Having read your report on this car I can say that I generally agree with your findings. It is great to drive from a handling point of view, it is not short of power for its engine size, and it is comfortable and refined. The suspension never lets you forget that it is working, but that is how I prefer it. The 156 also has a distinct feelgood factor thanks to the fact that it's beautifully designed inside and out and displays a character which its antiseptic German rivals have always lacked.

It has not been the most dependable car I have owned, and I don't expect this to improve (I have had several Alfas). It does, however, have one serious shortcoming which I will find difficult to forgive: braking ability is very poor when pressed. It has been returned to the dealer on more than one occasion as the brakes fade rapidly when the car is thrown into a succession of bends. The dealer admits that the brakes have trouble dispersing the heat build-up and therefore lose their effectiveness. Their remedy is to upgrade the brakes to the vented items fitted to the 2.0-litre - fine, if you want to spend £700 with no guarantee that it will work! Is this a common fault of this model or just unique to mine? My previous car (a Honda Civic Coupe) was driven in a similar fashion and the braking was faultless, despite having drums at the rear.

I now refrain from getting excited on deserted country lanes and drive within the capabilities of the brakes. Shame, really, as this defeats the object of owning a driver's car. I am surprised you have not picked up on the braking performance of this vehicle - or maybe you just don't use the brakes!