>>The older ones were half gokarts - meant as a compliment, esp the Cooper ones. If you were able to drive a pleasure, but not really a car you could rely on to start whenever you needed it (similar to Alfa on both counts). Had to help starting sometimes esp. under weather conditions not really pleasant, but also had the pleasure of driving one of the Mini Mokes in Spain (with beautiful weather and no trouble). The moke really felt like a gokart - not even doors...
>
>I've actually had good luck with the Alfa spiders- never had one leave me stranded. Triumph however - well that is another story.

Alfasud of a girl not too far away meant regular visits in cold or rainy weather, similar to my very first: a Fiat 127, often parked on a hill, so I could jump start it myself (was young and fit and the 127 was light enough to be moved single shoulder).