156 GTA - Anyone fancy a chat about it- future purchase!
Discussion
Living in oz, but potentially moving back to UK soon I have narrowed down my 'To Buy' list to the 156 GTA.
I had a 156 before moving to oz, loved it, but realise the GTA is the only way to go.
Not sure whether to go Sportwagon or Saloon yet, but fancy a black or dark blue one.
What are they like to live with on a daily drive? Are they easy going when needs be but a blast when required? Quick enough? Very thirsty?
Are there any particular things to be aware of or tips to be gained.
Thinking of trying to get one for 9k though, service, belt and pump change immediately if not already done recently and then put 2k towards the LSD and front brakes package. Then its crystal side repeaters and a nice stereo and speaker package (all covered, nothing chav) and i think thats that. Can anyone add any other recommendeds?
Also whats insurance like - I'm 32, Full NCB, living in the low risk New Forest. I thought 800 should cover it.
I had a 156 before moving to oz, loved it, but realise the GTA is the only way to go.
Not sure whether to go Sportwagon or Saloon yet, but fancy a black or dark blue one.
What are they like to live with on a daily drive? Are they easy going when needs be but a blast when required? Quick enough? Very thirsty?
Are there any particular things to be aware of or tips to be gained.
Thinking of trying to get one for 9k though, service, belt and pump change immediately if not already done recently and then put 2k towards the LSD and front brakes package. Then its crystal side repeaters and a nice stereo and speaker package (all covered, nothing chav) and i think thats that. Can anyone add any other recommendeds?
Also whats insurance like - I'm 32, Full NCB, living in the low risk New Forest. I thought 800 should cover it.
I have one, bought new about 3 years ago when I stopped racing Caterhams and wanted an "all in one" car that was fun to drive but also capable of family use and long journeys in comfort.
In short, I absolutely love it. A lot of crap is spoken about them because of the FWD, mainly from people that have not driven them. I have a short review of the car that you can seacrh for on this site, and a full one on Auto Journals (plus see my profile for pics) but to summarise your main questions:
Very comfortable for daily use except on really bumpy stuff. Quick steering means you need two hands on the wheel at all times, but hopefully you do that anyway! Motorway refinement and comfort is great.
Very quick (0-100 in 15 seconds dead) when needed, superb engine, and very entertaining handling. Traction is suprisingly good, I aim to fit the LSD and mayve some better dampers to mine but in stock form it is very good, particularly if you dislike bodyroll and dive/squat like I do. Brakes on a post oct 2003 car are already 330mm 4-pot brembos (shared with the Evo 8 and Boxster S) plus there is a Bose as standard and loads of other kit, not much you need to upgrade really.
I live fairly near you and am a couple of years older, I pay half what you mention for insurance including business miles, plus I get 24mpg average, easily 27-28mpg on longer journeys. I don't hang around.
Any more, ask away :-)
In short, I absolutely love it. A lot of crap is spoken about them because of the FWD, mainly from people that have not driven them. I have a short review of the car that you can seacrh for on this site, and a full one on Auto Journals (plus see my profile for pics) but to summarise your main questions:
Very comfortable for daily use except on really bumpy stuff. Quick steering means you need two hands on the wheel at all times, but hopefully you do that anyway! Motorway refinement and comfort is great.
Very quick (0-100 in 15 seconds dead) when needed, superb engine, and very entertaining handling. Traction is suprisingly good, I aim to fit the LSD and mayve some better dampers to mine but in stock form it is very good, particularly if you dislike bodyroll and dive/squat like I do. Brakes on a post oct 2003 car are already 330mm 4-pot brembos (shared with the Evo 8 and Boxster S) plus there is a Bose as standard and loads of other kit, not much you need to upgrade really.
I live fairly near you and am a couple of years older, I pay half what you mention for insurance including business miles, plus I get 24mpg average, easily 27-28mpg on longer journeys. I don't hang around.
Any more, ask away :-)
JW justabout covered it, they are a great car.
