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15-04-2008
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#1 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator
Join Date: May 2007
Location: On cam
Posts: 9,453
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Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Well after spending a fortune on Petrol I am ready to give you guys an update on the car.
Plus Points
It's running beautifully and my god does it turn heads.. I am completely sold for life on the sound of the V6. It is such an incredible car. I let my friend drive it the other day just so I could sit in the passenger seat and feel the acceleration. 
It pulls so smoothly and the grip is great with the reasonably new pilot sports. The car feels so stable at speed and there is little body roll. The suspension ride is fantastic compared to the veloce setup I was used to. The steering is superb too, it's so direct.
I love this car. The imola leather combo is nice too. I've noticed most 156GTA's just have the black. I thinkthey are more comfortably than the 147 GTA seats. The only thing that doesn't look right is the cheap looking heated seat LED's.. 
I can live without xenon lights too. As nice as they look.
Bad Points.
It had the drivers side rear window repaired at Mangos not that long ago and it was working when I went to see the car, however now it's locked up again. 
There are 2 or 3 nasty chips on the from bumper/spoiler that I need to get chips away out to sort.
I have a very very slight knock coming from the passenger side so I know theres a new ARB link coming soon.
The car feels a bit ropey when i start her from cold, but after 5 mins or so she's purring like a tiger. The gearbox is a bit clunky form time to time and the clutch is a little heavier than I'm used to.
Parking... it is like a fricking oil tanker... The worst turning circle in the world.. but do I care. No I do not. 
Overall score 9/10 The best car I will probably ever own. I will never ever want to sell it. I prefer it to the 147 too as it's so practical as a performance saloon.
Premio Club member 118.
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15-04-2008
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#2 (Post Link)
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Club Member
Club Member Number: 162
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Beds
Posts: 5,677
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
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15-04-2008
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#3 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator
Join Date: May 2007
Location: On cam
Posts: 9,453
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Originally Posted by chrisd_b
Of course.  Hey it isn't 10/10..  |
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15-04-2008
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#4 (Post Link)
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AO Silver Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1,424
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Good review
How much in fuel has it cost so far? My only sticking point to thinking 'f**k it let's buy one' at the moment |
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15-04-2008
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#5 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator
Join Date: May 2007
Location: On cam
Posts: 9,453
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Originally Posted by Graham P
Good review
How much in fuel has it cost so far? My only sticking point to thinking 'f**k it let's buy one' at the moment
Well If I put my heavy boots on I get about 250 miles to a tank. and I've managed to get 17MPG on a spirited run.
However on the other hand.. I made 30MPG  on a motorway run and got 300 miles out of the second tank I put in (that was V-power too). So you can drive it carefully and it's not so bad at all. The problem is though, that it's very hard not to put your foot down.  |
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15-04-2008
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#6 (Post Link)
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AO Silver Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1,424
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
All my driving (bar the odd trip back home to Brum) is city driving hence why I am hesitant. My Twinnie costs me £40 a week in fuel at the moment which I get most of it back from work..which is nice. I think I worked out a while back when I considered a 3.0 V6 GTV that it would be an extra £15 a week in fuel then I've got about an extra £200 in insurance to think about and the extra road tax. It's looking likely that I can afford to get one. Just got to get saving more to actually buy it!!!
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15-04-2008
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#7 (Post Link)
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Club Member
Club Member Number: 51
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Middlesbrough, UK
Posts: 2,553
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
The knocking may be the anti roll bar itself. You cant buy the bushes separately so you have to buy the whole thing. Thanks Alfa! |
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15-04-2008
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#8 (Post Link)
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AO Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 241
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
good to hear you're enjoying it. slightly worrying about being a bit ropey from cold - the engine should be rock steady at idle cold or hot really, but the 'box is a bit recalcitrant [ ] from cold.
went to the 'ring last september and it felt great on the autobahn, pulls so well after 3 figure speeds and shocked my mate in his evo 7 at these speeds. although its a different story on the twisties....
how you finding the leather seats....I'm dissapointed my side squabs are losing their shape on drivers side, but the 147 & 156 GTA seats are the same, are they not? |
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15-04-2008
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#9 (Post Link)
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ireland, Cork.
Posts: 2,759
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Very happy to hear you are enjoying the car. When myself and my dad where picking up his new car from Veloces(great service) there was 4 GTA's there 147 and 156 wish we could have bought them |
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15-04-2008
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#10 (Post Link)
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AO Platinum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 12,219
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Nice one Joe.
Smiles per £, how does that work out? Quite high I would imagine |
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15-04-2008
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#11 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator
Join Date: May 2007
Location: On cam
Posts: 9,453
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Originally Posted by Green Serpent
how you finding the leather seats....I'm dissapointed my side squabs are losing their shape on drivers side, but the 147 & 156 GTA seats are the same, are they not?
