ALFA ROMEO GTV 2.0 TS 16V Lusso 2dr (1998)

A driver's car

What I mean is that it's not a passenger's car! The Alfa Romeo GTV is a dream come true for anyone who loves driving and wants a cheap and fairly trouble free route to hugely enjoyable stints on the road, but it's no fun for passengers, especially back passengers, who get so little head and leg room it's not very nice.

The original suspension was a little on the stiff side for my ageing bones. I'm sure it's fine for younger drivers, and I'm also sure it gives a better driving experience, more 'feedback' as they say.

But the Alfa Romeo GTV just shook my joints a little more than they wanted shaking, so I got the shocks replaced and now it's a little more sedate, but much more comfortable.It's still got most of the same abilities, just less destructive of my hips.

I should warn any ladies out there (and I should probably say some men too) that the Alfa Romeo GTV is a pig and a half to park. The visibility out the rear is extremely poor, very restricted.

Personally I've got used to it, although there is still some guesswork sometimes and I do often take a very long time to park straight. One of the benefits of being retired I suppose, but it could get frustrating if you're busy generally. The turning circle is also very large. This parking business is the only reason I've marked down the handling. When you're actually driving, the handling is superb.