Discussion
At your budget I would be looking for rust in the subframe, discs, exhaust, shocks. Possible coolant leaks from the plastic parts used. ECUs are also known to fail. It can start to get expensive if all needs doing at once. That said, great looking cars. I love mine and it's on 140k+ miles. It's a tatty daily driver.
Front subframe is a very common issue - they are made from fairly poor steel and then painted with very poor paint. I have seen subframes that can be pierced with a screwdriver....
All of the 159/Brera/Spiders can be heavy on suspension components with poor geometry being the result and knackered tyres being the symptom
They are fairly heavy, so performance isn't anything to shout about
the 2.2 petrol has about 185bhp but only 170-ish lb-ft. It has to be driven quite hard to get anywhere swiftly. The 2.4 is MUCH gruntier and has great re-mapping potential (easy 250bhp). Not particularly economical though.
All of the 159/Brera/Spiders can be heavy on suspension components with poor geometry being the result and knackered tyres being the symptom
They are fairly heavy, so performance isn't anything to shout about
the 2.2 petrol has about 185bhp but only 170-ish lb-ft. It has to be driven quite hard to get anywhere swiftly. The 2.4 is MUCH gruntier and has great re-mapping potential (easy 250bhp). Not particularly economical though.
Not mine but think the Giulietta with the hidden rear doors look really smart.
2.0jtd and 1.4 Multiair engines could be a good choice. The 1.4 handles really well on the roads.
I've done 94k miles on my Multiair and original suspension all feels fine. That would not have been the case with my older Alfa. Seems to be few problems and at 10 years no signs of rust.
The Brera interior is nicer in some ways but the Giulietta has a more modern look, ideally I've like the Brera dash with the Giulietta switches and dials.
2.0jtd and 1.4 Multiair engines could be a good choice. The 1.4 handles really well on the roads.
I've done 94k miles on my Multiair and original suspension all feels fine. That would not have been the case with my older Alfa. Seems to be few problems and at 10 years no signs of rust.
The Brera interior is nicer in some ways but the Giulietta has a more modern look, ideally I've like the Brera dash with the Giulietta switches and dials.
£3k got me this 
No body rust..surface only on subframe and rear arms. Everything works. The interior is rattle free and the leather almost mint
I spent £100 doing the lower aux pulley which is common but east to do.
Wheels have been swapped but for a cost to change of only £50
Suspension cost me £600 last week but wasn’t really necessary at this time. Straight through MOT.
No body rust..surface only on subframe and rear arms. Everything works. The interior is rattle free and the leather almost mint
I spent £100 doing the lower aux pulley which is common but east to do.
Wheels have been swapped but for a cost to change of only £50
Suspension cost me £600 last week but wasn’t really necessary at this time. Straight through MOT.
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