Faults:

Alarm had to be replaced at 50K.

Air conditioning fractured at 40K.

General Comments:

After a decade of ownership of a variety of Golf VR6's I decided on a change and after a short test drive of a 156 v6, I was hooked.

The fantastic styling coupled with THAT engine results in a refined cruiser that isn't adverse to the odd bit of motoring hooliganism.

After having owned a string of VR6's, I was initially concerned that the Alfa was going to disappoint. I couldn't be more wrong. While performance is on par with the VR6, it makes the VR6 appear boring and uninspiring. The noise and eagerness of the engine is simply stunning.

All of this comes with a price. Fuel econmony is lousy - low 20s, 28mpg if you're lucky. Fortunately the tank is large so range is around 350-400 miles.

Servicing is always pension threateningly expensive - my last one saw my future off-spring denied a £2000 inheritance.

The car eats front tyres and more alarmingly brake discs and pads. Tyres last on average 10K, brakes replaced every year (£400+).

Air-conditioning packed up at 40K - an investigation revealed a fracture i.e. an engine-out-job, so this will be fixed sometime never.

The car has other electrical niggles - fuel gauge is a pathological liar, sometimes central locking doesn't work. Alarm replaced at 50K due to water ingress into the control box.

Apart from this the car has never let me down.

When you've got a good Alfa - you hang onto it. There are only very good ones and very bad ones, none in between.

To sum up. Stunning. I am converted.

Faults:

So far only had the car for a couple of thousand miles. The suspension creaks on speed bumps which gets louder if it's been out in the wet. I've seen on Car Survey that this can be sorted with an application of STP silicon spray on the front suspension bushes. The Alfa Radio is not up to much. One channel cuts out sometimes over bumps. The timing belt was replaced at around 40k miles. Don't forget these HAVE to be checked at least every 50k miles. If not there's a risk of some heavy piston vale hitting damage. The 156 uses a lot of oil - always check it before any long journey and make sure you put the same oil in when you top up as what's already in there.

General Comments:

There's no question about it. This is a beautiful looking car. Far more distinctive than the legions of 3 series around. Handling is a dream and it drives beautifully with plenty of go even in the 1.8 version. It is a revvy car if you want to keep in the power. It's a great car in town and on the motorway, but the grins come from twisty (not too bumpy) A roads. Overall I was surprised a how comfortable the car is for me.

Being 6ft 2" I was relieved for all the driving position adjustments, especially the seat raise/lowering. Just as well as the car looked so good I would have bought it anyway! I am always worrying about the trip to an Alfa dealer as their reputation seems so bad. Don't forget if your buying secondhand, and it's a bargain of a car, consumables are very expensive so haggle hard for worn breaks, tyres etc.

Never by one of these without a full service history and check that the timing belt has been replaced every 50k miles.

Faults:

When I got the car it needed some work doing on it, but since I have had that fixed nothing has gone wrong (touch wood)

Things I had to fix which are fairly typical for the mileage were:

Suspension wishbones

MAF sensor

Airbag ECU - this not so common.

General Comments:

Firstly I'd like to say I did my homework before buying one of these as they can quite easily bite you on the bum if you're not careful. If it were not for the fact I have a very good independent alfa garage a mile from my home, I don't think I would have taken the plunge.

Buy boy am I glad I did! This is one amazing car.

The steering is super-direct, even more so than my really old 205xs. It really makes twisty roads a pleasure. The handling is pin-sharp, thanks to the excellent suspension.

Inside is very beautiful - you look ahead to just the speedo and rev counter and the other dials on the centre console face towards you. The instruments are cowled so the passenger cannot see your speed (handy!).

6 speed gearbox is quick and sharp.

Now all this is merely window dressing for the real reason anyone should buy this car - THAT engine!

The Alfa V6 engine is truly one of the last affordable classics if our time. No variable valve timing, just revs revs and more revs. It comes on cam at about 3500-4000 and pulls like a freight train till 7000 from there. Not that it's any slouch below this level with 190hp.

The soundtrack is beyond compare unless you are willing to buy a Ferrari - I'm not joking. You will have a smile from ear to ear for years. From a bassy rumble to a meaningful growl to a scream to insanity, this engine is a masterpiece.

Stomp on the pedal whilst trundling along and you'll be breaking the law before you can say V6 24 valves. Having said that, you can still have fun at 30.

The number of people who have stepped out of the car looking shellshocked at the engine is amazing (no, it's not my driving). It's as if they've found out what an engine can sound like.

The downside? Oil consumption is interesting so you need to check the level each time you fill up. Low oil on one of these = trouble. Parts are expensive, but do the sums: second hand V6 £6000 depreciation in 3 years £2000. New Ford Focus £9200 depreciation £4000. Leaving you with £2000 to buy a warranty and fill it with petrol.