Alfa Romeo 156 
The Alfa Romeo that takes the fight directly to the BMW 3-series, and comes out on top.  Not only is this car just as reliable as a 3-series, but it also has an interior that would make some sportscars jealous.  The sporting theme continues throughout the car, with hidden rear door handles to make it look like a coupe, to fake Carbon Fibre trim (completely pointless, -carbon fibre is a material used to save weight, and as trim only adds weight this goes against the point, -especially as it isn't even real carbon fibre!).  A range of engines is available, the best two are the 190bhp 2.5 litre V6 (0-60mph in 7.3 secs), and the 2 litre twin spark (two spark plugs per cylinder) -which is also lighter than the V6, so handling is improved, although 0-60mph is slightly slower at approx 8 secs.
The best news about the 156?  -Well being part of the Fiat group, and therefore Ferrari, means the technology of the supercars finds its way down into cheaper cars, the result - a 156 Twin spark that has steering wheel gear cahnge buttons, and being newer than the F355 F1 means the system has been improved, the computer controlled throttle will now blip automatically during shifts so that engine revs match exactly wheel speed, meaning that gear changes are smoother, and faster!  The downside, as with all semi-autos currantly available on road cars, -standing starts are a little bit more fiddly.   