Faults:

Sticky switch for the air-con system.

General Comments:

Absolutely superb driver's car that feels solid and well built. The engine loosened up at around 6000 miles and performance improved noticeably. I cannot recommend this car highly enough - drives and looks brilliant.

I do worry about something major going wrong although this is based more on reputation than evidence. The only disappointments have been the lack of practicality (ie. cramped rear seats that do not fold) and fuel consumption (although this varies dramatically with driving style).

Faults:

Nothing at all so far.

General Comments:

Really need to spend the money to add the leather seats, spoilers, skirts, sunroof and metallic paint to get the all round luxurious feel and comfort.

Great driving, really holds the road. The F1 gears on the steering wheel take a bit of getting used to but give you unbelieviable control and acceleration especially on secondary roads. On motorways you have to watch your speed as 90 normally would feel like you're only doing 60.

For price and performance, well worth considering with Irish car prices.

Certainly above all its competitors and the normal 156.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing! (Yet!)

General Comments:

I live in abject fear of something going wrong with this aesthetically stunning car. This is not due to any worrying noises or vibrations but solely due to the constant whining of dissatisfied 156 owners.

Touch wood, after 6 months my Alfa Red 156 moves me in exactly the same way as it did when I first turned the key in the dealership. Everything about this car screams style with performance. If you like the look of the thing, buy one! It's as simple as that. If you want a massive dealership network then go buy a Ford or Vauxhall. To be honest, if you are really that concerned with servicing, repairs and the like, you are not an Alfa driver. I hear Volvo do a marginally exciting car these days.

Faults:

Nothing (yet!).

General Comments:

Comfort on Veloce suspension better than anticipated, especially if tyre pressures lowered to 2 bar (29psi). Roadholding first class and refinement likewise.

Engine freeing up nicely, but no match for my Mk1 Golf GTI at low revs.

Leather seats more comfortable than alternative Recaros.

Selespeed system takes some getting used to - very clever, but not as clever as a human brain/hand/foot!

Radio/CD unit has nasty little buttons & the display cannot be read in daylight. The red dash analogue clock pointers are also bad to see. Nasty passenger vanity mirror.

The car could do with more toys (like a trip computer). Otherwise, all's fine so far. Despite the quibbles, you want to drive it just for the sheer pleasure, which is how an Alfa should be!