Alfa MiTo and the like.

[_Batty_]

Mums old 'A class' has started locking when steering now (common problem, either shagged CV joint, or steering rack) and as the CV joint has been replaced I think its time for a new car.
She likes the 500/MiTo and has about 15k for a new/nearly new car.
suggestions/comments please

[Gizmo!]

I can really recommend the MiTo, the OH has one. It's a lot of fun, and I'm not even a hot hatch person.

[HellDiver]

Something went wrong, you fixed it, and now you want a new car. How does that work?

[james_tigerwoods]

Fiat Panda could be another to consider - 100HP preferably.

This car, and the 500/Mito, might be moot if she actually wants to carry anything anywhere in it...

[itz_baseline]

HellDiver said:

Something went wrong, you fixed it, and now you want a new car. How does that work?

I think the OP means the problem is still happening even though they replaced the CV....so rather than spending more on fixing the problem further, they'd rather just cut their losses and get a new car???

[_Batty_]

itz_baseline said:

HellDiver said:

Something went wrong, you fixed it, and now you want a new car. How does that work?

I think the OP means the problem is still happening even though they replaced the CV....so rather than spending more on fixing the problem further, they'd rather just cut their losses and get a new car???

indeed. apologies if that was not clear.

She loves the interior and looks of the Alfa, but would like to know if there has been any reliability issues/common faults? same with the 500

[MJK 24]

Electric powersteering reliability is not a strong point within the Fiat group on their small cars.

[Gizmo!]

For the record, the list of faults on the OH's Mito (14 months old and 14k) are:

- the floormat is a bit worn under the driver's heel.
- it has a few stone chips.
- er... it had to go and have its USB socket fixed a while ago.

Unreliable Alfas. Tsk.

[Dave Brand]

I can recommend a Citroen DS3!

[_Batty_]

Gizmo! said:

For the record, the list of faults on the OH's Mito (14 months old and 14k) are:

- the floormat is a bit worn under the driver's heel.
- it has a few stone chips.
- er... it had to go and have its USB socket fixed a while ago.

Unreliable Alfas. Tsk.

What version does your o/h have?
i've heard good things about the multi air engines.
seats/trim/dash reasonably put together? any negatives?
TIA
Matt

[Kentish]

HellDiver said:

Something went wrong, you fixed it, and now you want a new car. How does that work?

I think you need to read the post again ....pop your specs on

[_Batty_]

Dave Brand said:

I can recommend a Citroen DS3!

really? i *hate* the running lights.
whats the interior like?

[Kentish]

_Batty_ said:

Dave Brand said:

I can recommend a Citroen DS3!

really? i *hate* the running lights.

daft angle IMHO - looks weird, like an aftermarket add on.

[Ali2202]

The MiTo is a cracking little car

[Biggriff]

Found the 500 nicer than the Mito. Odd driving position in the Mito

[Dave Brand]

_Batty_ said:

really? i *hate* the running lights.
whats the interior like?

I like the running lights! In any case, they go off when any other lights are switched on, & lower-spec (DSign) models don't have them.

The interior is basically the same as the new C3, but better-finished which gives it a more "premium" feel. For me, the painted dash looks better than plastic, especially in the carmen red we've opted for. The radio/CD player looks a bit "aftermarket" but I can live with that. On the whole, it's a nice place to be.

[FamilyDub]

The MiTo is a Grande Punto in drag... And [flame suit on!!!] I think the GP is a better looking car; I did own one, so I'm biased.

I think the winner has to be a 500... preferable Abarth, in the weird primer grey colour!

MiTo has a better badge, granted...

[Killer2005]

As above, as much as I love Alfa's, I'd have a 500 Abarth for that sort of money

[Gizmo!]

_Batty_ said:

Gizmo! said:

For the record, the list of faults on the OH's Mito (14 months old and 14k) are:

- the floormat is a bit worn under the driver's heel.
- it has a few stone chips.
- er... it had to go and have its USB socket fixed a while ago.

Unreliable Alfas. Tsk.

What version does your o/h have?
i've heard good things about the multi air engines.
seats/trim/dash reasonably put together? any negatives?
TIA
Matt

It's a Veloce 1.4tb 155 - the original engine not the Multiair. Build quality is genuinely faultless. Seats are fine. In fact about the only thing that slightly annoys me is that the steering wheel is mounted quite high - it's adjustable, but the lowest setting isn't low enough for me to drive comfortably with the seat as low as it goes. But you move the seat up a few notches and it's fine.

[robsco]

_Batty_ said:

Dave Brand said:

I can recommend a Citroen DS3!

really? i *hate* the running lights.
whats the interior like?

You can turn them off. Interior quality is good, the steering wheel is flat bottomed and nice to hold but a bit ugly. The stereo on all but the top model looks out of place too, like a shonky old Citroen stereo from the early noughties shoehorned into a freshly designed interior. The THP engine is a cracker and they do have a lively chassis. Not driven a MiTo, so I can't really comment on one of those. As someone mentioned earlier, don't write off the Panda 100HP. They feel quite quick, and the engine is a cracker, as you'd expect in a small Fiat.