New GTA Owner

Hi All, This is my first post, been a massive fan / reader of this site for years. I have owned 4 Alfas over the last five years and I am just about to buy the best one yet!

I have paid a deposit on a 156 GTA, 2004 53 plate, but i have one slight worry and was looking for some advice on it.

When i took the car for a test drive, whilst driving at speed in 6th gear, as I pressed or de-pressed the accelerator the gear stick was jumping quite bad, almost looked like it was going to pop out of gear, it only did this in 6th. Is this common in the GTA? and is it something to worry about?? The car has only done 28k miles.
Is this something i should push to have fixed before i pay for the car? First of all the dealer said they had looked at it and it was fine, then he said it would be covered by the warranty but i am not convinced by this? Does anyone know if this is a major problem or is it something that can be fixed quite easily?

Really excited about getting this car but have this slight doubt in my mind about the gearbox, any advice / info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Congratulations!

My gearstick doesn't do that so I would get it looked at.

Also, if it hasn't been done yet, try and factor a cambelt change into the sale.

Hi thanks for the response, i have been told that the cambelt was changed at the last service although i am still waiting on the receipts to prove this.

Anyone else any advice about the gearbox?

cheers

my gear stick jumps about a bit. Never given me any problems though. My integrale did that as well. Again no problems. Must remind my mechanic to check it out though. Possibly gearbox mount problem, Im really not sure.

You are definitely right to get confirmation though!

I have a 156 GTA with 25,000 on the clock and the gearbox is super smooth with no jumping at all.

Check out the sticky rust thread - it might be worth checking the inside of the arches and see if the years 3 & 5 body work inspections have been stamped up to maintain the 8 year warranty (not that its worth much). Could give you bargaining chips though ...

Hi, the wheel arches all look fine, but i havent checked if the book was stamped for the inspections.

That worries me a wee bit about the gearbox cause it doesnt feel that smooth!

Mal, just spoke to my mechanic. He doesnt think its anything major. Possibly loose bush or the cable that connects gearstick to gearbox.
In terms of the gears not feeling smooth, this might just be because the car is new to you and feels different to other cars. Are you saying the gear change feels rough? How long were you out in the car for? The gearbox oil needs to heat up before you get a nice smooth gearchange.

ohwell, Thanks for that, that has easewd my mind a bit, I will be speaking to the garage again tomorrow before i pick it up so i will ask them is they have looked at it again, i dont mind picking it up if it isnt anything major to worry about. I was out in it for about 15-20 mins, but only realy at speed for about 10mins. Yes perhas i just need to get used to it! My previous car was a GTV, and the gear change felt a lot tighter with not much play in the gear lever, this car seemed to be a bit more loose?!. Its not the easiest thing to describe!

Thanks for your response though, much appreciated, just cant wait to get the car now!

My wagon hasn't got any play in the gearchange. One of the guys on here had an issue similar to your car (GT V6), all it required was a little feterling with the gear linkage - probably nothing to worry about but perhaps it could help reduce the price. If it needs a new box they list at about £2800.....

Hi Mr caine, thanks for the reply, they have said that it would be covered by the warranty, its a main dealer and i have really tried to get them to come down a bit in the price but they are not budging! I think they know i really want the car and they also think they will sell it no problem. They have replaced the front arms, the undertray and touched up some paintwork scratches and refurbished the alloys so i think i am doing not too bad!

Thanks

Take it, it's this car Autotrader - Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 litre GTA

You would be advised to get the cambelt done now at 4 years old, even though the mileage is low. Get the waterpump checked too.

Yip, its that car, what you think? I have been told the cambelt was done at the last service, still waiting for a copy of the receipt though, He wasnt sure about the water pump, but i am hoping they have done that also.

cheers.

Looks the biz, i'm in Stirling and have been enjoying new ownership of my 156 GTA for the past few weeks. Still got a big smile on my face every time I hear that engine rumble. It's good to see another one so nearby!

mal, think you should change that exhaust though. maybe its just the angle but it looks like it should be hanging off the back of a base model jap car.
Nice car otherwise! my 156 gta was black, looked the dogs!

ohwell, pretty sure thats the standard exhaust, looks a lot better in the flesh, the photos dont really do the car justice, really looking forward to picking it up now!.

V6toj, yes good to see another one close by, i had that smile aswell when i took it on the test drive, had it ever since! i take it you havent had any problems with your gearbox?

cheers

Looks like the standard exhaust to me too.
Gearboxes arnt usually an issue but the diffs are. When they go they usually take out the gearbox housing too.
Get the Q2 diff and you get added reliability with greatly improved handling and traction.

