156 Sportwagon

[Chancer]

I’m just wondering if anyone has laid eyes on one of these yet? I’ve seen it billboard posters, magazines etc and I must say its a fine looking estate. Alfa have done a great job to retain the finer lines of the saloon. IMHOP its probably one of the best looking estates one can buy for less then 25k, and I’d say its probably a good drive to boot.

[BeCos]

Yeahh I saw it at the recent Alfa Romeo show at the RDS. Its a fine looking car all right, even better in the flesh.

[Justin]

But if you need to actually carry something regularly, would you buy one? This is the car for someone who needs to take a jetski or or (half of a) windsurger down to the beach once in a while, it isn't real estate car. This isn't necessarily a criticism, I don't think Alfa ever meant it to be one.

[WhipLash]

The Sportswagon certainly isn’t a Volvo estate, but it is a good size bigger than a saloon and the wide hatch opening allows for ease of loading/unloading. IMHO, an estate such as a Volvo may be overkill for use by a family, where as the 156 Sportswagon would fit the bill nicely. It’s certainly a good alternative to a MPV, and even the fact that Alfa have avoided the ‘estate’ name should also further help its image. I’d imagine that we’ll be seeing quite a few of these on our roads.

[Tony]

I haven't seen one on the road yet, but I must say that for an estate it’s certainly a smart looking motor. The designers certainly did a good job in keeping the 156's lines, and the car still has that Italian sporty look to it. But I have to agree with Justin here. It’s certainly not a replacement for a real estate like a Volvo. IMHO its going to be a sure hit with the young family who need more room then a standard saloon can provide, but want a sporting drive/look too. Both of these attributes appear to be found in the new Sportwagon. I’m sure it’s going to be quite a good seller for Alfa Romeo in this country. Get your orders in now for that 01 reg!

[Michael Power]

For me, boot space is a considerable issue and I will be most interested to see the capacity figures on the sportwagen. The lack of bootspace in the old 156 was a major disincentive for people like me and really takes from the practicality of the 156 for anyone who has even a very small family.

Perhaps the sportwagen will change that, perhaps not. But, pricewise it's getting up there too. For £25K (or so) one can get an S40 T4....now which would I rather I ask ?

Michael

Michael

[WhipLash]

As I’m changing the car next year, I'm just wondering what peoples impressions of the 156 Sportwagon are now? I've seen a few on the roads, but not nearly as many as I initially thought. Maybe the '01' reg season will bring more of them onto our roads.

At almost 23k for the 1.8, it looks expensive on paper. I know its not a full estate, but IMHO Alfa have done a good job in keeping the looks of the saloon while providing more generous boot space. In effect its a big hatch, rather then an expansive estate, although Top Gear did show up its limits when compared to the Ford Focus.

The standard equipment includes ABS, EBD, air-con, driver/passenger/side airbags, CD, electric front/rear windows, 16" alloys, sideskirts and leather steering wheel.

As a ‘family car’, does the Sportwagon offer a perfect combination of sportiness and space at a reasonable price? Is it worth consideration at 23k? What alternatives are there, and are they any better?

[IVO']

Lads, did none of ye watch Driven last week?

They reviewed the SportWagen.

Unforutunatley Whip, you are mistaken about the wide hatch....it was shown to be skinnier than a regular Ford Focus hatch.

Aparently a very good drive , definitley beautiful looks but not practical for the price IMO.

[WhipLash]

Originally posted by IVO'
Unforutunatley Whip, you are mistaken about the wide hatch....it was shown to be skinnier than a regular Ford Focus hatch.

Isn't that what I said? :confused: ...

In effect its a big hatch, rather then an expansive estate, although Top Gear did show up its limits when compared to the Ford Focus.