I'm thinking of buying a used 166, maybe a '99 and almost certainly a
3l V6 auto. The problem is that I am rather scared of the costs
involved after I purchase. There's a baby on the way and I don't have
much cash so the last thing I want is a massive bill when something
goes wrong.

Can anyone give me an idea of prices of common parts such as brake
disks and pads and service parts.

I can handle most jobs myself on older cars but my experience is
limited on anything in the last 10 years with the exception of simple
stuff like a Fiat Punto, so I'm worried I might get in over my head
with all the gadgetary in a 166 and end up with a huge Alfa main dealer
bill that I can't afford.

Is a cam-belt change on one of these involved? And if it is, are they
costly from the dealer?

And is there any other advice anyone can offer?

What I'm getting at is, is a 166 going to cost me a lot more to
maintain than something dull like a Vectra? CShould I wait till I am in
a beter financial position before becoming an Alfa owner? I'd hate my
first experience with an Alfa to be a bitter one.

My heart says Alfa Romeo, my head says Ford Mondeo

Cheers,
Dave