Two years ago I decided to take the plunge and buy something different, and the Alfa had to be the choice. I purchased a 9 month old, low mileage "Lusso" 2.0ltr saloon version. Having still got the vehicle, how`s it stacked up? Read on for a few home truths after 30,000 trouble-free miles.....
Initially the style of the car was a great attraction, not to mention the Alfa pedigree of "exclusivity" and relative scarecity (relatively speaking there are few dealers specialising in this marque). The cars lines are unmatched, being very sleek and aesthetically pleasing from all angles - and that front end is so aggesive!
My initial impressions upon driving the car were that of a deceptively spacious interior, affording good driving visibility considering its compact and squat exterior looks. I chose the leather trim incidentally which is great, nicely finished and adds that quality touch.
Initial ownership had be glancing at the car each time I parked - just another look at that style, and the car certainly gives the driver that feeling of exclusivity!
During ownership that feeling has never gone, and the car has proved a good satisfying purchase overall, however, the package doesn`t come without problems.
Externally, the car is very low slung at the front and grounds easily on undulating roads, the lighting is nothing special and neither is the overall finish of the paintwork or the alloy wheels. The latter being quite grainy in places and difficult to keep clean of brake pad grime.
Inside, the trim finish is good though the on-board computer protudes from the top of the dash rather like an afterthought (the LED numerals "break-up" once warm which is rather irritating). The switchgear is ok if not a little fiddly, especially on the hi-fi, which incidentally is adequate without being stunning - the CD is devoid of damping and performs poorly over the slightest of undulations. The seats would benefit from more adjustment options and don`t especially hold the occupants that well, exaggerating "roll" on bends. I also found the pedals to be rather close initially, dodgy under braking! The heating system is over complicated but does have the best window de-misting system I`ve ever had - on the flip-side though, the air-con cooling system is hopeless over short distances. The interior lighting is great, as is the driving position with all key instruments angled towards the driver - the clocks look great with white fascia`s and red glow at night. I find the centre elbow rest good, though my wife finds it irritating and impossible to deploy the handbrake with it "down". The car is relatively quiet at most speeds with the (gorgeous) Alfa growl only audible in the higher rev range.
On the plus side, the 156 has without doubt the best steering system I`ve ever come across - the steering wheel has a beautiful but unusual profile and the steering itself is extremely light and positive. The power and torque is exactly where its needed - low in the rev range which gets the car away from roundabouts etc. at an impressive pace. The car itself drives superbly making every journey a pleasure. The gearbox is as good as any I`ve tried but would benefit from a closer gate and the brakes appear fine.
A few words of extreme caution though, the insurance and servicing costs are excessive, so check before you buy, and like all Alfa`s, the 156 drinks oil so check levels on a regular basis. I would advise against buying either a high miler, or one without service history, and don`t buy the saloon model if boot space is a key requirement - though reasonably spacious, the loading "gape" is small. I`ve heard of troublesome electrics, but to date not experienced any problems with mine.
In conclusion, the car is great and its "imperfections" are easy to live with when balanced with the general package for the price. Fuel consumtion is frugal for a car of this nature, with mine averaging 31-33.5mpg constantly, increasing to 36-38 steady (70-90mph) motorway speeds.
Would I buy another? At the time of writing, I have no reason not to!