156 GTA - Babies, Prams & Stuff?
Discussion
Hi chaps, I'm seriously thinking about a 156 GTA as my next daily driver. I work from home and only do about 4K miles per year so I'm not too concerned with MPG, general running costs etc. The deal breaker will most likely be how practical the saloon is. Don't get me wrong I don't need a Mondeo estate or anything (currently drive a GMC single cab pickup truck!) but as "normal" as possible would be nice.
The biggest factor will be getting my 2.5 year old lad in the back and possibly another baby seat in the future....plus a pram in the boot with all the other baby clutter. I've read that space in the back isn't massive but realistically it'd mainly be local journeys. So, can anyone with a family and a 156 saloon comment on practicality, particularly with regards to kids? Ta
I know I could get a sportswagon but I do prefer the saloon. I've had an E46 330i touring in the past but found it a little dull, so I'm hoping an Alfa may be the way to go
The biggest factor will be getting my 2.5 year old lad in the back and possibly another baby seat in the future....plus a pram in the boot with all the other baby clutter. I've read that space in the back isn't massive but realistically it'd mainly be local journeys. So, can anyone with a family and a 156 saloon comment on practicality, particularly with regards to kids? Ta
I know I could get a sportswagon but I do prefer the saloon. I've had an E46 330i touring in the past but found it a little dull, so I'm hoping an Alfa may be the way to go
I think you could surprise yourself and really get to like the 156 SW - little bit more of a sleeper car as well. I consider them a slightly older person's car - someone with a family! - but if my self-image fitted a bit better I'd have one.
I agree with the above poster - big boot but hard to get stuff in there, and deep but not particularly tall. This makes it good for shopping but not ideal for other stuff. I don't have a family (I hope) so can't be of much more use in that sense. Can take pics if it helps.
Adult rear passengers don't complain about space too much, even some compliments. At least some of them have ISOFIX but I don't know anything about that - could probably find out.
The SW is way more practical not least because the seats fold. Actually the GT is better than a 156 saloon for rear load space - folding seats and a hatch - but of course you lose the rear doors.
From what I know about GTAs, they require a bit more TLC than your average car (which the cooking 156 is inline with on, IMO), so not the ideal runaround. Safety's commensurate with a car introduced in 1998, which might be a nagging worry. I've seen a lot of crashed 156s and they've held up better than expected though. GTAs hold their value nicely though, unlike the cooking ones which are quite some way down.
I agree with the above poster - big boot but hard to get stuff in there, and deep but not particularly tall. This makes it good for shopping but not ideal for other stuff. I don't have a family (I hope) so can't be of much more use in that sense. Can take pics if it helps.
Adult rear passengers don't complain about space too much, even some compliments. At least some of them have ISOFIX but I don't know anything about that - could probably find out.
The SW is way more practical not least because the seats fold. Actually the GT is better than a 156 saloon for rear load space - folding seats and a hatch - but of course you lose the rear doors.
From what I know about GTAs, they require a bit more TLC than your average car (which the cooking 156 is inline with on, IMO), so not the ideal runaround. Safety's commensurate with a car introduced in 1998, which might be a nagging worry. I've seen a lot of crashed 156s and they've held up better than expected though. GTAs hold their value nicely though, unlike the cooking ones which are quite some way down.
Edited by trashbat on Wednesday 3rd August 17:47
I can vouch for the SW being a far better bet for prams & general kiddy stuff than the saloon - although you'd need to check which pram specifically, as the hatch door is not suited to some! We've had an SW in the family since before our second boy was born, & it coped admirably, with an added roofbox & bike rack for holiday jaunts. Just changed it for a GTA - didn't consider the saloon, though; I've run a few over the years, company hacks, courtesy cars & mates, & there's just not the flexibility. Bear in mind the rear seats on the saloons don't fold - what you see when you open the boot is what you'll get - they always fold on the SW.
There are more saloons to choose from - roughly 2-1; but that's still around 350 or so, max, of both in the UK...happy hunting, I found ours in May this year, the search started May last...
