156 GTA - To purchase or not?
Discussion
Need a bit of advice from you Alfa chaps. I was looking to purchase the above new from my local Alfa dealer but am now having concerns over a couple of issues. Firstly, i am concerned that they might shortly be facelifting the GTA as the other 156's, or even bringing out a new 157, after all it has been out a few years. Also, slightly concerned at indifferent press comments about its chassis etc.I would be most interested to see what everyone thinks.Ta very much for any input 
I had a ride around Castle Combe in a 156 GTA driven by Andrew Banks (who won the GTA Challenge this year) and I would agree that the body control is not on a par with say the Mondeo ST220 but it makes up for that in character in my (biased) opinion.
Not sure about the facelift timing - the GTA versions lag the mainstream models usually anyway. Buying a new car you're going to lose a load in depreciation whatever model you go for...
"If you follow your heart you can't go wrong" - Alfie Moon (Eastenders last night)
Not sure about the facelift timing - the GTA versions lag the mainstream models usually anyway. Buying a new car you're going to lose a load in depreciation whatever model you go for...
"If you follow your heart you can't go wrong" - Alfie Moon (Eastenders last night)
Cheers for the input guys, i probably will do it, its just that i always get nervous just before signing on the line. What would the GTA be like in traffic, big chunk of its time would be sat in Nottinghams rush hour which is 1hour of first gear hell.....& it gets worse with every month that passes 
It's a really flexible engine and can be very relaxing to drive if your in that mood. You can pull away from a standstill in second gear if you are really lazy in stop and start slow traffic.
On the motorway the sixth gear, cruise and centre arm rest are very comfy. I did 500 miles in my first day and finished feeling fine.
Obviously it's real habitat is caning it's nut's off down country lanes. Pretty good all round. Plus it's practical and sounds the absolute swingers. The only other car which compares allround is the M3 for an extra 15k.
On the motorway the sixth gear, cruise and centre arm rest are very comfy. I did 500 miles in my first day and finished feeling fine.
Obviously it's real habitat is caning it's nut's off down country lanes. Pretty good all round. Plus it's practical and sounds the absolute swingers. The only other car which compares allround is the M3 for an extra 15k.
I went for a spin in one yesterday.
The car had 20 miles on it... I asked the salesman if it needs to be run in and he said no... Cue lots of red-lining!!!! (Don't buy this car!!!!)
I was genuinely very very impressed (more so than by the Mitsu Evo 8 FQ thingy and Scooby Preza STI Prodrive that I have recently driven)
The GTA Sportwagen is certainly on my short-list!
The car had 20 miles on it... I asked the salesman if it needs to be run in and he said no... Cue lots of red-lining!!!! (Don't buy this car!!!!)
I was genuinely very very impressed (more so than by the Mitsu Evo 8 FQ thingy and Scooby Preza STI Prodrive that I have recently driven)
The GTA Sportwagen is certainly on my short-list!
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