RE: You Know You Want To: Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
Tuesday 6th March 2012
As a pre-emptive apology for the fact that you are about to be exposed to the mutual-masturbation fest that is the Geneva Motor Show (yes, I’m there), I would like to show you this.
Alfa V6 looks as good as it soundsIt is hard to suggest that the 156 GTA is any better today that it was new, 10 years ago and summarily losing group tests weekly. Or maybe it is?
Suitably charismatic and exotic inside tooIt wasn’t that fast either. It made a magnificent noise and the throttle response was savage. Almost too savage. But not as savage as the steering rack, which remains one of the quickest fitted to a production car.
Sub-£5K GTA wagon caught Harris's eyeMe? I’d just say it looks fab, is under £5k and sounds uncannily like an Aston DB5.
You Know You Want To: Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
Has the 156 GTA's time come? Chris Harris reckons it might have now you can have one for £5K
Alfa V6 looks as good as it sounds
If ever a car was less than the sum of its parts, the GTA was it. That famous 3.2-litre V6, this time with 250hp and 221lb ft, in a car that weighed just 1,500kg, with a front-drive chassis that, in lesser models, was proving the BMW didn’t own the driver-centric exec saloon class.
It should have been so wonderful, but it wasn’t. The question ‘how much horsepower can the 156 chassis handle?’ was concisely answered by the GTA: not 250. The car was damned by the tragic pincer-movement of over-firm spings and under-supportive dampers, leaving it both uncomfortable and badly controlled.
Suitably charismatic and exotic inside too
So why on earth does a leggy 156 GTA look so appealing now?
Search me – but it does. In red, with bubbling arches and a sultry black leather cabin you can almost smell from the pictures. I think it’s a mixture of two things: the great proportions of the 156 (excepting the bodykit) and the knowledge that Alfa is no longer the purveyor of bat-shit-crazy stuff like the GTA. Its new sports car stands every chance of actually being good, albeit expensive, and I grew up in a world where Alfa’s were never justifiable with straightforward competence. They required the owner to concoct some waffle about character and individuality.
Sub-£5K GTA wagon caught Harris's eye
Whetted your appetite for used Alfa Romeo 156s? Check out the PH Classifieds for more used Alfas.
Price: £4,950
Why you should: It's an Alfa Romeo with a V6 engine
Why you shouldn't: See above
Discussion
VBH rather liked it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFvJIZTvXAQ ...though the references to Gareth Gates and slightly iffy early Fifth Gear style don't really stand up (
) I still rather like the 156 GTA and would probably have it over the 147 version. I prefer the styling inside and out though I know the smaller car's often regarded as the better machine, I've never been sure about the proportions. Maybe it's just me - I'd need to drive both to make a proper assessment on the handling and so forth 
As for a GTV6, I've driven the TS version and it was rather nice if a bit on the reverse TARDIS side. But if I were in the market for a front wheel drive Italian coupe from that era, I'd have to go Fiat
) I still rather like the 156 GTA and would probably have it over the 147 version. I prefer the styling inside and out though I know the smaller car's often regarded as the better machine, I've never been sure about the proportions. Maybe it's just me - I'd need to drive both to make a proper assessment on the handling and so forth As for a GTV6, I've driven the TS version and it was rather nice if a bit on the reverse TARDIS side. But if I were in the market for a front wheel drive Italian coupe from that era, I'd have to go Fiat
I've always had a soft spot for 156s. That smooth sweep of the door panels with just the merest hint of a crease at a time when most other cars on the road had a honking great black plastic strip half way down the doors just looked stunning. It still looks pretty damn good today. I'll take a pre-facelift 2.4 JTD sportwagon in black with creamy/beigey leather, thanks.
The immediately previous writer alluded to the 156 JTD 2.4.
I've owned both a 3.2 and [presently] the 2.4 JTD sportwagon. The 3.2 had to go, costs were shocking.. the then Alfa dealer locally was inept and being isolated in this part of the provinces there was/were no other specialist[s] to turn to. Fuel usage was epic.. least said the better.
The JTD has been altogether different. Lovely old thing, mine had approx 150 bhp and was soon chipped to 200.
performance in such a light[ish] car is excellent.. in short.. it flies. All that and 35 - 40 mpg in general use and 45[ish] on a run on the motorway. That's the truth not make-believe. Good enough in the real world.
But the best bit.. is the comfort from lovely sport seats and the growl, the snarl when she takes off.. lovely.
The car now has 95k on the clock, costs very little to service and owes me very little.. a N/S drive shaft failed a couple of months ago.. and 2 duff batteries from a local dealer.. hardly the car's fault.. and that's it.
Now cheap to buy, cheap to run, lovely to look at.. mine is Sail Blue met, with tan Momo leather interior and a wood-rim wheel. It's probably worth £37.76p on a good day.. what the hell can I buy that would even realistically replace it for less than £10k and more..?
