RE: Alfa Romeo 156 GTA: PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
The Green Triangle said:
I have to agree with you. Shame about it being wrong wheel drive. Right engine, ok looks, but then they make it shopping car configuration. Shame really for an Alfa...
It's always going to have the FWD stigma, and it would have been very interesting if Alfa had persisted with RWD for the 164 & 156, but for every day driving, once you have a Q2 or Quaife Diff, they actually drive surprisingly well.I've owned 4WD & RWD cars while I've had the GTA and never felt dynamically short-changed in the Alfa. That could well be more to do with my staid driving than the ultimate abilities of the cars, but you have to be pushing it pretty hard for the FWD to be a serious embarrassment. Better than powerful RWD cars for getting up icy/snowy hills as well.
156gta said:
I’ve just done eibach arb’s, eibach springs, yellow konis, 330mm Brembos, discs/pads all round s/hand lower mileage engine,clutch, Q2 diff, full service, decat manifolds, wizard front pipes, scorpion cat back system and mot’d today my 156 GTA 3.2
It was off the road since February 2017 after timing belt snapped and I won’t sell it
HiIt was off the road since February 2017 after timing belt snapped and I won’t sell it
Your GTA looks fabulous with all the upgrades
Do you still have the old engine?
Regards
Maz
I've had my 156 GTA Sport wagon for 10 years now and will never sell it. It's been a fantastic car, 7 years as a daily driver and now a spare car in the garage which gets taken out in the sunshine.
Mines got 130k on it now and is still tight to drive and in great condition. Yes it's cost a lot over the years in maintenance and upgrades (Wizard manifolds and exhaust, Eibach ant roll bars, Kioni suspension, 330mm brake upgrade, Q2 LSD, BMC intake and remap. Also just been resprayed and any rust taken care of.
As mentioned above, they aren't complicated cars, but the lack of spares is now a problem. Took me ages to find a new pair of OEM front wings and jacking point covers. Got them now though and also a spare Ecu for when the enevitable happens.
When you drive one of these cars you just realise how much fun they are. So raw compared to more modern cars and fun, safe handling. The engine is immense. Very tractable, likes to rev, and sounds amazing at all rpm levels. Wizard make some excellent exhausts for them (and other Alfas).
They are also reliable. I've had no electrical issues at all and have never, ever been not able to drive it home.
I've come close to selling it a few times, but after drafting the advert have never been able to follow through with it. The number of people I know who have sold theirs and still regret it to this day is a telltale not to be ignored.
If you get the chance to own one, then go for it, but check the rust situation carefully. Anything mechanical can be sorted fairly easily. Oh and make sure you have a good independent Alfa specialist available - they are invaluable.
Mines got 130k on it now and is still tight to drive and in great condition. Yes it's cost a lot over the years in maintenance and upgrades (Wizard manifolds and exhaust, Eibach ant roll bars, Kioni suspension, 330mm brake upgrade, Q2 LSD, BMC intake and remap. Also just been resprayed and any rust taken care of.
As mentioned above, they aren't complicated cars, but the lack of spares is now a problem. Took me ages to find a new pair of OEM front wings and jacking point covers. Got them now though and also a spare Ecu for when the enevitable happens.
When you drive one of these cars you just realise how much fun they are. So raw compared to more modern cars and fun, safe handling. The engine is immense. Very tractable, likes to rev, and sounds amazing at all rpm levels. Wizard make some excellent exhausts for them (and other Alfas).
They are also reliable. I've had no electrical issues at all and have never, ever been not able to drive it home.
I've come close to selling it a few times, but after drafting the advert have never been able to follow through with it. The number of people I know who have sold theirs and still regret it to this day is a telltale not to be ignored.
If you get the chance to own one, then go for it, but check the rust situation carefully. Anything mechanical can be sorted fairly easily. Oh and make sure you have a good independent Alfa specialist available - they are invaluable.
viggyp said:
Always loved the looks of the 156 until the GTA arrived. Curvaceous body with a horrible bodykit especially the squared off rear bumper.
I know what you mean. The basic 156 is a fantastic looking car, but I think the bodykit suits the 147 GTA far better than the 156 GTA.
I lusted after one of these (the Sportwagon) years ago and ended up going for an M5 Touring which was epic but an absolute money pit. Now years later I went for my first ever Alfa and it was that car, a 156 GTA Sportwagon in black. I've heard it described as a flawed gem and perhaps it is but you can forgive it everything when you hear that Busso music. It feels really taught to drive with composed handling and super direct steering. Plan ahead a little and it excels, very bumpy B roads are perhaps it's Achilles heal but on flowing roads it just astounds and is very quick.
The engine is a work of art to look at and so absorbing to drive, a delectable sound track especially with a stainless cat back system. More Busso sound can be released removing those manifold cats I believe but it suits the car having that understated burble I think.
Interestingly it is the only car I have owned where the oil seems to stay golden in colour, it just doesn't seem to darken though perhaps that's the very few miles it does between changes. They really are a pleasure to drive and those seats, like something out of the Milenium Falcon
The engine is a work of art to look at and so absorbing to drive, a delectable sound track especially with a stainless cat back system. More Busso sound can be released removing those manifold cats I believe but it suits the car having that understated burble I think.
Interestingly it is the only car I have owned where the oil seems to stay golden in colour, it just doesn't seem to darken though perhaps that's the very few miles it does between changes. They really are a pleasure to drive and those seats, like something out of the Milenium Falcon
ian996 said:
viggyp said:
Always loved the looks of the 156 until the GTA arrived. Curvaceous body with a horrible bodykit especially the squared off rear bumper. That's my only negative thought on this car as I love the way it drives and sounds.
