Alfa Romeo 156 GTA: Catch It While You Can
Keith has been burned by Alfas before but that doesn't stop him being seduced once again
No plastic cover to hid this beauty of a motor
And that's understandable. In September 2001, when the 156 GTA was launched, for one brief moment, it looked as though Alfa Romeo was capable of taking a seat at the the top table. But there was no secret formula, and it wasn't a clever car. An orgasmic 3.2-litre 250hp Busso V6 was installed where the 2.5 with 190hp once resided. Other changes included bespoke lowered and stiffened suspension, a chiselled body kit that did the beautiful Walter da Silva-styled body no favours (but did lessen lift noticeably), and some of the most beautiful alloy wheels ever made.
Mods detract from purity of looks but it still works
So, it was a bit of a mixed bag - brilliant in places, distinctly average in others. And because of that, the road testers at the time panned it when it came anywhere near something more capable, such as a BMW 330i. Company drivers couldn't stomach its high fuel consumption (23.3mpg combined, 15.6mpg urban), nor its CO2 figure of 287g/km; while the rest of us wouldn't want to be caught within a bus ride of a typical Alfa Romeo dealer (personal experience here). And that's why in the UK, fewer than 500 were sold between its launch here in 2002, and its untimely death in 2005.
So with those criticisms aimed at the 156 GTA, why the hell would I recommend it to anyone?
Plenty of style in here too
Then there's that engine - open the bonnet and behold its beauty. There's also no other V6 that's ever graced a four-door, which comes close to matching the 156 GTA's incredible soundtrack and creamy delivery. Acceleration is deceptive, too, and although baseline figures of 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 155mph are no great shakes today - it builds up speed with such disdainful ease, you'll end up questioning the validity of those numbers.
So it's a car for the heart, not the head. Owners - addicts - love their GTAs and willingly forgive their faults, while the rest probably don't get it. And that leaves us with the enigma of the cheap 156 GTA, in those tempting £3,500 small ads. Head says no, heart says yes.
Buyers were few - catch it while you can
Good GTAs will end up going up in value - that's a historic precedent, and only a matter of time - so why not enjoy yourself, sparingly, while you wait it out? This way, perhaps, romance and rationality can go together hand in hand...
As for the dealer question, I would have to recommend Autolusso. One of their mechanics told me once that they have a fella who drives up from France every year to get his car serviced, and just stays in a Travel Lodge overnight. I can believe it - they're very insightful, understanding, and if you are taking the plunge into ownership, can't recommend anyone else.
When I was training to join the police (somewhat back in the day), I used to go for a run every lunchtime. This was something I never wanted to do and needed some motivation to do whatever route I'd planned without cutting it short. As such, my route always ended up outside the Alfa dealer up the road where they had a shiny red demonstrator of one of these. I'd always ogle it for a while as I caught my breath before walking back to the office to cool down. Strangely, I always did my whole route.
Still so much want for one of these.
Similar price (blue one is 7.5k and 159s seem to be going for between 6 and 9 on autotrader), younger car, AWD and 159 is meant to be a lot more reliable than 156.
Similar price (blue one is 7.5k and 159s seem to be going for between 6 and 9 on autotrader), younger car, AWD and 159 is meant to be a lot more reliable than 156.
Again, would love one, but it's not the same.
That was about 7 years ago now yet I still remember it clear as day. Up there with the M3 CSL for great sounding 6 cylinder motors.
Early 2000's, I ran a 156 Selespeed for 4 years as a company car. It was one of the worst cars I have ever had and spent more time in the dealers (who were completely and absolutely useless) than it did on the road. Amongst a multitude of gearbox failures, it also had 2 new engines and a new ECU.
I thought it drove nicely (when it wasn't in the dealers for more repairs) until I tried my brothers new at the time Mondeo 2.0lx... which wasn't as sexy inside or make as nice a noise but was just as fast, with better steering, brakes, ride, handling and much more space inside.
The car was a complete shed and should have put me off Alfa's for life... yet I still look at the 156GTA and find myself thinking how I'd like to own one.
Never regretted buying and owning a 156 GTA, fantastic car.
My choice when i was looking at cars included EV0 6, TVR Cebera, Impreza, BMW 3 and some Audi's.
The Alfa won and i glad i bought it. I was doing alot of high mileage on the motorway at the time clocking up 700-1000 every couple of weeks. The GTA is great on the motorway, just soaks up the road. Then great for storming down the smaller roads and unleashing the V6, which sounds superb.
The maintenance costs are very high, but they are for any car that you want to keep in good condition, hence why lots are for sale cheap(because their owners haven't loved them enough)
Personally i choose to take mine off the road for long periods of time so i could justify keeping her, but can't wait to get back behind the wheel again.
The handling is great for such a front heavy car, the suspension just lets itself down alot when the road gets bumpy. The brakes are great on mine with 330mm Discs & Brembo combi. The diff lets itself down when its slippy and you are trying to power out the corner, but plenty have upgraded this which transforms the car.
Its a great car if you don't mind fettling it a little to make it truly superb.
Highly recommended to any proper petrol head
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff