Advantages: Lovely handling. Beautiful. A lot of car for the price.
Disadvantages: Quirky, unreliable electrics. Badly kept examples will cost you

..., but it's your car, you don't want to share it! I'm not normally a selfish person, honest. Disadvantages are that perhaps the 2.0 litre engine will not be enough for some people. However now they're stopping production I think it'll turn into a classic. Make sure you get an inspection on second hand purchases and double check the suspension, which is a complex bit of kit and can be costly to replace. Also check the cam belts have been replaced (ideally every 30,000 miles despite what the offical figures suggest). This will avoid potentially expensive engine damage. Other minor disadvantages are that the electrics can be a little unreliable and you have to get used to it's nuances, but nobodies perfect. Electrics aside, Alfa Romeo's are a lot more reliable than they used to be, and do not rust apart anymore. The TS engine is good... Read review

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Advantages: Looks, performance, that engine sound
Disadvantages: No traction control, M.P.G. interior build quality, rear seats

.... With the interior the centre console is aluminium grey as are the speedo and rev counter surrounds and you get kick plates down the sill with 'Alfa Romeo' in sliver plastic with a black background. In 1999 the 6-speed box was introduced and offered with 17" telephone dials alloys and some were fitted with the rear spoiler (avoid the rear spoiler ones, it realty is a 'spoiler' and does spoil the look of the car). 2001 saw the release of the special edition GTV cup which was linked to the racing series in Italy, these where only available in red and had a numbered plaque on the dash. Very limited and the most collectable and of course the most expensive, saying that I've never seen one for sale. 2003 saw the phase 3 version which had the 3.2 V6 and a new nose job but this was the last and production ended this year (2005) to make way for the new GT... Read review

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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... Read review

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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... Read review

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Advantages: open to all, free advice from alfa owners, spare parts, beautiful surroundings
Disadvantages: its only held once a year!

...love Italian cars, particularly alfa romeo's, as you will get to see most of them here. One can simply get lost admiring the vast collection of Alfa Romeo's ranging from the latest breed of 156's, 166's, 147's, GTV's and replaced models of the 155's, 146's, 75's, and 33's. This is also a rare opportunity to see many classic cars such as the Guilietta's, Sprints, and Spiders etc. Also, each year there is a collection of SZ's -the radical looking modern Alfa romeo's (you will see a photo of one of these in the Ciao product photo on this opinion category). Some of the cars may be exhibited by the Owners in events and competitions that the Alfa Owner's Club hosts such as the National AROC Concours d'Elegance, these cars will be lined up in special designated areas according to the model registers. Officials will judge these cars based on many... Read review

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Advantages: Everything, excellent handling, excellent looks, excellent performence........ excellent everything.
Disadvantages: Not a lot! - Apart from the Insurance!

...I bought my Alfa Romeo 146 Ti just over two years ago. Its a P Reg now so is getting on abit and I keep thinking to myself I better get a new car, but I just cannot bring myself to sell it. I went out looking for a new car just over two years ago and had in my mind I were going to get a Vectra or Laguna or something along those lines, that were until I saw the 146 sitting on the forecourt. As soon as I saw it I fell in love with it and once had took it for a test drive, well, that were it! Within half an hour the cheque were wrote and the car were paid for! Now I keep thinking about getting a new car but just think to myself - but I dont want to get rid of my Alfa! The Alfa 146 has absolutely everything, brilliant performence, excellent handling, is very comfortable, definatley looks the part and it definately gets you noticed... Read review

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Advantages: Style, equipment levels, ride.
Disadvantages: Petrol consumption, insurance costs.

...From an early age, I've always hankered after cars that dare to look a little bit different and had always fancied an Alfa Romeo. Having now reached an age where I've owned several cars, Ford, Vauxhall, Citroen, Renault and Ford again, I decided the time was right to be that bit decadent and treat myself to an Alfa. The model I've bought is the 2.0 TS Selespeed Lusso, just over a year old with 3500 miles on the clock which is absolutely stunning in black with light grey Momo leather upholstery. Having paid just £12000 for it (best part of £20000 new with the extras it's got), they're are plenty of bargains to be had in the used car arena, and you'll get a lot of car for your money. Having owned a fully specced up Ford Focus 2.0 Ghia previously (full leather, air con, traction control, cruise control etc etc) I really wanted... Read review

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

...- this was subsequently traced to a failing switch in the circuit (symptoms brake lights sticking on and intermitment warning on the info centre). Once replaced I would say that the brakes are as good as any car I've driven. I decided to have the car MOT'd at the same time it went for it's annual service this month - actually a couple of months before I had to - and I'm glad I did. My 34 month-old, 27000 mile car, failed on worn bushes in the rear suspension, plus the service revealed that the timing belt needed replaced. Not what I would have expected! However to the credit of the dealer (Arnold Clark Edinburgh) and Alfa Romeo, these points were remedied under warranty together with a slight gearbox leak. Only problem was that the dealer couldn't reset the service indicator and a new one is on order (also under warranty). Moral of the story... Read review

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Advantages: Out of the Norm Styling & Performance
Disadvantages: Getting Old Now

...WHAT IS IT? The 147 is Alfa Romeo's compact hatchback, produced in three and five door forms and competing in the Ford Focus / Vauxhall Astra market. This is actually an interesting, diverse and most popular market sector now, outselling all other types of car. The competition is fierce and many of the alternatives, such as the Honda Civic, are new and bang up to date. In 2001 the Alfa 147 was voted European Car of The Year. WHICH SPECIFIC MODEL? The actual car that I am reviewing here is right at the top of the Alfa 147 tree. It is a five door 1.9JTD 150 Lusso. The 1.9JTD 150 has the most powerful two litre version of the now ubiquitous GM (Vauxhall / Saab) engine in it, which was co-developed with Fiat, parent company of Alfa Romeo. IN WHAT CAPACITY AM I REVIEWING THIS CAR? OK, hands up, this is not my own car... Read review

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Advantages: Looks distinctive. Great engine. (Engine available elsewhere see end note)
Disadvantages: Wind noise, rattles, cheap interior, very poor visibility.

...I have this long held opinion that you either are or are not a fan of Alfa Romeo, the rest of my family, that is my father and uncle have been long standing customers and enthusiasts of the famous Italian marque. I however never really saw the appeal of Fiat badge engineered Alfa's, finding the whole image here, all that glorious pedigree nonsense, a little puzzling. Our company has owned dozens of them (literally) over the years, as part of what is referred to as a "user chooser" fleet - i.e. the drivers choose their own cars up to a given budget. This may be viewed by some as a useful incentive when it comes to employing a certain calibre of staff, as far as the company is concerned it has been a very expensive policy. Quite simply, some cars cost far more to run than others. For example an executive size BMW saloon is going... Read review

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