IF IT LOOKS GOOD (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_alfaromeo159_051010

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 202

If you wanted a stress-free life, chances are you wouldn't think of buying a used Alfa Romeo. What's more, we're not about to pull any punches. If you want peerless reliability, don't buy this car. Look for a Toyota Avensis instead. You won't get much of a buzz when you throw your curtains open in the morning and see it sitting on your drive, but you can guarantee it'll get you where you want to go. That brings with it a certain freedom. But if you believe that doing what you like is freedom and liking what you do is happiness, then if you want a sporty, medium range saloon, it could be that you'll only really be happy when you see the twin lights and badge of an Alfa 159 looking back at you. It's a car that has charisma when so many of its rivals are dulled-down boxes. Alfa Romeo might have quietly improved its reliability record and climbed inexorably up customer satisfaction scales but the 159 ably demonstrates that it's done this without sacrificing an ounce of character. Rather criminally, it's not made any more, so here's a guide to picking up the best used example you can find.

Modelsword count: 11

4dr saloon, 5dr estate (1.75 petrol, 2.0 turbodiesel [Turismo, Lusso, TI])

Historyword count: 190

The Alfa Romeo 159 first made landfall in the UK in 2006 and had some big shoes to fill. Its predecessor, the 156, had been a huge seller for the Italian company, revitalising Alfa's fortunes in a sector that had been moribund following the relatively unloved Giulietta, 75 and 155 models. The 159 was a different car to the 156 - bigger, better finished, more serious, slightly less sporty. The aborted dalliance with General Motors stalled the introduction of the 159 a little but sales were more than respectable. Both saloon and Sportwagon estate versions were launched concurrently. In 2010, Alfa changed the formula, taking the red pen to many of the less efficient and less profitable engines. The range was pared down to one 1750cc petrol unit and a pair of two-litre JTDm diesels of 136 and 170bhp power outputs. At the same time, a number of detail tweaks were instigated. A TI trim level was reintroduced and the interiors got a mild spruce up. Sadly, the 159 was not long for this world. The car was very quietly retired in 2012 as sales tailed off to almost nothing.

What You Getword count: 407

The 159 remains a very sharp piece of styling, with more overtaking presence than almost any BMW, the gimlet-eyed headlamps and razor-sharp front grille looking agreeably intimidating. A kind of junior Maserati Quattroporte? You can see why some Latin motoring enthusiasts might think so. The rear end is genuinely tricky to differentiate from that of the old 156 at first glance, but the side view shows sharper creasing and swage lines, plus a longer front end. As cohesive a piece of penmanship as the 156 was, the 159 is a better balanced car. These late model cars also offer a revised interior feel with sports cloth upholstery and sports leather in black or natural, as well as chrome-plated three-layer highlights or brush black aluminium inserts on the dashboard, on the mouldings and on the central console. The revised range features three trim specifications; the entry level Turismo trim is complemented by two further trim levels; one designed for occupant comfort - Lusso, and the other dedicated to a sporty feel - TI. 'Alfisti' people may be already familiar with Tursimo and Lusso spec but perhaps less so with the TI which is very well equipped. At this level, you get 19" TI spoked alloy wheels, side skirts, lowered sports suspension and red painted brake callipers. Inside, the TI environment is recognisable from the wraparound seats trimmed in black Sports leather and Alcantara, sports pedals in aluminium, kick plates with the TI logo and a sports steering wheel in leather with remote controls, plus further leather trim for the gear knob and handbrake lever. Rear cabin space in any 159 isn't great (you wouldn't want to be a third adult sat in the middle at the back for any real distance) but it'll be adequate for most buyers, close to the admittedly mediocre standards set in this respect by rivals from BMW and Audi. The same applies to the 405-litre boot, though you can at least extend it by folding down the rear seats. Do that and you'll have carriage capacity not far shy of that offered by the Sportwagon estate version which offers 1235-litres in 'seats-flat' configuration. At the wheel, it all feels very driver-orientated, just as an Alfa should, the dials cowled and the dash angled to draw your attention almost equally to readouts for turbo boost, fuel level and water temperature, just like the 1969 Spider and countless Alfas since. It still feels agreeably authentic.

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