2001 Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 TS Tourismo from UK and Ireland - Comments

Minor electrical problems when car first purchased. Most were resolved after 1 or 2 trips to the dealer.

Airbag warning lights are now on permanently, and it's going to cost me £250 to have a new ECU fitted.

Some interior cabin quality problems - glove box door kept falling off. This was finally fixed after 2 trips to the dealer. Also a few annoying creaks here and there, but these are to be expected after 50,000 miles.

Hopelessly unreliable fuel tank indicator - you'd better use the trip meter instead and get to a petrol station every 350 miles!

Almost 3 years after importing this car from Ireland, I still think it's one of the best looking, handsome, beautiful, distinctive saloons on the road. It's absolutely stunning.

Reviews from other 156 owners suggest that when you "invest" in an Alfa, you either get a gem or a lemon. Fortunately, mine's a gem (he says, touching as much wood as can be found).

With the exception of (relatively expensive) routine servicing and tyre replacement, I haven't spent a penny more on this beautiful, speedy vehicle.

Rear passenger space, and boot capacity certainly aren't best in class, but they're suffice for me and my young family. As my kids get older, I suspect I'll need a more practical car than this.

The engine, gearbox, steering, and general handling of this car are the best I've ever driven, and I really look forward to driving it every day. That's some achievement given I've had it for almost 3 years.

On the downside though, it's quite a thirsty beast if driven hard. I do high mileage, and can squeeze 32 miles per gallon on the motorway if driven conservatively. A typical average is 26 mpg though.

And depreciation has been ridiculous. Not such an issue if you intend to hold on to the vehicle for a while, but otherwise, probably makes a better second-hand buy.

Dealers - they're not great. Servicing is expensive, parts can take an age to arrive from Italy, and they never return phone calls! But I've noticed an improvement in the last 12 months - perhaps they're starting to take notice of Alfa's appalling record in the reliability surveys (JD Power et al)...

You describe this car as beautiful. Were you looking at it through a pair of binoculars held the wrong way while wearing scratched swimming goggles? It's the ugliest car in the entire history of motoring. Just take a look at the front end. The headlights that look like melting sea slugs, the ungainly offset regestration plate, the ghastly alfa badge protruding & dominating the bonnet, the hideous air intakes. Please contact your local eye doctor immediately. If you STILL think it's beautiful, seek psychiatric advice.

In response to the previous comment:

Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion about what is and is not a good looking car. However, general consensus amongst "normal" people is that the Alfa 156 is an extremely stylish, sleek and good-looking car. Typically Italian, in fact. To describe it as the "ugliest car in the history of motoring" is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read! I'd be interested to hear what the person making that comment considers to be a beautiful car...

The comments from the guy above obviously mark him as a square box driver. this is one of the most stylish, well designed car on the road. LOL probably a hyundai or other such non descript rubbish driver, this car has soul.

How I laughed! The 156 is undeniably pretty, it is simply art. I couldn't live with the rest of it though so drive a boring car now. You can criticise it for everything else, but not the looks!

PLEASE let us all know what you drive. PLEASE! I need a good laugh, and I am currently visualising a short angry man with a red face in a bespoilered Impreza.

Have I dented a few egos here? My car? I ride a bike (Italian). Despite your under-researched & inaccurate catty remarks, I'm a huge fan of Italian cars. That's why I don't like the Alfa 156. It's messy. It looks Japanese. Where's the classic Italian flair for simple flowing style? The front end looks like a collaboration between 5 different designers (non of them car designers). It's just an absolute mess! The flanks of the car are bloated, the wheels look like they were borrowed from an XR3& the rear end is woeful. A shameful effort by Alfa. Of course you're all upset because you own a 156. Your fragile pride has been punctured, but don't be too down-hearted. Heed my advice... go out & buy yourself a decent car next time!

I've got to agree. The 156 is an ugly looking thing. Having said that most alfas are ugly looking things.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. No one is right or wrong, it is simply a subjective view of what is beautiful. I'm an architect and face this issue very often when designing buildings, you can never please everyone. What Alfa designers have achieved is in my opinion beatiful. You would have to look hard to find a car in its price range that can match it for its attention to detail, quality of finish and stylish interior. And yes I do own one, and couldn't be happier - black with tan leather - gorgeous.

With regard to the assembled thoughts of the May 24th poster, variance in taste is natural and understandable. I personally feel that the 156 has beautiful lines and a front end that delivers exactly what Alfa owners want, some individuality. From a design point of view it all seems to blend rather well. I'm interested in the poster's view that the 156 does not conform with Italian flowing and simple design. Which Italian designs are being referred to? If a short list of schoolboy poster Ferraris are given I'll know that the poster's motorbike is a Piaggio rather than Ducati.

Mr Piaggio (as I'm sure it is, rather than a ducati), please don't insult 156 owners by saying that your comments shatter their fragile ego's, its not nice and is rather narrow minded; they're really not that bothered what you think. You will find I'm afraid that the vast, vast majority find this car beautiful and a welcome, refreshing change to all other mundane cars in its class. It has style like no other for its price and has individuality. If we were all sensible and wanted conservative looks we'd all buy a Toyota carina. If you can suggest a more individualistic car in this class, I'd love to hear what it is.

The vast, vast majority? That's a rather sweeping statement. I assume you gathered your figures from an independent source (but then again, maybe not). I just love the way you all attack me with your assumptions. You're all desperate to know what type of bike I ride aren't you? I'll keep you guessing on that one. Just to make you feel better you can all assume I ride a fizzy moped. The fact of the matter is, it doesn't matter one jot what I ride (or drive). The discussion is about the Alfa Romeo 156 which is quite clearly a visual abomination. Try not to shatter your rattles as you throw them out of the pram, boys!

I agree. The 156 looks terrible.

To everyone who thinks the 156 is ugly, I have a simple recommendation:

www.specsavers.co.uk

No toy throwing or dummy spitting from me. I couldn't care less what you think. I'm just trying to be a good citizen and offer you some free, helpful advice for the visual shortcomings you so clearly have.

:-)

I have just recently got myself a 156, and I must say it's a dream. She looks great and drives amazingly. If you want to know what an ugly car is, then try a Ford Scorpio 2. I have had one for 6 years. Ugly car yes. Comfort and quality awesome. But was time to change, and the Alfa is real fun to drive and beautiful to behold. Oh, and I am a biker.

Have fun boys and girls.

Hello all you cheerful souls! just bought a 156 and it was it's look that attracted my attention and it did not really appear to me that this car could instantly be seen as an ugly looking but then again I think we should all understand that we all see things differently and have different tastes in all things apart from fresh air! I would say to all who write negative comments about the 156 TAKE ONE FOE A DRIVE!

As the happy new owner of a 2000 156 2.0 Selespeed (yes, I know the potential for heartache!), I can only say that it is the most beautiful car I've owned-have had Skyline GTSt, Alfa 33 1.7Qv, Fiat 124BC Sp and BS Spider (that's close).

No flowing lines?...look at the bonnet, there's 5 shapes happening just there!

Love the grille/bumper-very reminiscent of the P3 Monza.

The badge? If you own an Alfa, say so... the front ones fade for some reason, fit a new one!!

Have to agree about the fuel gauge, it's just there to fill a hole in the dash...

Alfa have been brave with this range of cars, no Japanese clones here. I believe its paid off for them.

Clarkson says you aren't a true 'petrosexual' until you've owned at least one Alfa...