Alfa Romeo 155 1.6

Advantages: Beautiful to hear, beautiful to look at.
Disadvantages: Fuel economy, Back seat room, Lack of folding rear seats

...I recently passed my driving test (2nd attempt at age 35). To me this milestone (for a soon to be first time father) wasn't about practicality, fuel economy or any other of the usual considerations you should make when purchasing probably the second most expensive item you own. This is because I'd already seen the car I wanted...The Alfa Romeo 156 TwinSpark. I'd looked at the Which reports and many many other publications and if I was honest with myself (and my wife Emma...sorry dear) I should have purchased a Ford Focus. A car which has great styling, a good reliability record and reasonable servicing. But no...as I say, the decision had long since been made, and I positively drooled at the sight of 156's whenever I saw one. So after a long search I found the model I was looking for...a shiny Black 1.6 litre (Insurance being... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Eye catching looks - relatively rare
Disadvantages: Other peoples perceptions

...I purchased my 1.6 Lusso in June 2002 from a car supermarket. I had been torn bewteen the 147 and the new Mini. I visited both dealers - the Alfa dealer was keen but couldn't come down to my price, whilst the Mini dealer was very much "I can sell 10 of these tomorrow - why should I bother trying to help you!". Frustrated I visited a car supermarket and was somewhat bewildered by the choice on offer. I would strongly recommend it to anyone - even if you don't buy from them. Seeing the car in full colour beats trying to imagine it from the 2 inch square card in the showroom. The supermarket offered a favourable rate on my car and at £12,300 it was £2300 less than list. I picked it up a few days later and was suprised to wait in-line for the keys along with about 10 other people collecting at that time. Once they hand over... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great design
Disadvantages: Not worth the money

...Got a 147 diesel as a hire car on holiday so when the time came to trade in my car and seen a lovely 5 door 1.6 Turismo at the dealers I was already sold on it. The car was two years old with full alfa service history. Great looking car although this one didn't have too many added options, compared to the one I had on holiday Just got rid of it after 9 months as the costs were starting to pile up and could see it costing more and more even with me driving sensibly. Couldn't justify spending any more on it. Petrol - it was drinking like an alcoholic in a brewery. Squeak coming from O/S front wheel bearing - had already replaced the other side. Tax band was the same as a 2L sports car. Finally decided to trade it in when I noticed a small patch of oil on the driveway.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful