156 / 147 GTA Buyers Guide

Im thinking of buying a Alfa, my first... a 2005 156 GTA, the car has about 60K km.....

What should I pay special attention too??????? (Please note that the roads especially 2nd and 3rd grade and city are not in the best of shape here in SK)

Just so you know my other option is a volvo s60 AWD, I can see you alfa fanatics sour faces now.....

Not sure if this is a worthy addition but I've been led to believe that if you remove the Thermostat (housing???) on the 147 GTA you can see the impellor so it's a fairly easy way of telling if the impellor is metal or plastic, I've also been led to believe that the GTA DO have a mix of plastic and metal out of th factory and it's a very odd situation that can only be checked easily by doing the above.

Originally Posted by GhostyDog

Not sure if this is a worthy addition but I've been led to believe that if you remove the Thermostat (housing???) on the 147 GTA you can see the impellor so it's a fairly easy way of telling if the impellor is metal or plastic, I've also been led to believe that the GTA DO have a mix of plastic and metal out of th factory and it's a very odd situation that can only be checked easily by doing the above.

Nope.

Saw my perspective new 156 GTA, checked what I could as per buyers guide, heres what I found, your thoughts would be great.....

Here is what i noticed:
- Color is ROSSO NOVOU, its a pearlesent red????? custom order, said the owner. Supposed to be a Pinifarini upgrade along with exhaust and air intake???
- When engine was started, cold start, about 20 deg outside, there was a ticking from the engine for about 2 minutes.
- temp STAYED STABLE JUST BELOW 90, ON HIGHWAY AND IN IDLE.
- Clutch was very light..... I'm used to a BMW clutch witch is heavier
- Audio - radio with telephone, and a changer in the back...IS THIS THE GPS VERSION??
- 2005 model so 330 brakes
- GTS panels seemed flimsy, side ones, front bumper from bottom was very abused..cracked, scratched etc...

THe car is being sold for 22K euro..

PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR INPUT

Originally Posted by theteacher

- When engine was started, cold start, about 20 deg outside, there was a ticking from the engine for about 2 minutes.

Maybe a slight crack in the manifold or a poor join between the manifold and the block which cures itself with heat. Not a major issue if this is the case.

Originally Posted by theteacher

- temp STAYED STABLE JUST BELOW 90, ON HIGHWAY AND IN IDLE.

Sounds good.

Originally Posted by theteacher

- Clutch was very light..... I'm used to a BMW clutch witch is heavier

Sounds good again.

Originally Posted by theteacher

- GTS panels seemed flimsy, side ones, front bumper from bottom was very abused..cracked, scratched etc...

They do bottom out easily over rough, bumpy roads. Changing springs and shocks to something better helps.

Originally Posted by Chris155

Nope.

What do you mean by nope?

Originally Posted by GhostyDog

What do you mean by nope?

I mean the only way you can check which impellor is on the water pump is to take the water pump off.

Originally Posted by Chris155

I mean the only way you can check which impellor is on the water pump is to take the water pump off.

I'll double check but I'm sure the chap who told me this knows what he's talking about unless there's some confusion.

Originally Posted by Pud237

Maybe a slight crack in the manifold or a poor join between the manifold and the block which cures itself with heat. Not a major issue if this is the case.



Sounds good.



Sounds good again.



They do bottom out easily over rough, bumpy roads. Changing springs and shocks to something better helps.

GREAT THANKS.......

How many Keys should I get? 2 or 3?
Any news on this Red pearlescent color... ROSSO NOUVO... did alfa allow customers to make special orders????

Rosso Nuvola (known as Miro Red in the UK) was an option like any other, just the most expensive. Here's a good link posted by rs200 from a thread on the subject that has 156 GTA brochures.

156 GTA-documentation

The ticking, if it's a constant fast clock sounding tick that doesn't change speed with revs, it's normal, comes from the fuel vapour canister.

Should get two identical keys.

Originally Posted by Caldo Bollente

Rosso Nuvola (known as Miro Red in the UK) was an option like any other, just the most expensive. Here's a good link posted by rs200 from a thread on the subject that has 156 GTA brochures.

156 GTA-documentation

The ticking, if it's a constant fast clock sounding tick that doesn't change speed with revs, it's normal, comes from the fuel vapour canister.

Should get two identical keys.

Ticking was exactly that.....
That catalog link helped found allot of things the car has as options

Thanks allot everybody, youve been a great help, hopefully Ill post pics when I pic her up this week.

Originally Posted by theteacher

GREAT THANKS.......

How many Keys should I get? 2 or 3?
Any news on this Red pearlescent color... ROSSO NOUVO... did alfa allow customers to make special orders????

I got 2 with mine.. Dunno for certain though whether or not it should be 3..

Originally Posted by Pud237

I got 2 with mine.. Dunno for certain though whether or not it should be 3..

I only ask because I read that there should be 3, 2x reg keys and 1x service key...... But again Im not sure if this is for all AR models...

def only 2 keys - no service key

Hi, when I was reading the part ''what to check for'' on the engine section I was beginning to believe the whole engine will blow when I put the pedal all the way down.

Q2 already on the list, but the problems with the cambelt I'm most worried about. Cambelt change and the waterpomp replacement sounds obvious, but is it really needed to replace the tensioner and idle pulleys with them?


Thanks,

Jeffrey

Originally Posted by theteacher

I only ask because I read that there should be 3, 2x reg keys and 1x service key...... But again Im not sure if this is for all AR models...

Originally Posted by 156GTASW

def only 2 keys - no service key

Ah yes, I know what you mean now.. From the 156/147 era Alfa's onwards they got rid of the different ky systems. All modern Alfa keys are identical. No master/service/valet key etc like older Alfas and Fiats.

Originally Posted by Bamies

Hi, when I was reading the part ''what to check for'' on the engine section I was beginning to believe the whole engine will blow when I put the pedal all the way down.

Q2 already on the list, but the problems with the cambelt I'm most worried about. Cambelt change and the waterpomp replacement sounds obvious, but is it really needed to replace the tensioner and idle pulleys with them?


Thanks,

Jeffrey

Yes it is, they aren't expensive and are usually what cause the belt to wear and then subsequently fail in the majority of failures.

Definitely replace them

Neglect of cambelts and auxiliary systems is probably the biggest killer of engines, and in the case of the GTA you are removing the only real area of concern enginewise - they are fabulous engines.

The only other thing is to check the oil every two weeks or so - it only takes a few seconds.

You should then be able to happily thrash the engine for many years !

Originally Posted by Trailbraker

You should then be able to happily thrash the engine for many years !

I like that, thrash a 250 bhp monster on the public roads I'd kill meself within days.

@GD Weren't you planning on getting an S2000 ? Maybe you had better rethink!

The problem with the pre 330 brakes, was this a problem with all 156 or more separatic, I have a sneaky suspicion my future 156 (year 2002) has the smaller brakes.

Also does the dealer offer a paint chip kit..... my volvo dealer did.

Ill also need new driver floor mat, where can I buy this.....

Originally Posted by Trailbraker

@GD Weren't you planning on getting an S2000 ? Maybe you had better rethink!

I wouldn't drive it fast, nobody can see me in it driving fast.

Originally Posted by Pud237

I got 2 with mine.. Dunno for certain though whether or not it should be 3..