SENSIBLE COUPE WITH IMPECCABLE SPORTING PEDIGREE I have always mourned the passing of the very sensible Audi coupe line-up from the 80s and 90s, the car that brought us the original quattro sports coupes. For all the excitement they offered, they were also extremely sensible with seating for four adults in perfect comfort compared with what other coupes could offer. If you hanker after those halcyon coupe days then all is not lost for you can still buy a sensible coupe with impeccable sporting pedigree, the Alfa Romeo GT. And the good news is that this modern day spacious coupe is around in the used market, too, bringing the promise of some very affordable prices. People often throw their hands up in horror at the thought of Alfa ownership. The Italian marque is not exactly noted for tip top reliability - in the past its cars used to rust into oblivion like a Lancia on speed, and they have generally been poorly received. But the experiences of my nephew, who swapped his Mazda MX-5 for an Alfa 147, and a friend of my daughter’s partner, who fancied a Lexus and bought his second Alfa instead, prove that Alfa ownership is far from one grief episode after another. And I have known for years that the Alfa driving experience is a great one. Just to make sure I could reinforce this belief, I spent a very enjoyable fortnight with an Alfa GT fitted with the 1.9 litre JTD diesel engine. It was superb. My daughter and her partner also spent several days with the car and both agreed it was ideal for them. As youngish professionals with no children, the GT made sensible everyday transport that had plenty of image yet at the same time offered the space to take other people with them. Having a coupe with a diesel engine doesn’t detract from the driving pleasure, either. True, you don't get the revvy nature of some of Alfa’s petrol models but the diesel offers a relaxing drive that’s still spirited in its approach to pleasure. As a bonus, the test car was giving 40 mpg too, despite some hard and enthusiastic driving. But if you remain unconvinced by the thoughts of a diesel coupe, there are some interesting engines to enjoy, too. Petrol power comes from a two litre four cylinder or a 3.2 litre V6, a tasty motor with a delicious sound that should put at least some life in your pulse at the end of a long, hard day. It won’t be so good for economy, though, a fact that will be reflected in its good value prices. Even though the GT is in its third year now, the car still looks fresh and far more sporting than models like the BMW 3 Series coupe, which retain too much of the looks of their saloon counterparts. Alfa dealers have been under some flak in recent years for poor levels of customer service but I understand Alfa in the UK has been studying Lexus as its role model for improving things, so hopefully things will have gone from Lada to Lamborghini levels. The GT requires servicing every 12 months and if you can’t find an Alfa dealer nearby then maybe you will be able to locate one of the many Alfa specialists instead, an enthusiast likely to be able to give sound buying advice, too. Insurance starts at Group 15 for the diesel and 2.0 petrol but is 19 for the 3.2, so beware. Prices are now pretty good for the GT. On an 04 plate, you can have the 2.0 petrol car for less than £12,900 – it’s a lot of style for the cash that would have cost £10,000 more just three years ago. Having a diesel is not that bizarre a choice, and the 1.9 JTD on an 04 looks tempting at £13,300. If it’s a question of hang the expense, grab a 56 plate 3.2 V6 £18,500, less if you haggle hard. Maurice Hardy