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.

So after a long search I found the model I was looking for...a shiny Black 1.6 litre (Insurance being a big issue for me). But I did manage to get the Veloce version.

Also as standard on any 156 you get Air Con, Electric windows, and Electric Mirrors.

Then there's the engine...It sounds fantastic. It's almost as if they've defined the sound you want a car to make and then piped it in through your CD player. Its full of pitch and growl. The interior is simple but cool. Dials are large such as the speed and rev counter with a very 70's retro feel about them (think bulbous arches on any old GT) Some reviews I have read thought the speedo was sometimes concealed by the stearing wheel (not something I've experienced). The centre console has 3 circular dials angled towards the driver (more retro styling) which cover the engine temperature, clock and fuel guage. Then below there's the in car entertainment (specs. differ but mine has a CD changer). If you look at the car you won't see any aerial for the radio, as its incorporated into the rear screen heater and gives excellent reception through the RDS radio. Below this is the environment control system which is very easy to use to cool you down or heat you up (useful in our climate). The windscreen wipers have about 6 speeds (why?) and the lights are very good and also have headlight washers as standard.

The gears are a straight manual 5 speed. They're very slick and feel solid, but I have had some problems getting into reverse sometimes taking two attempts. I think this is in relation to the quite considerable travel of the clutch pedal, again something you become accustomed to. They gearing feels tuned more to the mid range than top speed, hence the good feeling for acceleration when overtaking. Top speed is 124mph.

Safety...I'm obviously concerned about the car's safety as I'm the impending father, and I'm still getting the "boy racer" out of my system... which I promise to have sorted before the birth readers (along with my smoking, a new kitchen and the acceptence of my feminine side!). The best place to get the safety record is at the EuroNCAP website, but the Alfa's haven't yet been tested. My wife's Fiat Punto had a 4 star rating and I wanted something similar in our new car. By comparison I think the Alfa is a good safe car. It has side impact bars built into the doors. It has front and rear fog lights. It has driver, passenger and side airbags. Additional central rear brake light. And ABS, of course + EBD (Electronic Braking Distribution). Incidentally the braking is superb, but took some getting used to for me as I'd learnt in the Punto which required a much heavier foot. The Alfa's brakes by comparison feel like they're on a sensor.

And going for a jaunt is the best way to sum up the Alfa 156. It's about going for a drive with no destination in mind. It's more about the drive than your arrival. This is incidentally another reason fuel economy could be better...pointless journey's...just for the fun of it. Weekend country jaunts. But then I hear the environmentalists scream leave your car at home and go for a walk, your polluting your baby to be's world. Well yes I am, and like I say, I'm trying to correct all my bad faults... but to my defense the car also has a system housed in the exhaust which measure emisions from the exhaust catalytic converter into the air and if it finds them too high in nasty green house gases or spitting out high octane fuel it sends messages to the onboard engine management system to alter the fuel mixture into the pistons. Pretty damn clever hey!

My car purchase was an emotive choice, it wasn't a sensible first car and it could all backfire yet, but it was the right choice for me, of that.... I'm absolutely sure.