If I had to lay out a fault I would point to the dmaping, which can get flustered on certain types of road. In these cases the speed you can travel at is not limited by the engine, the corners, or even the law!, it's limited by the simple fact you will break something if you travel any faster. I beleive the various handling kits can cure this though, I would be looking to invest in one, probably the HBE one, but mine has to go now to make way for a more economic company purchase.
Insurance by the way is £450.00 for me in my forties and living in a reasonable district.
PS it's for sale in the classifieds if you want to have a look...
If I had to lay out a fault I would point to the dmaping, which can get flustered on certain types of road. In these cases the speed you can travel at is not limited by the engine, the corners, or even the law!, it's limited by the simple fact you will break something if you travel any faster. I beleive the various handling kits can cure this though, I would be looking to invest in one, probably the HBE one, but mine has to go now to make way for a more economic company purchase.
Insurance by the way is £450.00 for me in my forties and living in a reasonable district.
PS it's for sale in the classifieds if you want to have a look...
Thanks for the response JW and Mitch.
I've been following yours for a while JW online on Alfa Owner and the Journal. Great car and the one that actually got me on to black/dark blue.
I'd like the car mitch but Green isnt my bag. I had a white Alfa 156 in the UK and would perhaps go more mainstream for colours next time!
I think the buy a car, but save a few quid for immediate enhancements is the way to go. Many people never do what they need, or leave it too long. It would be nice to have it as required very shorlty.
I will also be on the look out for a post 2003 car. Are there any other changes, reliability improvements for the post 2003 cars?
At the moment it depends how long i stay in oz, so dont be offended if i repeat the thread a year from now if thats when i return!
Personally i think the GTA is the best mix of looks, practicality, speed, handling, flair, equipment and downrght desirability without driving a common car that makes you look like a tit, for under 10k.
I've been following yours for a while JW online on Alfa Owner and the Journal. Great car and the one that actually got me on to black/dark blue.
I'd like the car mitch but Green isnt my bag. I had a white Alfa 156 in the UK and would perhaps go more mainstream for colours next time!
I think the buy a car, but save a few quid for immediate enhancements is the way to go. Many people never do what they need, or leave it too long. It would be nice to have it as required very shorlty.
I will also be on the look out for a post 2003 car. Are there any other changes, reliability improvements for the post 2003 cars?
At the moment it depends how long i stay in oz, so dont be offended if i repeat the thread a year from now if thats when i return!
Personally i think the GTA is the best mix of looks, practicality, speed, handling, flair, equipment and downrght desirability without driving a common car that makes you look like a tit, for under 10k.
Fiddlemesticks said:
Personally i think the GTA is the best mix of looks, practicality, speed, handling, flair, equipment and downrght desirability without driving a common car that makes you look like a tit, for under 10k.
I think we might have just discovered Alfa's new marketing man!!
I think most has been said above, to which I agree. Had my GTA 3.5 years now and love it. Only intended to keep it a year but still don't want to sell.
Mine is a 2003 car registered in 2004. I had the brake upgrade kit fitted after the disks warped twice and in total it cost me £80 including a new set of alloys. Much better braking and look really nice too.
Can't really fault the car other than the odd rattle... love it
Mine is a 2003 car registered in 2004. I had the brake upgrade kit fitted after the disks warped twice and in total it cost me £80 including a new set of alloys. Much better braking and look really nice too.
Can't really fault the car other than the odd rattle... love it
Wombat Rick said:
Fiddlemesticks said:
Personally i think the GTA is the best mix of looks, practicality, speed, handling, flair, equipment and downrght desirability without driving a common car that makes you look like a tit, for under 10k.
I think we might have just discovered Alfa's new marketing man!!I'll take the Brera Spider 3.2 for a company car then thanks!
Plenty of the Alfaowner are very happy with some of the various damper or full coilover kit upgrades out there.
My feeling is that the spring and ARB rates and ride height are about spot on, it is the damping that could be firmer - I intend putting Koni FSD's or Bilstein B8's in mine this summer. The latter are very cost effective and allegedly all but eliminate grounding.
