Alfa Romeo Sportwagon 1.8

Advantages: Handsome car with excellent handing, peppy engine
Disadvantages: Quality doesn't inspire confidence

...The first thing to say is that you should not have to spend a fortune to get a good example - I bought my Alfa after I spotted a load of 1 year old ex-rental examples for sale at what I felt was a very reasonable price. I think I was seduced by the looks and the Alfa badge - this car has a lot of showroom appeal - but one year on what is it really like ? Well I have to say that despite initial concerns after reading other reviews I remain really pleased with my purchase. My car is a January 2003 example with the updated interior and zoned air conditioning. The car has been 100% reliable, the handling and the rev happy engine still put a smile on my face. Quality won't match a Merc or Beemer, but nothing has broken or fallen off. You still feel that it's a bit fragile so I'm quite careful. The brakes seem a bit... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Own a great italian cult car for low used prices
Disadvantages: Not many around, so spares hard to come by.

...I purchased my 155 in December of last year for £700. It is a 1994 L reg model with average mileage. I have found it so far to be a reliable and quiet, yet exciting car to drive, with performance and handling unmatched for the price. There are however a few downsides to owning one of these... 1, The fuel consumption is not great, it drinks lots on long motorway runs. 2, Used spare parts are very scarce as there are not many of these in breakers yards 3, New spare parts are expensive and official alfa servicing will cost a bomb. 4, There are not many pattern parts so most purchases will be through an appointed dealership. 5, Electrics are not always good, my electric sunroof wont open and the heated rear screen works when it wants to. On the plus side, You get a great looking, fast, 4 door saloon with a good sized boot... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Simply an awesome car and driving experience.
Disadvantages: The running costs will put some people off owning one.

..., the Alloy wheels on mine were known as the teledial ones and they grabbed the attention of many. They also fit these cars with different sizes of wheels, some come with the standard 1 inch most come with the larger 16 inch but you can chose to upgrade if you buy new as I did, I went for the awesome looking 18 inch wheels although with the Alfa going through tyres like nothing on earth I often wished I had gone with a cheaper option. When it comes to driving the Alfa it really is an awesome experience well at least the 2.5 V6 that I owned was, this car had frightening power and speed and although I had driven other V6 cars none could come close to the Alfa Romeo. Even at standard power before I got the ECU remapped the car was capable of a 0-60 in 8 seconds and a top speed of 147mph after its remap this awesome Italian sports car would do 0... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful