The ironic side benefit could be improved J.D. Power quality ratings for FIAT by having Mazda do the build and assembly.... Then FIAT could put all their efforts at improving the reliability of their engines that go into this chassis...
Unfortunately as far as I could find, that Alfa was only a 2011 concept. I think the Fiata looks very Japanese and not very Italian at all.
Unlike my R53, I haven't really had the opportunity to whip my ND around any corner. I'm not quite used RWD, so the slight oversteer around hard corners always catches me off guard. I always punk out at the last minute lol.
Yea, I simply need to drive it more to find out where the limits are. The weather is fluctuating here (in MD), so I don't drive it everyday. Perhaps when it warms, I'll sign up for a performance driving class or maybe auto-x.