There are more saloons to choose from - roughly 2-1; but that's still around 350 or so, max, of both in the UK...happy hunting, I found ours in May this year, the search started May last...
Edited by MarkwG on Wednesday 3rd August 22:52
Thanks for the advice guys. I KNOW the SW makes sense, but since when did we buy cars with our head, not heart 
I did it once and ended up with an Audi Allroad...... My wife has a CRV at the moment so we do have a second practical car for long journeys, holidays etc, although she will swapping that in March.
I think I really need to start looking at a few with a buggy in tow. It sounds like they are similar to an E46 saloon. Big boot (long) but not very deep and the opening is like a letterbox.
I'll start doing some serious reading but what are the things to look out for? I take it a Q2 diff is preferable and keeping an eye out for cam belt changes. Anything else other than the usual older second hand car stuff?
I did it once and ended up with an Audi Allroad...... My wife has a CRV at the moment so we do have a second practical car for long journeys, holidays etc, although she will swapping that in March.I think I really need to start looking at a few with a buggy in tow. It sounds like they are similar to an E46 saloon. Big boot (long) but not very deep and the opening is like a letterbox.
I'll start doing some serious reading but what are the things to look out for? I take it a Q2 diff is preferable and keeping an eye out for cam belt changes. Anything else other than the usual older second hand car stuff?
Edited by benny.c on Thursday 4th August 15:38
Edited by benny.c on Thursday 4th August 15:38
Your best bet is alfaowner.co.uk and go to the GTA lounge.
On 156 GTA's you need to watch out for:
Bodywork: rust on the wings - this can rot from the inside out on some of them.
Engine: Alfa specify cambelts at 72k or 5 years, everyone else says 60k or 4 years. Be wary of engines that have had the belts done at a main dealer because not all of them will have replaced the idlers and tensioners asw ell as the cambelt.
Gearbox: I wouldn't buy any GTA that doesn't have a Q2. The standard diff can go taking your gearbox with it. Plus the Q2 means you go around the corner and not straight on through the hedge. Budget roughly £750 quid to fit one.
Thats the main bits I think, but the alfaowners forum are very helpful.
On 156 GTA's you need to watch out for:
Bodywork: rust on the wings - this can rot from the inside out on some of them.
Engine: Alfa specify cambelts at 72k or 5 years, everyone else says 60k or 4 years. Be wary of engines that have had the belts done at a main dealer because not all of them will have replaced the idlers and tensioners asw ell as the cambelt.
Gearbox: I wouldn't buy any GTA that doesn't have a Q2. The standard diff can go taking your gearbox with it. Plus the Q2 means you go around the corner and not straight on through the hedge. Budget roughly £750 quid to fit one.
Thats the main bits I think, but the alfaowners forum are very helpful.
MATTBOY34 said:
Engine: Alfa specify cambelts at 72k or 5 years, everyone else says 60k or 4 years. Be wary of engines that have had the belts done at a main dealer because not all of them will have replaced the idlers and tensioners asw ell as the cambelt.
I'd shorten that to 48k/4rs to be honest. Personal preference of course.We use a 156 sw as our family hack. We have had it since my daughter was born and she is now two years old, and it still copes. Been on two family holidays to france with bikes, child seats, cots, high chairs, luggage, wheels etc all packed in without a problem.
We bave the 2.4jtd, and would love a gta, but also own a mini clubman and mx5, so cant justify the extra cost at the moment.
Mike
We bave the 2.4jtd, and would love a gta, but also own a mini clubman and mx5, so cant justify the extra cost at the moment.
Mike
It would be fine as a family car, my only gripe is the seat belt buckles are difficult to access when there's a child seat on the rear seat, you need to faff around to put the seat belt in - bloody annoying if it's raining. But you'll get a folding pram in the boot no problem, you might need to remove the wheels though.
Here's my advice from 3 yrs of ownership....
Timing belts are 36k or 3 years, not 4 or 6 yrs. Mine snapped at 40k so I know, and I've just had it replaced for a second time at 72k.
