GTV6 or 156GTA?

[Pat H]

Finding it hard to resist the temptation of a V6 Alfa.

Rather fancy a 3.0 V6 GTV, but have seen a few 156 GTAs at encouraging prices.

Is the 3.0 Alfa engine so much nicer than the 3.2 that I ought to lean towards a phase 2 GTV?

[OperationAlfa]

The 3.2 is quite simply it's the best Alfa engine I have ever driven. Everything is so finely tuned on the GTA that it sounds amazing.

I'm gonna say go for a GTA though Aren't I.

Joe

The red one for sale is mine. BTW

Edited by OperationAlfa on Monday 18th August 10:35

[jamieboy]

I prefer the 3.0 to the 3.2. Mind you, I also prefer the 12v 3.0 to the 24v 3.0, and prefer the 2.5 in my old GTV6 to any of them.

I don't really think there's a lot in it between the two of them - the fact that the GTV (bespoke feeling, really two-seater coupe) and the 156 (sensible 4-door family saloon) are pretty different types of car makes more odds than the engine difference.

OperationAlfa said:

The red one for sale is mine. BTW

I thought I read that you'd decided to keep it?

[OperationAlfa]

Nope.

[Pat H]

euroboy said:

Would the budget stretch to a last of the line 3.2 GTV?

Nope.

Just looking for a daily driver that has a bit of character.

Looking to spend no more than about £6000, which is not really enough for a 156 GTA, but ought to get a very nice 3.0 GTV6.

I ought not to discount the 2.5 165.

Noise, character and driving pleasure are probably more important than horsepower.

[Jimbo.]

If ever faced with such a situation, it has to be the GTA. It's "just" a saloon, but those seats, that cockpit, *that* engine and above all, the chorus and the grunt that comes with it all wrapped in such a practical yet knee-tremblingly gorgrous package. It's like a Keria Knightley who can cook like Gordon Ramsey...

My father has a GTA. I'll never get the chance to own a good one, but the memories of the times that I did borrow it will stay with me forever

Edited by Jimbo. on Tuesday 19th August 03:10

[P17_GTA]

Pat H said:

Just looking for a daily driver that has a bit of character.

Looking to spend no more than about £6000, which is not really enough for a 156 GTA, but ought to get a very nice 3.0 GTV6.

I ought not to discount the 2.5 165.

Noise, character and driving pleasure are probably more important than horsepower.

Do you not mean a 166?.....can pick up those in 2.5 or 3.0 form for not alot of money!

I've had a gtv and now a 147 gta...... I would say 156 if you need the space, otherwise look for a cracking GTV for that money!

[bazzabear]

I'd go for a top notch GTV over a bottom-of-the-barrel GTA, which is the decision I think your budget gives you.

If you had the money to go high end, then it'd be GTA all the way.

[jamesgrrr]

bit of a no brainer really, if you need 5 seats and a boot, 156. if you don't, GTV. You'll get a much better GTV for the price and they look oh so good.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Go for the GTA. The speedo reads up to 200 mph ; )

[Robertf]

I had a 3.0 and a 147GTA (not the same but along the lines of the 156), and they are both superb cars - you will love either.

The GTA is a bit quicker and has better toys, but the GTV is more special, beautiful, and a good bit more fuel efficient. Given a choice I would get a GTV (just), especially as they are exceptional value for money right now.

[Welshbeef]

Had a play with a 156GTA 3.2 black one this morning on the J10 M4 slip road I kept it in 5th and he couldnt pass....

Looked very nice though - but MPG must be dire & the 36k expensive cambelt change...ouch. For me that would be near on every other year cambelt change way way too pricy.

[pdV6]

Welshbeef said:

Looked very nice though - but MPG must be dire & the 36k expensive cambelt change...ouch. For me that would be near on every other year cambelt change way way too pricy.

36k is for the 2.0TS engine. The V6 is good for 60k in reality as long as you keep to the 5yr schedule.

Pricewise, an indie will do it for £400 or thereabouts so it's not actually that big a deal.

[Welshbeef]

Well thats not bad £400 every 5 years (assume ave miles) so £80p.a.

What about the MPG? Is it as terrible as some people make out??

Love the sounds & love the 147GTA interior really stunning.

[pdV6]

Welshbeef said:

What about the MPG? Is it as terrible as some people make out??

Don't know about the 3.2GTAs but I struggle to get more than 18mpg out of my 3.0GTV around town, rising to mid-20s on the open road.

[Welshbeef]

[/quote]
Don't know about the 3.2GTAs but I struggle to get more than 18mpg out of my 3.0GTV around town, rising to mid-20s on the open road.
[/quote]

Ouch - how can you afford to do that? Do you restrict milage and have a 2nd car for commuting?

Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo official combined is 28mpg but Im getting 35-36mpg on my commute currently.

Do you do over 20k a year ?

[pdV6]

The GTV is strictly a 2nd car at the moment and I commute on a pushbike!

Having said that, the Volvo does 20,000 miles a year at an average of around 18-19mpg which does tend to hurt the finances a bit.

[OperationAlfa]

The GTA will do 29MPG easily on the motorway.

My last 1000 miles or mixed driving averaged 22MPG.

1000 miles of bliss.

[Welshbeef]

Thats just too little for me 29mpg on the M way given similar performance to my Coupe and that will do 31% better MPG at Motorway speeds than this.

Just cannot justify that mpg difference especially given the milage I do. Shame.

[Viper_Larry]

I get around 320 - 360 miles per tank in my 156 GTA. The computer reads 36mpg on my 75 mile run to work, but I don't think this is entirely accurate. I'd say 26 - 30mpg in average driving.

Stunning car, love it and after 4 years and 64000 miles, still brilliant