Alfa GT or 159 - Chalk and Cheese?

[ktm301p]

Hi all,

I am in the process of selling the people carrier and getting back to a more enjoyable car for long journeys on motorways for when I'm doing business. Long story short, I am trying to decide between the 159 and the GT. I would like to know which one is better suited to longer journeys and what differences there are between them aside from styling.

Thanks!
Alex

[smileymikey]

I had the 159 jtdm.....absolutely loved it, and would club a baby seal to get another one!

In answer to your question I tried both before getting the 159 and would suggest it is the better of the two for long journeys. Later design bigger etc etc

[dema]

Owned a 159 and went to test drive a GT last week.
IMO the GT with a 1.9JTD is the best car, only possible down side is that the GT is not a practical.
I would consider a 159 with a 2.4 lump only

[ktm301p]

dema said:

Owned a 159 and went to test drive a GT last week.
IMO the GT with a 1.9JTD is the best car, only possible down side is that the GT is not a practical.
I would consider a 159 with a 2.4 lump only

Thanks, what was it that made the GT feel better then the 159? The interior maybe, as I understand it the 159 interior was heavily based on the 147, and the GT was a little more unique.

If I were going to choose either, it would have to be a petrol though!

[SturdyHSV]

ktm301p said:

Thanks, what was it that made the GT feel better then the 159? The interior maybe, as I understand it the 159 interior was heavily based on the 147, and the GT was a little more unique.

If I were going to choose either, it would have to be a petrol though!

If it has to be a petrol, then it has to be the V6. If it has to be the V6, it has to be the GT, as that's the proper Busso V6, the 159 is a GM lump.

[Squadrone Rosso]

The GT's interior is 147 based. It's actually a bespoke body on s 156 SW floor pan with a 147 interior.

Got to agree with the petrol comment. We love our V6

[rijmij99]

all about the busso

[ktm301p]

SturdyHSV said:

If it has to be a petrol, then it has to be the V6. If it has to be the V6, it has to be the GT, as that's the proper Busso V6, the 159 is a GM lump.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out!

[dema]

As said above, the GT use the same platform of the 147 and 156 (strangley it gets better reviews on reliability ) the 159 uses a newer platform.

Main difference for me was that the GT felt more solid, nimble and more special, some owners have reported heavy clutch which I actually prefer, but I guess that all of the above is down to personal taste.
I found the 159 very well balanced and surprisingly good in the corners for a sportwagon, but,I felt that the 2.2 JTS engine had very little torque which to me was the main downfall and, if you are into tuning there isn't much out there.

Ended up been sensible and "downgrade" to one car in the household and will be picking up a Giulitta this week end leaving the GT in my wish list

[Rythmic slapping]

Owned both.

I had the 159 in 2008 I ran a 1.9 diesel, black with red leather - beautiful thing to look at. But and a big but... the diesel 1.9 is not right on the car - it's to slow and also its quite an old engine? so it was very refined.

Maybe the 2.4 is a better bet. I found it fine on the motorway and a good car to get comfy in. I did a lot of town driving and it didn’t like rough roads - but not many cars do.

I ended up selling the car as I released that a diesel just wasn’t for me.

I then owned a Alfa GT V6. The engine was a masterpiece and it was a nice place to sit. The sat nav was pants and the CD changer is over the back wheel, so liked to skip songs...

However, i did have a few problems. I purchased from a main dealer in Manchester, who didn’t take the car for a long enough test drive to realise there was something wrong with the clutch. So back it went a week later to get a whole new clutch fitted.

2 weeks later the problem was back. This time I paid for in indie to sort the problem - It didn’t as I still had a very loud clutch squeak / grind from the engine bay. In the end I had enough and got rid.

The GT also suffers from very poor window seals and that WILL drive you mad on the motorway as the car whistle’s its favourite tune too you.

All in. I miss both cars. The GT for its engine and its ability to drink fuel.. and the 159 for its shear looks and the look of the off centre dash.

