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Tron · 03-06-2004

Originally Posted by Jinxy

Hi Chaps

Long time no post...well at least since the idiots at my local dealer put me off buying a GTA.

I've been lurking for a while still keeping a look at the messages about the GTA as even with the dire experience I've had I love the car.

I currently drive a 2003 BMW 330d Sport which has a tuning box on it taking it to 245bhp and 370lbft. I've had a few problems with the BMW so I'm I'm thinking of getting rid of it.

The question is am I mad to be considering looking at a year old GTA?? The BMW is surprisingly quick and I haven't driven a GTA since the dealer messed me about so I don;t know how I'll find it anyway.

Steve

why would u be "MAD"???

u mean considering the purchase of a GTA from ur current ride is considered as MAD??

regardless, my opinion is tat ur current ride AND the GTA are both NOT "MAD" choices IF its within one's budget...

but for sure the GTAs have a certain flair and attraction to it that the BMW simply cant muster up... wats more, everyone else has a BMW (in my country at least!) so if ure gonna get a niche & exclusive car... the GTA is it.

as for reliability, i have me 147GTA for 6mths already and have only the air conditioning to complain abt... it works well.. BUT it makes growling noises when revving ur engine hard on a hot day.... likely the blardy AR agent overpressurised the system causing the compressor to go bonkers... happened on othr GTAs too, but was settled when the right pressure was used.

stock brakes on me GTA sucked too so i upgraded them - but new ones now shld all have the REVISED BIGGER 4 pots and BIGGER ROTORS.. blardy unfair i say

stock suspension on me GTA sucked IMO so i also upgraded them...

stock exhaust sound not aggressive enough so i also upgraded them...

problem i find is that AR was PROBABLY too concerned to make the GTA a "refined" every day road car that they compromised too much on its performance level... tat is why i find the stock car slightly lacking (EXCEPT THE ENGINE...).

IF they had went & manufactured the GTA wit the same mindset the EVOLUTION 7 & 8 were built then i dare say there was little compromise in terms of performance... e.g: things like super-rigid chassis, built in strut bars, REAR BREMBOs ALSO!!

, lightweight 17" rims, ALUMINIUM LIGHTWEIGHT BONNET etc... if they have all these as stock standard on an EVO 8, whey cant the GTA which is SUPPOSED TO BE A GRAN TURISMO ALLEGERITA (GRAND TOURER LIGHTWEIGHT??) not have it??!!

easily could have shaved off anthr 30kgs shld they really put in more effort to lighten the car...

anyways, tat goes to show tat the GTA is indeed a very driveable & FUN car to own stock standard and NOT hardcore tat it wrenches ur nerves... but if u want to UP the FUN FACTOR & performance... the GTA is more than ready happy for u to do so...

jus me 2 dinariis...

03-06-2004	#9 (Post Link)
Tron AO Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 400	Re: Am i Mad??? Originally Posted by Jinxy Hi Chaps Long time no post...well at least since the idiots at my local dealer put me off buying a GTA. I've been lurking for a while still keeping a look at the messages about the GTA as even with the dire experience I've had I love the car. I currently drive a 2003 BMW 330d Sport which has a tuning box on it taking it to 245bhp and 370lbft. I've had a few problems with the BMW so I'm I'm thinking of getting rid of it. The question is am I mad to be considering looking at a year old GTA?? The BMW is surprisingly quick and I haven't driven a GTA since the dealer messed me about so I don;t know how I'll find it anyway. Steve why would u be "MAD"??? u mean considering the purchase of a GTA from ur current ride is considered as MAD?? regardless, my opinion is tat ur current ride AND the GTA are both NOT "MAD" choices IF its within one's budget... but for sure the GTAs have a certain flair and attraction to it that the BMW simply cant muster up... wats more, everyone else has a BMW (in my country at least!) so if ure gonna get a niche & exclusive car... the GTA is it. as for reliability, i have me 147GTA for 6mths already and have only the air conditioning to complain abt... it works well.. BUT it makes growling noises when revving ur engine hard on a hot day.... likely the blardy AR agent overpressurised the system causing the compressor to go bonkers... happened on othr GTAs too, but was settled when the right pressure was used. stock brakes on me GTA sucked too so i upgraded them - but new ones now shld all have the REVISED BIGGER 4 pots and BIGGER ROTORS.. blardy unfair i say stock suspension on me GTA sucked IMO so i also upgraded them... stock exhaust sound not aggressive enough so i also upgraded them... problem i find is that AR was PROBABLY too concerned to make the GTA a "refined" every day road car that they compromised too much on its performance level... tat is why i find the stock car slightly lacking (EXCEPT THE ENGINE...). IF they had went & manufactured the GTA wit the same mindset the EVOLUTION 7 & 8 were built then i dare say there was little compromise in terms of performance... e.g: things like super-rigid chassis, built in strut bars, REAR BREMBOs ALSO!! , lightweight 17" rims, ALUMINIUM LIGHTWEIGHT BONNET etc... if they have all these as stock standard on an EVO 8, whey cant the GTA which is SUPPOSED TO BE A GRAN TURISMO ALLEGERITA (GRAND TOURER LIGHTWEIGHT??) not have it??!! easily could have shaved off anthr 30kgs shld they really put in more effort to lighten the car... anyways, tat goes to show tat the GTA is indeed a very driveable & FUN car to own stock standard and NOT hardcore tat it wrenches ur nerves... but if u want to UP the FUN FACTOR & performance... the GTA is more than ready happy for u to do so... jus me 2 dinariis...