RE: Spotted: Alfa 147 GTA

[richyd]

I love this thread!!! one of the best I've ever read on PHeads.....

That black 147GTA s or 3 posts earlier looks stunning!!

I did dabble with Alpha's a few years ago, bought a 147 1.6TS as a fun station car - It lasted 2 weeks before it dropped a valve at 80mph.... that ended that little venture!

[tommy,b]

Love the character of Alfa's here is my GTA

[Peppka]

Had a V6 Gtv for 8 years now the Busso engine is just gorgeous shows what can be done with a properly designed naturally aspirated engine without turbos and superchargers not stuffed by emission regulations, pulls like a train through the whole rev range. Agree with all the comments about diffs etc. priority one Q2 diff, then decent shocks - konis (AR shocks are rubbish) then strut brace -OMP transformed my GTV handling.

[trickymex]

I appreciate individual tastes and preferences and each to their own but for me as much as I like these cars I can think of many cars I'd pick ahead of a GTA

It's easy to list a load of cars that are the same money that some will think is better but I guess it comes down to personal choice.


For example I've had mk1 and mk2 escorts worth more than this Alfa but as a day to day car the Alfa is a better car in every respect, I guess it comes down to how a car makes you feel and how much you are willing to pay for it

I wouldn't think twice about paying 10k+ for a nice mk1 escort again and I've not even driven a GTA so I'm hardly qualified to judge.

Maybe I should drive one and then try to value the enjoyment it gives me, maybe it will convert me??

All I can think of is a nice mk1 escort now though lol

[muppet42]

Seriously considering an Alfa as a replacement for my Stilo and the 147 has had a look in or two though the slightly lower initial prices of the GTV and 156 GTA are a pushing me towards them. Hell, I've went further back looking at 155s and 164s but that's a different matter I guess and could well be budget related

Only ever driven a TS GTV and that was a bit on the ropey side but still enjoyed it

I would definitely go for a colour other than the default Alfa Red though on the 147, I think the pearlescent white, this blue or even the black are more preferable though oddly, I quite like the red on the 156. Either way, with the correct mods I'd imagine it'll be an epic car

[GhostyDog]

[quote=tommy,b]Love the character of Alfa's here is my GTA
[/quote]

No it's MY GTA

[crostonian]

trickymex said:

I appreciate individual tastes and preferences and each to their own but for me as much as I like these cars I can think of many cars I'd pick ahead of a GTA

It's easy to list a load of cars that are the same money that some will think is better but I guess it comes down to personal choice.


For example I've had mk1 and mk2 escorts worth more than this Alfa but as a day to day car the Alfa is a better car in every respect, I guess it comes down to how a car makes you feel and how much you are willing to pay for it

I wouldn't think twice about paying 10k+ for a nice mk1 escort again and I've not even driven a GTA so I'm hardly qualified to judge.

Maybe I should drive one and then try to value the enjoyment it gives me, maybe it will convert me??

All I can think of is a nice mk1 escort now though lol

We don't go care what you think, go away!

[GhostyDog]

trickymex said:

I appreciate individual tastes and preferences and each to their own but for me as much as I like these cars I can think of many cars I'd pick ahead of a GTA

It's easy to list a load of cars that are the same money that some will think is better but I guess it comes down to personal choice.


For example I've had mk1 and mk2 escorts worth more than this Alfa but as a day to day car the Alfa is a better car in every respect, I guess it comes down to how a car makes you feel and how much you are willing to pay for it

I wouldn't think twice about paying 10k+ for a nice mk1 escort again and I've not even driven a GTA so I'm hardly qualified to judge.

Maybe I should drive one and then try to value the enjoyment it gives me, maybe it will convert me??

All I can think of is a nice mk1 escort now though lol

I think I think I think

You don't buy an alfa with your head you buy it with your heart

[trickymex]

crostonian said:

We don't go care what you think, go away!

Ahh, a keyboard warrior. If you don't like what I'm writing you can always just ignore it??

Instead you wanted to show everyone on here you are a childish prat....


Congrats, you succeeded

[MattyB_]

Trickymex - we get it, you don't like them, made your point (three times now) and you're just being purposefully provocative. Jog on...


