Does your GTA attract the wrong kind of attention?

I was chatting to a guy in our Italian Car Club recently and he was commenting on his wifes new Focus ST and how it seemd to attract Civic Type Rs and the like wanting to "have a go". I've now had the GTA 6 months and can honestly say that no-one has tried to beat me off at the lights or signalled any sort of racing intentions. Has the fearsome reputation of the GTA got out to the masses?

It's Friday afternoon and I'm bored so humour me.

Though it would be annoying to get every barry in a nova trying to race you, I think sadly it is due to most people not knowing what a GTA is and how fast it is.

That said it is amusing when you catch them unaware, had a BMW 330 try and push me out the way on the motorway some time back so I just stuck my foot down and upset him

My Murano definitely doesn't attract the traffic light racing crew

I've had mine 2 months and agree, I think no one know what it is, mines black so I think it looks even more under cover!! GTAs lack the ruuudeness of a Focus/Civic!!

I was in Hong Kong last week and saw a white one like yours with quad pipes - very nice!! I lived there for 4 yrs until 3 months ago and I'd only ever seen a red one it that time...there a few 156 GTAs there though

Same thing happened the other day with a Saab 93 Aero, he thought he'd bully me over on the motorway, so I pulled over let him come level with me and proceeded to spank him in seconds leaving his Rep rocket and crappy suit behind.
Got to admit, it did feel good though!

Originally Posted by Rhys

Same thing happened the other day with a Saab 93 Aero, he thought he'd bully me over on the motorway, so I pulled over let him come level with me and proceeded to spank him in seconds leaving his Rep rocket and crappy suit behind.
Got to admit, it did feel good though!

Yeah, espicially if you then slow down after proving your point and let them past. Nothing like seeing their sulky face while you have a grin like a cheshire cat

Funnily enought I've had a couple of people "taking me on", and they were both 156 2.4JTD's with a point to prove. They can pretty well stay near (ish) upto 110 or so, but then start to flounder a bit

I've seen this from both sides as my wife used to have a Civic Type R and I a race-stickered McLaen Orange Caterham!

In the Civic in particular every idiot on the roads would try and race you at innapropriate times, cut you up, block you, never let you out, etc etc. I found it so annoying it put me off that sort of car. The Caterham often attracted the same sort of stuff.

The 156GTA in a dark colour in SW format attracts none of this. Generally anyone in a 3-series or VAG TDi thinks they'll be able to keep you behind, but most drivers just ignore you or let you past. Occasionally a 330 or 330d tries a "comparison" in a suitably safe location and gets taken. The most amusing ones I've had are a 330d, an A4 3.0Tdi, and a few Impreza WRX's - plus one STi. All were roll-ons from 60mph or so, I always select the optimum gears for any comparisons so the flexibility of a TDi is meaningless. They always look a little, shall we say, shocked to be taken by a 156 estate. Same goes for TT and other Coupe drivers

I would think a red or white 147GTA would attract more attention but maybe not from the replies above. I love having a rare car!

Originally Posted by jwyatt

I would think a red or white 147GTA would attract more attention but maybe not from the replies above. I love having a rare car!

I would have thought so too but although the car turns plenty of heads it doesn't seem to attract the chav racer brigade. Or maybe I'm just getting to old to notice now.

Just had the two really....

One I totally understand reasoning behind the head to head....
Red Lancia Delta Integrale on the M4 Reading to Newbury, two Bella Rosso's having a bit of a friendly banter the only way they know how

The second was a strange one...

Chaved to the max Golf Mk4, on my way to Tesco Newbury, about a miles drive up the dual carriage way. This Golf was flashing its lights trying to get past....So one just floors IT!!! Couldnt see the look on the drivers face, because of the tinted glass, plus they were too far back ....Golf follows me into Tesco car park; here we go I thought..... I park up, the Golf does that stupid show off wheelspin thing....then pulls up alongside!! As the fully blacked out window goes down...This Beaut of a Brunette Young Mum ( I know she was a Mum because her Baby was in the Kiddy seat next to her ) Blow's me a kiss and Spins off!!
Disturbing and filthy actions from a young Lady.....Should have known better.....
Not only did it attract the wrong attention....but it was the right attention...

Originally Posted by EddieGTA

had a BMW 330 try and push me out the way on the motorway some time back so I just stuck my foot down and upset him

So far, nothing from sets of lights, it was all the time in my old 156 V6, i don't know what it is about the GTA, it just gets lots of looks.
I did have a play with an Scooby sti on the way do Donny, could not shake me at 150mph plus, i wonder what he was thinking, i doubt he had a clue how a 156 was keeping up with him.
Stu

I always get provocative revs at the lights in Romania from...who else VW Passat/Golf TDI (second to Dacia in being the national car)owners...admittedly the cars could be remapped,but still no match for the sweet 2.0 TS!

