Alfa 156 GTA - family friendly?

[Legend83]

Hi all, new to the Alfa forum.

I posted in GG about considering a Mondeo ST220 and a Focus ST as something larger and more practical than my supercharged MX5, but still fun to drive. I am still smitten with the ST220 BUT, I can't take my eyes of Alfa's whenever I am out and about.

So, the 156 GTA.

Will it bankrupt me (petrol consumption not too much of an issue as have a Diesel Civic for the long-distance duties)?

Is it relatively family friendly?

What should I look out for?

Any advice well received, even if it is just links to previous posts that I did not trawl back far enough for!

[OperationAlfa]

I know a lot of owners with 2 kids etc and family wise it's fine..

Have look in the GTA section of Alfaowner.com has buyers guides etc etc....

You can get one for a great price too now!

[BussoV6]

We've got a 2.0 T/S 156 as our family bus and its great. Spacious, comfy big boot etc.
I've also got a 147 GTA as my fun car and I love it, it really is fantastic. Goes well, looks great, the interior is stunning.Some of the bits can be expensive, but in nearly three years I've not really had much need replacing. My biggest bit of advice is buy the best you can find, a car with recipts for everything, that has had a money no object aproach to the maintanace.
Make sure you look for a car thats had a Q2 diff fitted - the standard diffs can't handle the power and tend to fail. Cambelt and waterpump change is around £700 at a specialist, so factor that in if its not been done in the last four years.
The current petrol prices seem to be pushing prices down, so could be a good time to buy.

[velocemitch]

As above, but for more family friendliness seek out a 156 GTA Sportwagon, a bit more rare than the already rare Saloon, but gives you just that little bit more practicality. Don't think of it as an estate, more a 5 door coupe, but still pretty and practical.

One thing I would say though, the big front seats on the GTA's do rob space from the back, so if your 'family' is long of leg, they might not thank you for choosing a GTA.

[mike9009]

Hi

Our further fleet is an alfa 156sw 2.4jtd, which acts as our family wagon. Only one child at the moment but plenty big enough for a two week driving holiday in France including all the baby clobber. Not the 'most' practical car, but I do enjoy it.

We also have a 1991 mx5, purely for my entertainment. I do find the alfa softly sprung compared to what I have been used to. But conversely it is a lovely relaxed drive. Would love a gta if finances would allow.....

Have fun looking.

Mike

[VeeFour]

velocemitch said:

As above, but for more family friendliness seek out a 156 GTA Sportwagon, a bit more rare than the already rare Saloon, but gives you just that little bit more practicality. Don't think of it as an estate, more a 5 door coupe, but still pretty and practical.

One thing I would say though, the big front seats on the GTA's do rob space from the back, so if your 'family' is long of leg, they might not thank you for choosing a GTA.

Just be aware that, with the seats up and load cover in place, the Sportwagon boot is significantly smaller than the saloon boot.

It is, however, a better shape for loading - plus you have the flexibility of retracting the load cover and folding the rear seats.

Saloon rear seats are fixed, and only have a ski-hatch.

[wrinx]

I've owned a saloon and now a Sportwagon...I found the saloon to be too restrictive so another vote for the Sportwagon for me, great multi-purpose car!

wrinx