it does drink fuel and oil.

But the BIG problem is reliability. The car has been off the road on 4 separate occasions, and the root cause always seems to be electrical.

This is definitely the last Alfa I buy.

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

This is simply the nicest car I have owned.

The interior is beautiful.

The exterior is class.

Mine is black with 17" sports alloys and 10CD changer, leather interior.

It is responsive.

It is cool.

It holds the road in all conditions.

This car really is a dream, and the cost if bought on import is excellent.

One thing, it does consume petrol around town... but who cares!

Faults:

Other than a faulty key fob, nothing has gone wrong since purchasing the car.

General Comments:

Although slightly apprehensive of buying an Alfa, due to their well known unreliability and build quality issues, I am relieved to say that I am unable to fault this car in anyway.

It handles brilliantly. Thanks to the firm suspension, which some how also remains forgiving when hitting any lumps or bumps to be found in the road.

The engine sounds great.

It looks fantastic, both inside and out!

All the toys you would reasonably require are included as standard in this model. Dual Climate control, cruise control, Good quality CD player, electric windows, etc, etc.

It's very comfortable on long journeys.

You do pay a bit more for the luxury, but in my opinion it's most definitely worth it!

All in all it's a great car, which although Italian seems to be very well made and solid throughout. Unless anything better appears in this market area, I will be buying another in 18 months time.

Faults:

Hatchback door catch alarm sensor faulty.

Rear windscreen washer faulty.

VDC / ABS Warning light due to faulty foot brake sensor switch.

Broken rear door footplate.

Selespeed failure, which left me broken down and in the cold for 4 hours waiting for a tow-truck.

General Comments:

Positives.

Wonderful design - inside and out.

Has all the toys (too many in fact)

Elegant and sporty.

Engine beautiful and makes the most satisfying noise.

Bose radio, sounds great at high volumes, average at low volumes.

Selespeed takes some getting used to, but great when it works!

Negatives.

3 months old and 3 times in the repair shop.

Very low on storage space. With a cd changer and the Bose stereo, the rear storage space is too small for golf clubs and definatly too small for a child's pushchair.

I am starting not to trust the car. My wife is worried about taking it on a long journey.

Legendary Alfa unreliability exists, despite media claims that Alfa has stopped the rot.