GTA Running Costs
Discussion
I havn`t seen anything on here for some time from GTA owners , 147 or 156 .
I turned down the opportunity to own a 147 GTA earier this year as I thought overall running costs would be prohibitive . Now they have been around for a while , has anyone any real world experience of the costs and disadvantages involved ?
Still hankering after an Alfa , but there again when you have had one and havn`t got one any more you do I suppose !
I turned down the opportunity to own a 147 GTA earier this year as I thought overall running costs would be prohibitive . Now they have been around for a while , has anyone any real world experience of the costs and disadvantages involved ?
Still hankering after an Alfa , but there again when you have had one and havn`t got one any more you do I suppose !
Hello Micky,
1st of all I have owned my 147GTA for 1 1/2 years.
I live in australia and the most expensive running cost is probably petrol. I do 350km on a full tank. My servicing is O.K., not to expensive. Approx. A$350 for normal servicing.
The only real problem is bringing it to someone that will look after you and not crap you around when it comes to servicing and general matenence of your car.
2nd, check out www.alfaowner.com/Forum/ .
You will get the all the information that you require!
1st of all I have owned my 147GTA for 1 1/2 years.
I live in australia and the most expensive running cost is probably petrol. I do 350km on a full tank. My servicing is O.K., not to expensive. Approx. A$350 for normal servicing.
The only real problem is bringing it to someone that will look after you and not crap you around when it comes to servicing and general matenence of your car.
2nd, check out www.alfaowner.com/Forum/ .
You will get the all the information that you require!
the obvious really...fuel, i ran mine on optimax, you get pretty horrific mpg around town or if you really use that fantastic engine. watch oil too, mine drank synthetic at a fair rate. check that the car has had the front disk/brake 330mm upgrade. standard from 04 cars, warranty on earlier ones i think. all in all great looking car, very quick, gorgeous interior, handling can be a bit iffy probably due to the heavy engine. very underrated car imho.
I've put 37,000 on my 147GTA, fuel at 22mpg is the biggest cost, servicing, tyres and brakes all add up to another 3rd world debt ... but it's all worth it for the sound of that engine !!!
If I try, I can get 29mpg, but it's no fun.
If you want all the details, mail me, I won't bore everyone else by posting them here.
Tim
ps - Davey - you got rid of yours ?
If I try, I can get 29mpg, but it's no fun.
If you want all the details, mail me, I won't bore everyone else by posting them here.
Tim
ps - Davey - you got rid of yours ?
Had my 156 GTA just over a year now. The computer says I get around 28.3mpg average regularly (used for commuting and pleasure, tends to drop to 25mpg over winter when traffic is worse) - normally fill up after 330 miles. I've used normal 95 RON unleaded from ASDA almost exclusively from purchase and never had a problem. Local dealer is great and first 12,000 mile service around £280. Needed new tyres on the front at 16,500 miles @ £213 a pair of Pirelli P-Zero's. Needed to replace/add a few trim bits that were missing, but these were pence each and easy to get off the dealer.
I have to say, I bought the car nearly new (800 miles on clock) for £20k and thought I'd sell it after a year to minimise depreciation, but can't bring myself too - love it too much. So nice to drive, interior draws lots of comments.
Pick a good one and you won't regret it, here's mine
I have to say, I bought the car nearly new (800 miles on clock) for £20k and thought I'd sell it after a year to minimise depreciation, but can't bring myself too - love it too much. So nice to drive, interior draws lots of comments.
Pick a good one and you won't regret it, here's mine
I have been running a 156 GTA for 3 years now and done just under 70k miles, apart from tyres and new fog lamps a couple of times I have had no problems whatsoever, a brake disc upgrade was done under warranty (which also provided me with brand new wheels and tyres free of charge) and at the same time they replaced the timing belt because the tensioner was loose and replaced all of the front suspension bushes (also all under warranty). I cannot fault the dealer I use (AMC chelmsford)or the car, I recently purchased a new car with the intention of selling the alfa but it is such a great all round car I cannot bear to get rid of it (or suffer the depreciation. Highly recommended.
Davey,
I had it advertised in a few places for a while, but no-one else seemed to think it was worth as much as I did ....
So I bit the bullet, we changed my better halfs Brabus roadster for an Octavia vRS, and kept the GTA.
40p a mile just about covers it, when I start the 25p miles I'll be losing out..... or using the Skoda.
