On 10/03/2012 16:30, R C Nesbit wrote:
> Jim spoke:
>> I liked the look of the 159 and the leather seats and lots more besides.
>> I COULDN'T come to terms with 36 mpg, extortionate 225 50 r17 tyres. The
>> car was sold to me promising 47 mpg combined and 39 mpg was the best I
>> could do driving conservatively. The 156 I can drive like a nutter and
>> get the 47 mpg. And the 156 feels like an Alfa while the nice looking
>> 159 feels like a Vauxhall.
>
> My 156 1.9jtd consistently returns 40mpg - that's over a tankfull with
> mixed pootling around, short runs to the shops, and balls to the world or
> stop driving.
>
> IKWYM about the 159 - from the outside it looks good (although if I could
> swap the headlights on my 156 facelift for the 159's you would be hard
> pressed to tell the difference) but from the drivers seat it just does not
> scream ALFA! as older models do.
>


That's pretty much how I felt about it. The 156 still makes me smile
(and cry when something stupid breaks!).