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How does the 159 handle compared to a Gt?

4K views 25 replies 11 participants last post by  ALFADOIT 
#1 ·
I am a great lover of the 159 absolutely stunning car. I am wanting to know how capable the chassis is? Does it have potential? I have a very special Gt with alot spent on chassis mods. At the moment i fully expect to have another one. But i have always pondered the 159 ti models.

How capable is the new 2 litre diesel engine jtdm? compared to the mighty 2.4jtd? Has anyone gone from Gt to 159 ti and regretted it?

Many thanks:)
Damien.
 
#3 ·
I had a 2.2 JTS Ti & it would easily see off our 3.2 GT with Q2 across country on British A or B roads.

Obviously, in a straight line or on smooth roads the GT would spank it.
 
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#4 ·
The chassis on the 159 is far far better than the GT although the GT isn't bad either as its stiffer than the 147/156 and they weren't too shabby (in their time) either!

The 159 actually has one of the stiffest bodyshells on saloon cars (and presumably the Sportwagon too?) and I think it is seam welded just like a rally car:). The 159 was originally built for the US market so the bodyshell was stiff to allow for the heavy expensive interior (that was never fitted in the end!).
But yes, it handles very nice. It doesn't have the same chuckability as a GT/147 - it feels much more sensible and mature but it does corner exceptionally flat even on 17's and the standard suspension and is very composed at the same time.

The 2.0JTDm (in my 170bhp form anyway) is quite pokey - it is faster than my 147 was but it certainly doesn't feel it although it does feel livelier above 3k rpm and is MUCH smoother. I think it feels slower as its quieter smoother and as the engine has more weight to pull the torque (even though its greater) doesn't feel quite as viscous!
It is a little bit like the 2.4, well the 200bhp version anyway, in the way it performs - it is a bit lacklustre below 2k revs but keep it on the boil and its a nice sounding smooth free revving engine although it wil never sound fruity like the 2.4 of course!:(

Would I recommend getting a 2.0JTDm 170 - wholeheartedly yes! - not sure quite how the 136bhp would perform though although I have heard its much the same with just less pull higher up in the rev range.
 
#5 ·
the gt is on the same chassis as the 156?

i came from 4 years in a 156 into my 159 and tbh there's no comparison - the 156 might've been a little more fun on occasion cos it's a lot lighter, but the 159 is soooooo much more accomplished, with MASSIVE amounts more grip and will corner a LOT quicker. the 156 was more fun 1% of the time, but 99% of the time the 159 is in a different league

don't forget the 156/gt chassis dates back to the fiat tipo
 
#6 ·
Nothing wrong with the Tipo chassis based Alfas handling.
The GT’s are a bit stiffer than the early 156 variants.

BUT the 159 is way better.:thumbs:
 
#7 ·
A very interesting comparison.

I went from a 159 1.9jtdm to a GT 1.9jtdm.

Really is a chalk and cheese situation. I did 28K miles in the 159 over 22 months and loved nearly every minute of it.
I have done 15K miles in the GT in 7 months, and also love nearly every minute of it.
But the difference is huge.

For an everyday car the 159 is way better. More solid, comfortable and relaxed.
For a blat across country the GT is way better. Responsive, agile and able to put a huge grin on my face.

The 159 felt like a heavier car when pushing on, the GT is more bone crunching over rubbish road surfaces.

In a dream world I would have a 159 1.9jtdm Ti as a motorway and commute car and a 3.2 V6 GT as a weekend car.
But I have had to combine to two. For me the GT wins, just. By the skin of its rattling teeth......
 
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#8 ·
One thing I would say is the 159 isn't made of particularly good materials. It isn't the way mine is screwed together either as I have seen many like mine - poor finish, cheap plastics etc.
The 147 was miles better in this respect but without a shaddow of a doubt the 159 drives much nicer - the suspension handles potholes properly and the whole car just feels so much sportier:thumbs:
 
#10 ·
I would have to agree with Wynne...

My 159 is solid as a rock as far as the interior materials are concerned and are far superior to not only the GT but also to other cars in its class, Merc or BMW for example... my car is a 2007 car with aluminium internal trim and was before they started shedding some of the weight and have to agree slightly that some of the interior of other 159 i have seen have looked a bit cheap but thats been down to trim level and colour usually...

The GT was designed a long time ago now and even if you have a relativly new one it still can feel a little less refined and well thought out compared to the 159.

I like both equally but just wish the GT interior was as good as my 159....
 
#11 ·
Just read all the replies some really interesting comments here guys. Gives me a great idea of the 159. I love the way you can chuck the Gt around. The inferior ride quality of the standard GT is not an issue for me as i have koni fsd's and eibachs. I really want to know if a 159 2litre/2.4 ti is as fun to drive down the twisty country lanes than my Gt, and if it feels like a stodgy big car? The feedback from driving my GT is unbelievable and if i were to replace it with anything i would prefer to have something as engaging. Like the idea that the 159 has better build quality.

Damien.
 
#12 ·
I think the GT is still a great car, I will never forget the fun we had and I too thought the 159 would be heavy and ponderous but it isn't. Without doubt the GT has it's moments on certain roads due to it's light handing but the 159 is more assertive and IMO (well speaking from a 2.4 perspective) inspiring. I live out in the countryside and the 159ti has no issues with whatever challenge is offered to her, I have had more enjoyment from the 159 in the time I have owned her than I did with the GT; when I roll her into the garage and press the stop key I just think "wow", every morning I just can't wait to press the start key, light up the dials and hear that 2.4 kick into life.
 
