Purchased one for low $2's resold for mid $2's Not all are like that unfortunatly.... "Just a number", not interest in keeping ANY vehicle! Maybe i can interest you in a M3, 325 Coupe? Email me if your interested, stock is in Sydney. Ciao M
I dropped by Zagame Melbourne on trip last month for a first-look-at-alfas-in-years thing. Very impressed with looks and quality.. I was shocked though when getting back on the net afterwards to see the huge discrepancy in dealer new price and what you get after only 12 months or so.. definitely a good low mileage proposition though I'd say. but not new unless you want to rip up bales of $100 notes. With you on the duke.. I'm mighty impressed after my test ride on 848, and now the new monster 696 has caught my eye.. nice aggressive styling and this lot (http://www.veetwo.net/about.asp) have released supercharger kit for something different (50-60% power and torque increase, torque curve reshape to more low end punch out of corners) and reviews read well so far! I reckon another BFYB contender is WRX Evo 9 with leather, sunroof and 2.5L turbo with 4 doors for about $35K typically.. a lot of car for the money but diff appeal category to the Alfas of course. I wonder how a 80's GTV 2000 or 2.5 would go for Classic Adelaide contender though? I've seen a few neat little early Alfas around that would serve.. for example http://www.my105.com/classified.asp?id=8436 I'm navving the 911 again for CA this year, hopefully for hat trick of 1st in class! But need to get and drive from here on in after serving my "apprenticeship".. an Alfa would be fun with a little more style than similar priced alternatives..
I have a Gt3.2 as my DD, now has 46ks. So, far bulletproof - one warranty issue, a noisy front ARB, fixed, no problems. feels a bit nose heavy on occasions, but thats to be expected. Yes, the turning circle is stupid - much bigger than the 456! Great engine & gearbox, powerful brakes (Brembo on the V6), good ride on smooth surfaces, a bit crashy on the rough. 18" wheels are to be avoided! Plenty of performance - as quick as a 308 - very torquey, doesn't need to be screamed, but sounds good when needed.... A lot of the "torque steer" reported comes from crap Bridgestone tyres - when they get about half worn, they tramline very badly. That said, when new, lots of grip, but short life. One tip: do not turn the traction control off, specially in the wet! There is a reason that it is fitted to 240hp front drivers.....
I have been looking into one of these for a couple of months now. Never owned a GTA, but have driven the 4cyl versions of the 03 156 and a 05 147(they were family cars..). I just loved the interior, the fit & finish isn't perfect...but the seats hug you so well, without being a hassle & they were very easy to drive. Never had any issues with any of them, they were both fairly new and low km's (under 15,000km). Have done a few forum searches on the UK GTA sites, and those guys have alot of problems with the diff, it mainly lets go, and takes out the gearbox at the same time! You can get a Q2 lsd made by alfa for around $800au landed. Its a must for "spirited" drivers apparently, they also recommend doing the cam belt, tensioner, pulleys, etc every 60,000km or 3 years. And also replace the water pump, as they come with a plastic impeller wheel which cracks, with a metal impeller wheel version from a 3.0 V6 GTV... That's just based on what GTA owners have said on the UK forums. Don't know how much of that applys to us...But there are a few GTA's advertised on carsales with Q2 diffs, so it does look like a common problem. This is one of the nicest ones ive seen for sale so far though: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260262627334
"A lot of the "torque steer" reported comes from crap Bridgestone tyres - when they get about half worn, they tramline very badly. That said, when new, lots of grip, but short life" quite interesting as we have the S03's on it, btw ordered the 159 GTA dial wheels when we bought the GT, omg what a nightmare trying to keep them clean.. quite keen on a Brera next.
What are the servicing/spare parts costs like? Also, someone find me one in WA.....none of the ones advertised are here. Not too keen on buying over east without seeing the car.
Yeah Evos up for sale at the moment. Tomei 2.3L stroker engine, MoTeC M800, Cosworth cams, KW Variant 3 coilovers, ORC twin plate clutch, Advan RS 18x9 etc are the main mods.
I'd recommend going to an Alfa forum. Alot of ppl have had warranty claims on the GTA... When they were new, one random outside work was sitting inside his then new GTA, I had to point out to him the stream of anti freeze spilling out If you got a 06 model it still be under warranty atleast! Goodluck! They do look hot
Prices for servicing are no different to a 3 series or c class service at a stealrship, when we did the belts on the old 147 the delaer quoted around 1000, the mechanic that does my other cars charged me 400 using genuine parts too. The only thing you might come across that unlike a 3series parts are not always instock, we had a window switch and a belt tensioner go both of which took a week to come in. GTA is good value for money second hand imo, nothing touches it for 20 odd grand, only draw backs are fit and finish, very tinny bodies that are prone to rippling and denting quite easily
Hi dingo. I have driven a new 147 gta around the track and found it to be a great car. Plenty of zoom very free revving and great brakes, very easy to red line though. I have a friend who has a 147 and she has 47k on the clock and the actuator gave up and it cost her 3600.00 to repair. The dealer says that 1 in 5 have a problem so if they have a standard gearbox (not Sure) I would stick with that as a safe bet. There is no way of testing if one is on the way out unfortunately. Her car just started to intermittently jump and sit in a gear and had a mind of its own. Finally it got worse and worse and she took to 3 different alfa shops and all had the same story. It was a costly exercise for her. She now has a 12 month warranty.
Hey the-dude-who-ate-my-babies I only scanned through the posts but why are you looking at this sort of car? I've been in a few modern Alfas - only in traffic scenarios - and apart from being "nice" they are just as d*g**** dull as any other modern car at that speed. Dude at work who had a 159 has just picked up a new one (was tossing up between new Alfa or 308 I think) and I've been in it a couple times, can ask him any specific questions you might have. Either way - for purely commuting, just get the car you like the most for the cheapest price if you're already getting your thrills on a crotch-rocket. If I could handle a sportbike I'd get either a cheap Hyundai and deal with it or a classic weekend car (like an X) and enjoy it. No point getting a "decent" daily-driver unless you really need it outside of the 12 minutes you spend commuting a day.
Two reasons I want something other than a Hyundai 1. I wont be getting a bigger bike for another 9 months (due to license) 2. I like doing the odd trackday in my car currently and would like to continue to do it with my mates, even in a less potent car. So a 147GTA (or Renault Clio?) would be a bit more suitable than a Getz/Elantra.
Giulia Super Promiscura! That's a cool machine! Dingo, I know a guy in the WA Club who's had a 147GTA for a while now. PM me your e-mail and next time I log on I'll pass on his details to you. You might find it a little disappointing compared to an Evo in track terms, but bear in mind that it's a different sort of machine alltogether. Like most Alfas it's not better or worse, just different. Seen the new MiTo at the London Motorshow and that looks nicely put together, but not sure about the frontal aspect. "Spy" pics of the GTA version look interesting though.
Went to a bookshop on Thursday actually Rob. Wife wants me to start finding a job somewhere soon. I can't be retired like PP for the rest of my life. Can't work too hard though - Carl888 is coming to visit in a couple of week's time! I'm trying to get a handle on what new stuff has come out in the last month. There are a lot of releases due soon - Publishers plan stuff to launch at the Goodwood revival in mid September - so watch this space. Will keep an eye out for more news on the Maserati 300S book... Hope you are doing well!
getting on fine. maserati 300s is my fav car,can't wait for the book. lets catch up next April when i go to Albany for the RR/B rally.
