Alfa Romeo 156 / 147 GTA 3.2 V6 - Discuss!

[Jim 2]

One fella's experience isn't going to put me off what felt like a very solid, well made car to me

 

I wish you the best of luck with that Alfa.. but its hardly like tales of their dire reliability are infrequent. The only person I know who's had an Alfa was my cousin - nice GTV 2.0 TS - was a lovely car in black with red leather but he got rid of it after relentless problems and repair costs.

 

As I say - good luck ;)

[RADO.001 0]

id buy a 147 gta in a heart beat if i could aford it.

had a black one with black & cream interior next to me the other day in the car park, lush!

[alex303 0]

but he got rid of it after relentless problems and repair costs.

 

As I say - good luck ;)

 

To be fair mate there's been times in the distant past when i could cheerfully describe my VR the same way...not a problem these days now its a fun car (and still love it all the same)!

[double-6s 0]

One fella's experience isn't going to put me off what felt like a very solid, well made car to me

 

I wish you the best of luck with that Alfa.. but its hardly like tales of their dire reliability are infrequent. The only person I know who's had an Alfa was my cousin - nice GTV 2.0 TS - was a lovely car in black with red leather but he got rid of it after relentless problems and repair costs.

 

As I say - good luck ;)

 

 

'Tales' being the operative word there I think mate. Almost all of what I've heard has not come directly from the owners themselves, but from other people who've heard from their brother's mate's mechanic who wouldn't touch an alfa with a barge pole. And most of the reputation was formed in the 70s and 80s when italian cars really were complete dog turd. But things change.

 

To be fair since the 156 was introduced things have changed dramatically. Even the GTV you mention is a much older design and it's really obvious when you drive one and compare it to the gta.

 

I'm not pretending it will be as reliable as a modern vw or audi, but maybe it will. Who knows?

 

And if we all go on past reputation and problems, I reckon we'd all miss out on some fookin amazing experiences. I absolutely love this car already, and even if it does keep breaking down (under warranty anyway) I will continue to love it for what it is. If you're ever down this way come and try it. You may be suprised - my completely dub-obsessed mechanic was.

 

I think the fact that I'm a risk-taker had an influence on my choice too mate.

[double-6s 0]

God I'm in love with this engine :)

 

I'd read it was a bit short on low-end torque - complete cobblers! I've been driving round town (including mini roundabouts etc) in 6th gear, and it hasn't complained at all and pulls strongly.

 

It's also a complete loon at the high end of the rev range. Jesus it goes absolutely mental from 5-7000 revs! The last thousand is silly - I've hit the limiter a couple of times as I wasn't expecting it to rip that quickly! :)

 

Can't say fuel use is that bad either - I seem to be returning exactly the same figures as I do in the VR6. Tis quiet though (compared to the rado) - might have to get a CDA for it.

[KADVR6 0]

glad to hear your loving the car Will 8)

[double-6s 0]

glad to hear your loving the car Will 8)

 

Mate it's lovely. Very very different to the rado, but still lovely. I reckon one of each is almost the perfect combination for me :)

[alex303 0]

Can't say fuel use is that bad either - I seem to be returning exactly the same figures as I do in the VR6. Tis quiet though (compared to the rado) - might have to get a CDA for it.

 

There you go, what did i say earlier your planning to Mod the bloody thing already :lol: and you hav'nt even been driving it a week yet....think you need this link again matey!

 

http://www.autodeltashop.com/index.php?cPath=28_59

 

i'll have a tenner on you boring it out to 3.7L by this time next year!!!! :)

[double-6s 0]

Don't start that again Alex!! :)

 

It sounds gorgeous, just a wee bit quiet perhaps :)

 

That 3.7 conversion does look the nuts - 6 grand though!!! :shock: maybe when I've killed the engine I'll be earning enough to afford a 3.7 rebuild.

[gixxer 0]

I love the 147. Me & the missus owned a standard 147 for 3 years a while back & the only prob we had was a recurring squeal in the brakes. When we gave it up we went for a spin in the GTA & damn thats a good car!! Great noise & just a top laugh. If I had the cash now that would be the 1st car I'd go out & buy. Brilliant!

[double-6s 0]

Yeah I love the 147 GTA too mate. Lovely car. I settled on the 156 GTA in the end as it's a bit more practical for me with the kids. And we go camping and the like so the large boot is a real bonus.

 

I am toying with the idea of fitting a carbon intake and a cat back exhaust with the rear silencer removed. That should make it sound even better.

