Cambelts and thrice cambelts.  Either evidence that they've been changed
(with tensioners) or get it thrown into the deal.

Personally I'd go for a 1.8 (actually I'd probably go for 2l minimum, but we
all know what Freud thinks about that), but some people that I know, have a
great respect for and trust implicitly with all my cars reckon that the 1.6
is fine.  The power is not that different.

Saving the tough ones til last, huh? ;)

I wouldn't have a 1.6. For the engine size they have a fair bit of power
(120bhp-ish, ISTR), but it's a heavy car for that engine.

I think you'll find the 2.0 is no thirstier than the 1.6 in real world
driving.

A 1.8 would be a compromise, but why do that when buying an Alfa?

That does seem a reasonable price for a car with 3 year warranty,
though.

fwiw - I'd prefer a bit more poke rather than my 1.8 Veloce - and check the
boot for a huge puddle of water in the spare type well .

o

Interior was very good, everything worked apart from the ashtray which
wouldn't close but that was about it. Exterior was a bit of a problem, both
spots broken, crack in the front bumper, bit of a dink on the bonnet and a
bit of imperfection in the paintwork on the rear near-side quarter, other
than that pretty good.

Oil was low which was worrying.

Drove nice, sounded nice, but I do have to say I think the 1.6 ain't big
enough.

However, it had done just over 60K, was flat black rather than metallic and
cambelt had not been changed. Warranty was not dependent on them doing the
servicing, just had to be done by a garage that was VAT registered, didn't
really go into any depth as to what it covered as we sort of grew apart over
price.  Said I wouldn't go any higher than ?5K in the condition it was it,
there then came the usual 'need to make a phone call if I'd commit to it
today', blah, blah.blah.

So we shook hands, thanked them for their time and walked.  It is after all
the first one I've looked at and it wasn't really what I wanted.

Have to say though the interior was sumptious and it felt great on the test
drive.  Will definitely keep looking for one.

Cheers

Alan

I tried the 1.8 and was quite inmpressed with the genral specof most of the
2/hand examples available...  But when I test drove the JTD140, I decided
that the 1.8 was just not pokey enough in 'real world' situations (like
overtaking on a dual carriageway from 55/60mph+)....

So I bought a JTD[1].

Of course I read Quentin WIllson today and he reckons all 156s are looking
fragile price-wise and the diesels are slipping the most...  Bugger.

Not much help, I know, and you'd probbly not find a 140JTD for under ?6k
now, but if you wait a few months......

Dave

[1] I may need to emphasise that I have always hated diesels in the past and
am a bit of a fan of peaky two-stroke bikes and high revving/stressed petrol
engines in cars etc.  But for an exciting, fun, good-looking, but still
remarkably frugal car the JTD won me over.

I've had a 1.6 Lusso saloon for nearly four years now. As other posters have
said, 120hp is actually very good for that size of engine - when I first had
it, to get that sort of output from other marques you were looking at 1.8s
and 2.0s. Plus, for its size the 156 is quite a light car - I'm sure I read
somewhere it weighs less than a VW Golf (mind you, these days, what
doesn't?)

To be honest, on most days I haven't really experienced any noticeable lack
of power. However, low down in the rev range it can be a bit gutless,
especially with the air-con on. It's not so much a case of the engine
lacking power, it's simply that you do need to give it a bit of a rev to
reach the power band, whereas I guess in a larger-engined 156 the power is a
bit more accessible. If you're not used to the Alfa mode of driving then it
can take some getting used to!

The other problem I sometimes used to get was Neds in average cars
(particularly debadged BMWs, it seems) spotting the 1.6 badge and thinking
it gave them carte-blanche to tailgate and try overtaking me. Dropping a cog
normally made them disappear into a small dot in my rear-view mirror. I did
toy with the idea of debadging my car but I wanted to remain honest (plus
it's a lease car).

However, all this pales into insignificance when judged against all the
positive points. I still think it's a stunning looking car, and the handling
is sublime regardless of the engine size. My only regret is that when my
four-year lease runs out next month I won't be replacing it with another, as
Alfa appear to be taking forever to bring out the 157/159 (or whatever it's
being called today).

I'll miss it when it goes.  :(