Faults:

Not much went wrong with the car in my ownership over 6 years; just the usual maintenance.

Replaced slave cylinder at 200,000km.

Replaced clutch and timing belt at 200,000km.

Re-gassed the A/C at 240,000km.

General Comments:

Well when I first bought this car in 2006. I was in love with it. I actually wrote a review on this site when I first bought it. 6 years later I still love this car - the best I owned, and it was such a shame to part with it. I thought it would be nice to write up a follow up review, having owned the car for quite some time. I only sold this car, as I wanted something newer and more comfortable.

Performance wise it's one of the best older hatches you'll find; extremely torquey and responsive motor, puts the 147 twin spark to shame, and the E30 318is is not even close, believe me! I owned one of them too!

The 33 is a delight to own and drive; it handles well, sounds superb, and was an extremely reliable and fun car to own. Of course you need to service them; regular oil changes and timing belt every 3 years. The car never let me down, the electrics are the only main fault in the car, and whilst it all 'works', it could be better; sometimes the speedo would drop out or the lights wouldn't work; give the fuse box a smack, and it's all OK again!

If you're after a hot hatch with performance on a budget, the 33 will never disappoint you. It's superb value for money, and it's hard to find anything like it! Most people who put Alfa down never own them. Take your advice from a passionate owner - if you can put up with the minor Alfa quirks, a 33 will reward you 10 times over.

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

It's a 90 model 33 16V QV, and it's awesome!

I purchased it from my Alfa mechanic. I'm totally in love!

This is my 3rd Alfa, and 2nd 33. It's my favourite model. Alfa hit the bulls-eye with this one. The engine is sweet, and just keeps on going! I look at my RPM more than my speed!!!

The seats are very comfy, but the dash layout is a tad boring compared to the series 1 Green Clover model (had round extra oil/battery gauges, which had that 80's euro funk appeal to it).

Hasn't aged at all. A 17 year old shape, and still sharp!

Faults:

Refused to engage reverse at 61000 - expensive to repair, but quick and also solved traditional Alfa 2nd gear synchromesh issue.

Blew smoke at 63,000 - almost certainly because a petrol station had put unleaded in the Lead Replacement Petrol pipes - easily fixed with new plugs and some careful driving for the next 1,000 miles.

Minor water penetration through sun-roof at 64,000 - cured by a wipe with cleaner and rodding the drains gently. (Remember, the car was already 13 years old at this point)

Exploded in a ball of fire because of a petrol leak while in a traffic jam. Nearly killed me (put me in hospital) and toasted a large part of my worldly possessions. No prior leaks or warning. Car was utterly destroyed. RIP.

General Comments:

This car was seriously quick and handled like it was on rails. I loved every second of driving it.

Pretty. When I was not driving it, I was waxing it with Autoglym's finest.

It was so light and quick. It makes it obvious how ridiculously bloated and over engineered 'modern cars' are. I could always scoot round or past them.

That boxer engine was so flat and low, it made cornering something you did for the sheer joy of it.

Again, nothing I've driven in 13 years is as agile this side of a Lotus Elise.

Minor Alfa electrical and trim niggles totally irrelevant once hooked on the snorting little devil.