 

And, I'm meeting up with evo magazine next week for a photoshoot! :) They are doing a GTA buying guide and my car was lucky enough to be chosen for the pics :)

[Stan 24v 0]

Shall I, Sant I? Will I, Wont I? Your such a fecking fanny William!!!! :lol:

 

Now get some pics of that Italian bling up here 8)

[double-6s 0]

Shall I, Sant I? Will I, Wont I? Your such a fecking fanny William!!!! :lol:

 

Now get some pics of that Italian bling up here 8)

 

Will do gaylord - once i've cleaned her again i will post up some italian car porn :)

 

Now go and buy that GTV dude ;)

[double-6s 0]

Couple of pics from a photoshoot for evo magazine yesterday - sorry it's not a german car!! ;)

 

Pics taken by evo photographer Owen (hope he doesn't mind!) on his mobile phone!

[herisites 0]

That looks sexual 8)

[double-6s 0]

That looks sexual 8)

 

:)

 

It's amazing what they can do with lighting etc mate. A really good day out was had :)

[double-6s 0]

Couple more taken on my little camera - i need to go to evening classes :lol:

[Stan 24v 0]

Nice 8)

[alex303 0]

that looks bloody stunning Will, is that going in the next issue of Evo?

[double-6s 0]

that looks bloody stunning Will, is that going in the next issue of Evo?

 

Thanks mate :)

 

You bought one yet? ;)

 

It is going in the next issue which is out in 2 or 3 weeks all going well. There might even be a mug shot of me too! Poor public :)

[alex303 0]

that looks bloody stunning Will, is that going in the next issue of Evo?

 

Thanks mate :)

 

You bought one yet? ;)

 

It is going in the next issue which is out in 2 or 3 weeks all going well. There might even be a mug shot of me too! Poor public :)

 

i'm definitely keeping my eyes open for a nice clean 147 GTA but realistically will probably be towards the end of summer before i buy mate, bloody festival season now so monies going thru my hands like water!

[double-6s 0]

Not a bad idea to wait a few months mate - it's an alfa so it will have fallen in price by about 3 grand by the end of summer! ;)

 

I can't remember if you've got kids Alex? You haven't have you? I was gonna say don't buy the 147 if you have. Absolutely no room in the back! Totally gorgeous car other than that :)

[alex303 0]

I can't remember if you've got kids Alex? You haven't have you? I was gonna say don't buy the 147 if you have. Absolutely no room in the back! Totally gorgeous car other than that :)

 

No matey not got round to that mission yet (well at least i hope i hav'nt :) ....suppose the CSA could still come knocking), its daft really as although i'm a tall bloke i always love smaller cars. That 156 is a beauty though 8) there's no doubt about that!

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Well looks like i've found the right car...

 

Silver 2003 156 GTA with 37k on the clock. Black leather with grey inserts. Electric everything. Bose, etc. Really minty other than a few stone chips.

 

Going to buy it tomorrow but may have to wait 2 weeks! :(

 

God I hope I'm not mad buying an Alfa!!

 

Very nice 8)

 

I don't think you're mad. If you can run a VR Corrado then a 156 GTA shouldn't cause too many headaches! Neither are reliable according to forums, but they're not half as bad as they're made out to be in real life. Remember..... maintenance, maintenance, maintenance :lol: There is absolutely no reason why it should cause you problems if it's looked after.

 

How do you find the handling? It should be sweet.....double wishbones as standard 8)

 

If you do decide you want some more oomph from it, give Auto Delta a call. They've just done a 450hp conversion!! They bore the 3.2 out to 3.7 and stick a rotrex charger on it :shock: 400lb/ft torque to go with it 8)

 

Enjoy!

[double-6s 0]

Handling is sweet Kev :)

 

Very different to the rado as it's a fair bit heavier and doesn't move around like the C (as in drifting). Shed loads of mechanical grip. T/C can be a mare in slow tight corners, but luckily it can be switched off. I have read a fair bit about the suspension being a bit delicate though. Time will tell.

 

One thing I can't quite get my head round at the moment is the size of the steering wheel! It's mahoosive! Every time I drive the rado with it's 300mm sparco wheel, it makes the alfa feel like a bus :) It's got all sorts of stereo control gubbins on it though, so I fear changing it may be a royal pain in the aerosol.

 

I've already been drooling over the AD conversions mate - there's also a fella who does a 3.8 conversion. I reckon a N/A 3.8 would be pretty tasty. Around 330 horsies I think :)

 

Even standard though the engine is a peach. It absolutely rips from about 4.5 to 5k revs straight up to 7k. There's a really good noticeable step in delivery (without the shrek flat spot) - presumably when it comes on cam?

 

And it is way more economical than the rado! I can get 30 mpg fairly easily on a run, which is something I never managed in the C! I reckon it's down to engine management. It feels so modern compared to the C in that respect. Throttle response is like lightning, and the throttle-off action is jsut so smooth :)