Alfa Romeo Spider 3.2 V6 24v Lusso

Advantages: Looks good, something other than a Focus
Disadvantages: Depriciation, Rear bushes

...I am a former car sales man, and did work for alfa romeo, so listen up! The 1.6 is the best in my opinion, the 2.0 being not much quicker but a lot thirstier. They are reliable, drive nicely, are comfortable but do suffer from rear bushes wearing fast. Red is a good colour to have. Lusso spec is best with leather. Avoid the sat nav system as it is useless, and never ever buy a selespeed. You are asking for trouble if you do! If buying new then look for a pre-registered car. Alfa can also offer huge discounts to dealers, so take advantage. Their profit will be at least 10% of pre tax price. If buying used make sure it has history, and rear bushes have been inspected. If over 3 years old it will want new ones. It is important to check oil once a week on any alfa romeo, they drink it! I've seen dozens with blown engines because the owner... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Plenty of power, styling, sharp steering, great sounding engine
Disadvantages: Poor ride quality, big turning circle, hard to park because of high back

...Ok just bought a second car. And thought that the Alfa 156 would be a good buy. Its a 2.5ltr version on a 99 reg paid just over £3k for it. The stylings cool as with the interior very retro and feels like your in a tie fighter from starwars ( mines tanned momo leather on black with wood trimming ). The engine sounds amazing lots of throaty sound. Makes you feel like Darth Vadar. I now like driving in tunnels with the windows down. The steering is precise but does feel very heavy at the front. The air con isn't that powerful and does use up alot of extra fuel. The biggest let down is the ride quality. I know its a sport version but the suspension is terrible. Its very hard and because the engine is heavy and placed just a tad in front, of the front wheels it puts alot of strain on the dampers. I'm now looking at aftermarket suspension... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Styling (from the front)
Disadvantages: handling, performance, styling (from anywhere but the front)

...When the new Spider was launched, I was mightily impressed by the looks, which seemed just perfect. All of the advertising focused on the front, which is a masterpiece. Then I saw the car in the metal, and saw the hunchbacked side, and the plain ugly rear. All in all, very disappointing. If you must look at one of these cars, make sure you stay in front of it! I have driven or been a passenger in quite a few convertibles, old and new, and I have never seen scuttle shake this bad. The car is clearly a GTV with the roof cut off, and the loss of rigidity is frightening. The result is a car with stodgy handling, lacking feel and feedback for the driver, which is what a car like this should be all about. Even the engine, normally a high point of any Alfa, is a disappointment - I would say that the car needs more power... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful