Alfa 147 GTA and car history
Discussion
Hi I'm Phil. Visited Pistonheads for years and having got the GTA hopefully I've got a car worth showing on here.
First, my history.
I passed my test on my 18th birthday. Couldn't afford a car straight away but when I was 20 and a bit (2003) Ford had an offer for 2 years free insurance on a new Fiesta Zetec so with a little help from my parents got one of them:
It was great having a brand new car as my first and it never let me down. Had some great trips away with the lads and have good memories. It's still in the family as my mother bought it from me so that I could move on to my next car:
My mate at work at work got promoted and a company car came with the job. He wanted rid of this quickly so I bought it from him in, I think, 2006. It was a 2.0 litre TS Lusso. Came with the 17" Supersport alloys, full black leather, heated seats etc... I thought I was amazing! All my friends loved it and I did too. I didn't have any major issues with it but ongoing maintenance and rubbish fuel economy cost me a bit so I decided to change to something which was hopefully fun, but more economical:
This was a disaster! Wrote it off after 17 days but I have to admit it was a horrid piece of s#!t! I know they have a lot of fans, but I could never recommend to anyone if they asked
Not long after writing it off I moved a lot closer to work (as in 10 minute walk) so I never really ended up replacing it. However, after 4 years I finally got fed up and bought a 2011 Corsa 1.2 SXi. I've just realised I never took a picture of this and I wish I had. Obviously it's nothing special but it is another car that took me everywhere (did a number of long trips in it) but it never let me down and other than servicing didn't cost me anything. Only got rid of it as I fancied something a bit more exciting.
When I had the previous 147 I saw the GTA and had always wanted one. I decided I wouldn't mind the poor fuel economy and high running costs on a GTA as to me it is a special car and worth it. I always felt the running costs for the Twin Spark were unjustified as it was just a family hatchback at the end of the day.
Just at the time I was looking a low mileage, mint example was available down south (in Newbury, I'm in Newcastle). I exchanged a few emails and phone calls with the garage owner (Italia Speed). He agreed to take my Corsa in part exchange and everything else checked out so I drove down, bought it, then drove the GTA back. That was on the 21st February 2014 so 3 and a bit weeks ago.
In short, I love it!! It probably isn't any quicker than a modern 'performance' turbo diesel but the noise is amazing and the speed compared to a 1.2 Corsa is something!!!
It has only done 28k miles so is probably one of the lowest mileage ones left in the country. It was registered in January 2005, and is in metallic black with black and grey leather and 18" alloy wheels. It also has xenon headlights, BOSE speakers and winter pack. It has FSH and had the cambelt and water pump changed just before I bought it. I plan to keep it long term and hope to keep the miles off it (I still live within walking distance of work). I'd love to upgrade the suspension (standard is crap!), the exhaust (though standard is quite loud!) and I need to add a LSD asap. Anyway, some pics, hopefully you're still reading and I haven't bored you to tears!! (ps. rear wiper motor is knackered. got a new replacement from the dealer but haven't had a chance to fit)
First, my history.
I passed my test on my 18th birthday. Couldn't afford a car straight away but when I was 20 and a bit (2003) Ford had an offer for 2 years free insurance on a new Fiesta Zetec so with a little help from my parents got one of them:
It was great having a brand new car as my first and it never let me down. Had some great trips away with the lads and have good memories. It's still in the family as my mother bought it from me so that I could move on to my next car:
My mate at work at work got promoted and a company car came with the job. He wanted rid of this quickly so I bought it from him in, I think, 2006. It was a 2.0 litre TS Lusso. Came with the 17" Supersport alloys, full black leather, heated seats etc... I thought I was amazing! All my friends loved it and I did too. I didn't have any major issues with it but ongoing maintenance and rubbish fuel economy cost me a bit so I decided to change to something which was hopefully fun, but more economical:
This was a disaster! Wrote it off after 17 days but I have to admit it was a horrid piece of s#!t! I know they have a lot of fans, but I could never recommend to anyone if they asked
Not long after writing it off I moved a lot closer to work (as in 10 minute walk) so I never really ended up replacing it. However, after 4 years I finally got fed up and bought a 2011 Corsa 1.2 SXi. I've just realised I never took a picture of this and I wish I had. Obviously it's nothing special but it is another car that took me everywhere (did a number of long trips in it) but it never let me down and other than servicing didn't cost me anything. Only got rid of it as I fancied something a bit more exciting.
When I had the previous 147 I saw the GTA and had always wanted one. I decided I wouldn't mind the poor fuel economy and high running costs on a GTA as to me it is a special car and worth it. I always felt the running costs for the Twin Spark were unjustified as it was just a family hatchback at the end of the day.
Just at the time I was looking a low mileage, mint example was available down south (in Newbury, I'm in Newcastle). I exchanged a few emails and phone calls with the garage owner (Italia Speed). He agreed to take my Corsa in part exchange and everything else checked out so I drove down, bought it, then drove the GTA back. That was on the 21st February 2014 so 3 and a bit weeks ago.
In short, I love it!! It probably isn't any quicker than a modern 'performance' turbo diesel but the noise is amazing and the speed compared to a 1.2 Corsa is something!!!
It has only done 28k miles so is probably one of the lowest mileage ones left in the country. It was registered in January 2005, and is in metallic black with black and grey leather and 18" alloy wheels. It also has xenon headlights, BOSE speakers and winter pack. It has FSH and had the cambelt and water pump changed just before I bought it. I plan to keep it long term and hope to keep the miles off it (I still live within walking distance of work). I'd love to upgrade the suspension (standard is crap!), the exhaust (though standard is quite loud!) and I need to add a LSD asap. Anyway, some pics, hopefully you're still reading and I haven't bored you to tears!! (ps. rear wiper motor is knackered. got a new replacement from the dealer but haven't had a chance to fit)
Edited by philhul on Sunday 16th March 22:30
philhul said:
This was a disaster! Wrote it off after 17 days but I have to admit it was a horrid piece of s#!t! I know they have a lot of fans, but I could never recommend to anyone if they asked
kapiteinlangzaam said:
mak2503 said:
Didn't know Alfa did a 4wd version. The arch gap is huge.
Its not 4WD.The LSD is for the front diff (its called a Q2) and it totally transforms any FWD V6 Alfa of this generation
However, I thought standard they did sit much lower too.
Lovely !
They do sit high on the 18's. I found the standard suspension way too wallowy; bought one with AD coilovers and it was horribly crashy. Replaced it with some KW V2's and that totally transformed it, along with the Q2.
Essential mods - Q2 (althought Quiafe seems a better choice now), suspension and exhaust...gotta be Supersprint for the latter!
mak2503 said:
Didn't know Alfa did a 4wd version. The arch gap is huge. Surely the car should be lower than that.
Love these things and often check the classifieds for them. Like you said they are a special car.
I agree that it does look tall but there's nothing to suggest that there is anything wrong with the suspension. An upgrade is in store for the future. The wheels are 18" but I think the gap makes them look small. Definitely something to address.Love these things and often check the classifieds for them. Like you said they are a special car.
Magpie21 - your car looks fantastic. I saw pictures of it when I was googling them trying to pass the time before I could go and pick it up.
I want a Q2 (or Quaife actually) but Admiral won't cover one. I need to wait until renewal to get another year no claims discount before I can move so just have to hope it doesn't go pop in the mean time!
The wheels need refurbing as they are the only thing that lets the car down condition wise. After that suspension and upgraded exhaust would be nice!!
Thanks for the nice comments everyone
Edited by philhul on Monday 17th March 18:37
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