Originally Posted by Foxie

Just had the two really....

One I totally understand reasoning behind the head to head....
Red Lancia Delta Integrale on the M4 Reading to Newbury, two Bella Rosso's having a bit of a friendly banter the only way they know how

The second was a strange one...

Chaved to the max Golf Mk4, on my way to Tesco Newbury, about a miles drive up the dual carriage way. This Golf was flashing its lights trying to get past....So one just floors IT!!! Couldnt see the look on the drivers face, because of the tinted glass, plus they were too far back ....Golf follows me into Tesco car park; here we go I thought..... I park up, the Golf does that stupid show off wheelspin thing....then pulls up alongside!! As the fully blacked out window goes down...This Beaut of a Brunette Young Mum ( I know she was a Mum because her Baby was in the Kiddy seat next to her ) Blow's me a kiss and Spins off!!
Disturbing and filthy actions from a young Lady.....Should have known better.....
Not only did it attract the wrong attention....but it was the right attention...

Nice to know Newbury is still flying the flag for chavs!!! Must admit I regularly blat it up the 339 to Tesco, and I think the Parkway Posse are learning that they can't beat me as they don't seem to want to play any more

Originally Posted by jwyatt

I would think a red or white 147GTA would attract more attention but maybe not from the replies above. I love having a rare car!

I too love owning a rare car.

The only noticeable attention it has attracted so far is from it's many admirers who ask "what is it / what did it cost / where can I get one" etc, including a couple of drivers who followed me all the way home in order to ask the questions.

When I tell them that they are no longer available and that there were only four 147 GTA's imported into UAE, most of them have offered to buy it from me if I should ever wish to sell it.

I Wish i could afford the GTA and its insurance lol, liverpool is not quite known for itscheap quotes! I Currently have a 1.8 Lusso and would do anything for a GTA, only ever seen 1 in lpool and it was parked up, would love to hear it roaring down the strret mind you, until that day i will carry on in my current beast lol

Originally Posted by Foxie

Just had the two really....

One I totally understand reasoning behind the head to head....
Red Lancia Delta Integrale on the M4 Reading to Newbury, two Bella Rosso's having a bit of a friendly banter the only way they know how

The second was a strange one...

Chaved to the max Golf Mk4, on my way to Tesco Newbury, about a miles drive up the dual carriage way. This Golf was flashing its lights trying to get past....So one just floors IT!!! Couldnt see the look on the drivers face, because of the tinted glass, plus they were too far back ....Golf follows me into Tesco car park; here we go I thought..... I park up, the Golf does that stupid show off wheelspin thing....then pulls up alongside!! As the fully blacked out window goes down...This Beaut of a Brunette Young Mum ( I know she was a Mum because her Baby was in the Kiddy seat next to her ) Blow's me a kiss and Spins off!!
Disturbing and filthy actions from a young Lady.....Should have known better.....
Not only did it attract the wrong attention....but it was the right attention...

What!....and then you woke up Mr Foxie!!!!!

I think the beauty of the GTAs is that their styling is quite subtle, so unless you know your Alfas, I'm assuming people just dont realise they're up against a real wolf in sheep's clothing. But isn't that when a car is really fun - as everyone's already said - the best fun is when you get some chancer who just doesn't realise what they're up against

Having said that, I've had a couple of boy racers line up against me at traffic lights. But I used to get it much more in the Celica....and that was fun

The best time was a guy in a BMW who obviously thought he was going to show me how to drive properly (I could just hear him tutting to himself at the thought of a woman in a red sports car ). Well, I just about kept up with him till 70, then, still in 3rd, the 190bhp kicked in at 7,000 revs and I just cruised past him, grinning like a cheshire cat as I did. That extra little kick put me far enough ahead that he couldn't quite catch up again - until I got fed up and slowed down. What a satisfying drive that was

ha Nice one, I have to say that I never got many people racing me in my 1.8 156, I admit now it didn't have to much go compared to my new v6, (and btw, yes i'm jelous of you gta owners, no wonder you guys and gurls are always smiling and grinning all the time! I can see why now!) but the 1.8 still suprised a few on the road when the modeo's and vectra's tried it one! and I love the way it drives! With my v6, Im more laid back in a way, most of the time now in 6th, crusing, I think it because she drinks alot when pushed , but I still have fun with her, which brings me to this question:

does you gta's seem faster when running on the richer 97/98 petrol, than the standard, I noticed a small diffference on the 1.8, and a bigger difference on the v6, and its not psychological, there is defo a difference, any one else?

ps, can someone kindly give me 12k or so I can buy a gta, cause i feel left out in this thred !