I have a Q2 but it's not the be all and end all to buying one. If it's not got a Q2 it doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it, you should be able to get £500 off the price to put toward the upgrade. There have been a lot of std open diff failures but you could run a standard diff and it might never fail. Mine was standard up to 66k then when I was getting the clutch done I decided to add the Q2 as it was a relatively cheap (£250) part back then. It does improve the car, but it's still a 250bhp fwd car.
I run mine as a daily driver, forgetting about petrol, it's not cheap to run. Expect a clutch to last only 60k, radiator 70k, timing belts 36k, and don't mention the front suspension, you'll be lucky to get 60k from that as well. I've had to replace anti roll bar (under warranty) upper and lower wishbones and all drop links. And I also had to replace the offside driveshaft, and the air filter box as the lid had cracked. But with all that I should be good to 120k miles.
But for a 3.2 it's not bad on fuel if you do mway miles, I can get 345-350 from a full tank if I'm steady, but that drops off quickly if you have a heavy foot.
If you can put up with the servicing costs, then go for it as you will enjoy it. Now's a good time to buy as there are a lot for sale, including a couple of really low mileage ones.
BUT after saying all that, I have no intention of getting rid of it.
Alan
Here's my advice from 3 yrs of ownership....
Timing belts are 36k or 3 years, not 4 or 6 yrs. Mine snapped at 40k so I know, and I've just had it replaced for a second time at 72k.
I have a Q2 but it's not the be all and end all to buying one. If it's not got a Q2 it doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it, you should be able to get £500 off the price to put toward the upgrade. There have been a lot of std open diff failures but you could run a standard diff and it might never fail. Mine was standard up to 66k then when I was getting the clutch done I decided to add the Q2 as it was a relatively cheap (£250) part back then. It does improve the car, but it's still a 250bhp fwd car.
I run mine as a daily driver, forgetting about petrol, it's not cheap to run. Expect a clutch to last only 60k, radiator 70k, timing belts 36k, and don't mention the front suspension, you'll be lucky to get 60k from that as well. I've had to replace anti roll bar (under warranty) upper and lower wishbones and all drop links. And I also had to replace the offside driveshaft, and the air filter box as the lid had cracked. But with all that I should be good to 120k miles.
But for a 3.2 it's not bad on fuel if you do mway miles, I can get 345-350 from a full tank if I'm steady, but that drops off quickly if you have a heavy foot.
If you can put up with the servicing costs, then go for it as you will enjoy it. Now's a good time to buy as there are a lot for sale, including a couple of really low mileage ones.
BUT after saying all that, I have no intention of getting rid of it.
Alan
Brilliant stuff, thanks for the info chaps
It'll take me 4-5 years to do 20K miles so hopefully some of those expensive running costs will be spread out a little. I don't have a daily commute and realistically only do about 50 miles per week, so fuel has never been a particular issue. My truck does about 20mpg on a good day and the Jeep I had before that did about 15
It'll take me 4-5 years to do 20K miles so hopefully some of those expensive running costs will be spread out a little. I don't have a daily commute and realistically only do about 50 miles per week, so fuel has never been a particular issue. My truck does about 20mpg on a good day and the Jeep I had before that did about 15
A few years back some Dutch car magazine did a review of the GTA, 330Ci and Mondeo ST220. I was going out with a Dutch girl at the time and got her to translate.
There was a lot of enthusiasm for the Alfa's engine sound. It seems the GTA had the best overall performance, and the 330 marginally the worst (its acceleration dropped off the most after 100kmh whereas the Alfa's dropped off the least). However, the Alfa was deemed worst on handling, with the other 2 neck & neck, the nod going slightly to the BMW. I think the conclusion was that they were all good but it depended on your priorities. Just like most car tests then!
There was a lot of enthusiasm for the Alfa's engine sound. It seems the GTA had the best overall performance, and the 330 marginally the worst (its acceleration dropped off the most after 100kmh whereas the Alfa's dropped off the least). However, the Alfa was deemed worst on handling, with the other 2 neck & neck, the nod going slightly to the BMW. I think the conclusion was that they were all good but it depended on your priorities. Just like most car tests then!
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