It's easy to overstate the damping "problems" though. I have grounded my car - lightly perhaps 5 times in 3 years, and I don't hang about. It depends largely on the roads, around here they are pretty good - the motorway ride is great and the setup for smooth roads great, even for on-the-limit driving. It is big cambers and really bad dips/crests/holes that are the issue. Even then it is far better than the 156 V6 SP3 I used to have.
Some people seem to think the GTA SW is slightly softer sprung than the saloon - hard to be sure. Oh, and don't get too picky about colours - only 269 GTA saloons and 107 SW's were sold in the UK. Mine is probably one of about 2-5 in that colour! Which is great, it makes me laugh when Corrado owners say the VR6 is rare and exclusive because only 10k were sold!
I agree completelt about the car in general. I just can't imagine what else gives you the same looks - inside and out - engine, perormance, etc. And despite having quite a bit of track experience I've always found the handling highly enjoyable - having such an incredibly responsive engine really helps hunt out the available grip. Having had a couple of Alfa V6's (and a much worse Audi one) I'm a real engine snob now and deplore turbocharged 4 pots. And diesels are out of the question - even as our family car... Once you live with this good an engine, it makes you picky... I even sat in a friend's Cayman S thinking what a flat whiny noise it made except when really going for it (car overall was superb, mind).
My feeling is that the spring and ARB rates and ride height are about spot on, it is the damping that could be firmer - I intend putting Koni FSD's or Bilstein B8's in mine this summer. The latter are very cost effective and allegedly all but eliminate grounding.
It's easy to overstate the damping "problems" though. I have grounded my car - lightly perhaps 5 times in 3 years, and I don't hang about. It depends largely on the roads, around here they are pretty good - the motorway ride is great and the setup for smooth roads great, even for on-the-limit driving. It is big cambers and really bad dips/crests/holes that are the issue. Even then it is far better than the 156 V6 SP3 I used to have.
Some people seem to think the GTA SW is slightly softer sprung than the saloon - hard to be sure. Oh, and don't get too picky about colours - only 269 GTA saloons and 107 SW's were sold in the UK. Mine is probably one of about 2-5 in that colour! Which is great, it makes me laugh when Corrado owners say the VR6 is rare and exclusive because only 10k were sold!
I agree completelt about the car in general. I just can't imagine what else gives you the same looks - inside and out - engine, perormance, etc. And despite having quite a bit of track experience I've always found the handling highly enjoyable - having such an incredibly responsive engine really helps hunt out the available grip. Having had a couple of Alfa V6's (and a much worse Audi one) I'm a real engine snob now and deplore turbocharged 4 pots. And diesels are out of the question - even as our family car... Once you live with this good an engine, it makes you picky... I even sat in a friend's Cayman S thinking what a flat whiny noise it made except when really going for it (car overall was superb, mind).
Edited by jwyatt on Tuesday 26th February 10:44
Another positive vote for the GTA, I've had mine for 18 months now and its been fantastic.
The only downside has been expensive servicing (cambelt, etc.) and below average customer care at the main dealers.
The engine is an absolute gem (one of the greats I reckon), it looks lovely and even after driving a TVR the GTA never feels slow or less than special.
Buy one and enjoy!
The only downside has been expensive servicing (cambelt, etc.) and below average customer care at the main dealers.
The engine is an absolute gem (one of the greats I reckon), it looks lovely and even after driving a TVR the GTA never feels slow or less than special.
Buy one and enjoy!
Thought I'd bring this thread up again as I'm looking for a replacemnt car and the GTA seems to tick a few boxes.
Just been reading on an Alfa forum about potential rust problems, sounds like quite a few are getting the dreaded orange rot through the wheel arches. Anybody experienced this ??
An earlier post said the brake upgrade kit was 80 quid ? What did this include ? Do you use the same calipers with some sort of spcaes or different bracket ?
Any further reports of life with a GTA appreciated !!