Still loving her though, and had great fun chasing ( I mean following ) a well-driven 328i from Coleshill to Rutland the other day !
I keep telling myself that they're a great winter car, which they are ... bring on the snow !
I had it advertised in a few places for a while, but no-one else seemed to think it was worth as much as I did ....
So I bit the bullet, we changed my better halfs Brabus roadster for an Octavia vRS, and kept the GTA.
40p a mile just about covers it, when I start the 25p miles I'll be losing out..... or using the Skoda.
Still loving her though, and had great fun chasing ( I mean following ) a well-driven 328i from Coleshill to Rutland the other day !
I keep telling myself that they're a great winter car, which they are ... bring on the snow !
Bought my 156GTA secondhand in Feb of this year. At that time had 13k miles on it. Put 9k miles on it in since then and the only problems I have had has been a faulty Xenon lamp and anti-roll bar, both replaced under warranty.
The car is brilliant and personally would recommened them highly. I normally get bored of cars very quickly and change after 12 to 18 months, however can see myself keeping the GTA for a few years yet. Still look over my shoulder when I park the car - great looking motor. Just returned from a trip to France and the car attarcted so much attention especially on the Euro-tunnel, many people asking questions wanting to know more etc etc.
The engine is a gem, and sounds better with age. Infact the car generally feels better than when I first purchased it. Handling I suppose is slightly nose heavy IMHO but the steeering rack is v.quick and makes the car very manouverable in traffic and on A & B roads. Many other cars I have driven feel unresponsive in comparison as a result.
By far and away the biggest cost to absorb is fuel. In London traffic I only see about 18.5mpg and on the motorway I never get better than 28mpg. Though I do drive the car let's say enthusiastically. Driven gently your can get 23mpg around town.
In terms of depreciation I paid £16250 and looking at used prices at the moment I reckon I could get £14250. Therefore not a exorbitnat in loss given the mileage I've covered.
The negatives that I have found is that the interior is hard to keep clean, dashborad marks very easily. Cliamte control ain't great on my car and has a noisy fan. The car sits very low and have to very careful at speed bumps. Some magazines say the ride comfort is poor but I have not found this a problem at all. Also the car is good and comfortable enough on long journeys (300 miles), however must say not as comfortbale as my wife's Merc AMG saloon.
Overall, anyone who is fond of sports cars woudn't be disappointed with a GTA and buying second hand they represent a bargain !
The car is brilliant and personally would recommened them highly. I normally get bored of cars very quickly and change after 12 to 18 months, however can see myself keeping the GTA for a few years yet. Still look over my shoulder when I park the car - great looking motor. Just returned from a trip to France and the car attarcted so much attention especially on the Euro-tunnel, many people asking questions wanting to know more etc etc.
The engine is a gem, and sounds better with age. Infact the car generally feels better than when I first purchased it. Handling I suppose is slightly nose heavy IMHO but the steeering rack is v.quick and makes the car very manouverable in traffic and on A & B roads. Many other cars I have driven feel unresponsive in comparison as a result.
By far and away the biggest cost to absorb is fuel. In London traffic I only see about 18.5mpg and on the motorway I never get better than 28mpg. Though I do drive the car let's say enthusiastically. Driven gently your can get 23mpg around town.
In terms of depreciation I paid £16250 and looking at used prices at the moment I reckon I could get £14250. Therefore not a exorbitnat in loss given the mileage I've covered.
The negatives that I have found is that the interior is hard to keep clean, dashborad marks very easily. Cliamte control ain't great on my car and has a noisy fan. The car sits very low and have to very careful at speed bumps. Some magazines say the ride comfort is poor but I have not found this a problem at all. Also the car is good and comfortable enough on long journeys (300 miles), however must say not as comfortbale as my wife's Merc AMG saloon.
Overall, anyone who is fond of sports cars woudn't be disappointed with a GTA and buying second hand they represent a bargain !
PeteS said:
Some magazines say the ride comfort is poor but I have not found this a problem at all. Also the car is good and comfortable enough on long journeys (300 miles), however must say not as comfortbale as my wife's Merc AMG saloon.
I've heard this said about Alfas in general - personally I prefer to feel what the road is doing beneath the wheels. I recently did 1000 miles round the Low Countries and found my 2.0TS perfectly comfortable, although by the end I was getting slightly tired of the engine noise.
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