New to Alfa's question. 156 3.2 V6 as a daily driver?

[Turbo-Tastic]

Ciao!

So, I've been wondering what to replace my BMW 530d M-Sport tourer with, as I have realised I don't like diesels.

I'm thinking of getting a 156 Sportwagon (I need an estate), and having looked around the internet, I think I pretty much only want a 3.2 V6. Maybe its got some subtle bodystyling or something, but I definitely prefer it to the looks of the 2.0TS and the 2.5 V6.

But I have a few questions.

1) Does the 3.2 V6 really command such a high asking price? They all seem to be 1.5-2k MORE than the smaller engine equivalents?

2) Are there any major common issues with these cars, engines or 6sp boxes?

3) Is running one as a daily driver a good idea? What is the likely annual service cost?

Any help greatly appreciated

Thanks,

Ed

[jimmy156]

Do you mean a 156 GTA? I think thats the only 156 that got a 3.2l engine.

These will not be cheap to run as a daily. Stunning cars though, i love 'em.

They command a premium in the same way that an M3 commands a premium over a 330i.

[rijmij99]

you can run one as a daily driver but logic and history suggests moth balling it, not that that's any fun. couldyou not buy a 2.5 and fit an OEM style GTA kit?

[MattyB_]

Used my 147GTA as a daily.

Best car I ever owned. Looks, noise, power and a very nice place to be.

However, they are not cheap cars to run. 20mpg is all I used to get (mixed) and they need lots of TLC, tending to munch through service items and consumables quite quickly....if you buy one that's been neglected, you could end up spending a small fortune.

Do your research, buy a good one and you'll love it - still one of the best looking motors on our roads. Miss mine terribly, but I could never buy another as it'll never be as nice or as we'll spec'd as the one I sold...

[jaisharma]

Had one as a daily for a year or so, loved it. Only sold it to buy a QP - the GTA delivers 90% of what you get from a QP in my view.

[ImpossiblyDaft]

Turbo-Tastic said:

Ciao!


1) Does the 3.2 V6 really command such a high asking price? They all seem to be 1.5-2k MORE than the smaller engine equivalents?

Yes, the GTA does command a premium - its a limited edition with a beefier engine, bodykit, different seats etc. so it's to be expected.

Turbo-Tastic said:

2) Are there any major common issues with these cars, engines or 6sp boxes?

Belts need doing on the dot. It gets through wishbones like a fatty with a tub of icecream. Manual boxes are fine, the 'Selespeed' flappy paddle ones aren't. Rear window motors die. Red paint fades. Although it's not a particularly rust-prone car, check underneath as the body panels won't rust, but the underneath can.

Turbo-Tastic said:

3) Is running one as a daily driver a good idea? What is the likely annual service cost?

It's no more likely to leave you sitting at the side of the road than anything else, but it hardly gets great MPG. Low 20s MPG from the 3.2 (high 20s from the 2.5), servicing is important but isn't particularly expensive unless it needs little bits of maintenance - which can be quite likely. Going to a good specialist is definitely the way to go, price wise though. Here's some examples with prices on the websites for the common stuff; http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/http://www.aforalfa.co.uk/

[V6GTA]

I could get 32MPG cruising on the motorway with my GTA.

Sensational cars though. Try one.

[14-7]

I, like another poster, used my 147GTA as my daily hack adding 50-60000 miles to it over the course of 5 years. Averaged about 24-27mpg over that time.

Running costs weren't cheap though (remember they are getting old now and things need replacing) but I put around £1k a side per year for servicing and tyres.

[c8p]

I had a 156 GTA Sportwagon a few years ago and did 70k miles in it over 2 years; I still miss it now. It never let me down but it ate front tyres every 10k miles. The only expensive service was the cambelt one which included new plugs and a replacement rad. Don't know how well they have aged but a good low miler would be a treat to drive every day....

[wrinx]

ImpossiblyDaft said:

...check underneath as the body panels won't rust, but the underneath can.

Erm...yes they do. Some of them are seeing rust appearing on the wings these days.

wrinx

[Witor]

Ran one for 2 years. No reliability problems (Do check service history, it's a must), put approx 10k miles on it.

Faults? Undertray kept rubbing, eventually removed with no side-effects.

Front upper/lower wishbones and droplinks replaced, ARB bushes too.

Anything else? Nope, just a great sounding engine with excellent performance, bundles of character and great looks inside and out.

Still regret selling it tbh.