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In the Eighties, one of my cousins was being ignored by all the sororities at her school. Her parents rushed out and bought her a little red Alpha Romeo. She was immediately rushed by one of the top sororities. Suddenly, she was a 'suzie'.
The brakes on the Alpha Romeo failed - just basically disappeared - and she was nearly killed. Shortly thereafter, she de-pledged (that's OK, she'd already met her future Husband, who went on to found a fairly large IT company). As a result of her near-death, that corner of the family refuses to buy "foreign cars", and when we met them, they immediately started warning us about the dangers of our driving VOLVOS! We had to explain the difference between the Italian Mind and the Swedish Mind. (We're Native Americans, and it has been a matter of survival, among our people, to distinguish between the different varieties of White People). The brakes on pre-Ford Volvos were totally reliable. I still don't think that they get it, and to this day all drive American death traps. When we suggest an S-Class, they immediately get bug-eyed, and start telling, again, about the brakes on that little red Alpha Romeo. Like a Mercedes is anywhere near... Alpha Romeo has made them terrified of all European cars!
i've actually seen that 8c Competizione here on the Westside of LA racing up & down Mandeville Cyn where one of my colleagues lives. It's freakin gorgeous, but understated. From the front it looks very Maserati-like and I wouldn't have looked twice unless i noticed the triangle grill.
THe problam with Alfa in the US, much like Peugeot and Renault and Fiat, was that they considered the US to be a secondary market and never set up parts distribution networks that actually worked. All cars break, but if you can't get parts for them, even at the dealer, then a broken car becomes a dead car that is scrapped. And a bad taste is left in the consumer's mouth. The example that Gloria gave, above, could have happened to any car (and has happened to examples from every brand). The difference is what happens when you have to fix them.
Alfas in Europe weren't reliable either. Especialy the 90s 2000s models were a nightmare. But they have some unique characteristics and people were buying. Firstly they look nice and secondly the steering-brakes-handling. Especialy the steering, it can't be described in words how amazing it feels.
THe problam with Alfa in the US, much like Peugeot and Renault and Fiat, was that they considered the US to be a secondary market and never set up parts distribution networks that actually worked. All cars break, but if you can't get parts for them, even at the dealer, then a broken car becomes a dead car that is scrapped. And a bad taste is left in the consumer's mouth. The example that Gloria gave, above, could have happened to any car (and has happened to examples from every brand). The difference is what happens when you have to fix them.
Alfas in Europe weren't reliable either. Especialy the 90s 2000s models were a nightmare. But they have some unique characteristics and people were buying. Firstly they look nice and secondly the steering-brakes-handling. Especialy the steering, it can't be described in words how amazing it feels.
You had me till you said "automatic transmission." Leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.
It's not really an automatic transmission. No torque converter so no "slush-box". It's like Porsche's PDK or VWs DKG. Very fast shift times and paddle control (but also an automatic mode I guess).
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