2003 Alfa Romeo 156 Twin Spark Veloce 2 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Only problems seem to be with wheels and suspension.

Odd tyre wear occurs, even after a visit to two different mechanics, who did the tracking. Also the suspension bushes squeak in dry weather; it's incredibly annoying!! I had them checked out, but was told they were fine and didn't need renewing. As soon as it rains or if you squirt some oil on them every couple of weeks, it stops however.

Apart from this, no problems, and my uncle who owned the car previously experienced no problems.

Looks stunning both inside and out. My one's a little unusual in that it has the old shape body and front end, but the 2003 onwards new interior, but I prefer the original front end.

Everyone who's seen it (I'm only 21) says wow and secondly "how did you afford it?" But these cars have such enormous depreciation that they are affordable. I mean mine cost £4000 for a 3 1/2 year old car with only 33k on the clock, yet my best friend bought a Ford Ka same age at the same time for £3500. He's sick as a parrot now!

Many people mention the bad reliability, but touch wood mine's been very good; you either seem to get a very good or very bad car with Alfa's.

The engine is very nippy for a 1.6 in a fairly large car. It's far quicker than my old Pug 306, which had the same size engine, and is a smaller car.

Gearbox is smooth, and it has all the gadgets you need, except a cupholder oddly!

My only gripe is that the climate system is a bit feeble, especially in the back, and also considering the car's size, there doesn't seem to be much space inside.

When buying, definitely try and get the new interior (2003 onwards). I think it's a huge improvement on the previous version).

I nearly bought a 5 series beamer before I got this, but it had 80k on the clock, was another two years older, and cost nearly double what I paid for my Alfa. I definitely made the right choice, and am very happy with my car. I'm planning to trade it in for a 156 GTA soon, as they are now at around £7000! Silly money for a mentally fast car!

I can't believe people say how did you afford it. It's another face in the crowd saloon with nothing special about it or no distinguishing features. It isn't a fast car, nor is it high on insurance and anybody that know anything about cars knows as you have quite rightly pointed out that they lose value at an unbelievable rate.

I'm 21 and I have a 2003 Audi TT 1.8t with 225 bhp as standard superchipped to 278bhp. It's lowered with expensive chrome alloys and tinted windows, and it's a beautiful looking car and so far nobody has commented on how I got the money for it, and I only look about 18, which is why I can't believe that people would say that to you.

You are right in your comment that a person that knows cars well, would know 156's are not expensive to buy / run / insure, but apart from myself only one of my friends is interested in and knows much about cars, and to people that know very little it is a nice car. I should have mentioned in my review that I am a student and so are all my mates so we need cheap cars and we are always hard up so can you see now why they would say that? Also I must say I disagree that it's a face in the crowd car, you see far more Audi's around (I mean the brand in general not just the TT) than Alfa's. But Audi's are just boring to look at. I think most people, talking purely about looks would prefer an Alfa 156 over say an Audi A4. With regards to the TT I think that's a car that's a victim of its own success, with too many sold to make it either interesting or desirable, plus its generally regarded as a bit of a hairdressers car!

I must say I finally agree with you, as the author of the original review!

If I had £20 - £30k to spend, you're absolutely right, there's no way I'd buy an Alfa. However I still think they look better than any German machine, but as you rightly say, they'll never match them for reliability, quality and the drive.

Touch wood, my Alfa's not had any problems. I personally have a preference for cars that look nice and have lots of gadgets over speed, but in a couple of years when I can afford the insurance on a fast car, I'd like something like a BMW M5, but for now, for only £4000, I've got a car that looks lovely and has all the gadgets you need.

The depreciation is huge on Alfa's, but that suits me perfectly as the second owner. I mean my mum wanted to sell her 3 year old Focus TDCi Sport to me, but it was still valued at over £7000 according to Parkers, yet it didn't have half the gadgets that my Alfa has, and it's a Focus! They are soooo boring! I honestly can't think of a car less than 3 1/2 years old for £4000 that's better.

TT owner again; I do agree with you that they are good value for the money (and age). £4000 will not get you a German car less than 5 years old, but there is a reason they are rare, and we both know what it (the reason) is.

