AN IMPORTED dream machine has become a £20,000 nightmare, claims a performance car enthusiast.

John Hewitt, 50, of Long Lane, Hindley Green, was fortunately able to rely on his standby 22-year-old British-built TVR when his new Alfa Romeo began suffering problems three months after he bought it from a car import specialist.

Mr Hewitt claims the Alfa's doors would open as he drove, the bodywork lets in water, the locking mechanisms are faulty, the steering wheel vibrates and the vehicle is excessively thirsty on fuel.

But the manufacturers' official British importers Fiat Auto UK say Mr Hewitt's Alfa is a "grey", or unofficial, import and is not covered by the Fiat Auto UK warranty.

Mr Hewitt said: "It has been a constant problem. If something could go wrong, it would go wrong. I just want a car I can rely on but because it was bought through an importer, it is classed as second-hand by the manufacturer.

"I have had three months of hassle with the dealers who have said they could not find the problem. I bought what I thought was the nearest thing I could get to a Maserati but what I have got is a load of tripe.

"I want someone to either sort it out or get rid of it and get me another car. It was my dream car and it is a beautiful car that drives brilliantly but it has never run properly."

Mr Hewitt's problems began in September 2000 -- three months after he paid £20,000 for the 2.5-litre V6 W-registered Alfa Romeo.

He said: "At one point the passenger door fell while driving around a roundabout in Ireland."

Mr Hewitt took his "dream car" to Bolton's Alfa Romeo dealership, Walker Farrimond, where staff fixed all the problems they could find for free. But Mr Hewitt claims the trouble persisted.

He said an engineer sent by his finance company, GE Capital Woodchester, described the car's faults as "unacceptable." It is now awaiting a second engineering report at Cheshire-based Alfa Romeo dealership, Mangoletsi.

Mr Hewitt said: "People should be wary of buying from international dealers. You do not get the same benefits as you do from a dealership."

A spokesman for Alfa Romeo said in correspondence with Mr Hewitt: "We would like to extend our sincere apologies regarding the difficulties you appear to be experiencing with your vehicle and regret any inconvenience incurred.

"We can assure you the cars imported by Motor Nation would not qualify for the benefits offered by Fiat Auto UK. Therefore, we would suggest this matter be referred to Motor Nation with whom you had your contract of sale."