#13 ·
i went from a 1.9 GT to a 2.4 TI 159 recently and agree with most of the above. the 159 FEELS so much heavier and solid than the GT, it has more inertia in the corners but still feels responsive. i had 17 inch rims on the GT and have 19 inch on the 159 but the GT felt much harsher / crashier over bumps than the 159. you could really feel every bump in the GT but the 159 seems smoother. build quality is night and day, the 159 is a definite step up in quality compared to the GT, mainly in the smaller/subtle cabin areas but overall it feels like a better built car but doesn't feel as "fast" or nippy as the GT even though i know it is, weird.
 
#15 ·
Loved my ft, but it had to go after second child came along. I liked everything about it. whilst the 159 is great I was worried it wouldn't have the same magic. How wrong I was, its by far the best car ive owned on every level. My only point would be that the 2.4 is the engine of choice unless economy is a real factor, the1.9 and the 2.2 just felt too slow. Just my opinion.
 
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#16 · (Edited)
I agree with most of the comments on here but with respect to the poor finish and quality, I'm referring to:

- The centre console side panel trim - the bit between your lower part of your left leg and the centre console - its a horrible hard cheap plastic and when you press it (or knock it) it creaks like mad:rolleyes:

- When you lift the bonnet up and feel around the side edges of the 'hood' its all rough and unfinished.

- Take a look under the steering wheel column - there is a hole exposing the 'innerds' of the dash with a flimsy peice of loose leatherrette and velcro 'trying' to hide it

- The underside top of the boot isn't lined at all:(

- In the rear footwells, there are a couple of flimsy covers held on by cheap plastic caps that come off when you have anyone accidentally knock it which isn't hard! It then exposes numerous relays.

- The centre armrest panel trim is terrible (fixed rear seats in saloon only) - not even attempted to be finished properly!

- The exterior door handles are made of plastic!!! My 147 and even cars like the cheap Fiat 500 have solid robust feeling aluminium ones!

- Then there is the quality of the door trims and dash board which is much thinner guage and more shiny than the GT/147's

Personally, I have no doubt the quality of the 159 doesn't match the 147 in particular but on an engineering persipective with the way the thing drives, then the 159 wins hands down.
What I also love about it is it doesn't feel like a big car too and finally we have a modern Alfa that can actually have a decent turning lock!!!
 
#17 ·
I appreciate your opinion re fit and finish of your car but I cant see what the issue is with plastics, belive me im super critical with things like that and have never found an issue with mine...

Although thinking about it now.....:confused: the one thing that put me off having a Ti a few months ago was the TI with black interior, I did get the same feeling of shiny/cheap materials as you mention... mine is two tone interior and i think that makes a big difference as you dont get the different gloss levels from the different mouldings, materials and surface finishes all in the same colour and also i dont use any detailing sprays on the interior so mine is quite matted down while some of the dealer cars I looked at looked like they had been sprayed with silicon or something!!! :vomit:

The materials on the Mito and even Guilietta are poor too especially the door cards and dash... put me off having one, in this respect the GT is much better....
 
#19 ·
If you look hard enough you will definitely find something to complain about.
My pet hate is that it looks like they had to retrofit the new motors into the body and made a lot of silly brackets holding some things in mid air.
 
#20 ·
My wifes vauxhall insignia has had a big cost down on it whilst being developed..... compared to her old Signum.

One example, the boot floor catch and handle was spring loaded and nicely shaped and felt solid, the Insignia one is now a thin flimsy one piece moudling which shreds your fingers every time you lift it up, which is hardly ever anyway so it doesnt really matter i suppose, the folder with the manuals in no longer has vauxhall embossed its just plain...

I have to do the same in my job, all the customer interfaces have to be desinged realy well and eveything behind the scenes etc can be cheap as chips...
 
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#21 ·
Yes, I accept that you can find fault with anything if you go looking but the 159 faults are obvious as soon as you get near the thing which is a real shame:(

Agreed about the Guilietta and the Mito quality too. The Mito I can accept its cheap plastics because its a cheap car so fair cop but the Guilietta isn't! - in fact it starts at almost the same price as what the 159's did!

The 159 is at least better than those two though:)

Don't get me wrong though I still think the 159 is a great car and I still love it:).

Sorry just realised at how OT I have gone:lol:.
 
#23 ·
having owned my 159 for just over a month, there is only 1 way i can really describe it. its like having a passionate love affair with an beautiful Italian woman. she robs your soul in exchange she injects a fury of passion into your blood stream and it only makes you want to drive her harder and harder until the valves of the engine scream yes, Yes, YES !!! its a monster of a car to drive and very additive and i love it!!

fantanies aside.... seriously, its a beautiful car to drive, shame on the mpg's on 1.9JTDM as i get 46/47mpg average but i'm not that bothered, as i get 430 miles to just over half tank of diesel. its really stiff car and takes corners nicely but the stiffness i think comes at a cost, which is weight. you can feel the feedback of the road through the steering wheel, interior build quality is excellent and solid. Engine is really smooth and refined and doesn't vibrate the entire car when running, happily picks up the speed. slight whistling wind noise through the doors but someone who drove it 10 miles said compared to an eqv diesel merc c-class, the c-class feels like a chelsea tractor. try doing a manual launch control at the traffic lights and you can feel the torque and pull the car gives. just make sure you have pressure in the turbo ready to assist you.

i may not part with this car for a long time!!!
 
#24 ·
Great write up alfamani!!
I think alfa's are designed to be really enjoyable driving machines. I would love to be an italian fly on the wall to see how they design the car around this factor! That is what i love about the alfa brand. The feedback the cars give you. The 159 sounds a great package. Its gona take an awesome machine to get me out of my Gt. And the 159 2.4 ti Q4 seems to be the one to do that! :thumbs:
Damien.
 
#26 ·
Cheers for that Redmatt75.... saw that beast yesterday! absolute dream car. Just would have to sell my Gt first. Gona have to have a real think now what to do now.....lol.
Damien.
 
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