TT owner - don't be too upset that someone would be impressed with a 156 owner's ability to own such a gorgeous, distinctive car, but that no one bats an eye at your Audi. It's because TT's are so common. They're an obvious, default choice, and actually in reliability surveys the TT often comes off much worse than Alfas. Take a look at this breakdown survey for example - http://www.carpages.co.uk/news/warranty-direct-30-11-05.asp - the TT had the 6th worst breakdown rate of any car in the survey. Alfa has a reputation for poor reliability. Some of it is justified, some not. I've had 2 Alfas (I currently own a GT), over a 6 year period, with no problems whatsoever (despite everyone telling me how many problems I'll have). So I'm glad to own a rare, beautiful car which cost me peanuts. I hope you're similarly pleased to own your TT, which probably cost you a fortune in comparison, which may or may not be reliable, but is certainly not as unique!

An Alfa 156 is not a nice looking car; it's dull and the side profile is featureless.

The reason nobody complements me on my TT is because they all know I'm doing well for my age (21), and I get looked upon with jealousy, and anyone that knows me wouldn't say anything because they know it would only polish my already very shiny ego.

If you had the money, you would take a TT over an Alfa 156. It's miles faster, better looking with a fantastic four wheel drive system. Alfas can only go in straight lines; their front wheel drive systems were probably set up by cave men, and they have worse handling than a Vauxhall Vectra.

Ferraris and lambos are rare because not many people can afford them. Alfas are rare because nobody wants them.

The TT costs more than the 156, but you see more TT's, and it's because they are superior in every single way.

I agree, why would you try and argue that a TT is a better car than an Integra type R? Seriously, new or not the TT is still no where near the car the Honda is. The Honda is critically acclaimed, and I would much rather get the respect and nods than little kids going 'oooooo'. The Integra would do almost any track with faster lap times than the TT and once the initial traction of the TT is over the integra would be laughing.

Hi again 21 year old TT owner!

"If you had the money, you would take a TT over an Alfa 156." Clearly the original reviewer agrees with you as he'd already said so, but much as I'm uncomfortable arguing with a successful 21 year, I did have the money for a new TT (people in their 30s can be quite successful too), but I chose an Alfa 156. Shock - person chooses Alfa over Audi! Unbelievable isn't it? I recently bought an Alfa GT over the new TT too, and yes I could have bought either. Shock again! I'd always spend less on a car that oozes style and class (and is more distinctive and rare) than an overpriced car that says nothing other than I couldn't think of anything else to get.

"An Alfa 156 is not a nice looking car" - well, clearly it's a subjective thing. I think the 156 is a bit of a marmite car (love/hate). I love the look of the 156 (and the GT even more so), and I also quite like the look of the TT. But the TT is so common - this is the real reason people don't complement you on it. I had strangers at petrol stations, in car parks etc comment on my 156 several times when I owned it. They weren't telling me "that's not a nice looking car" - they were commenting on how nice it was and asking if I'd had any problems as they'd considered one, but were scared off them by reports of unreliability. I was happy to report no problems whatsoever.

TT's "are superior in every single way.". If you say so. I can't deny that Alfa's lack something in build quality over Audis, but I buy a car for the looks, performance, handling and style, not the quality of the plastic on the inside of the door.

Anyway, enjoy your TT! Us crazies will continue to enjoy our Alfas.

"I buy a car for the looks, performance, handling"

LOL why on earth did you buy an alfa 156 they can only go in straight lines with their vauxhall like front wheel drive systems. Also good look selling it if, if your lucky and advertise in the right places you might get someone that will offer you 50p allthough I wouldn't be to optomistic they depreciate that much, if you have any sense you will keep it untill it dies although that probably won't be too long either with their dreadful reliability. Me, I will stick with my integra type r, a very rare car which holds value, goes like a bat out of hell and makes your eyes water it can go round corners that fast something an alfa wil, never ever be able to do, and as for the tt, it's a good car, a very good car infact I nearly bought one, it looks nice its got a prestigous badge a very good and tune able turbocharged engine, four wheel drive and at a reasonable price, but it just wasnt quiet special enough for me, although it is a completely different driving machine to the poxy alfa, I would die ashamed of myself before owning one of them that's how much I hate them, I hate them on a cellular level, I hate every fiber of their construction.

Before quoting Clarkson verbatim, get your facts straight.

The 'Teg's a nice car, and if you really do own one, congratulations. However, the 156 is a far better handling car than the TT, four wheel drive or not. The TT is about as dynamically accomplished as the soggy mkIV Golf it's based on.

As the Top Gear guys say" you must own an Alfa at some point in your life" I am about to buy a 156, we'll see how good it is! If it's no good then hey hoo we'll put that down to experience. It does look good though.