Just been reading on an Alfa forum about potential rust problems, sounds like quite a few are getting the dreaded orange rot through the wheel arches. Anybody experienced this ??
An earlier post said the brake upgrade kit was 80 quid ? What did this include ? Do you use the same calipers with some sort of spcaes or different bracket ?
Any further reports of life with a GTA appreciated !!
My 2004 GTA has no rust that I am aware of - maybe it affects the older ones?
My £80 comment may have been misleading. In total, the brake upgrade cost in the region of £2000 including a new set of spoked 17" alloys as the originals can't take the upgrade. Due to the problems I had with discs warping, Alfa agreed to the work for £400. I then sold my old alloys for £320 on eBay, so all in all cost me £80. It is a complete new set of callipers and disks and they are quite a bit bigger. I would suggest you look for a model that has had this done.
Other ownership comments? I love it! Originally bought it new and planned to keep it a year. Nearly 4 years on now and 60,000 miles and I still love it. Only downsides I've found are a few annoying rattles, the side lights are a pain to change the bulb and I do find it uncomfortable after 1.5 hours of driving. But these are minor niggles.
My £80 comment may have been misleading. In total, the brake upgrade cost in the region of £2000 including a new set of spoked 17" alloys as the originals can't take the upgrade. Due to the problems I had with discs warping, Alfa agreed to the work for £400. I then sold my old alloys for £320 on eBay, so all in all cost me £80. It is a complete new set of callipers and disks and they are quite a bit bigger. I would suggest you look for a model that has had this done.
Other ownership comments? I love it! Originally bought it new and planned to keep it a year. Nearly 4 years on now and 60,000 miles and I still love it. Only downsides I've found are a few annoying rattles, the side lights are a pain to change the bulb and I do find it uncomfortable after 1.5 hours of driving. But these are minor niggles.
Viper_Larry said:
My 2004 GTA has no rust that I am aware of - maybe it affects the older ones?
Worth having a look at this thread - seems like there's a rust trap in one specific area of the wings, only affecting GTAs.jamieboy said:
Fiddlemesticks said:
I will also be on the look out for a post 2003 car. Are there any other changes, reliability improvements for the post 2003 cars?
What changes were there on the GTA post-2003?I have a 52 plate GTA with the brake upgrade and it's a phenominal car. I love it to bits.
I have a 2005 156GTA in solid black with the black/tan interior (like JWyatt's) and it's fantastic. Have had it a year, in which time I drove it from the UK to Moscow, kept it there for 8 months and then drove it back to the UK last w/end. It's been admirably reliable despite all that strain, and was a fast, comfortable and fun companion on the long haul to and from Russia. Here is mine in Finland (a bit grimy) last w/end on the drive back:
I really rate it now and will find it very hard to replace. It's great-looking inside and out, nicely finished, goes like stink, handles well, well-equipped and is a very useful size. Plus the GTA additions really make the 156 shape in my view.
The only issue I'd second are comments about the suspension. Mine is currently at Black & White having the clonking suspension looked at (I'm guessing the culprits will be either (or a combination of) worn bushes or worn ARBs). Early suspension wear is a ubiquitous feature of these cars it seemed and something worth checking on any car you look at.
I really rate it now and will find it very hard to replace. It's great-looking inside and out, nicely finished, goes like stink, handles well, well-equipped and is a very useful size. Plus the GTA additions really make the 156 shape in my view.
The only issue I'd second are comments about the suspension. Mine is currently at Black & White having the clonking suspension looked at (I'm guessing the culprits will be either (or a combination of) worn bushes or worn ARBs). Early suspension wear is a ubiquitous feature of these cars it seemed and something worth checking on any car you look at.
Bought mine in jan. Love it. Gets lots of looks and is really very fast too.
However, it does feel - well - delicate. Perhaps i have just read too much on t' web about broken ones! I though my corrado was delicate when i bought that too. It turned out to be bombproof !
