Mito (Type 955) 2008 - Current

Long before owning an Alfa Romeo was even a realistic possibility, I found myself gravitating towards them without really understanding why. In racing games, I would almost always choose an Alfa Romeo where possible — or the closest equivalent if the brand wasn’t licensed. It was never a logical decision; something about them simply felt right.

One of my strongest and most vivid memories is playing Test Drive Unlimited 2 on my PlayStation many years ago. Among all the cars available, I repeatedly found myself drifting back to the Alfa Romeo MiTo. Even in a virtual world full of exotic and powerful alternatives, that car stood out to me in a way that was hard to explain at the time.

The badge itself has always felt special. It isn’t minimalistic or anonymous, but it’s also not loud or garish. It carries history, identity, and a sense of belonging — a feeling that Alfa Romeo is more than just a manufacturer, but a community with shared values and passion. Looking back now, it’s clear that this quiet attraction was the beginning of a long-forming connection with the brand, one that existed well before I ever sat behind the wheel of one in real life.

By March 2025, I was finally ready to buy my first car. I’d spent time looking around local, small dealerships and browsing online listings, but nothing had quite clicked. Then my dad mentioned BOC Car Centre in Bolton — a long-standing dealership known for having a wide and varied selection of cars. A quick look at their website changed everything. There it was: an Alfa Romeo MiTo, sitting front and centre.

We made the short drive to BOC a few days later, and there she was — tucked away in the corner of the showroom, quietly overlooked by most of the people browsing. I took my time looking over the car. It was immaculate, save for a couple of small paint scratches here and there, but for a first car that felt more than acceptable. What struck me immediately was how solid it felt. The weight of the doors alone set it apart from some of the other cars in the showroom — particularly the usual first-car staples like the Vauxhall Corsa.

Inside, the green stitching caught my eye straight away, and in that moment I knew I was sitting in something special. A 2014 model with just 49,000 miles, it felt as though the car was quietly insisting on being noticed. The test drive sealed it — I fell in love immediately. The decision was made, the purchase completed, and before long I was driving my first car home.

I’m certain this won’t be my last Alfa Romeo, but it will always be my first — and I can’t think of a better way to begin.