http://www.nextautos.com/car-buying/...ing-stateside/

 

Maybe, but competition is good. What'll have more quirks, an Italian or a British car? We haven't had a chance to find out since the early 80s when MGs and Alfa Spyders were around.
Personally I'd like the larger Alfa sport convertible (Brera?) to make it over.

 

Ooooh... I love Alfa's. That'll be very tempting for me...

 

I'd love to see it but Alfa's have never been inexpensive cars.

 

I just test drove one today... and let me tell you that you will change your mind if you are buying a cooper ... I will post a review later

 

I guess later came sooner than I thought...

I think after FIAT got ALFA ROMEO.. lots of things changed and the people started to actually think about the market out there being here in France and seeing lots of FIAT 500s running around... I decided to go to the FIAT show room to check it out and get a test drive... while there, I saw the whole lineup of the Alfa Romeo (a partner now) and then my fiancee pointed me towards this new Alfa called "MITO" ... this thing hit me without me noticing and started growing on me. I test drive the new MITO and was impressed to say the least... having owned a MCS JCW for a while now, and renting a MCc in France and driving it for the first time and being impressed by it (another story)... I decided to get a car for my better half for the house here which led us to shopping around and getting to see the FIAT and eventually the AR MITO. My Fiancee had her mind set on a topless MINI, then after thinking wisely we decided on the Clubman D due to the need for space. We then went on to see the new Audi A3 and shop around to comapre and know that we made the right choice.

Knowing Alfas in the past, I wasn't keen on getting in one and driving it, but after the salesman convinced me that this is the new generation of the AR under FIAT, I gave it a GO.

first off, this thing has the same price as a MINI COOPER, have more space than a Clubman, and less when the options pile up in the cooper as usual

basic engine is a 1.4L T produces a 155 hp and 230 N-m and goes to 60 in 8 (clubman is almost 10s I think) seconds with a six speed manual. The Selective package comes with a to die for leather seats and carbon fiber dash and the thing handels like crazy and packs a punch to the unsuspected. My test drive ended with a big even my fiancee changed her mind and converted when she saw the red color with the natural leather interior and the Black with the Rouge color interior... I thought I would share with you as I do more shooping before we decide finally on the ALFA there is also another version of the MITO, the MITO GTA with a 1.75L T engine and a 275 hp coming soon mazda speed 3 better watch out.

the facts are, it's bigger, it's more economical and it cost less for more options than a Clubman and it is has Italian genes ... I love the smell of new natural leather

 

Oh. Yes, please.

 

I love this but I wish they didn't try to make the front look like the 8C. It ended up looking like a Subaru Tribeca. The face on the 159/Brera on the other hand is amazing.

 

LOVE IT..

 

Is that a microsoft logo I see in the third pic? Some implementation of Sync perhaps?

 

Fiat ecoDrive
http://www.fiat.co.uk/ecodrive/

 

Looks like just another hot hatch to me...no interest, wouldn't buy one.

 

I would... I know these things are extremely personal, but Alfa is one of those marques that just speaks to me.

 

It looks like my Toyota Matrix I just traded-in on a Mini. No sex appeal at all with the Alfa. If they want to go retro, imitate the old Spyder.

 

If you like the MINI is no big suprise that you will like the Alfa. They share some DNA....


http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/02/d...ng-alfa-romeo/

 

That front end...

 

Alfa's are all about sex appeal. That's the most surprising thing I've ever heard someone say about them, man.

One word, Pininfarina.

 

Maybe I missed something. That red thing is the Alfa, right? I'll admit the interior is nice, but c'mon. The exterior lines are the same as any other Japanese hatchback. I'm surprised it's so pedestrian. Maybe Pininfarina has a new design trainee. He should be fired for plagiarism.

But then again, I'd be willing to bet we'd disagree on women too. One man's sow is another man's supermodel. Or something like that.

 

Yes, it is called Blue & Me. Very similar to Sync.

 

I wish these were sold in the US.

 

That's the point! Starting in 2009, they will be!

 

From your words to gods ears. Alfa has been talking about a return to the US for years.

I hope it happens, i'm just trying not to get my hopes up. If/when they come over, I will have one in my garage. I just dont know if i can give up my Mini, i might have to get it and park it right next to it.

 

They didn't have to fire him. He left for McLaren (Frank Stephenson, also designer of the MINI R50 and Fiat 500).

 

Too cool.

This guy must have some of the best creds in the business now. What a stud!!

I love my R53, but I also like both of the Alfa's pictured. I have several friends who either have driven or are driving Alfas. IMO, the 1750 style still holds its own, both for looks and fun.

I have not owned one, but I think it will be great for the marque to return here, and I will look for an opportunity to test-drive one. Alfa's reappearance here can only improve the auto market for U.S. consumers.

 

The GTA will be the one to watch.