I’ve had 3 Alfas now – the first 156 was a little trouble but the second was excellent, and the current GT has also been good with only the split pin that goes into the clutch pedal breaking.
Key is to find a good independant. Whereabouts are you ?
When I picked up my second 156, which had a sportspack on, I was driving it home and had to stop at the traffic lights just before home after driving for about 40 minutes (I was taking the long way home via the country roads).
I noticed that my face was aching and then I realised that it had been caused by grinning for that 40 minutes… It was like a limpet on the road that car, great fun.
When the clutch was going on it I asked a mtb mate near Birmingham (that had once sat in it and liked the cockpit) if he wanted it for free, as the cost of the clutch was approaching what it was worth and I wanted a GT to put my bike in the back of.
So he took it and did the clutch and had it resprayed (Alfa red often fades in the sun, needs a good wax) and fixed the floorpan rot (which I didn’t know about and is commonish I believe) and other stuff, and then gave it to his wife to drive as he then bought a 3 litres GTV.
So the point of the story is that he eventually put it on ebay (because he moved, or something – less space) but it didn’t sell, so I think he still has it.
Here is the ad, if you fancy contacting him to see what he wants for it.
My GT is geting tatty and I am almost tempted to get it back.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-156-2-0-Twin-Spark-SportPack-2-new-Cambelt-and-floorpan-/231989062461?hash=item3603a02b3d%3Ag%3Ame4AAOSwepZXTZDI&nma=true&si=GEAuN2jFQz9cHodh359ZQctt6sE%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557