I think the GTA bodykit is very much a marmite thing - personally, I love it - I think it's got a really "planted" stance that suits the car. To me, the GTA has aged a lot better than the standard shape, but I'm probably biased as I've had one parked on the drive for nearly 14 years....I've never owned another car for longer than 4 years, so that must say something.
swanny71 said:
Oh, go on then if we’re posting pics of our old GTA’s
Q2 diff, Koni FSD’s, Eibach springs, 18” Jetfin alloys, 330mm Brembo’s, Supersprint exhaust, CDA intake and carbon Autodelta pipe, Angel remap.
Loved this car.
Sorry for the off topic post but I came very close to buying your ex Griff years ago, am I right in thinking it ended up abroad?Q2 diff, Koni FSD’s, Eibach springs, 18” Jetfin alloys, 330mm Brembo’s, Supersprint exhaust, CDA intake and carbon Autodelta pipe, Angel remap.
Loved this car.
In any form a good looking car, but the GTA just has a subtle, more purposeful edge.
I have to say though, I know some modern cars are fussy but Alfa Romeo followed this up with the 159, another handsome beast and more recently the Giulia, another looked of a car. Then they produce the Mito and soem of their others that just look a bit odd, not bad, just like their styling doesnt scale down so well, or up, I always liked the 166 but it had a sort of sad, Marianas trench based weird fish vibe going on. But the medium saloons have been good lookers for ages.
Be Interesting to see where Giulia Quadrifoglio prices go.
I have to say though, I know some modern cars are fussy but Alfa Romeo followed this up with the 159, another handsome beast and more recently the Giulia, another looked of a car. Then they produce the Mito and soem of their others that just look a bit odd, not bad, just like their styling doesnt scale down so well, or up, I always liked the 166 but it had a sort of sad, Marianas trench based weird fish vibe going on. But the medium saloons have been good lookers for ages.
Be Interesting to see where Giulia Quadrifoglio prices go.
swanny71 said:
Yes it did, Germany I believe. Selling that was another massive cock up on my part 
Bugger, is it still there?I tried to buy that car twice, once from Tiny and once from the guy that I think had bought it from you. The nicest Griff I've ever seen.
Your old GTA looked rather nice too!
Oooofff... some car p0rn on this thread!
I've never tried a GTA but do own a 156 2.5 V6 - fitted a Wizard catback a few weeks ago and I'm like a dog with two appendages every time I start it up in the morning.
I was wondering what running a 2.5 vs. a GTA is like in the real world - performance, running costs etc. Has anyone ever owned both and how different do they drive / feel? Rxe, I think I remember you owning a 2.5 as well as a GTA (apologies if that's not true).
Any 156 is at least 13 years old and many have crumbling underpinnings to show for it - mine certainly did up until this summer. The repairs felt like they were akin to me taking a wing mirror to my mechanic and asking him to put a 156 on it...
I've never tried a GTA but do own a 156 2.5 V6 - fitted a Wizard catback a few weeks ago and I'm like a dog with two appendages every time I start it up in the morning.
I was wondering what running a 2.5 vs. a GTA is like in the real world - performance, running costs etc. Has anyone ever owned both and how different do they drive / feel? Rxe, I think I remember you owning a 2.5 as well as a GTA (apologies if that's not true).
Any 156 is at least 13 years old and many have crumbling underpinnings to show for it - mine certainly did up until this summer. The repairs felt like they were akin to me taking a wing mirror to my mechanic and asking him to put a 156 on it...
T5GRF said:
Bugger, is it still there?
I tried to buy that car twice, once from Tiny and once from the guy that I think had bought it from you. The nicest Griff I've ever seen.
Your old GTA looked rather nice too!
I bought it from the guy after Tiny (via Dulford’s) and then sold it to Track v Road who I think already had the buyer in Germany lined up.I tried to buy that car twice, once from Tiny and once from the guy that I think had bought it from you. The nicest Griff I've ever seen.
Your old GTA looked rather nice too!
As far as I know it’s still in Europe, I do still occasionally check the Griff classifieds “just in case” but I doubt I could justify paying whatever price it might go up for.
Gotta stop thinking about it now.........feeling ill
The Green Triangle said:
MX6 said:
I always really liked the 156, I had a 2.0 TS and it was a really good car, one of the best daily drivers I've owned I would say. I also had a 159 subsequently which was a bit of a barge, the 156 was the much nicer drive.
I've never been into the GTA though, I've not driven one so maybe they are great to drive, but I always always thought they seemed over-priced for an old FWD V6 saloon despite the sporty badge. I'd prefer a 156 2.5 V6 which can be had for a fraction of the price.
I have to agree with you. Shame about it being wrong wheel drive. Right engine, ok looks, but then they make it shopping car configuration. Shame really for an Alfa... I've never been into the GTA though, I've not driven one so maybe they are great to drive, but I always always thought they seemed over-priced for an old FWD V6 saloon despite the sporty badge. I'd prefer a 156 2.5 V6 which can be had for a fraction of the price.
jamies30 said:
viggyp said:
Always loved the looks of the 156 until the GTA arrived. Curvaceous body with a horrible bodykit especially the squared off rear bumper.
I know what you mean. The basic 156 is a fantastic looking car, but I think the bodykit suits the 147 GTA far better than the 156 GTA.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff