For the same price as a new Ford Fiesta you can own one of the world’s best looking executive saloons. Because despite costing nearly £30,000 when new you can now pick up a three-year-old example of Alfa Romeo’s flagship 166 model for under £10,000.

Buying the top spec 3 litre Super Lusso model gets you leather upholstery, climate control, electric front seats and satellite navigation. And under the bonnet beats the legendary 3 litre 24 valve V6 engine. As good to look at as it is to listen too, few cars can match the aural delights of the 3 litre V6 under hard acceleration.

Producing 220bhp it propels the car to a 150mph top speed and hits 60mph in under 8sec. But if the prospect of its 22mpg fuel consumption is a little daunting then you can choose the 2 litre twin spark unit producing 150bhp, which returns close to 30mpg. Sitting in between is a 190bhp 2.5 litre V6 — but with only marginally better performance than the 2 litre and fuel consumption similar to the 3 litre it is the least appealing.

All 166s put their power down through the front wheels but torque steer is minimised thanks to the double-wishbone front suspension and traction control system. And enthusiastic drivers will relish the precise steering, requiring just 2.2 turns lock to lock.

In common with most cars in this category Alfa Romeo offers the 166 with an automatic option, a four-speed Sportronic gearbox offering clutchless manual changes or a fully automatic mode. However, most new buyers chose the six-speed manual, in keeping with the car’s sporting credentials, and used manual examples cost about £500 less than their automatic equivalents.

Sit inside and the car makes you feel special. The driver binnacle houses an array of dials, and a large colour LCD screen in the centre of the dashboard provides control for the standard climate control and stereo functions. The list of standard equipment on all models also includes alloy wheels, alarm system and an eight-speaker stereo/cassette.

The top specification Lusso models also come with automatic wipers, xenon headlights, electric front seat adjustment and soft Momo leather upholstery as standard. The front seats on all 166s are large and supportive with a good range of adjustment, but rear legroom is less than you would expect in a car of its size and the shape of the rear seat makes it more comfortable for two passengers than three.

While the 166 is better built than previous models owners do report a number of problems, from minor (but frustrating) electrical niggles to more serious clutch, brake and air-conditioning failures. This makes it important to take the car for an extended test drive before you buy. A common problem is excessive rear-tyre wear, a sign that the rear tracking was incorrectly aligned when leaving the factory.

Cars still covered by the original three year/ 60,000-mile warranty give most peace of mind, but on older cars an extended warranty can be purchased from the dealer. If you are buying privately get the car looked over by a main agent first and make sure the car is HPI-checked for its history before parting with cash.

Finding a garage to look after your car should be easy with 95 Alfa Romeo dealers across the UK. But their quality does vary and many owners describe how they have used three or four different service departments before they settle on one they like. Scheduled servicing is once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever is sooner. But be sure to check the engine oil levels every couple of weeks. All models burn a little oil and low levels can cause serious engine damage.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model: Alfa Romeo 166 3.0 V6 Super Lusso
Engine type: V6, 2959cc
Power: 220bhp
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 22.6mpg (combined)
Acceleration: 0-62mph: 7.9sec
Top speed: 150mph

Leather upholstery: A desirable option that's standard on Lusso models.

Automatic wipers: Check they work as they can be prone to failure.

Airbags: Front and side standard on all models.

Headlamps: Xenon lamps are standard on Lusso models.

Oil: Check level every two weeks as all engines use oil between services.

Steering: Precise and beautifully weighted with just 2.2 turns lock to lock.

Steering wheel: Optional wooden wheel and gear knob add to the cabin's appeal.

Servicing: Every 12 months or 12,000 miles, expect to pay £250 for minor service, £400 for a 36,000-mile major service.

Wheels: Choice of 16in, 17in or 18in wheels available.

Rear seat: Contoured rear seats are more comfortable for two passengers than three.

Climate control: Standard but check it works properly as some owners report problems.

Total sold in Britain: 2,890.

Security: Alarm and immobiliser are standard.

Tyres: Some owners report heavy wear on rear tyres, a sign of incorrect rear tracking.

THE ONE TO BUY

Alfa Romeo 166 3.0 V6 24 valve Super Lusso manual, in Alfa red with tan Momo leather upholstery, 2001 Y-reg with 40,000 miles. Pay £10,195 at a dealer with a 12-month warranty, or £9,000 privately.



OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY...

2000 X-reg Peugeot 607 3.0 V6 SE auto
2000 V-reg Volvo S80 2.9SE
2000 V-reg Saab 9-5 3.0t V6 Griffin auto
1998 S-reg Jaguar XJ8 Sport 3.2 V8 auto
1997 R-reg BMW 728i auto

VALUES



2.5 is worth £1,000 less than 3 litre, 2 litre worth £1,800 less than 3 litre. Auto worth £500 more than manual. Source: CAP black book. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer pays to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you pay a dealer for a car.