Alfa Rome Mito as a first car - Really?

[Wingo]

Junior has just started driving on the public road so in the months leading up to the momentus occasion hours of research and angst were expended on that "what to buy" (with his own money) decision.

Loads of insurance quotes obtained for Peugeot 205s, 106s, Citroen Ax, Saxos, C2s, Renault clios, Twingos and Suzuki Swifts.

The winning hand appeared to be a 1.2 Sz3 Suzuki Swift until he just put his budget and a few other criteria into Autotrader. Out the blue comes Alfa Romeo Mito........cue my fears that my mechanical skills and limited autoelectrical diagnostic skills are going to be put to the test!

Insurance quotes for an Mito 1.4 16v were no worse than anything else.

Went to a big car supermarket for some sitting in the drivers seat testing and the Swift got the big thumbs down after his shins and knees hit the dash. Plenty of other small cars to try, we had tried a used Alfa Mito already at a dealer and it got a thumbs up from a driving seat point of view.

There was an Alfa Mito (top of the range turbo nutter version) at the car supermarket and that confirmed the car of choice from Juniors seat test.

An low mileage 2010 Alfa Mito 1.4 16v Veloce is now on the drive. Complete with new front discs and pads that junior fitted under supervision.

Nice to drive even if the ride is high on the firm spectrum.
Bit left of field for my taste as a first car but not without precedent if Alfaowners is any guide.

Wingo.

[nottyash]

It is a leftfield choice, and wasn't even on my radar until recently.
Ive had several cars this year. Initially a mk6 Golf GTi. Didn't like the lack of traction, then a Subaru WRX STI. Fast, but awful around town. Rock hard ride over bumps and masses of turbo lag.
Then a 310bhp Audi TTS. Not practical so wasn't used, I needed a town car hence a bit of research and a Mito appeared on the radar.

Initially after a Cloverleaf for about £4000, and as normally happens you realise for a bit more you can have this...
Anyway I ended up at a brand new pre registered Mito Veloce in etna black. Sabelt carbon seats, Bose sound, digital climate all for £16500, with 10 miles on the clock. A £9000 saving!!

The cloverleaf became the Quadrifoglio in 2012, and in 2014 the name changed to Veloce. Still the same 1.4 Multi air unit, but dual clutch omly.
Its excellent all rounder. To think I was looking at cars for double the price earlier in the year, this really is a nice car to drive, and it looks great.
There is no way its worth £25500 in this spec, but I was also looking at a brand new Suzuki swift sport at the same money, and this is a far better car.
450 miles done so far... Im just hoping its reliable

Edited by nottyash on Wednesday 14th November 11:07

[nottyash]

Edited by nottyash on Wednesday 14th November 11:08

Edited by nottyash on Wednesday 14th November 11:08

[velocemitch]

I’ve never been a big fan of the Mito, but most people seem to say they are very reliable and those that have them generally love them.
The twinair I had as a courtesy car recently was actually pretty good too, just the ride quality which spoiled it a bit, mind you coming from a Giulia most Cars feel like a bag of nails.

It will make a nice Targa car in a few years Ray!.

[Oilchange]

Early October I acquired a low mileage 10 plate Mito 1.4 for my daughters first runabout, she drives to school in it!
Have to say it needed some tlc and had to do a little research to ensure it was sorted but a £1 washer got rid of the oil smell, new tyres and brakes all round for peace of mind and she has a leather clothed little blinder!
Not too crippling on the insurance as it has a black box.
Happy so far...

Edited by Oilchange on Wednesday 14th November 13:32

[nottyash]

Its one of them cars that seem to of aged well. Hard to believe they have been out 9 years and being axed by Alfa next year.