1999 Alfa Romeo 156 Twin Spark from UK and Ireland - Comments

The exhaust started to blow as soon as I drove the car home.

The gearbox needed replacing after I had done only fifty miles.

The clutch kept sticking.

It leaked oil.

The brakes wore badly and quickly.

This was an awful car and I put 1000 miles on the clock because it was so bad.

The leather seats were very uncomfortable and felt like plastic.

The gear box crunched every time I changed gear.

The dashboard is very tacky and cheap looking.

The car was not as I expected.

My 10 year old Cavalier was so much better than this and I am going to buy a newer Cavalier as soon as possible.

UPDATE!! 9/8/2001.

Just been out and brought myself another Cavalier, this time an 'N' reg 2.0i - very nice. So much better than the Alfa Romeo piece of crap that I previously owned! My advice to anyone who is thinking of buying an Alfa is DON'T!! Please save your money and buy something else.

You must have got a Friday afternooner 'cos I've got a 2000 156 and I love it.

Are you seriously comparing the "dull but worthy" driving experience of the Cavalier with the brilliant engine and handling of the 156???

Simply what can you expect from a Cavalier driver. I own a 1.8 156 and throughly enjoy it no problems whatsoever.

Good for you, I've had a bad experience with an Alfa, and a good one with a Cavalier. So it's common sense to go with the car that you have had a good experience with. I'm not doubting that your car isn't any good, I'm just saying that mine caused me a lot of grief. Have fun with your Alfa, and I'll have fun with my Cavalier.

Bought a 2.0TS over two years ago and I love it! Still gives you this exciting feeling when you start it in the morning.

Owned a Volvo and Volkswagen before. Those are for getting from A to B. The Alfa is for those who really enjoy driving. ;-)

Well this says it all. The car was so crap but he/she give it a 7 for reliability. Maybe it wasn't that bad after all.

If anyone would like to swap their 156 for my old Vauxhall, I'd be delighted to hear from them!

I have posted a less than flattering review of my W plate 156 2.0 TS, which has been easily the least reliable car I've owned (including a 200,000 mile C plate Cavalier mk2!)

However, there is no way I'd swap it back for another Cavalier. Yes, Cavs are reliable, yes the injected ones are fairly quick, and yes they're well built. But why trade one of the most soulful cars you can buy for one of the most soulless?

Having said that, Cavalier reliability with 156 "everything else" would make a helluva car.

I've got a 99 156 Selespeed. Now at 48k. Some problems with gearbox computer at 36k, but all solved. (it selected reverse when accelarating from 60-80 on the motorway - a call into hardshoulder to reboot was the only solution).

Still on the original brake pads. I know I do mostly motorway miles, but could only get 10k out of Saab 9000 pads.

One interesting problem is the tyres that break apart on the inside tyrewall at 20k.

Does sound like you picked up a bad 156 there! I have owned Alfa's for the past 5 years - currently have a 2002 156 2.0 JTS and the thought of giving that up to drive a Cav' (even though they aren't a bad car, but very dull) is unimaginable!

I think there are arguments for both sides, I have an 1999 156 and I love it, it's cost me about three grand over the last year or so and I should probably get rid, but I just can't bring myself to do so. Not the most reliable, but I'm keeping it (idiot I know) Anyway does anyone know how many miles these beasts go up to?