Anyway, back on topic. The GTA is the best car I've ever owned, period. It's not the quickest, it's not the best built nor does it have the best chassis - but as a complete package it just works, more on an emotional level (there, I said it!), whereas the German alternatives (Golf GTi, etc) work better on a technical level, and therefore perform better in editorial tests.

However, lets not forget, these cars are relatively very expensive to run. Cheap GTA's can cost a fortune in the long term, so avoid any that have just had basic maintenance; they need plenty of TLC.

My old one is back up for sale as of now:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Not cheap though.

And it sounds like this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMhYqTbP4oE

[K5tealth]

Pat H said:

Unless you really have to have all that power, then the 2.5 V6 is the nicer engine.

It sounds better and revs harder than the 3.2, even though it can't compare in the power stakes.

I've owned two 3.2 GTVs and the power really does corrupt the chassis and detract from the pleasure, though my second one had a Q2 and was much better.

My daily snotter is a 156 with the 2.5 V6 and it is a lovely compromise, far nicer to drive than either of the GTVs.

For what it's worth, both GTVs and the 156 have been completely reliable.

But whilst I prefer the 2.5, all versions of the Arese V6 are magnificent.

I've owned Lotus Twinks, Rover/TVR V8s, a Ferrari V8, and BMW Sixes and in my humble opinion the Alfa V6 knocks them all into a cocked hat.

My 156 has covered 60,000 miles and is probably worth less than a grand.

I would give you a grand for it - looks lovely!

[trickymex]

MattyB_ said:

Trickymex - we get it, you don't like them, made your point (three times now) and you're just being purposefully provocative. Jog on...


Anyway, back on topic. The GTA is the best car I've ever owned, period. It's not the quickest, it's not the best built nor does it have the best chassis - but as a complete package it just works, more on an emotional level (there, I said it!), whereas the German alternatives (Golf GTi, etc) work better on a technical level, and therefore perform better in editorial tests.

However, lets not forget, these cars are relatively very expensive to run. Cheap GTA's can cost a fortune in the long term, so avoid any that have just had basic maintenance; they need plenty of TLC.

My old one is back up for sale as of now:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Not cheap though.

And it sounds like this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMhYqTbP4oE

Actually that wasn't my point and I didn't think any if what I said was provocative, and I never said I didn't like them, in fact I said I was t qualified to say as I haven't driven one.


Don't worry I will go back to spectating on threads rather than having an opinion.

[tommy,b]

GhostyDog said:

No it's MY GTA

Ha ha I need to thank you for spending so much time and money sorting it out for me

[peter450]

It's a great shame there was no 159 GTA, and the old V6 never made it to this car, in my humble opinion Alfa's best looking saloon in decades and no GTA and no shiny V6 to see under the bonnet

It's a real shame that

[GhostyDog]

tommyb said:

GhostyDog said:

No it's MY GTA

Ha ha I need to thank you for spending so much time and money sorting it out for me

Don't remind me, my bank balance still hasn't recovered.

P.S. that comma in your username is fking the forum up

Edited by GhostyDog on Wednesday 12th December 19:50

[Swoxy]

I came across a 147 GTA in my 330Ci on the A1 the other night.

He wasn't around for long.

[Rollcage]

Most Alfas are not bought in an objective fashion, and the 147 and 156 GTAs are no different.

Witness the end of the TG clip with the 147 GTA Vs it rivals. The unanimous verdict was that the 147 wasn't the best car, but all the presenters preferred it!

[Agent Orange]

Not that fuss about the 147 GTA but that blue/black looks good. For me though the best part of any of the V6 Alfas is this.

I could stare all day at those six pipes.

Edited by Agent Orange on Wednesday 12th December 20:06

[Rollcage]

Fail!

[swanny71]

Swoxy said:

I came across a 147 GTA in my 330Ci on the A1 the other night.

He wasn't around for long.

Not sure about the relevance of that contribution but I'll respond anyway.

My current 130i is both lighter and more powerful than a 330ci. And yet the 130i isn't much quicker, if at all, than my 156 GTA was.