PH Carpool: Alfa Romeo Mito Cloverleaf
This week's carpooler loves his Mito both because it's an Alfa - and despite it being an Alfa
Car: Alfa Romeo Mito Cloverleaf
Owned since: April 2010
Previously owned: uninteresting commuting white goods
Why I bought it:
I went to test drive the Mito when it first came out, and came away pretty disappointed with the first-generation 155hp turbo. A couple of years later, partly to put my mind at ease and mainly out of spite after the local VW dealer told me that my custom wasn't of any interest, I went to try the Cloverleaf when it came out.
The things I'd disliked on the 155 - sloppy gearbox and unresolved ride - had been sorted. I also remember putting my foot down in third and going from 40 to illegal reasonably quickly, and thinking that this was quite exciting. The turbo also made a pleasing noise on the overrun through the open window.
What I wish I'd known:
Not to buy a red one. The 'Alfa Red' paintwork chips with dangerous ease, and Alfa Romeo's customer service department is unwilling to do anything about it. In retrospect I should also have listened to my father when he said it'd depreciate like a stone sinking in water.
Things I love:
The usual Alfa Romeo foibles: the petrol gauge which reads 'benzina', the magnificent little Multiair engine, the asymmetrical 'startled owl' looks, the precise gearbox, the fact that there was a large piece of loose trim in the driver's footwell when I collected it (new) despite the PDI stamp in the service book...
Things I hate:
The usual Alfa Romeo foibles: recalls for over-heating plastic-melting headlamps, brittle switchgear, a couple of rattles, the occasional exposed screw-head, my ongoing battle to have the front resprayed, the Stop-Start system which occasionally does one, the other or neither, but rarely both. The DNA system which, when you start the car, reverts to 'normal' mode where the steering is soft and unpleasant, the damping seems to over-bounce (if that makes sense) and the throttle response makes it feel like the turbo fell out.
Oh, and the driving position would benefit from the steering wheel going lower, and the stereo is crap.
Costs:
Tyres and servicing, and a reasonable amount of unleaded. It will apparently do 40mpg, though I've not noticed. The tracking is easily knocked out of alignment, too.
Where I've been:
I don't drive to work, so the Mito only gets used for pleasant duties. It's also been going to south and central France about four times a year where it sits happily on the motorway at a rapid lick, and it seems ideally suited to the routes nationales where its decent overtaking ability and an awake passenger are all you need to make exciting progress.
It also enjoys the occasional early-morning trip to the quieter corners of the Peak District. I've avoided track days with it as I don't own shares in Michelin.
What next:
I've heard that cheeky 200hp upgrades are available, mind you, so are Giulietta Cloverleafs...
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
Having said that the gullietta I drive recently as a hire car was impressive in its cabin quality! At least over 3 days...
Now if I was going to get back into an Alfa:
http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/4084808.htm
Yes please!
Nice unpretentious write up.
Had a Giulietta hire car for a weekend and was annoyed by the default DNA setting as you say (Fiat 500 Abarth is similarly afflicted - why?!) and even with it in 'D' it certainly didn't drive with anything like the verve of a 155 that I've fond memories of. The cheesy dashboard graphics don't excatly help lend an air of engineering cred to the proceedings either...
The 155, for all its faults, still felt special to drive - a genuine zing to it, and such a great noise. The Giulietta just felt like a Kia that was being awkward. Sounds like the Mito might be better, but I'd be surpised if it were massively different.
Sad.
It has character. And this is all too lacking in most cars.
If that is the case, then you can keep character for me.
This Carpool is not much of an advert for Alfa.
OP, thanks for the openness in setting out the cars pluses and minuses.
http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/4084808.htm
Yes please!
Even more so when... "I don't drive to work, so the Mito only gets used for pleasant duties."
Nice car, in a company car sort of way (yep think that's the best I can do on this - sorry).
EDIT: Where's the PH O'Meter gone..?
Enjoy!
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