joe@zinfandel.UUCP (06/08/84)
#N:zinfandel:3200066:000:2167 zinfandel!joe Jun 6 15:22:00 1984 Hi. I don't own one but my girlfriend does and I get to drive it a lot and I hear about the problems. The first thing that comes to mind is the wind noise and rattling. There is a considerable amount at fifty- five and above which renders good stereo choices academic because a back- ground noise level of 80 dbs. or so doesn't give you much dynamic range to enjoy music with. She has a 600$ Sony set which sounds good when you can hear it. Rattles come from imperfectly fitting doors as well as the convertible top hardware. The doors are mated to a rubber stopper on the car body. This wears quickly and then there is an annoying rattle. The next thing that comes to mind is the facia, or face plate that holds the four status lights, high beam, lights, etc. In the Alfa it is held in place by a PRESS FIT! Vibrations wiggle it free continually and to have a herniating instrument panel in a 16k$ car is very tacky. The horn stopped working twice ( wiring bad ). Other than these complaints and that it uses oil, I do like the car. Everything else works and it's fun to zip around in on windy roads. It exibits an initial oversteer when you initiate a turn, which makes the car feel to be a quicker handler than it really is, but it is solid and predictable on the road. The paint is thin and easily damaged, and vandals have cut the top in attempts to steal the stereo. This meant >1.5k$ damage to dash and top, even though they didn't get the stereo. The car gets looks from gas station attendants that other cars in this price range don't get. It definatly looks flashy though actual engine performance is only competant. If you like convertibles, and you want style and you're willing to put up with the Italian attit- ude towards sports vehicles; that non-performing details ( paint, wiring, weather-sealing etc. ) are unworthy of an engineer's attention you could have lots of fun with the Alfa. If my girlfriend gave it to me I'd be happy, but for the price you could get a lot more comfort, power, reli- ability and handling from the Mazda two-seater ( especially the SE (?) with the hot motor )as one alternative at a lower cost. Joe Weinstein