Hi
I'm David and live in Brisbane.
I bought my two girls (19 & 17) a 156 JTS manual over the weekend.
I'll be doing all the maintenance and work (hopefully nothing major) on it.
So looking forward to picking the brains of experienced members on these new Alfa's.
In my past life I've owned a 105, Alfasud and for a very short while a GTV6 & 164. For the last 15 years I've owned Audi's.
Welcome David to the Alfa Romeo Forum, the 156 JTS would be a good car for young drivers as they have a high level of safety, with ABS, Stability Control, Emergency Braking Assist and 4 airbags and Airbag Curtains.
They also are good to drive with the manual that teaches you how to drive properly, without the unreliability of the Sillyspeed.
The main thing to watch out for is change the timing belts every 3 years on a timely basis and 50,000 for city driving and dusty and harsh conditions, 60,000 for freeway driving.
Check the oil every week without fail, and the oil to use is 10 - 60 fully synthetic of your favourite brand of oil manufacturer, because of the direct injection, these engines suffer from crankcase dilution, which leads to worn cam lobes, for city driving change the oil on a more regular basis.
For any questions ask here, i am sure it has been asked before, just enter search and see what comes up, Colin.