MALGTV, my GTA has done 65k and the gearbox has been great although the clutch pedal is a bit heavy but I was driving a seicento schumacher beforehand! This is my 5th arese v6, having owned a 75 3.0, 164 cloverleaf 24v, GTV 3.0 and Spider 3.0. The 156 GTA is the all round package, it feels very special and it has that rarity factor. Having said that there is a black 156 GTA a few miles from me in Alloa, saw it the other day and it did look mean in the flesh.

Originally Posted by v6toj

MALGTV, my GTA has done 65k and the gearbox has been great although the clutch pedal is a bit heavy but I was driving a seicento schumacher beforehand! This is my 5th arese v6, having owned a 75 3.0, 164 cloverleaf 24v, GTV 3.0 and Spider 3.0. The 156 GTA is the all round package, it feels very special and it has that rarity factor. Having said that there is a black 156 GTA a few miles from me in Alloa, saw it the other day and it did look mean in the flesh.

The clutch pedal on mine was heavy and notchy, but since i've replaced the clutch (genuine part) its light and smooth.
Quite an expensive job but is worth doing IMO and an excuse to fit the Q2 diff

Hi cul, yes the clutch pedal did feel quite heavy as well. Do you know how much it costs to buy and fit the Q2?

Thats another reason i like the GTA, that it is rare and you dont see many about and only people who know alfas really know what it is!

Cheers

Q2 is 500 quid fited from Auto Lusso. I'm having mine done on April 17th, along with a bunch of other stuff.

Cheers,

Nigel

Congratulations on the purchase!!!

My gearstick waggles a bit too, never had an actual gearchange problem with it though.

Congrats on your purchase, I'd check the upper tie bar on the engine, these wear but are very easy to replace (2 bolts). about £40 for new one.

Mal
Congrat's on the car !
Have it checked for peace of mind, mine has covered 60,000 miles and I have no movment on my stick what so ever.
Recommendations for you :
1. 330mm brake upgrade if it doesn't already have; had a few nasty moments with my 305mm brakes, tried upgrading disc's and pads with very little improvement. I have 330 with drilled and vented and ferodo ds 2500, its not cheap ! but in my view its worth every penny.
2. Tyres Goodyear Eagle F1 Assmetrical, I have had P zero's and Toyo T1-R both good tyres but the Eagles give you the best grip and value for money.
3. Fit Autodelta carbon intake £180 OK it doesn't give you any more horses but makes the car sound a lot better.
4. Q2
5. Keep an ear on the CAM belt housing anything untoward, get it in an have the belt checked or changed especially around the 40,000 mark.
If you have an Alfa Warranty all the better, speak with Stan Brandon at Alfa Customer Care, he's always very helpful.
Finally "wish you all the best and enjoy"

Originally Posted by EddieGTA

Congratulations on the purchase!!!

My gearstick waggles a bit too, never had an actual gearchange problem with it though.

I have movement in with my 147 GTA, but only in 6th when im putting stress in to the box, i.e. when I should be in a lower gear.
Its something I noticed before I bought the car but havent had any probs in the last 6 months

Hi Karlo,

Thanks for the reply, I have now picked up the car and absolutely love it. Still worried about the 6th gear as it seems worse the more i have driven it, but the garage has agreed to look at it again.
I think the car must have the 330 disks as the breaks seem excellent! haven’t checked properly though and the tires are Goodyear eagles!
I have got an Alfa warranty which i suppose gives me some peace of mind. Seriously thinking about the Q2, might wait and see what the garage agree to do about the gear box. (Although the wife wont be happy about me spending any more on the car!! the fuels bad enough )
I had a BMC CDA induction kit in my GTV before, and was considering this for the GTA, liked the noise it made, does the Autodelta one sound good? I am also getting the cambelt replaced by the garage which is great.

gR@HaM, The 6th gear is jumping at low and high speeds, i have noticed there is also very slight movement in 4th, its weird only seems like the even gears?? 5th doesn’t move at all, the gearbox does feel a bit crunchy as well when changing into 3rd.

GTAChris, that’s really funny that you mention that is I noticed this as soon as I got the car home, the garage are also going to fix that when I get it back in. The only other thing I have noticed is a bulge in the bottom radiator hose as it enters the engine, getting this replaced as well.

Really love the car though, by far the best car I have ever owned, just makes you smile all the time!!