As Loosehead says - although I think they are getting a lot better and possibly suffer a bit from their past reputation (like Lancia, the Beta pretty much killed Lancia in this country, which was a shame because I had a Delta Integrale in the mid -90s and it was fantastic).
Prior to my child being born I had a GTV, the 3200cc one, for four years and did not have one spot of bother with it - other than for the fact that it drank petrol.
I'd say go for it - personally speaking I think Alfa's are without a doubt by far the best looking 'mainstream' cars available - they are quirky in a good way and are just so much better looking than your average German boring box on wheels.