The seats on the 156 have the pull out support on the front. Which is pretty comfy.
The wear isn't bad on them either for a 77,000 mile car. The rear has never even been sat in and the passenger side is spotless.
Originally Posted by Pud237
Nice one Joe.
Smiles per £, how does that work out? Quite high I would imagine
Expensive, but worth every penny. At least I have further peace of mind with the AA warranty. |
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15-04-2008
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#12 (Post Link)
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AO Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 159
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Originally Posted by OperationAlfa
Well after spending a fortune on Petrol I am ready to give you guys an update on the car.
Plus Points
It's running beautifully and my god does it turn heads.. I am completely sold for life on the sound of the V6. It is such an incredible car. I let my friend drive it the other day just so I could sit in the passenger seat and feel the acceleration.
It pulls so smoothly and the grip is great with the reasonably new pilot sports. The car feels so stable at speed and there is little body roll. The suspension ride is fantastic compared to the veloce setup I was used to. The steering is superb too, it's so direct.
I love this car. The imola leather combo is nice too. I've noticed most 156GTA's just have the black. I thinkthey are more comfortably than the 147 GTA seats. The only thing that doesn't look right is the cheap looking heated seat LED's..
I can live without xenon lights too. As nice as they look.
Bad Points.
It had the drivers side rear window repaired at Mangos not that long ago and it was working when I went to see the car, however now it's locked up again.
There are 2 or 3 nasty chips on the from bumper/spoiler that I need to get chips away out to sort.
I have a very very slight knock coming from the passenger side so I know theres a new ARB link coming soon.
The car feels a bit ropey when i start her from cold, but after 5 mins or so she's purring like a tiger. The gearbox is a bit clunky form time to time and the clutch is a little heavier than I'm used to.
Parking... it is like a fricking oil tanker... The worst turning circle in the world.. but do I care. No I do not.
Overall score 9/10 The best car I will probably ever own. I will never ever want to sell it. I prefer it to the 147 too as it's so practical as a performance saloon.
How dare you |
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15-04-2008
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#13 (Post Link)
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Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 39
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
OK, so I've just clocked up 2,000 miles on the new GTA SW after the trip to Spring Alfa Day, and all I can say is wow! I've been checking the oil every week as advised, but use has been minimal. The engine is a dream and will crise in top gear from round town to motorway driving, but drop a couple of gears and put your foot down and .....!
Only little glitch seems to be the radio, which turns itself on every now and then, sometimes I unlock the car and open the door to be greeted by Radio 1! Have I just not mastered the radio settings yet or is it just being Italian?
PS Nice to see so many GTA's at Spring Alfa Day. Didn't get to meet any owners though due to the rain...
Chris
Cornwall
Alfa Romeo 156 GTA SW and 1975 RHD Montreal
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15-04-2008
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#14 (Post Link)
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AO Silver Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Wokingham, UK
Posts: 1,031
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
So glad it's all OK. It must have been the bargain of the century !!!!
Great cars, what I like is that (as you say) it's a practical performance saloon. More than enough oomph for road driving yet tame as anything if you drive it gently (apart from crashy suspension, but my 156 had that).
I'm getting a Q2, Konis + Eibachs and a CSC back box fitted tomorrow. Boy will I be one happy bunny!
Cheers,
Nigel
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16-04-2008
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#15 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator &
Competition Manager
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 65,765
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Great to read the review OA 
You've done more miles with the GTA in what? A few weeks than I've done with the Maser in 7 months! |
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16-04-2008
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#16 (Post Link)
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ireland, Cork.
Posts: 2,759
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Is driving really that bad over there BF??
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16-04-2008
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#17 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator &
Competition Manager
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 65,765
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Nah, I just never have time |
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16-04-2008
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#18 (Post Link)
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ireland, Cork.
Posts: 2,759
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
That's a shame |
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16-04-2008
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#19 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator &
Competition Manager
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 65,765
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Well, at least OA's enjoying his new steed |
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16-04-2008
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#20 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator
Join Date: May 2007
Location: On cam
Posts: 9,453
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Too right. I went out last night for a 30 mile blast just for the hell of it. |
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16-04-2008
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#21 (Post Link)
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Club Member
Club Member Number: 91
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dartford, UK
Posts: 4,095
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
You'll be taking the long way home on a regular basis |
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16-04-2008
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#22 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator
Join Date: May 2007
Location: On cam
Posts: 9,453
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Re: Update 1,000 miles in the GTA already.
Originally Posted by EddieGTA
You'll be taking the long way home on a regular basis
Providing I have just been paid and can afford the fuel.. yes. |
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