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The Alfa Romeo 156 was the car that finally upset German dominance in the compact executive saloon sector. An Alfa you could buy with real confidence new, it makes just as much sense used.
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What you get
Speed, style and passion. Enthusiasts will think fondly back to Alfas like the 1900 or the Giulietta, the Giulia or the Alfetta. Truth to tell however, these, though great cars, were never really great travelling companions. If you weren't in the mood to enjoy them, then a personality clash was sometimes inevitable.
Luggage space is not a strongpoint in the saloon and the Sportwagon estate famously offered less room in the rear than the four-door model. The Sportwagon still makes sense, however, because its load area is more practical and to many it looks even better than the saloon. The engines are all wonderfully charismatic but you do pay for this in the form of fuel economy that's not quite on a par with rivals.
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What to look for
Though the 156's build quality and reliability record is not quite as good as that of, say, Audi, it's not far off. Watch for thrashed examples but also check for faulty electrics and water leaks which are not uncommon.
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Replacement parts
(based on a 2.0 Twin Spark) A clutch assembly is around £138. Front and rear brakepads are around £50 per set of each, a rear exhaust box about £143 (excluding catalyst), a starter motor around £190. A replacement headlamp is about £145.
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On the road
That things were different in a 156 was evident from the first moment you drove one. Gone was the strange Italianate seating position of previous models. "If you can't get comfortable in this car", observed a company spokesman, "then you need to see a doctor, not a dealer". The controls are angled towards the driver; so is the gearstick. Plus, there's a climate control system good enough to deliver everything from Malibu in March to Alaska in August.
But you'll want to know what it's like taking to the tarmac, gunning through the gears. Buy one and everyone will be asking. There's something about the look of this car which is deeply suggestive in this respect. Perhaps it's the coupe-like styling; perhaps the high waistline. Are these the hallmarks of what Alfa Romeo calls "a great sports saloon"? You'll soon see.
Select your favourite road. That one you love with the sweeping, open bends, the curving cambers and the blind brows. The 156 is soon humming along it, the response to your every movement immediate. Your brain tells your hands to turn. The car responds as if it were eavesdropping.
Rest to sixty occupies a mere 9.3 seconds in the 144bhp 1.8, 8.6s in the 155bhp 2.0 and 7.3s in the 190bhp V6. The 2.4-litre diesel may well be the pick of the range for the used buyer. It delivers 42mpg fuel economy along with an 8.4s 0-60mph time and oodles of mid-range pulling power.
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Overall
Arguably the first Alfa you could buy used with real confidence. It's more fun to drive - and to own - than German rivals and looks great. A discerning used choice.
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