WHEN I first drove the Alfa Romeo 156 I thought that it was as good to drive as a BMW and, at the time, it was the best front wheel drive car on the market.
It is also curvy and beautiful, in a way that puts most BMWs to shame, and the concealed rear door handles even give it something of a coupe look.
This is a pure driver's car - involving and poised - huge fun over any piece of road.
It handles like the true thoroughbred it is, coming from a sporting maker with a heritage almost as old as the automobile.
Engines are 1.6, 1.8, 2.0-litre, 2.5 and 3.2 petrol with power ranges from 120 to 250bhp. There are also excellent 1.9 and 2.4-litre diesels with power from 115 to 175bhp.
The 1.6 is a little underpowered for the weight, but the 2.0-litre with either 155 or 165bhp, is a delight, free revving and with a lovely soundtrack.
As well as the four door saloon, there is also the Sportwagon estate worth £150-300 more.
Interior
Full service history is a must, but later cars have by-passed the reliability problems that plagued the car at first.
Equipment and comfort are excellent in the standard cars and most upper end models have leather and air con.
FAST FACTS
Alfa Romeo 156
Price: Pay about £1,500 for an '00 X-reg 1.8 TS, £5,200 '04 04-reg 2.0 Lusso, or £8,600 for an '05 55-reg 1.9 (150bhp) T-D Lusso.
Mechanical: 165bhp, 1,998cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 137mph
0-62mph: 9.5 secs
Combined mpg: 31
Insurance group: 16
Marks: 10/10
Main rival: BMW 3-Series, Ford Mondeo.