1.4 MultiAir TB 135 bhp Lusso 3dr Hatchback

Fun with too many issues

Lovely little car, great to drive, 135 peppy and good pickup to 60 or so in "D" mode on DNA. Normal mode seems fairly pointless as car just feels sluggish in all ways, but all weather obviously useful with our winters here these days.

BUT...

Numerous issues. This is my first ever Alfa, thought when I bought it "surely by 2010, Alfa has sorted out their reliability issues", unfortunately not the case:

Numerous instances of engine running on what feels like 3 cylinders with a loud whumping sound coming from it and the whole car juddering every time this occurs. 7 times in 3 years of ownership. Call AA, turn off the car, invariably by the time they get there, car starts and runs fine. Had Alfa dealer check it out repeatedly under warranty but surprise surprise they can't find anything wrong.

Seals not great around door windows, to the point where in winter, most of the windscreen has frost on it inside the car, never had a car do that before. With the moisture associated with the freezing inside now the ac has odd musty smell.

Alfa servicing costs for the turbo not cheap, 2nd service parts and labour about £400, first service was better at a little over £200.

Overall, unfortunately very disappointing. Getting rid of the car before the warranty expires and it costs me a lot to repair as have no faith in it. It's a shame as love the look of the Giulietta but won't now consider another Alfa. I take care of my cars, had lots of them over the years, always dealer serviced and cared for well but just not had a good experience here, avoid.

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