Sometimes when i hit a pothole it sounds like something MUST have broken. But apparently not. It grounds out over many speed bumps, so i try to avoid them. I guess an uprated front kit would solve these things. I dunno. This is not really a car for crap road surfaces.
Its a beautiful car to be in though, and as for the engine ....wow. It looks as great as it sounds, and sounds as mental as it goes !
Its an Alfa and will not be cheap to run ( i'm getting 250 miles from a tank at the mo - ouch ! ) but what it takes out of your pocket , it will put back into your heart.
I mean look at it :
Just get one !
However, it does feel - well - delicate. Perhaps i have just read too much on t' web about broken ones! I though my corrado was delicate when i bought that too. It turned out to be bombproof !
Sometimes when i hit a pothole it sounds like something MUST have broken. But apparently not. It grounds out over many speed bumps, so i try to avoid them. I guess an uprated front kit would solve these things. I dunno. This is not really a car for crap road surfaces.
Its a beautiful car to be in though, and as for the engine ....wow. It looks as great as it sounds, and sounds as mental as it goes !
Its an Alfa and will not be cheap to run ( i'm getting 250 miles from a tank at the mo - ouch ! ) but what it takes out of your pocket , it will put back into your heart.
I mean look at it :
Just get one !
Edited by Chimune on Friday 2nd May 13:31
Hi,
I bought my GTA in July 2003 and ran it until June last year.
Without doubt it has been a fantastic car - the best of both worlds....pretty fast, great sounding engine and the best looking, best looking saloon out unless you can afford a Maserati, excellent handling coping with 250bhp on a front wheel drive car. The only complaint I got was from my kids - not very big in the back.
I got Alfa to pay for a brake upgrade complaining about brake fade - had to moan alot! - 4 pot Brembo calipers, pads and new spoked alloys which put the icing on the cake! - The only thing I would say if you push it a bit Brembo pads still gave a bit of brake fade but if you change them to Mintex or Ferrodo you get a much better pedal and no brake fade.
If you live in the country you may find you scrape the bottom of the front spoiler / air dam.
At age 40 my insurance was also about £450.
I have owned a few Alfa's - and by a long shot the tyre wear was the best on this one, I found the best grip wet or dry was on Michellin PS2's, could drive almost as hard in the wet.
Auto Italia magazine did an article on 156 GTA upgrades (early 2007 - I think) featuring mine as the standard car apart from the brakes and 2 other GTA's with varying upgrades on power, suspension and brakes.
Anyway bl**dy excellent all round car.
Sold it last summer as fell in love with TVR's - Bought a Griffith 500 - absolutey fantastic fun, stunning looks, open top - first time I have driven at 160mph with the roof off - Wow!!
I bought my GTA in July 2003 and ran it until June last year.
Without doubt it has been a fantastic car - the best of both worlds....pretty fast, great sounding engine and the best looking, best looking saloon out unless you can afford a Maserati, excellent handling coping with 250bhp on a front wheel drive car. The only complaint I got was from my kids - not very big in the back.
I got Alfa to pay for a brake upgrade complaining about brake fade - had to moan alot! - 4 pot Brembo calipers, pads and new spoked alloys which put the icing on the cake! - The only thing I would say if you push it a bit Brembo pads still gave a bit of brake fade but if you change them to Mintex or Ferrodo you get a much better pedal and no brake fade.
If you live in the country you may find you scrape the bottom of the front spoiler / air dam.
At age 40 my insurance was also about £450.
I have owned a few Alfa's - and by a long shot the tyre wear was the best on this one, I found the best grip wet or dry was on Michellin PS2's, could drive almost as hard in the wet.
Auto Italia magazine did an article on 156 GTA upgrades (early 2007 - I think) featuring mine as the standard car apart from the brakes and 2 other GTA's with varying upgrades on power, suspension and brakes.
Anyway bl**dy excellent all round car.
Sold it last summer as fell in love with TVR's - Bought a Griffith 500 - absolutey fantastic fun, stunning looks, open top - first time I have driven at 160mph with the roof off - Wow!!
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