ALTERNATE ALFA.

Since it's launch at the Frankfurt motor show in 2015 the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has met with a pretty rapturous reception and quickly established itself as the super-saloon of choice for those looking for an alternative to the usual Teutonic suspects from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Doubtless there are many of you out there who, like me would love to get into a new QV and enjoy that sublime V6 noise and gorgeous Italian design. But I'm sure that there are plenty of people (also like me!) for whom the £63,050 list price of the Giulia is more than a little out of reach. So, if you dream of owning a fast Alfa saloon but can't quite make the numbers whats to be done? Fear not my pets! There is an answer..

Pretty, isn't it?

Pretty, isn't it?

It comes in the oft-forgotten shape of this 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 Q4 Lusso. The 159 is to all intents and purposes the Gulia's Dad. Produced from 2005 until 2011 This Q4 Lusso is as close as you'll get to a predecessor to the new QV, and when you delve into the spec-sheet you'll find some striking similarities between old and new. Like the QV the 159 Q4 is powered by one of those glorious V6 engines that Alfa are renowned for, the 159 actually has a larger motor than the QV with a 3.2 litre unit instead of the newer 2.9. The older car forgoes the turbos however, (although some may consider that a plus!) but still produces a more-than-healthy 256 BHP. Being four-wheel drive you won't be able to get the tail out like you might in a QV, but the 159 counters by being fitted as standard with a lovely six-speed manual gearbox. In the UK Alfa only offer the QV as a twin-clutch Auto so perhaps it would be more appropriate to think of the Q4 as a more stylish and more sonorous rival to the Audi S4 or Impreza WRX than as an M3 chaser? Either way there is more than enough on offer here to ensure smooth, swift and safe progress on your favourite roads whatever the weather.

Bella crema!

Bella crema!

Inside the 159 still looks pretty fresh although it does without the modern infotainment systems of the Giulia - you can easily fit an aftermarket head unit if you simply can't live without CarPlay - the cream leather and aluminium trim work well against the deep red paintwork of the example pictured and despite the flaky reputation old Alfas enjoy (often unfounded), this car seems to wear its 62,000 miles very well.

So what do we have here? Well its a very handsome, very exclusive Italian sports saloon with a howling six-pot engine, 4WD stability and a manual gearbox. It'll do 60 in 7 seconds, should hit 30 MPG on any half decent run and the exhaust note is to die for. Sounds like quite the recipe doesn't it? I haven't even got to the best bit yet.. This very car is for sale today at a dealer in Surrey with an asking price of only £5495! That maths fans is fifty-seven and a half THOUSAND fewer pounds than you'll need to have to get your hands on a new QV.

Sounds to me like the biggest steal since The Italian Job!

Molto parsimoniso...

Molto parsimoniso...

Click below for the eBay advert for this car: