Alfa 156 - The truth.....

Advantages: Pedigree. Stylish.
Disadvantages: Insurance costs. Depreciation.

...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...

triplenut3 10.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

Alfa Romeo 156 - What great fun!!

Advantages: Aesthetically pleasing, stylish, spacious boot, security, quick and knee tremblingly superior!!!,
Disadvantages: can be expensive to run....thats it really!!!

...The Alfa Romeo 156.?Where to start? The first thing you notice is it's elegant curves and aesthetics which makes the 156 an attractive semi sports car. There is something however that many (including myself) notice though about the rear doors, there is no handle or at least no visible handle. This little touch of Italian design is something of a puzzle to some and absolute genius to others. It is only a shame the same style could not be incorporated to the front doors which would finish it off a treat! Inside there is a surprising amount of space in the front with just enough in the rear to make it a comfortable ride. With the fabric interior and its colour scheme of grey and black with the Alfa Romeo motifs on the front seats creates a nice touch. The front seats are slightly contoured for ultimate comfort and style and to some...

amani_nicholson 12.04.2006 (13.04.2006) · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

I am the Alfa male. (My 100th review on Ciao)!!

Advantages: Simply an awesome car and driving experience.
Disadvantages: The running costs will put some people off owning one.

...Over the years since first passing my driving test, I have had dozens of cars and since I turned 21 and could get insurance for them most of them have been sports cars of one type or another. I have owned two convertible BMW`s a VW Golf VR6 and several Alfa Romeo`s, with the Alfa Romeos being my favourite cars by a mile. The Alfa Romeo I am Writing about today is the 156, 2.5 V6 24 valve, I have just sold this particular car on in order to buy the newer model of Alfa Romeo but I am missing it badly. Even though the new Alfa is breathtakingly good it just does not seem to have the character and raw power of my old faithful 156. The Alfa Romeo 156 is a very stylish 4 door saloon and because of its hidden rear door handles it looks like a 2 door coupe from a distance. It oozes Italian style both inside and out, with the unique body...

thebigc1690 23.03.2009 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.5

Alfa Romeo...the emotive choice

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...

Stevejames 22.04.2004 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 1.6 Twin Spark

My first Alfa and I'm in Love!

Advantages: Driving experience, looks and style
Disadvantages: A few minor niggles and a little paranoia from negative reviews

...Buying an Alfa 156 is one of the best decisions I've made in a long time! Fair enough, I'm only about a month into it, but so far everything I've been told about the superb Alfa driving experience is true. I bought my 156 from a car supermarket, and still feel like I've got a hell of a deal when I look at how much car I've got for not much money. It's just over 2 years old, and regularly elicits amazed comments from friends when I give them lifts and they find out how much the car cost. The interior, while not by any means the height of luxury, is still way more impressive than practically any other car in its class, with sumptuous grey leather, and the often mentioned classic sports styling of the dash, which only improves at night when the dials light up! My Lusso came with a Radio/CD front loader, electric windows all-round, electric...

JohnnyMaher123 19.05.2004 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

Thinking about an Alfa?

Advantages: Beautiful looks, fun to drive, gets you noticed!
Disadvantages: service/repair costs

...I bought my Alfa 3 years ago and one thing has never changed - I love the design and feel of the 156! That's what this car is all about. Everyone knows that Alfa's reputation for reliability is not exactly up there with the Japanese cars! However, if anyone tells you that they don't like the look of a 156 then they must be lying! I still look at my car on the drive and feel proud to own it and people are always commenting on how nice it is. OK. So the visuals are great and I love it but how about everything else. The car is lovely to drive, the steering is smooth (although the turning circle could be a little tighter) and the car will accelerate at a decent speed. If you want to get the engine singing a merry tune then it really enjoys the low gears! Space wise, I think the best definition is adequate. The rear seats are not...

smeagle1981 03.07.2007 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 JTS

Alfa Styling Unsurpassed but is that enough

Advantages: cheap when imported , beautifully styled and good standard features
Disadvantages: engine reliability , variator reliability , fuel guage , fusebox covers , suspension squeaks , colour on leather seats , boot accessibility

...I imported my 156 2.0 TS from Rome through a family member when the equivalent outlay would have secured me a basic entry level VW Golf 1.4l with no additional trimmings. The car and I fell immediately in love with eachother and for the best part of one year our relationship was untainted. Once my troubles started it took some time to stabilise the whole debacle. Within 6 months of my 1 year standard warranty which was then the norm for an imported vehicle to the UK, my fusebox cover needed replacing ( what's the big deal you may ask and you'd be right, it cost me a tenner to replace). However, afterwards the fuel guage stopped working apparently requiring the sender unit to be replaced at a cost of £300 for the part alone. Followed shortly by the engine failing for reasons undisclosed by AlfaRomeo UK. I have a squeaky suspension...

splendided 19.03.2003 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

A real drivers car, Alfa Romeo

Advantages: High specification, stylish design, good value used car, sporty performer
Disadvantages: lack of storage space

...I bought my 156 2.0 JTS Veloce as a one year old pre registered car with 10,000 miles and at the time did consider the Diesel JTD 150 version but in all honesty the heart and soul of an Alfa is not a diesel unit and never will be. The 2.0 JTS is a work of art, pumping out 178 Bhp and willing to rev round the clock if desired, which is frequently when I go out. The engine has that beautiful Alfa rip and burble when getting the foot into the pedal it is difficult holding back a smile driving down the country lanes, where the car is very much at home. I can't fault the handling, the turning circle is not too great but who cares it is quick and responsive when asked, point in the direction you want to go and obliges without a fuss. The driving position is superb, it is clearly designed for the driver, it looks good, everything is at hand...

Ralfa156 31.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 JTS

Alfa Romeo - getting better ?

Advantages: Handsome car with excellent handing, peppy engine
Disadvantages: Quality doesn't inspire confidence

...The first thing to say is that you should not have to spend a fortune to get a good example - I bought my Alfa after I spotted a load of 1 year old ex-rental examples for sale at what I felt was a very reasonable price. I think I was seduced by the looks and the Alfa badge - this car has a lot of showroom appeal - but one year on what is it really like ? Well I have to say that despite initial concerns after reading other reviews I remain really pleased with my purchase. My car is a January 2003 example with the updated interior and zoned air conditioning. The car has been 100% reliable, the handling and the rev happy engine still put a smile on my face. Quality won't match a Merc or Beemer, but nothing has broken or fallen off. You still feel that it's a bit fragile so I'm quite careful. The brakes seem a bit...

mcneild 20.11.2004 (18.11.2005) · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 1.8 Twin Spark

  Love At First Sight

Advantages: See opinion
Disadvantages: See opinion

...holiday to Tuscany in Italy. Car hire was included in the package, and for a few shillings (well, pounds actually) more I was able to upgrade to an Alfa 156 for the duration of the trip. My first nice surprise came on arrival at the airport in Bologna. I had booked a 1.6 litre model, but as one was not available, I was given instead the 2 litre Twin Spark, and at no extra charge! ~ ~ Before I’d even put the car into gear, I knew that this machine was going to prove something special. When you turn the key in the ignition, and hear for the first time the totally distinctive and unmistakable growl that comes from this car’s engine, you just know that you’re in for the drive of a lifetime. Exterior and Interior +++++++++++++++ ~ ~ But before we get to the driving characteristics and performance, let’s take a look...

the_mad_cabbie 11.03.2001 (23.10.2001) · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark