Which 3.2 Alfa?

[Pat H]

I am talking about the Arese V6, not the Vauxhall based lump in the latest Alfas.

I currently have a 156 2.5 Veloce, which I absolutely love.

It replaced a Phase 3 GTV 3.2, which I should never have sold.

I find myself missing the bigger motor and have decided to get another 3.2.

But which one? I don't want anything as big as a 166, so it boils down to the following...

Phase 3 GTV
147 GTA
156 GTA
GT

Budget is up to about ten grand. Practicality is unimportant. I would like to think that it would be a keeper and will be cherished.

Which one will be the future classic?

3.2 GT prices seem to have dropped an awful lot recently, but I get the impression that they are less desirable than the GTAs.

What do you think?

[crostonian]

156 GTA for me, personally I would go for the Sportwagon as I prefer the shape but I suppose it's the saloon that will become collectable as it's the nearest in looks to the Touring Car racers.

Why not the 147 GTA? To me the 147 feels twitchier than the 156 and I prefer the interior of the 156, though must admit the 147 is probably one of the best looking hot hatches ever built.

The GT 3.2 is a great car, on paper probably the best of the group, but it doesn't have the visual clout for me and is far less exclusive and is missing those 3 letters on the bootlid.

[robsco]

crostonian said:

The GT 3.2 is a great car, on paper probably the best of the group, but it doesn't have the visual clout for me and is far less exclusive and is missing those 3 letters on the bootlid.

Actually, its only missing one letter...

In your shoes OP, I'd be plumping for the 156 GTA. I had a 147, albeit only a Twin Spark. It was good, but from pretty much every conceivable aspect, the 156 was a better car. I say exactly the same about the GTV V6 I had after the 156. The 156 was just a perfect all rounder - beautiful to behold from every angle, comfortable, refined, practical, mated to a legendary engine and an incredible soundtrack. And that was just the 2.5. The GTV was a great car and had a better chassis, but ultimately the seats were terrible and robbed you of the pleasure of driving the car quickly (hanging onto the steering wheel for support!) and the practicality was ridiculous, even for someone who doesn't really contemplate such trivialities.

[900T-R]

Only one that's anywhere near being a rounded package: the GT. Luvverly thing, last of the great Alfas IMO.

[14-7]

robsco said:

I had a 147, albeit only a Twin Spark. It was good, but from pretty much every conceivable aspect, the 156 was a better car.

After going from a 156 2ltr to a 147GTA I'd have to say I feel the other way around. The 147 build quality inside is much better than the 156. The 147 is also a lot more practicable than a 156. I know the OP's not necessarily after that but being able to drop the seats (unlike in the 156) it's load capability is much better than a 156.

I also think the 147 will be one of the last V6 hatchbacks and, as you've said, is the best looking. It stands out much more than a 156GTA. For sheer excitement then a 147GTA would be my choice and given the limited numbers sold, like the 156GTA, I think given a few years they will be highly sort after.

[robsco]

14-7 said:

After going from a 156 2ltr to a 147GTA I'd have to say I feel the other way around. The 147 build quality inside is much better than the 156. The 147 is also a lot more practicable than a 156. I know the OP's not necessarily after that but being able to drop the seats (unlike in the 156) it's load capability is much better than a 156.

I also think the 147 will be one of the last V6 hatchbacks and, as you've said, is the best looking. It stands out much more than a 156GTA. For sheer excitement then a 147GTA would be my choice and given the limited numbers sold, like the 156GTA, I think given a few years they will be highly sort after.

I remember discussing this with you a while back 14-7. The general consensus on this and any other enthusiast forum is that the 147 is a better built car. To an extent, I find that hard to disagree with due to the sheer volume of people who have said it, but my experience was the complete opposite. Besides the usual fusebox cover trouble, the 156 was a solidly built car using decent quality materials. The 147 looked even higher quality inside, the plastics were soft to the touch etc. But things came off in your hand, it rattled and buzzed like a set of maracas and just generally felt and sounded like a poorly screwed together car. It didn't drive as well as the 156 either... I loved the car, but it didn't do it for me like the 156.

Either way, the OP will end up with a wonderful car. I'd be delighted with either, and in fact I've been eyeing up 156 GTAs on the Classifieds this evening... dangerous game.

[14-7]

robsco said:

Either way, the OP will end up with a wonderful car. I'd be delighted with either, and in fact I've been eyeing up 156 GTAs on the Classifieds this evening... dangerous game.

Agreed that no matter what the OP (if they go for a GTA) will get a spanking car.

I must admit that not only have I been looking at keeping my GTA but I've also looked at buying other low mileage ones. Sort of a master plan to dominate the GTA market and force prices up! Now where's my evil laugh?

Here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7edeOEuXdMU

[MATTBOY34]

*Cough* Shameless plug alert! *Cough*

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3044623.htm

[robsco]

14-7 said:

Agreed that no matter what the OP (if they go for a GTA) will get a spanking car.

I must admit that not only have I been looking at keeping my GTA but I've also looked at buying other low mileage ones. Sort of a master plan to dominate the GTA market and force prices up! Now where's my evil laugh?

Here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7edeOEuXdMU

Good plan. Is it me or have GTA prices settled a bit now? They seemed to rocket over the last couple of years.

[Chimune]

I had the same dilema and went for the 156GTA as it looks more 'sleeper' than the 147GTA.

Plus i love the more angular look ( i used to have a 33 - similar boot style ! ) and that long line that fades in over the rear wheel arch, fades out as it lines up with the door handle then re-apears over the front wheel arch....

However as you are mainly interested in the engine - either is the perfect choice !