Test drive both, give them a good go on all roads and try and go with your head and not your heart....

[ktm301p]

Rythmic slapping said:

Owned both.

Test drive both, give them a good go on all roads and try and go with your head and not your heart....

From reading that and the other posts made so far, I am gathering the impression that the GT has more character from the V6 and luxury interior (and things that go wrong!) And the 159 seems to be the more refined, level-headed Alfa.

I was a bit concerned when you mentioned the poor seals and the whistling/ wind noise as a result.

[Rythmic slapping]

I tried a few GT's when i was looking and it seemed to be a problem or a character thing if you like of the pillar less doors. When it had rained you could hear the wet road noise. I had mine looked at when I had my clutch problems. And the indie guy said i could pay for him to fit new rubber around the doors etc.. but he said mine wasnt as bad as others he had seen. For some this is part of the car - which is fine.

The V6 petrol in the newer Alfa's (Brera, 159 and Spyder) is not the same lump as the GT. I think Alfa had to stop making the older engine because of upcoming EU regulations.

The GT got me more excited than the 159, but the 159 I had was a diesel.

Best to try them both and see what you think.

[ktm301p]

Thanks, I found these two. Both seem to tick the boxes,

GT V6

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

159 V6

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

As an alternative to the Alfa, I've been looking at Mercedes - mainly this one which seems to good to be true and a bit of a no brainer if I can get over it not being an Alfa:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[Rythmic slapping]

Crazy money for the 159, I had know idea they had fallen so much.

The GT in that colour does nothing for me, and the interior looks very bland.

I had the tan interior on the GT and a kind of dark grey carbon colour externally.

You want the colour of the 159 on the GT!!!

[robsco]

ktm301p said:

Thanks, I found these two. Both seem to tick the boxes,

GT V6

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

159 V6

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

As an alternative to the Alfa, I've been looking at Mercedes - mainly this one which seems to good to be true and a bit of a no brainer if I can get over it not being an Alfa:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

If you want a V6, it will have to be the GT. The Busso engine is in another class to the awful GM lump in the 159.

[Squadrone Rosso]

robsco said:

If you want a V6, it will have to be the GT. The Busso engine is in another class to the awful GM lump in the 159.

We run one of each. Yes, the Busso is a fruitier engine but the GM Based engine isn't awful. It's good & strong

[robsco]

Squadrone Rosso said:

We run one of each. Yes, the Busso is a fruitier engine but the GM Based engine isn't awful. It's good & strong

Each to their own, the 3.2 in the Brera felt flat as a fart, comparatively speaking with a 3.0 GTV for example. Obviously the extra weight doesn't help either.

[masermartin]

This topic is quite interesting to me as well, although my choice at the moment is between a 156 GTA and a V6 GT. I've heard reports criticising harsh ride - planning to try to test drive both but I feel a bit awkward with that as I could be wasting someone's time. I'd be interested to hear people's opinions, particularly so if you've owned/driven both back to back ...

[phil1979]

My old GT:



My current 159:



Both 1.9 diesels.

GT was nowhere near as refined, but felt light on it's feet. GT was much quicker, but was crashy in its ride. Had to sell as a baby appeared on the scene.

159 interior is strides ahead in terms on comfort and refinement, but in the GT you feel more cosseted - more sportscar like. Plus the pillarless doors are special (if annoying at times).

The dash and toys on the 159 are miles ahead of the ageing GT, and the 159 is more relaxing. But it's heavy, and feels more of a cruiser.

If it wasn't for kids, I'd have the GT in a heartbeat. But I would get the suspension uprated - feels weedy and crashy compared to the 159, which rides 10 times better on 19s compare to the GT on 18s.

In short, GT is quick and fun. 159 refined, practical, and boring. GT is better looking IMO.

Edit: Standard stereo in the 159 is excellent. 'Tis ste in the GT.

Edited by phil1979 on Friday 17th August 14:17

[Parabola]

phil1979 said:

My current 159:

That looks perfect