You either "get" the Harley-Davidson thing or you don't. There's no use trying to explain the unhurried, laid-back feeling, over-the-top chrome-and-tassles to a superbiker who spends his time zooting along at 280km/h.
I think it's much the same with Alfa Romeos, though I hasten to add there's little in common between the Italian car and the American bruisers. It's just that, if you're not a fan of the brand, you're unlikely to be, even in the face of the most compelling persuasion.
Which is why a lot of people won't even bother going to an Alfa dealer to drive the new 159. They won't deny the cars are sexy, but they remember the bad old Alfa days and they walk past the showroom.
Pity.
The 159's predecessor, the 1997 Alfa 156, was a milestone car for the Italian firm. Here was an Alfa Romeo with all the brand's famous street cred and a new level of refinement and credibility.
It was the first Alfa you could compare to German sports sedans with a straight face and it duly bagged the 1999 South African Car of the Year title.
The 159 sedan, launched in South Africa in June 2006 in petrol 1.9 and 2.2-litre models, has moved a step further. It's as refined as anything from Munich, Ingolstadt or Stuttgart and seems to be as well-built.
The doors close with a solid thunk. Knock on the dash and it feels robust and solid, not hollow, beneath that classy, soft-touch covering.
There's an air of quality and substance about the car. The only thing likely to fall off will be cyclists as they are momentarily dazed by the car's good looks as you drive past.
Many wondered what would happen to Alfa styling after the departure of its famous designer Walter da Silva but that sex appeal is still all there. The 159 is a real crowd-puller, even though its rear door releases aren't hidden like its predecessor's to make it look like a coupé.
It looks like something James Bond should be driving, with sleek, suave lines that make some of its rivals look a little dowdy; that swept-back windscreen is likely to attract a few lipstick-scrawled phone numbers.
The triple, projector-style, headlights are slightly recessed units without covers; we expected this to create some wind noise but that wasn't the case. To the contrary, the 159 is one of the quietest cars in its class, a real smoothie in every respect. Too much so, perhaps, if you want some bite and blare.
Lukewarm performance
In the 1.9-litre JTS version you're not getting much of either. At Jo'burg altitude the performance of the 118kW direct-injection petrol engine is lukewarm and the car takes 11.7 seconds to reach 100km/h - hardly enough to set your trousers on fire.
The 1.9 felt more responsive when at sea level but, if you live on the Highveld and you want some va-va-va voom, go for the 136kW 2.2-litre version.
Neither of these four-cylinder engines makes a charismatic sound but on the plus side they require servicing only once every 30 000km and that's covered by a five-year maintenance plan.
The 1.9's top speed is a respectable 212km/h and the car makes a decent enough cruiser as it lopes along comfortably with only the steeper hills calling for a downshift.
Gear selection is no chore thanks to the slick, six-speed manual transmission - that awful Selespeed semi-automatic gearbox is a thing of the past.
Tip-toe over speed bumps
What's not relegated to history is the 156's low frontal ground clearance; you really have to tip-toe the 159 over speed bumps and up angled driveways to avoid scraping the front spoiler.
If you want fire-breathing performance to go with the 159's sizzling looks (and can afford it) wait for the 191kW, wait for the 3.2-litre V6 that's due later this year.
The chassis seems more than up to it; the 159 is a real beaut through the twisty bits with sharp steering and the agility to eat mountain passes for breakfast.
Alfa has achieved all this without resorting to an overly-stiff suspension and neatly hits the sweet spot between sharp handling and a comfy ride.
Traction control and anti-lock brakes help prevent you thudding into things but the car has seven crash bags and anti-whiplash front head restraints to cushion the blow in case you do. A hill holder helps you take off without rolling back.
The 159's inner charm matches its sexy exterior. The quality is evident in the neat fit-'n-finish throughout the cabin but the typical Alfa styling flair is evident in the circular air vents, the obligatory aluminium bits and the trio of tunnel-style gauges in the centre of the fascia that are labelled in Italian: olio, aqua, benzina.
If you have to ask what they mean then you're not Alfa material.
Driver-orientated fascia
The driver-orientated fascia is tilted away from the front passenger and the three-spoked steering wheel is a chunky, leatherbound affair that feels very satisfying and has buttons for the made-to-fit audio system.
There's a little electronic box to slot into the fascia instead of a traditional key and, as per the modern trend, you fire it up by pressing a button.
The seats are supportive and comfy, ribbed in that sporty Italian style. The 159 is larger than the 156 and is generally quite roomy, except for rear legroom which is adequate rather than brilliant.
The car's practical, too, with a largish boot and decent cabin storage space that includes a lidded bin between the front seats. But no cupholders? That's the US market out, then...
Bells and whistles are plentiful and they all work well except for the automatic climate control which you can't switch to manual for love or money and the exasperating fan always decides by itself how hard it wishes to blow.
SUMMARY
Boy-racer Alfa grows up and dons a suit, but still scorns a tie. This is Alfa's famous flair presented with more sophistication and refinement.
The Alfa 159 is going to surprise a lot of people... if its looks can entice them into the showroom.