Cough> http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2970422.htm

[fin]

Having just moved from a 156 V6 to a 156 GTA, it's a no-brainer. A four door family saloon that is set up to go like stink. What more do you need to know! I drove a 147 recently, ok it was only a 1.6, better build quality and more practical, I'm not convinced. The 3.2 GT in red looks great, but is it a GTA, nope. I honestly think when you combine price, looks, performance, practicality (not an issue for you) and resale value, it's got to be a GTA at least. £10,000 would get you the best one in the country, probably.

Maybe age has a bearing on preference here. I'll admit to being 51 and for me the 147 is more a boy racer type model. I'm sure it's just as much fun to drive as the 156 but I've never considered buying one. I was looking at a GT though, but when the 156 GTA came up........! My mate recently got rid of his 3.2 Spyder which I found a bit boring, which was a surprise. I guy passed me the other day in his GT and his envious look said it all. I had the AA guy out the other weekend with a key fob problem. He was drooling over it and took pictures of it when I was driving away! Say no more. I think you should join the club mate. Mine is a 03 plate and not so much as a rattle. Obviously, I'm biased here and the 156 has turned me into a raving lunatic, sorry!

[Pat H]

robsco said:

The GTV was a great car and had a better chassis, but ultimately the seats were terrible and robbed you of the pleasure of driving the car quickly (hanging onto the steering wheel for support!)

I had mixed emotions about my Phase 3 GTV.

Crap turning circle, woeful ground clearance, vulnerable to car park dings, board like seats, wonky build quality, excessive road noise, inadequate brakes and too much torque steer.

But it sounded majestic, it was decently quick and it looked magnificent. You could forgive it almost all of its faults.

Apart from those bloody seats.

Looking back at it, I can't believe that I ever sold it.

Definitely need another 3.2.

[crostonian]

I'm not a fan of the facelifted GTV, the front doesn't really match the back! I agree with the comments on the seats, they are rock hard with no support, to me the ultimate GTV is a 3 litre with the Aerokit and Leather electric Recaros - very rare! Has anyone else laughed about the fool asking £15K for a GTV Cup in the latest Alfa OC mag/Auto Italia, would love to have some of his drugs!

[Pat H]

crostonian said:

Has anyone else laughed about the fool asking £15K for a GTV Cup in the latest Alfa OC mag/Auto Italia, would love to have some of his drugs!

Blimey.

I know it wasn't a Cup, but I sold my blue 3.2 GTV for £7500. It had done 32,000 miles, was absolutely mint and had just had the belts done.

I know what you mean about the nose on the Phase 3. Most people think it looks crap, but I didn't mind it and thought that the GTV still looked ten cans of paint better than the Alfa GT.

[robsco]

Pat H said:

I had mixed emotions about my Phase 3 GTV.

Crap turning circle, woeful ground clearance, vulnerable to car park dings, board like seats, wonky build quality, excessive road noise, inadequate brakes and too much torque steer.

But it sounded majestic, it was decently quick and it looked magnificent. You could forgive it almost all of its faults.

Apart from those bloody seats.

Looking back at it, I can't believe that I ever sold it.

Definitely need another 3.2.

Sounds like your heart has already decided on another GTV. Everything you just said in the quoted post was exactly how I felt about mine, minus the road noise and torque steer which I never found to be that intrusive. But it was such an emotional experience just jumping into it and listening to that V6 singing. The GTV is a flawed diamond, which is part of its unique appeal.

Still a 156 GTA for me though...

Edited by robsco on Saturday 6th August 10:23

[rb5er]

147gta

[Pat H]

robsco said:

Everything you just said in the quoted post was exactly how I felt about mine, minus the road noise and torque steer which I never found to be that intrusive.

The road noise was my fault.

I am told that the GTV was very fussy about tyres and that the wrong ones could be incredibly noisy. Needless to say, it wasn't too bad until I put a set of (the wrong) tyres on it.

I was fortunate to own a Ferrari 328 for a couple of years.

Whilst the GTV couldn't compete in terms of handling, steering or braking, I much preferred the engine in the Alfa.

It sounded better, was more tractable and revved almost as well.

In its own sweet way, the Alfa felt almost as special as the 328.

But I've already done the GTV thing. And I already own a 156, albeit only a 2.5.

Maybe a 147 GTA really is the answer.

[robsco]

Pat H said:

The road noise was my fault.

I am told that the GTV was very fussy about tyres and that the wrong ones could be incredibly noisy. Needless to say, it wasn't too bad until I put a set of (the wrong) tyres on it.

Now you mention it, I do remember the grumbling I got from the Falken FK452s when I first got mine. I changed all four for Toyo Proxes T1Rs and they were much quieter. As for the engines, I absolutely agree. I currently have a Cerbera (I'm aware you also had a short-lived affair with a Griff) which has an astoundingly effective engine, but the Alfa V6 has a majesty and all round spread of abilities that its almost impossible to come by anywhere else.

The best thing would be to drive all 3 back to back and see which is most suited to what you're after. Keep us updated.

[Pat H]

robsco said:

Now you mention it, I do remember the grumbling I got from the Falken FK452s when I first got mine. I changed all four for Toyo Proxes T1Rs and they were much quieter.

Yep, that makes sense.

Not long after I bought mine, I put a set of Falkens on and the noise was terrible. Much louder than the Bridgestones that came off.

Sounded just like a knackered wheel bearing.

Ah well, I'll know for next time.

[yeti]

The only one I have driven and owned is the 3.2 GT and I couldn't be happier with it! Standard car with 86k at the moment, for a bargain price. Q2 and new anti-roll bars and a decent bespoke quad exhaust going onto it soon as well.

Rides well on the 17"s it's on, thought about 18"s but would lose some ride quality for a small improvement in looks I think. Not worth it.