I have a 2010 2.0JTDm 170 Veloce and can say I am quite delighted with it. I am averaging around 43 (inc lots of town driving) and the performance is excellent - particularly so in D mode! Only piece of advice I could give is check the driving position - footwell is a bit tight and while not a deal breaker for me, it does get on some peoples nerves. Or to bypass the issue get the TCT version . . .

TBH if I were choosing again I would prob go for the 1.6 as in reality it is not that much slower and markedly more economical. If my annual mileage dropped I would have the 1.4MA in a heartbeat.

I really like the Giulietta too and my wife rather fancies one if she were to change her car. I wonder if this generation of Alfas suffer the same cam belt weaknesses of the past models?

I think the cambelt issues are now in the past TBH. Not heard of anything lately from the 159 generation and forwards. Check out on Alfaowner.com too

If you're going for a manual, make sure you can live with the lack of space for your left foot when not on the clutch. Personally I couldn't live with it, but presumably others can or they wouldn't sell any.

As I say - wasn't a deal breaker for me, but worth checking. However I gather the TCT is excellent so may be worth considering one of these overthe manual and negates the problem totally

Tragically Complex Transmission.

Thanks for the replies chaps.

Just a quick update, the manual test drive in a 1.6 was a show stopper for me; the issue of leg room was just too much for me, the thought of long drives with it made our decision. the engine itself was very nice though, bit gutting to be honest

We had a quick spin in a 2.0 170 TCT which really impressed me (the transmission). After having a couple of autos in the past, the smoothness with which it changed up and down was simply staggering, very impressive. If only they did the 1.6 with TCT..... as it is the 170, although lovely, just isn't what we're after. Oh well...