What happened to Alfa Romeo GTA's?

[dpbird90]

What more can I say, they teased us with shots of a Brera GTA, rumored to have a Ferrari F430 engine in it (but slightly detuned) and then more recently they have stuck the same engine in the 159 for some 'Ring tests. And yet, nothing in the showrooms yet? And what else is going on with the anticipated 166 replacement? I know they were struggling to find a suitable platform but apparantly they have secured a deal to use Jaguar XF platforms, but with Alfa's own engines, and of course the Ferrari V8 for a special version. So where have all the hot Alfa's gone?
I can't afford one just yet, but would be interesting to see how much bringing out new GTA models would take down the price of the old ones (a 147 GTA would suit me down to a tee at the moment)

[RacingTeatray]

You don't need to wait for existing GTAs to fall in value. They already have to an extent that makes it hard to believe they can fall any lower.

I got a part-ex price last week on my 156 GTA (2005, 45k miles) that was so shocking it practically gave me a nosebleed. Honestly, I could probably get more money for, oh I don't know, Gary Glitter's autograph.

[MattyB_]

There wont be a 159GTA, its been confirmed. The only upcoming GTA is the MiTo, out middle of next year? 230bhp Turbo *shudder*.

156GTA's go for peanuts, 147's are still holding their prices reasonably well, 8k is pretty much bottom book for a respectable, early example.

[RacingTeatray]

MattyB_ said:

156GTA's go for peanuts, 147's are still holding their prices reasonably well

Which is just plain weird! It's not like the 156 is an inferior steer, or worse-looking, or less practical! And you still get the same engine. Which is basically the bit worth having the rest of the car for.

[velocemitch]

RacingTeatray said:

MattyB_ said:

156GTA's go for peanuts, 147's are still holding their prices reasonably well

Which is just plain weird! It's not like the 156 is an inferior steer, or worse-looking, or less practical! And you still get the same engine. Which is basically the bit worth having the rest of the car for.

And they don't blow the diffs up...... much

[RacingTeatray]

Did yours? I'm hoping mine will play nice and hold out for another two months/2,000 miles as I intend to sell it in January.

[dpbird90]

Oh, shame there won't be a 159 GTA, I was really looking forward to an M3 bashing Ferrari F430 engined special. Fingers crossed for a runout special before the replacement comes in, but they will probably just stick some fancy wheels and paint on the 1.9 diesel one.

Hmm, 230BHP in a Mito? Sounds like fun, but I bet it's pricey. The 1.4 Turbo with 155bhp is knocking on for £16 grand isn't it?

[daphantom]

ive just bought a 02 156 GTA with fsh + 59k for £5k!! Its had over £2k spent on it in the last year with lambda, maf , belts , pumps etc changed and is absolutely immaculate so, hopefully nothing major to spend in the coming months. I am well chuffed even though i had to drive it 500+ miles to get it home

Edited by daphantom on Thursday 13th November 20:57

[Ecurie Ecosse]

daphantom said:

ive just bought a 02 156 GTA with fsh + 59k for £5k!! Its had over £2k spent on it in the last year with lambda, maf , belts , pumps etc changed and is absolutely immaculate so, hopefully nothing major to spend in the coming months. I am well chuffed even though i had to drive it 500+ miles to get it home

Edited by daphantom on Thursday 13th November 20:57

Nice one!

Are you registered over at www.alfaowner.com ? The GTA forum there is good for tips.

Make sure you get a Q2 diff fitted asap. Makes an already awesome car truly sublime!

[daphantom]

daphantom said:

ive just bought a 02 156 GTA with fsh + 59k for £5k!! Its had over £2k spent on it in the last year with lambda, maf , belts , pumps etc changed and is absolutely immaculate so, hopefully nothing major to spend in the coming months. I am well chuffed even though i had to drive it 500+ miles to get it home

Edited by daphantom on Thursday 13th November 20:57

just like to update 3 days into my alfa ownership! Car totally died on me tonight (with kids in the car) and coasted to a halt 2 miles from my house. The AA came out and the guy seems totally sure its my alternator. From posts on alfaowner etc. this seems like a nightmare job + im not sure how pricey. All ive heard for the last 3 days is "lovely looking car but expect it to go wrong" to which ive laughed off but i can tell you im definately not laughing at this minute + time