So, I'll keep it and nuture it and drive it hard.. magic. Who knows..when there's none left, mine might even be a classic one day..? [pardon..?]
Thanks chaps.
WF
CARLISLE
I've owned both a 3.2 and [presently] the 2.4 JTD sportwagon. The 3.2 had to go, costs were shocking.. the then Alfa dealer locally was inept and being isolated in this part of the provinces there was/were no other specialist[s] to turn to. Fuel usage was epic.. least said the better.
The JTD has been altogether different. Lovely old thing, mine had approx 150 bhp and was soon chipped to 200.
performance in such a light[ish] car is excellent.. in short.. it flies. All that and 35 - 40 mpg in general use and 45[ish] on a run on the motorway. That's the truth not make-believe. Good enough in the real world.
But the best bit.. is the comfort from lovely sport seats and the growl, the snarl when she takes off.. lovely.
The car now has 95k on the clock, costs very little to service and owes me very little.. a N/S drive shaft failed a couple of months ago.. and 2 duff batteries from a local dealer.. hardly the car's fault.. and that's it.
Now cheap to buy, cheap to run, lovely to look at.. mine is Sail Blue met, with tan Momo leather interior and a wood-rim wheel. It's probably worth £37.76p on a good day.. what the hell can I buy that would even realistically replace it for less than £10k and more..?
So, I'll keep it and nuture it and drive it hard.. magic. Who knows..when there's none left, mine might even be a classic one day..? [pardon..?]
Thanks chaps.
WF
CARLISLE
GTiFrank said:
Why when the 147 GTA and GTV6 can be had for less?
Because the 156 is one of the best looking saloons EVER made - wheras the 147 is hideous and the GTV laughable in many, many ways...I've no real desire for a GTA tho - they are really a step-too-far. I still rate 156 V6s and Twin Sparks quite highly tho - they're banger/shed money now and if you have a decent local specialist they're cheap to keep going ad-infinitum really...
I saw a nice V6 estate earlier tonight sat on someone's driveway with it's rear suspension on the ground - the dirt was starting to gather around it and it was sad because it was still bright and shiny (red) with nice alloys, a fantastic interior and probably wanted for a couple of rear springs at worst...
Odds are it's there more due to it's taste for too much petroleum - and that's a real shame...
It's a truly beautiful car but in my opinion still not yet old enough to make sense. Mostly this is because 156s generally are still a fairly common sight, and more often than not are looking pretty delapidated by now.
However give it another 15 years or so and they'll be appreciated for what they are - possibly the best example of what stylists of the era were able to come up with, the kind of raw, slightly insane driving experience that in the era of ESP will be all but legislated out of existence, and probably relatively cheap to buy and run. The modern equivalent of the 105 GTV!
However give it another 15 years or so and they'll be appreciated for what they are - possibly the best example of what stylists of the era were able to come up with, the kind of raw, slightly insane driving experience that in the era of ESP will be all but legislated out of existence, and probably relatively cheap to buy and run. The modern equivalent of the 105 GTV!
In answer to the pondered question are they a better proposition know than 10 years ago, I strongly suspect that this isnt just wistful thinking!
That's because the Alfa owners of this world genuinely love these characterful, beautiful and yet accessible cars! A 156GTA is an obtainable dream car!
Once you get your dream car you tend to shower it with love and money in away that your humble ford mondeo owner never would! You spend time correcting all those little fault's that escaped from the factory and fettling it to improve its weak areas.
As cronic suffer 4 time suffer of Alfaholicism (its a real disease) that means Q2 diff and suspension bushes that dont disintegrate after 20 mins thereby improving the ability to use that 250hp. A decent exhaust to hear and free that epic engine. Reliability that age old Alfa issue improves (not that the 156 was ever that bad) by using metal impeller in the water pump, braided oil hoses so that engine doesn't destroy itself etc. These cars have now all escaped the main dealers and so are most likely to be in the mechanical care of equally enthusiast (alfaholicism suffering) independent garage. People who share your passion and lower your ownership costs. They know what goes wrong and how to stop it!
Almost all 156 GTA's have had loving, obsessive owners at some point. So know depreciation has taken its toll your 5k investment is probably a more reliable, more fun and potentially better investment than it was at any other time in the cars history. You know you want to and your probably right in this case... certainly more investment merit than a 17k Ferrari!
Right im off to the clinic to see if they have any cream? My alfaholicism has just flaired up something cronic....
That's because the Alfa owners of this world genuinely love these characterful, beautiful and yet accessible cars! A 156GTA is an obtainable dream car!
Once you get your dream car you tend to shower it with love and money in away that your humble ford mondeo owner never would! You spend time correcting all those little fault's that escaped from the factory and fettling it to improve its weak areas.
As cronic suffer 4 time suffer of Alfaholicism (its a real disease) that means Q2 diff and suspension bushes that dont disintegrate after 20 mins thereby improving the ability to use that 250hp. A decent exhaust to hear and free that epic engine. Reliability that age old Alfa issue improves (not that the 156 was ever that bad) by using metal impeller in the water pump, braided oil hoses so that engine doesn't destroy itself etc. These cars have now all escaped the main dealers and so are most likely to be in the mechanical care of equally enthusiast (alfaholicism suffering) independent garage. People who share your passion and lower your ownership costs. They know what goes wrong and how to stop it!
Almost all 156 GTA's have had loving, obsessive owners at some point. So know depreciation has taken its toll your 5k investment is probably a more reliable, more fun and potentially better investment than it was at any other time in the cars history. You know you want to and your probably right in this case... certainly more investment merit than a 17k Ferrari!
Right im off to the clinic to see if they have any cream? My alfaholicism has just flaired up something cronic....
Edited by only1ian on Tuesday 6th March 13:25
only1ian said:
In answer to they why is it better know than 10 years ago I strongly suspect that this isnt just wistful thinking!
That's because the Alfa owners of this world genuinely love these characterful, beautiful and yet accessible cars! A 156GTA is an obtainable dream car!
Once you get your dream car you tend to shower it with love and money in away that your humble ford mondeo owner ever would! You spend time correcting all those little fault's that escaped from the factory and fettling it to improve its weak areas.
As cronic suffer 4 time suffer of Alfaholicism (its a real disease) that means Q2 diff and suspension bushes that dont disintegrate after 20 mins thereby improving the ability to use that 250hp. A decent exhaust to hear and free that epic engine. Reliability that age old Alfa issue improves (not that the 156 was ever that bad) by using metal impeller in the water pump, braided oil hoses so that engine doesn't destroy itself etc. These cars have now all escaped the main dealers and so are most likely to be in the mechanical care of equally enthusiast (alfaholicism suffering) independent garage. People who share your passion and lower your ownership costs. They know what goes wrong and how to stop it!
Almost all 156 GTA's have had loving, obsessive owners at some point. So know depreciation has taken its toll your 5k investment is probably a more reliable, more fun and potentially better investment than it was at any other time in the cars history. You know you want to and your probably right in this case... certainly more investment merit than a 17k Ferrari!
Right im off to the clinic to see if they have any cream? My alfaholicism has just flaired up something cronic....
Enjoyed that post That's because the Alfa owners of this world genuinely love these characterful, beautiful and yet accessible cars! A 156GTA is an obtainable dream car!
Once you get your dream car you tend to shower it with love and money in away that your humble ford mondeo owner ever would! You spend time correcting all those little fault's that escaped from the factory and fettling it to improve its weak areas.
As cronic suffer 4 time suffer of Alfaholicism (its a real disease) that means Q2 diff and suspension bushes that dont disintegrate after 20 mins thereby improving the ability to use that 250hp. A decent exhaust to hear and free that epic engine. Reliability that age old Alfa issue improves (not that the 156 was ever that bad) by using metal impeller in the water pump, braided oil hoses so that engine doesn't destroy itself etc. These cars have now all escaped the main dealers and so are most likely to be in the mechanical care of equally enthusiast (alfaholicism suffering) independent garage. People who share your passion and lower your ownership costs. They know what goes wrong and how to stop it!
Almost all 156 GTA's have had loving, obsessive owners at some point. So know depreciation has taken its toll your 5k investment is probably a more reliable, more fun and potentially better investment than it was at any other time in the cars history. You know you want to and your probably right in this case... certainly more investment merit than a 17k Ferrari!
Right im off to the clinic to see if they have any cream? My alfaholicism has just flaired up something cronic....
Edited by only1ian on Tuesday 6th March 06:23
.The Alfa 156 is still one of the finest looking saloon cars on the road and can be had for peanuts.
I am very tempted by another, maybe even a 1.6 ts as a runabout.
MattyB_ said:
Just don't forget how expensive they are to run. Don't go into a GTA thinking you'll run one for the same cost as a Golf/Mondeo/Focus.
Awesome cars all the same.
Whole heartedly agree with what Matt said, glad I owned one though. for all the money I poured into it it gave back so much more but it in the end I couldn't justify the constant cash lubrication.Awesome cars all the same.
Edited by GhostyDog on Tuesday 6th March 08:39
Great car! Rare as hell too! I notice there is currently only 1 Sportwagon for sale in the UK.
http://octane.motormutt.com/private/146
I think they only brouoght a hundred over but not sure whether that was just hearsay.
http://octane.motormutt.com/private/146
I think they only brouoght a hundred over but not sure whether that was just hearsay.
I wish I could be convinced by the 156 as it's my type of car but I'm not. The crap build quality and cheap interior switch gear alone are enough to put a blind man off. There always seems to be plenty of praise for the diesel versions and I'm sure they're good but honestly, an Alfa with a diesel engine, pass thanks. Easy to understand why the 3 series still rules. Must try harder Alfa both with the product and the dealer network.
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