Getting itchy feet been looking at other motors, think its a bi yearly thing for me. Been looking at 147 GTA and Clio V6, quite fairly priced. But I dont think I lose the top down feeling though!

 

Clio V6 sounds great, but feels slow and vastly more impractical than the S2000 - it also needs to have its seats replaced unless you want to feel like you're driving a Megane

Can't comment on the 147GTA, but given the choice of those two, I'd scratch the Alfa itch.

 

Alfa would be more practical, the interior is far better than the Clio. Exclusivity and looks are a plus point for me with the Clio

 

There could be a reason they're exclusive..

Seriously, try and get a test drive of one sooner rather than later. I was seriously unimpressed by the driving position. Also would be worth looking into the cost of things like rear discs/pads/tyres

 

There's a buying guide for 147 and 156 GTAs in this month's edition of evo. You can pick one up for starting around

 

it would have to be an Elise for me.

 

Had an alfa and loved it, engine note was a peach!

On the running of the car i had very few minor niggles - the sat nav would over heat on a long journey so you'd be lost on the way to some where - but that did give you a great excuse to just keep driving for the fun of it! However the dealer network was a really really bad, I tried 4 different dealers while i owned it and not one ever inspired me!!

LL is right tho, a true pistonhead has to of owned an alfa - its the engine!

Get Autodelta to look after it and it will be great fun, but I'd say think about an Elise too!!

 

It seems such a shame that Alfa build some very nice looking cars but are let down on reliability and poor dealerships.

The three people I know who own Alfa's, all have suffered terrible problems with their cars - 2 x 156 and 1 x 147

 

Well, I'm now on my second Alfa and all I've had to deal with is a broken clutch slave cylnder and an airbag warning light.

They definitely have their downsides and keeping them serviced is an absolute must but on the whole, I'd say go for it. Especially the GTA!

I find alfa156.net a good forum(it's not just for 156s) and they're a really helpful bunch.