[GhostyDog]

daphantom said:

daphantom said:

ive just bought a 02 156 GTA with fsh + 59k for £5k!! Its had over £2k spent on it in the last year with lambda, maf , belts , pumps etc changed and is absolutely immaculate so, hopefully nothing major to spend in the coming months. I am well chuffed even though i had to drive it 500+ miles to get it home

Edited by daphantom on Thursday 13th November 20:57

just like to update 3 days into my alfa ownership! Car totally died on me tonight (with kids in the car) and coasted to a halt 2 miles from my house. The AA came out and the guy seems totally sure its my alternator. From posts on alfaowner etc. this seems like a nightmare job + im not sure how pricey. All ive heard for the last 3 days is "lovely looking car but expect it to go wrong" to which ive laughed off but i can tell you im definately not laughing at this minute + time

Don't be too hard on the car, it is a few years old after all and things are going to go wrong, I've spent a small fortune on mine and it aint done yet, bottomless money pit it is, I expect to have to fork out another 2-3K in the next year to get it just the way I want it although that will be far from standard...

[sjg]

Most likely a Bosch part. Damn these italian electrics!

[RacingTeatray]

Yes, it's an 02 car so an early one (usually tricksier with any model as most manufacturers haven't yet ironed out any glitches). Plus it's six years old.

Touch wood, the only electrical glitches so far on mine have been a flat battery (caused by cold weather and infrequent use) and a frozen infosystem display in summer '07 (cured by disconnecting the battery overnight, which rebooted the system when reconnected the next morning and has worked fine ever since).

They were and are complex, expensive and slightly delicate cars, like most fast Italian cars. You have to respect that and treat them accordingly, and hopefully you'll get good, faithful service in return. Check the coolant levels regularly - they chew through coolant like nobody's business.

[Mr2Mike]

RacingTeatray said:

Check the coolant levels regularly - they chew through coolant like nobody's business.

That's a bit concerning, where does it go?

[RacingTeatray]

No idea. There is no discernable leak - my garage floor has a sealed surface (so it can't soak up liquid) and remains utterly pristine. I was a bit concerned about it until another owner asked about it on another forum and it turned out just to be some sort of common feature. Some cars eat oil. GTAs apparently eat coolant.

[alfabadass]

daphantom said:

daphantom said:

ive just bought a 02 156 GTA with fsh + 59k for £5k!! Its had over £2k spent on it in the last year with lambda, maf , belts , pumps etc changed and is absolutely immaculate so, hopefully nothing major to spend in the coming months. I am well chuffed even though i had to drive it 500+ miles to get it home

Edited by daphantom on Thursday 13th November 20:57

just like to update 3 days into my alfa ownership! Car totally died on me tonight (with kids in the car) and coasted to a halt 2 miles from my house. The AA came out and the guy seems totally sure its my alternator. From posts on alfaowner etc. this seems like a nightmare job + im not sure how pricey. All ive heard for the last 3 days is "lovely looking car but expect it to go wrong" to which ive laughed off but i can tell you im definately not laughing at this minute + time

Same thing happen to me a few months ago. £160 Inc labor for a recon.

[daphantom]

alfabadass said:

daphantom said:

daphantom said:

ive just bought a 02 156 GTA with fsh + 59k for £5k!! Its had over £2k spent on it in the last year with lambda, maf , belts , pumps etc changed and is absolutely immaculate so, hopefully nothing major to spend in the coming months. I am well chuffed even though i had to drive it 500+ miles to get it home

Edited by daphantom on Thursday 13th November 20:57

just like to update 3 days into my alfa ownership! Car totally died on me tonight (with kids in the car) and coasted to a halt 2 miles from my house. The AA came out and the guy seems totally sure its my alternator. From posts on alfaowner etc. this seems like a nightmare job + im not sure how pricey. All ive heard for the last 3 days is "lovely looking car but expect it to go wrong" to which ive laughed off but i can tell you im definately not laughing at this minute + time

Same thing happen to me a few months ago. £160 Inc labor for a recon.

if i get off as lightly as £160 mate - i'll be well chuffed

[alfabadass]

Worst case is £160 for a new alternator plus £200 labour from alfa.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

• Shameless plug alert*

I know where mine is - it's for sale here, although it is like a dagger to my heart selling it : (

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/801931.htm