reliability? well, the V6 is unburstable and as strong as you could wish for. Its everything else thats a bit variable, but mainly electrics and build. That said, my only probs were with the wipers (ironically, for the MOT - never went out in the rain) and headlight fuses going pop. Mechanically, it blew a prop shaft coupling (a wear and tear item on these cars - remember the gearbox is at the back, along with the clutch - please Alfa, dont do that again). Structually, it felt a stiff as you could wish for (the rear seats dont fold and theres a massive cross member behind them and around the rear suspension, too.)
Oh. the 480? Thats my mums old motor - she likes low, wedgy cars. Although she now has a Polo. Go figure.
g