My first Alfa breakdown.

[jamieboy]

After seventeen years, seven Alfas, and who-knows-how-many hundreds of thousands of miles, I've had my first breakdown in an Italian car.

Coming back from Hopetoun House today one of the auxiliary belts broke and took one of the others with it, so I had no water pump, no alternator, and no power steering. A very nice man brought me home on a flatbed.

All the belts were changed about two years ago, so I guess I'll get them all replaced again as a precaution.

I've long maintained that the Alfa unreliability myth is just that, but obviously it isn't - any make of car that's going to leave me stranded at the side of the road once every seventeen years just isn't good enough.

[10 Pence Short]

A belt can happen to aybody in any car. Unlucky.

As for your sarcasm regarding Alfa (un)reliability- your experience is great, but it is not representative of the brand in comparison to its peers.

[bazking69]

Even the best cars break occasionally. Sounds like you've had a good run of luck thus far.

[CinqAbarth]

We're on our 6th Alfa, and have only suffered one failure to proceed in a decade, when I killed my 33 16v on the M40.

[MX7]

Were they a good quality belt?

[jjones]

no such thing as a car that doesn't break down

[AUDIHenry]

jamieboy said:

I've long maintained that the Alfa unreliability myth is just that, but obviously it isn't - any make of car that's going to leave me stranded at the side of the road once every seventeen years just isn't good enough.

Surely you jest!

[Silverbullet767]

Ive had a Honda leave me stranded miles and miles from home before, timing belt jumped.

Even marques perceived to be reliable will still break down.

CRX Del Sol DOHC VTEC