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

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

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

You're not a petrolhead until you've owned an Alfa.

Advantages: Fantastic driving experience, high quality finish, that growl
Disadvantages: Bad image regards reliability, some niggles

...I purchased my Alfa 147 in 2005 after falling in love with the noise she makes. Nothing has the same growl as an alfa. When I bought my 147 she was already 3 years old, and is nearly 6 now. I spend a lot of time driving each week for work, around 300 miles a week in fact, so I have experience of her on all kinds of roads and journeys. The first thing to be mentioned when I think of my car is the ride quality. I'm informed by passengers that she is very comfortable in the back, and doesn't make them feel sick. However as a driver she has nearly ruined my back. This is down to the fact that I live in a right hand drive country, and the car was designed to be left hand drive. Because of this nothing quite lines up correctly. Most importantly my seat is not straight on to the steering wheel, meaning my back is wrapped around the outer edge...

Dinah93 19.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.6

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.

...it lacks the raw rough around the edges power of the old 156 and I am starting to think maybe I should have had another year with my 156 before having to let it go, I hope the guy from Newcastle that bought her is looking after her in the manor she was accustomed to and that he is getting all the enjoyment I got. I would recommend the Alfa Romeo 156 V6 24 valve to anyone interested in owning a real powerhouse of a car but as I have said they need lots of TLC and you have to be prepared for hefty running costs. If you want a 156 but do not want the hefty running costs then you can have the style without the power if you go for the 1.8ts or the 2.0ts but as well as power you will lose some of the added extras but never the less you will have yourself a very nice car. The only thing to stay well clear of when buying an Alfa is the semi...

thebigc1690 23.03.2009 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.5

Don't believe all you hear about Alfa Romeo

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...

CarNut 23.12.2003 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.6

It will be remembered as one of Alfa's best...

Advantages: design, quality, timelessness, engine, handling
Disadvantages: second hand value

...The car is a driver's car for sure. Great handling, great engine, fun driving, agile, faster than most 1.6 engines. The design is magnificent. Some other brands have copied bits of its design later on. Alfa 147, winner of European Car of the Year Award 2001, has a lifetime of 7 years by now which proves the success of the model. Alfa 147 looks good inside as much as it looks good outside. The material quality and feel is high. The hidden door knob gives the coupe impression and is a nice little detail that now Seat Leon uses. I think Alfa 147 will be one of the cAlfa's icon models in the future. I now own a Hyundai Coupe and i love its looks too, but a part of me wants to go back to my Alfista days. Rumor has it, Alfa 147 won't be with us by the year 2009. Hope newcomer 149 will alsobe a true hot hatch...

Borracho 03.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.6

Superb looking, well engineered folly.

Advantages: Styling, engineering, comfort
Disadvantages: Fuel Consumption, parts, running costs

...series but sure the servicing costs still made it a better investment. Then i went to the petrol station again - put another £30 in. Deciding i had better note costs i starting tallying the mileage - 147 miles to the first £30, after the service i got 165 to £30. Im no mathmatician but that works out at around "Not good to the gallon" I also noted that the car is group 11 insurance - let me remind you that it a 1.6 litre car. The focus equivalent is group 6. In conclusion I love the car - when im in it i feel good and cruise past everything i can oozing shmarm, when im out of it i think its pure folly and will bankrupt me. Will i change? probably but until then ill enjoy it. Alfa dealers are affectionately known as Stealers. parts are horrendously expensive and when quewried the stealer usually has the decency to laugh...

colcheddar 29.05.2006 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 1.6 Twin Spark

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

Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD

Advantages: Engine, Looks, Leather, Options on my car
Disadvantages: Safety, Reliability Record, Dealership Record

...Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD 3dr Lusso You probably just don?t understand Alfa's and until you sit in one-you never will? Just bought an Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD 3dr Lusso and on first impressions I?m delighted. It?s Navy Blue in Colour which sets the car off great against the Cream Leather, its a top of the range model and comes with SAT NAV, Cruise Control, Telephone, full heated Leather Upholstery, trip computer, 16inch Alloy wheels etc. The options are great, although not a requirement for everyone-however I would recommend the leather upholstery as a MUST its fantastic. I test drove many cars before buying, yet decided on the Alfa 147, because it put the biggest smile on my face, it was the nicest car to sit in and felt the best to drive by a long way. The Golf mk4 GTi felt its age, and although the Golf mk5 1.6s that I...

Azz4711 26.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD