156 V6 or GTV V6?

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Discussion

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,535 posts

241 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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What started as me casually debating whether or not I should consider a GTV V6 when I change cars in a few months turned into a frantic scrabble to see if I could find the money for a nice example I spotted recently. In the end the answer was no. I had slight doubts as to whether the car was the bargain it appeared to be and then it transpired my TVR was about to generate a large bill that would wipe out half my budget for the Alfa. So the GTV hunt has been temporarily suspended...

But then I stumbled across an ad for a nice 156 V6. I prefer the looks of the GTV, I generally prefer small cars and we do have another car for family duties, so the GTV would be more than adequate for my needs. On the other hand, an extra pair of doors and a big step up in practicality would make it easier to justify to my other half, and I do plan to use it regularly (rather than simply as a weekend toy). And like-for-like a V6 156 is about half the price of a decent GTV.

If I'm honest this is partly a box ticking exercise. I've always wanted an Alfa - specifically a red Alfa with teledials, tan leather and preferably at least six cylinders. I know that sounds shallow, but it's something I'd fancied ever since I was a kid. Would I be losing out if I went for the 156? Should I expect much difference either way in maintenance or general running costs?



jamies30

5,910 posts

228 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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Chris71 said:
And like-for-like a V6 156 is about half the price of a decent GTV.
Indeed, because...

Chris71 said:
Would I be losing out if I went for the 156?
Yes. smile



Chris71

Original Poster:

21,535 posts

241 months

Monday 13th February 2017
quotequote all
jamies30 said:
Chris71 said:
And like-for-like a V6 156 is about half the price of a decent GTV.
Indeed, because...

Chris71 said:
Would I be losing out if I went for the 156?
Yes. smile
Ha. I gathered there would be reasons.

What's your take on the differences between them? I'm basically looking for a motorway cruiser with a sense of occasion - much as I love the idea of GTV (particularly once fitted with a Q2 etc.) I still don't see it as a B-road blaster, so I'm not too fussed if the 156 isn't quite as quick or as driver focused.

On a random note. Anyone know if either come with or can be fitted with IsoFix mounts? And I've seen a couple of different 156 V6s that have reports of emissions fails (both since remedied) on their MOT histories. Is that a common thing and is it likely to be something trivial like a sensor?

Ross 156

116 posts

98 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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Are you talking about a 156 GTA, or the 156 2.5V6?

There is quite a difference.

The 3.0 24v is, in my opinion, the full monty. With the 2.5 you will always wish you had the 3.0! Obviously if you are talking GTA or Phase 3 GTV then you would be looking at the 3.2, so maybe better still depending upon your view of better- although I have never been sure of the phase 3 GTV looks.

I went for the GTV, and love it.

Chris Type R

8,018 posts

248 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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Have you considered a 3.2 GT ? I changed from a 3.0GTV to a GT (with Q2), and it's a much more usable option day to day. Admittedly, the s/h prices have firmed up.

The GTV is reasonably heavy and FWD - it's okay for B roads, but not exceptional (EDIT: Prior to the GTV I had a S2000, so that would influence my view).

Vitorio

4,296 posts

142 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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Ross 156 said:
Are you talking about a 156 GTA, or the 156 2.5V6?

There is quite a difference.

The 3.0 24v is, in my opinion, the full monty. With the 2.5 you will always wish you had the 3.0! Obviously if you are talking GTA or Phase 3 GTV then you would be looking at the 3.2, so maybe better still depending upon your view of better- although I have never been sure of the phase 3 GTV looks.

I went for the GTV, and love it.
Im assuming 2.5, i doubt GTAs would be half the prices of a GTV v6

Chris Type R said:
Have you considered a 3.2 GT ? I changed from a 3.0GTV to a GT (with Q2), and it's a much more usable option day to day. Admittedly, the s/h prices have firmed up.

The GTV is reasonably heavy and FWD - it's okay for B roads, but not exceptional (EDIT: Prior to the GTV I had a S2000, so that would influence my view).
I dont think OP has the budget for a GT 3.2, if he's considering 156s over GTV for saving money.



OP, i wouldnt worry too much either way, you have a TVR, so performance wise a GTV isnt going to set the world alight either way. For a daily driver, a 156 with a nice V6 engine (and lets be honest, 190hp from the 2.5 is nothing to sneeze at) and leather would be a very nice car. With some suspension work a 156 will be a very competent car (as will the 147 and GT)

woody166

251 posts

107 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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The 2.5 V6 is a fabulous engine and every bit an equal with the 3.0 and 3.2 Busso's. Very free revving and perfectly balanced. More of an issue will be finding a decent 156 of that vintage.. as rust and neglect will be an overriding factor. More choice with the GTV's, GTA's and GT's. GT 3.2 is possibly the best compromise for practicality matched with the Busso engine. I run a GTV V6 3.2 but would love to get hold of a 156 V6 2.5 as a project.

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,535 posts

241 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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woody166 said:
More of an issue will be finding a decent 156 of that vintage.. as rust and neglect will be an overriding factor. More choice with the GTV's, GTA's and GT's. GT 3.2 is possibly the best compromise for practicality matched with the Busso engine. I run a GTV V6 3.2 but would love to get hold of a 156 V6 2.5 as a project.
I've found one. That's what prompted the question! smile

I think I'm leaning towards the GTV, though. Presumably the running costs of a £5k GTV V6 will be similar to that of a £1.5k 156 V6?

I'm thinking we probably wouldn't use a car without Isofix as the main family car and the GTV's minimal luggage space is perfectly adequate for my requirements. So would I eventually pull up next to a shiny red GTV in my 156 saloon and wish I'd gone the whole hog? I can't afford to do that currently, but once the TVR is patched up (and possibly sold) it should be a possibility.

For what it's worth, several people have commented that the longer 156 actually feels better balanced with the V6 than the GTV does. But neither of them really strike me as cars that are about the last degree of dynamic capability. It's more style and feelgood factor. And maybe the GTV has more of both?

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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A TVR and an Alfa? Glutton for punishment.

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,535 posts

241 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Ahbefive said:
A TVR and an Alfa? Glutton for punishment.
hehe

Funnily enough, that stems partly from previous experience. While my current TVR has been a little trying at times, the previous one I had was faultltessly reliable. Ditto the kit cars I've owned - built by amateurs in sheds (much like TVRs, you might say) - and yet the more stereotypically reliable cars I've had all turned out to be problematic. That made me think the stereotypes need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

rxe

6,700 posts

102 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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You can make a 156 handle far better than a GTV if you want to, just as you can improve a GTV. So don't worry that you are stuck with a dull car.

I have a 2.5 saloon. It has Eibach -30s, Eibach ARBs, Bilstein B6s and a Quaife LSD, and it is properly set up. It handles very neutrally, and loses grip quite predictably, starting to 4 wheel slide on the limit. Based on its ability to go round roundabouts faster than most things, I think it handles OK! Certainly the quaife makes a huge difference in dialling out the gives understeer with the accelerator.

The 932 platform gives you the GT 3.2 option, as well as the GTA. GT is a cheaper route into 3.2 ownership.

Cheap GTVs are getting pretty "old". With 156s you can still get a proper bargain and have a car that feels modern and happy doing long distance/traffic etc.

FYI - there is a nice silver V6 SW for sale on Alfaowner for about £690. Long term forum member selling it, so it is probably good. Think it is on Gumtree as well.

Chris Type R

8,018 posts

248 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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rxe said:
You can make a 156 handle far better than a GTV if you want to, just as you can improve a GTV. So don't worry that you are stuck with a dull car.

I have a 2.5 saloon. It has Eibach -30s, Eibach ARBs, Bilstein B6s and a Quaife LSD, and it is properly set up. It handles very neutrally, and loses grip quite predictably, starting to 4 wheel slide on the limit. Based on its ability to go round roundabouts faster than most things, I think it handles OK! Certainly the quaife makes a huge difference in dialling out the gives understeer with the accelerator.

The 932 platform gives you the GT 3.2 option, as well as the GTA. GT is a cheaper route into 3.2 ownership.

Cheap GTVs are getting pretty "old". With 156s you can still get a proper bargain and have a car that feels modern and happy doing long distance/traffic etc.

FYI - there is a nice silver V6 SW for sale on Alfaowner for about £690. Long term forum member selling it, so it is probably good. Think it is on Gumtree as well.
This one ? https://www.gumtree.com/p/alfa-romeo/156-v6-2.5-24...

rxe

6,700 posts

102 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Yep, that one. There is a thread in the 156 lounge on Alfaowner where he is wondering if he has priced it too high! If it is as described, I would have it off him in an instant, but I have 5 V6s in the fleet already, 2 diesels and a straight 4. And 2 Land Rovers. If I want to stay married, I cannot have any more!

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,535 posts

241 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Tricky one. I find the price difference between 156s and GTVs hard to justify (admittedly not having driven either for a long time). On the other hand, we'd probably want IsoFix and something a bit more frugal for the family wagon, so it would always remain my runaround ... in which case I might as well save up for a GTV.

Gah! So conflicted. smile

Chris Type R

8,018 posts

248 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Chris71 said:
Tricky one. I find the price difference between 156s and GTVs hard to justify (admittedly not having driven either for a long time). On the other hand, we'd probably want IsoFix and something a bit more frugal for the family wagon, so it would always remain my runaround ... in which case I might as well save up for a GTV.

Gah! So conflicted. smile
Even if you had Isofix in a GTV (I can't remember), the rear seats are quite tight in terms of legroom.

woody166

251 posts

107 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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The GTV isn't a baby carrier. No rear room for seats and even less boot space for the pram. I remember going through the checks 15 years ago when my two were sprogs and despite my dubious man maths having to reluctantly discount the GTV.
I ended up with a 155 TS Wide body instead so it wasn't all bad news ! Bl**dy loved that car !cloud9

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,535 posts

241 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
woody166 said:
The GTV isn't a baby carrier. No rear room for seats and even less boot space for the pram.
Neither is my current daily driver (MX-5) to be fair. Can't see an Alfa replacing my wife's sensible Toyota, so with that sticking around for family duties I might as well go for the impractical coupe. biggrin



Vitorio

4,296 posts

142 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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woody166 said:
I ended up with a 155 TS Wide body instead so it wasn't all bad news ! Bl**dy loved that car !cloud9
155s do look very nice, i'd have a potent one (as in 2 litre TS or a V6) as a toy in a heartbeat, give the engine some fettling and sort out the suspension and pretend im in DTM. Sadly they are becoming very scarce and expensive for a good one


cloud9


paulmakin

653 posts

140 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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horses for courses but a 156 V6 is a nice "package" in its own right. despite being "only" 2.5l they're by no means a dullard. i think you can still get the squadra chip for the 2.5 for not much money which does pep things up quite nicely should it be required.

floorpan corrosion is the usual killer of 156's so check carefully. on these you'll get familiar with treating both the fr lower and upper arms as service items so nice if already done.

there's one of my old ones on the bay just now - a classified ad at £2k. proteo with tan leather and much history. it'll be ended by the time i'm next in the uk so no good for me but seriously thinking about another one to keep the GTV V6 company

paul

-Pete-

2,892 posts

175 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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I had an S-Reg 156 2.5 V6 from new, red, factory lowered, nice leather - lovely car. The aircon wasn't great and the audio was appalling, but I didn't need it with 'that' engine noise. Totally reliable over the 2 years I had, although it was definitely front-heavy and understeered like crazy when pushed. I don't know how well they've stood the test of time, but I'd have another in a heartbeat.