Used buying: Alfa's style star

17th May 2006

To our way of thinking, a facelift in 2003 spoiled the 156's looks, and you can't beat the earlier cars when it comes to value for money. The trademark offset number plate, heart-shaped grille and hidden rear door handles were there from the start, and with a decent engine line-up from day one - including the cracking 2.0-litre Twin Spark - there's much to recommend it. Fragile interior trim and shoddy build are the major weaknesses, so stick to low-mileage cars with a full dealer history to minimise the risks of buying a dud.

Velour upholstery doesn't wear well, so look out for either sporty Recaro seats or cars fitted with leather. Plenty of European imports exist, but don't be put off if they're at the right price.

Specifications are usually the same - sometimes better - and key omissions are limited to the lack of locking wheelnuts and an alarm. Many had these fitted in the UK, so wherever your car came from, make sure it has them.