Faults:

Regular tyre replacement - approx every 12-14,000 miles.

Windows required adjustment for fit against the door seals (twice to date).

Electrical fault with the fuel pump (after first week of ownership).

Wiper motor replacement at 38,000 miles.

Alternator replaced at 40,000 miles.

New brake discs at 36,000 miles.

General Comments:

You either love or hate the design of this car. If you love it then there is little to touch the Italian styling which never fails to turn heads and always makes me look back as I walk away.

The 3 litre engine sounds glorious and it begs you to use every cm of the rev range right up to the 7,000rpm red-line. In fact the engine revs so freely that I've bounced the car off the limiter more times than I dare to admit!!

With no traction control it's very easy to spin the wheels in anything but perfect road conditions - I've even managed to spin the wheels changing up into second gear...

The cabin is spacious enough for two and the rear seats provide the additional room needed due to the lunch-box sized boot but then, if it's space you want, buy a Ford Transit!

Niggles, well yes there have been a few...

After my BMW experience, Alfa dealers seem like rank amateurs when it comes to customer service - don't expect your car to be clean or undamaged when you pick it up.

There was a lot of wind noise from the drivers window when I got it and it was only after 6 months that I realised that a window adjustment would fix the problem.

A replacement wiper motor, alternator and brake discs might be considered steep for a car which has done only 40,000 miles.

Weekly or bi-weekly oil top-ups are a must if you don't want to be changing engines regularly. This was a real novelty as I don't think I even knew where the oil filler was in my previous BMW and Audi!!

After all of the above I would have another tomorrow. Gorgeous to look at, wonderful to drive - if you can handle the eccentricities there's not a lot else to choose from...

Faults:

The steering has started to become a little unstable over undulating roads. New shocks, top mounts and lower wishbones didn't seem to cure the problem.

Driver's and passenger's window never seem to fit properly.

Driver's airbag light came on at 30000 km, which was fixed by the dealer.

General Comments:

Seriously quick and sexy car.

Wish I could cure the constant wind noise from the window seals, which sometimes work, sometimes don't.

Sometimes isn't keen on slipping into second gear, but I put this down to the usual Alfa Romeo quirks.

Faults:

Driver's air bag light.

Noise from the front right hand suspension.

General Comments:

What can I say about a car where my wife "fights" me to drive it!

Simply sublime.

Surprisingly user friendly in real world driving conditions because of the amount of torque available from 1500rpm. Doodle along in 4th gear doing 40km/hr no worries! VERY muscular from 3700rpm onwards. Incredibly involving car to drive - steering feedback, fierce acceleration, glorious noise an absolute to delight that adds to the experience. Real character adds to the pride of ownership.

Drawbacks are essentially what I expected:

1) The quality of fittings is not to German/Japanese standards.

2) High insurance costs.

3) The need for specialist servicing.

4) Limited boot.

5) Limited back seat.

The not so good surprises have been:

1) Thirsty (though dependant on how hard you drive it - which is quite frequently)!

2) The seats offer little lateral support.

3) Radio is average.

4) Wipers are average.

5) The tyres wear out quickly (can be fixed with a tracking adjustment).

However, these issues will not bother the driving enthusiast - if so stick to a Ford/Nissan/Opel...

The car has brought me memories that I will cherish (and will continue to do so). Its rarity on the roads, genuine warm appreciation from the motoring public, and, sense of occasion make for real pride of ownership.

Its performance is strong enough to put a smile on your face without having the need to prove yourself. It makes you feel alive...!

Happy motoring.