A colleague has a 147 GTA, and it's schweeet!
From what I've read in UK, German , and French car mags, Alfa's reliability is improving... French cars seem to be at the bottom of the Euro quality surveys. Any views Bob?
French cars still don't seem to do that well in reliability surveys, although the diesels have very strong engines, can go on for 200K+ miles. The sportier hatchbacks are amazing, have a read of the R26 review, they look great in the metal!
http://www.channel4.com/4car/di/renault/megane+renaultsport/5354/
Alfa's reliability IS improving, a guy that works for me has had numerous Alfa's, and when I say numerous, I think his family has had about 23+ so they know all about them. They still have some issues, but are getting much better. I nearly bought one instead of the Subaru
but I couldn't find one soon enough.
Fiat doesn't really sell anything interesting at the moment.
I suppose they way to look at it is if you spend say $30K on a car then lets say it costs $20K to make it, you decide where you want they money spent. For me it would be on the handling, engine, and styling. For some it would be on safety equipment, fuel efficiency, and reliability. Each manufacturer decides that mix, and the customer determines what is important to them.
Japanese cars will always win on the reliability stakes, partly on proof, partly on reputation, but it takes years to build that up. I had intermittent problems with the BMW Z4 I owned, which I was dissapointed with in a car in that price range. I think Alfa, or Renault, or even Peugeot would do very well in Canada and the U.S., they have some very stylish cars and people would by them for the exclusivity at first.
