156 --159

[AngelNorthOfThe]

Dear car nerds.

I have an Alfa Romeo 156 GTA at the moment, which is nice, but I have been looking more and more at a 159 tourer. It's just gorgeous. But I have a bit of a reservation; someone tells me that it's built on the same platform as the Insignia? Having suffered an Insignia as a works vehicle for a month or so this doesn't fill me with confidence.

Is the 159 as good to drive as the 156? Do you still get the pure sense of occasion? The main concern really is how it handles. Most of the works stuff we get seems numb...in every way, where as the 156 doesn't.

Any views would be much appreciated!

[DennisTheMenace]

159 is not built on the epsilon 2 platform of the insignia/saab95 , only thing that was exchanged between fiat and gm was powerplants and small car platforms (corsa/punto)

[AngelNorthOfThe]

I see. I have been grossly misinformed then!

Any idea what they're like to drive in comparison to the 156?

My 'local' Alfa dealer is about 2 hours away, so I'd rather get a bit of feedback before making the trip.

[DennisTheMenace]

Oh hang on the Croma used the Epsilon 1 platdfrom of the vectra c ..... nah alfa wouldnt do that ...would they ? although their new v6 is a GM unit !

[lrs777]

even if the "platform" was shared the suspension is all alfa. most magazines say the 159 is a dynamic step forward from the 156. I think it's a bit too heavy but i know what you mean about the looks i am seduced and want one when I can afford one. I also really want a GTA - if you like it PM re sale of your GTA!
I haven't driven a 159 but compared to a GTA i expect it will be a bit quiet and refined.

[RicksAlfas]

There might be some bits of pressed steel in there which are shared but the actual suspension is completely different from the GM chassis. The 159 is leagues ahead of the 156 in refinement, build quality and ride comfort - it can actually go over bumpy roads without pogo-ing between the bumpstops and the sump. However it doesn't have quite the same raw and nimble feel as the 156. It's definitely a bigger and heavier car, and feels it, but for normal road use that's not necessarily a bad thing.

[900T-R]

159 is built on the 'Premium' architecture that was co-developed by Fiat Group and GM (overseen by Saab) but subsequently rejected by GM 'cause they deemed it too expensive to use for their cars. Thus the platform is not shared with any current or previous GM product.