Alfa Romeo 2003 156 Saloon

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  • Economy

    Value

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Bought second hand, nothing can compare for the year, miles * equipment, looks better than a 5 or 3-Series or a C-Class (if only it was as Reliable!)

    Costs

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Great to purchase, but a nightmare to keep on the road.

  • On the road

    Driving

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Great driving position and really direct steering. Takes a while to get the best out of the selespeed gearbox, but when you do it's excellent, great going through the gears, also very smoth at low speeds.

    Performance

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Lovely sounding engine, great gearbox (when it works). High revving, really pulls well in all gears.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    2 out of 5 2.0

    I have had the car for a year now and if it wasn't for an excellent warranty I have with Warranty Direct, I would be destitute living in a box. Just got the car back form having a total engine rebuild costing £2200, Crank went! Gearbox probs also.

    Image

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Looks the biz, but most people still have a negative image of Alfas (which I have unfortunatley found to be true!)

    Comfort

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Leather Momo seats, look and feel great, great cabin, unfussed but stylish, white dials and retro styling makes it really different from the bland German styling.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Immobiliser alarm key button broke first day I had the car (spare didn't work either). If anyone did break in, they probably wouldn't be able to work out how to drive it anyway (due to the gearbox).

    Service

    1 out of 5 1.0

    Lies and poor workmanship - they really are the worst dealer network.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    It blew on 80,000 miles - what more can I say?

    Other

    Steering pump had to be replaced.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    No

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    No