The car looks fantastic inside and out, it drives great and the v6 engine sounds amazing.

But this car has cost me so much money, I bought it for 3k, spent 2.5k on repairs and 2 years later its worthless as theres another 2k worth of repairs ahead of me to make it road worthy.

Australians don't buy European cars, (especially alfas) parts are very expensive and they are not designed for Australia's conditions.

I have just purchased my 4th Alfa. A 2004 156 2.5 V6 6spd. Wow. Comfort 10/10. Drivability 10/10. Sound 10/10. Feelgood factor. Above and beyond anything I expected. This says a lot because my other is a 1974 Spider Veloce. A real feel good car. It is hard to believe that a car this good could be so affordable, reasonably cheap to run for the size a power of the heart, and such exceptionally good looks. Of course, you have to be certain that the servicing is done by people who know, and preferably share the same feeling, for this very special marque. Sometimes this can be pricey as well. But really, why would you want anything else.

I thought I'd be the first to actually give the selespeed a good review. I've had mine for 2 years, bought it very cheap with no service history. The only thing I had to replace was the back box. Drives great and looks great. Sometimes the front windows don't work and that is my only criticism.

I bought my Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark manual 8 years ago as a second hand buy that had 95,000km.
The car is a beauty , black momo leather seats and optioned white dials.
The car has been very reliable over the 8 years. Beautiful tractable engine. The car has a very solid and quality feel.
Change the Oil every 5,000km (like you should on all cars) and it will treat you to a long life of enjoyment.
Timeless Looks, Reliability, Engine, Leather interior

Dont buy am Alfa unless you have $3000 sitting as emergency money. Well i got the selespeed model which never ran correct, failed to reverse, headgasket blew at 120k , clutch at 130k, Airbag errors you name it. And the cost to service?? well timing belt will set you back $900 every 3 years, brakes $800, forget it just forget it.
"It is a pleasure to drive but a nightmare to keep going"
Seats are nice, style, looks
everything mechanically and electrics

Purchased from near new (48000ks), this car has performed well with just typical maintenance requirements in the 4 years of my ownership. The only non maintenance parts I have replaced are the sway bar stabiliser links as these were worn upon purchase. I disliked the Alfa links and installed Miele heavy duty types which should last much much longer.
The only gripe I have is that it is a tad fuel thirsty being just a 2.5 V6, compared with others sized cars/engines. Also the Air Con is weak in the earlier models. However the V6 is smooth and sounds great. Comfy too.
V6! Comfortable and effortless to drive. Great sounding exhaust. Minimal road noise/well insulated cabin.
Weak Air Con. Bad stabiliser links. Devalued realtivly fast.

2.5 V6 6 speed manual, full leather, top options. Just a fun car, very quick, very stiff on the road, our other is a V6 3.5 2006 Maxima sponge, they can go alright, but too soft suspension worries the ride when driven hard! But this Alfa is the 100% opposite, it has so much more fun in it than one of these new Holdens or Fords or that Nissan (which has the z350 engine) and the noise... Oh well you will have to get one to appreciate it.
Probably still the best looking 4dr V6 manual around, 12yrs old and still a head turner
A bit thirsty at first, because trust me, every wants to race a well presented 156, they just look that way

Seldom does a car come along and make you so happy to be driving than this car. I've had the 156 for a couple of years and there is no way I'm selling it. I've drive the t-spark and the the selespeed and it's chalk and cheese. The engine gives a throaty burst when you look at the throttle!
Manual gearbox, V6 engine, fuel consumption, only Alfa drivers get how good it is
Turning circle is big, light globes burn out more often

My partner and I have owned a few Alfas, and while I've experienced ups and downs the Alfa Romeo 156 V6 has giving me nothing but perfection. It does everything well. Comfortable and smooth to drive. It feels safe and precise. I've clocked up 178000kms in this car and owned it since 88000. Good reliablity and I would rate it higher than my sisters BMW 320i or 2005 mazda 6 which I use as a work car.
Italian design and great engine
Turning circle is larger than the norm

Just clocked 200000ks in my Alfa 156 V6 Monza. Figure it deserves a 5* review as I search online for a timing kit, and more treats for it. I've had the car since new - really can't complain as it hasn't missed a beat. Still tight as the day I got it - the suspension bushings being the only factor I care comment due to replacement 3x in its life as my daily commuter.
The engine sound and smoothness
suspension arm bushes are a bit of a bother to replace

Not sure if I would have paid the $50,000 plus asking price when it was new, but as an almost mint condition, very low mileage second hand manual, it's an absolute, rolled gold bargain.
Looks great, handles beautifully, good power when you need it, very comfortable leather seats. Great dash layout.
There is a little 'creakiness' from some of the interior fittings, but I can put up with that for all the good things about the 156.

Rating a 156, V6 with the 6 speed manual i used to own. Miss that car, sniff. It was a cracker. The engine was always a delight when revved. The car used to get better mileage then our other 4cyl car! It had a creak/groan that would appear for a second or two every few months. We never found what it was. If you are in Australia, just buy parts in from the UK/Germany as they are cheap that way.
The car was great and highly recommended in the V6, manual combo!
Engine sound. The experience. Quality. Good fuel economy from the V6 - 2.5 Model. 6 Speed manual is a joy. Glides/Idles along on freeways too.
The V6 and 6 speed manual combo is bullet proof. Other versions have weaknesses.