Faults:

High oil consumption is normal. Small leaks at the valve cover gaskets or oil seals are also common.

The radiator and water pump are sensitive components. Overheating quickly destroys this engine; it is important to keep this in mind and check them periodically.

The lower control arm bushings and the multi-link suspension suffer rapid wear due to the weight of the V6 engine.

Spare parts are scarce and very expensive; this makes things difficult when the car requires a lot of maintenance, as this one does.

General Comments:

The design is beautiful and harmonious from every angle, featuring a blend of retro and modern touches, rounded contours throughout, clean lines, and a coupé-like style thanks to the innovative concealed rear door handles.

The leather-upholstered sports seats, featuring generous side bolsters, offer excellent support. The seat is height-adjustable, as is the steering column, which also offers reach adjustment. All adjustments are manual, meaning it takes a few moments to find the ideal driving position—though once found, it is consistently very comfortable.

Gear selector is conveniently located and within easy reach. The mirror controls, positioned between the two seats, are excellent; they make it easy to find the perfect angle without having to shift out of your driving position.

Exterior's retro style extends to the interior. Two separate, deep-set gauges with white backgrounds, which are rather difficult to read, house the speedometer and tachometer.

The adjustment dials for the automatic climate control system are very original, an interesting detail. If you move the temperature selector, the air conditioning kicks in, and the same happens if you engage recirculation. In other words, if you aren't paying attention, you might end up with the A/C running. There are also adjustable vents for the rear seats.

The 2.5-liter Busso engine delivers immense power. It features four camshafts, two per cylinder bank, and a pent-roof combustion chamber design. It incorporates measures to reduce friction losses and a dual-mass flywheel to minimize vibration. Acceleration is spectacular, quintessential late-90s sports car performance, and the engine note is a delight.

Steering assistance remains good even at high speeds; the steering wheel offers excellent grip, featuring a faux-wood finish in our test unit, though it is slated to be leather-wrapped in the future. The turning circle is appropriate for a car of this size. As for the brakes, there are four ventilated discs to bring a car capable of approaching 230 km/h to a halt. They stop the vehicle in a straight line over reasonable distances and without excessive fade. There is only slight vibration from the discs at the very end of the braking maneuver. Overall, the brakes are very good.

Well, I don't think there's much more to say. It’s a car that offers a unique personality and handling, something no modern sports car can match. It requires a lot of maintenance, sure, but what boring modern car doesn't?.

Faults:

Parking-lights twice.

General Comments:

Having owned/driven Volvo, BMW, Fiat, Mercedes, VW, Ford, Citroen, I have driven nothing but Alfas since 1990 (33, 155, 156, 156 GTA). I must say that the latest one is the best of them all. Makes me smile on each ride.

Fast and quick, superb handling and stylish like no other car. Really for someone who wants style and performance and personality. Would not replace it with any other car!

Faults:

Two times the airbag warning lights have turned on, wish the garage solved quickly without charging anything for it (the first time it was a cable plug under the passenger seat that had disconnected, dunno what it was the second time).

That's it, oh almost forgot, last week one of the parking light bulbs broke ;)

General Comments:

This is a fully equipped car, with the extra "sport package". The body is lowered, it has 16" wheels, leather seats & steering wheel, kevlar interior, towing hook, side impact airbags, GSM antenna etc.

I love it.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with car this far. It's much too expensive to take the car to the service station.

General Comments:

For some time I had a chance to try a 156 3.0 V6. I find the 2.0 TS much more fun to drive. The smaller engine of the two feels much stronger!

Best buy: 156 2.0 TS!!