USED Alfa Romeo GT Coupe (04 - 11)

My car

Car is great to look at and fun to drive. Massive problem with shrieking brakes when new. So loud it was embarrassing to drive. And dangerous as you tried to avoid using the brakes.

Garage spent 6 months greasing brakes then replacing them. Eventually shrugged shoulders and said they didnt know what to do! Legal action brought a mechanic up from Alfa who was able to repair fault within a month by turning brake pads around!! Now fighting garage over my legal bill.

In addition the car was late in delivery and had several teething faults. Electric windows occassionally have a mind of their own, space saver tyre has to be dampened with towels to stop it rattling, air conditioning leaked and boot area has a lot of general rubbing noises. Its also quite thirsty. All these faults would have been bearable but for the shrieking brakes and the attitude of the garage because car has great looks and performance.

My car

Put simply, this is a truly superb car which proves Alfa are really forging ahead with their overall package. I previously drove a 2.0-litre TS GTV which was fabulous, but no longer practical.

After being approached by James Green of Platts Alfa Romeo in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, who offered me a brand new 1.9 JTD in Lipari Grey with winter pack 17-inch wheels, tan leather and parking sensors all for £20,800 (massive saving) and a £1000 over the going price for my GTV, I couldn't refuse.

Other than the top speed which beats the old GTV, and the fuel economy which I have had up to 52mpg on a motorway run of 70mph average, the sheer joy of overtaking in third and fourth never fails to thrill.

I also find the exclusivity of the GT particularly pleasing, and featuring as 'sub-zero' on Top Gear's 'Cool Wall' does make this car very desirable. I shudder with excitement to think how good the upgrade will be in three or four years' time.

My only gripe is a rattle coming from the boot. I have been told that this is due to a wrongly positioned weld on the rear roof cross member which can be sorted out at the dealer, which was very helpful. Once this is sorted out the rating will be five stars. Well done, Alfa Romeo.

My car

I have done 18,000 miles in this car and everyone has been fantastic. The acceleration in fifth gear is brilliant.

I would tell anyone buying a GT to spend the £250 on parking sensors, but then it is not really built for going backwards!

There have been one or two rattles and niggles (it seems the factory forgot to screw down the front armrest) but at 6000rpm with the BMW's disappearing in the rearview, who cares?

My car

I have owned this car for a relatively short time but as a high mileage driver I've already covered significant miles in it.

I agree with a number of comments below, in that I can't really believe you guys give it 3 stars only. I can only summise that there's a little bit of stereotyping going on:

Italian car - must be flaky and unreliable. Goes rusty. Indifferent dealers, dodgy electrics, etc,

German car - incredibly well built. Very reliable. Solid. Etc, etc..

Well, I've owned plenty of both and most of the quality problems I have had have been with the Germans - the best one being a mark 4 Golf GTI Turbo that repeatedly dropped it's windows into the doors at the most annoying times....

Back to the GT - it's a great drivers car.

Pointy, responsive, planted, and very quick in the mid ranges. The leather interior is very special as are the seats which are incredibly supportive. The 1.9 JTD version offers a fantastic mix of looks, economy, performance and practicality (for a coupe).

The view out of the back is restricted but the parking sensors help here.

In summary, it's a stunning looking car that can be used every day. It's even holding it's value according to Glass's at the moment too.