[GhostyDog]

So the day has come and my GTA is now with it's new owner.

No tearful farewells from me but I did have a wobble last night and very nearly went as far as deciding the deal was off and I'd keep it, but sense prevailed and a chat with Gaz in the early hours of this morning came up with some other options (thanks mate).

Suzy on the other hand was an absolute wreck, she was bawling her eyes out within minutes of the car driving away and her only explanation was that the car and I were intrinsically linked and it was like a part of me had gone away with it.

She likens it to a spiritual connection, the old heart over head, and now seems to think I 'need' a car that I can connect with again instead of a rusty rover.

It really is difficult to describe how much these cars get under your skin, they might not be brilliant cars but they are special cars, and owning one, to a degree makes you special by association.

It's the quiet cool, the I don't have to shout about myself impression given (even in white) that makes you both proud to be driving such a car rather than reticent of other peoples perception of you because of what you drive.

Now my car has a new owner who I know will treat it well and enjoy it for what it is.

A truly special ownership experience.

Sean

 

[LJ_GQV]

Nicely put Sean

 

[FabioZH]

Dear GhostyDog,

I understand how you feel right now. I lived the same experience when in September 2009 I sold my first car. It was a Subaru Impreza GT. Completly different than the 156 GTA, but it was the first one to enter my heart.

You're right , it's really difficult to descrive how these cars get under your skin. Sometimes I feel like my heart is connected to the engine

 

[gtaadict]

I'm sorry to hear that sean , But you will be happy to know we got the car back safe and sound with no problems at all , And the gta only used a touch under half a tank , I also felt the same way when I sold mine.

 

[Guest]

It's very easy to get emotionally attached to a car when it is full of charisma and charm. I 'still' regret the sale of my 205 GTI.....and she went 8 yrs ago. I know I don't drive the GTA much, but I'd sooner give up driving altogether than know that I could never again experience that child like excitement that fills me when I take her cover off. It'd be impossible for me to replace her with another GTA too......after nearly 5 years with her, I know every little mark, every particular sound that she makes and what she is going to do next.
When she played her part as a groom's wedding car yesterday, I was a touch concerned about the leather on the rear bench....but it went further than me simply worrying about it getting marked.....I was worried about 'her' getting damaged.....to me she's the closest thing to a partner that an inanimate object could be.

Yup......they get under your skin

I hope you find solace soon Sean:thumbs:

 

[silvervalver]

Well put mate

 

[Guest]

Well said Sean, I know it will be tough for me to part with the GTA when the time comes. Look forward to finding out what those options are you discussed with Gaz.

\cheers,

Nigel

 

[LJ_GQV]

I was talking about cars in general to a customer last week and it got onto what car i owned, he knew what a 147 was but didn't know about the GTA. It was after he said that, someone else in the room must have been listening in on the conversation and shouted across 'GTA?.... Thats the bit you should be interested in' then we carried on chatting and i showed him a picture of my car and they were both saying it was nice etc.

Then he asked what car i thought i would get next, i had to think what it would be but i just couldn't think of any other car that i would want now when i've had my other cars ive always thought about owning different cars but with the GTA i've never thought about it. When i said i never want to get rid of this car i don't think he could get his head around it :lol: the only other car i can think of that i have always liked would be an Evo. It would have to be a red Evo 9 with the black extra's (spoiler/front & rear splitter etc) but even then i don't know if i would swap the GTA

Its true that they are a special car, they just 'get' you somehow. I don't know what it is about them or if any other Alfa owner's get it with their cars as much as the GTA but everyone, at some point in their life, should experience GTA ownership.

 

[AlfaMartini]

The 147 GTA grabbed me by the heart strings when pic's of it (in Nuvola White) first appeared in the popular mag's in the wake of 156 GTA series production. At the time I was driving a Fiat Bravo and a Lancia Delta HPE Turbo, both of which I had modified for improved chassis & engine performance... But I knew then that I simply had to have a 147 GTA.

Fast fwd to July 2005 and by the skin of my teeth I was lucky enough to take delivery of my GTA via Gargash Motors, Dubai, and when I drove it home my face morphed into the Alfa Grin which has remained constant to date. . The only mod's I've incorporated are H&R Lowering springs (3.5cm drop all round) and a Q2 Diff'.

It's my daily drive & cultured hooligan, and to this day there is nothing else available on the market which could induce me to replace it other than exotica well beyond my financial reach... and even if I could afford them I would still retain my GTA as my daily drive

 

[ITAL2]

Have read the obove posts with interest and have my own solution to this problem., when we bought our GTA we had already decided it was for the long term,and we have no intention of selling it, we also have a integrale which i have at times thought of selling but i cant bring myself to do it. if they break and i cant aford to fix them they will have to sit there untill i can. maybe this is because i hate the process of selling cars i am not sure.but its i think more to do with the passion we have for them, however over the years i have owned loads of cars i regret selling, dont get me wrong we are not wealthy by any means and if push comes to shove i guess they would have to go. what does shine through from the other posts is that you are true enthusiasts with a passion for special cars which is exactly the right reason to own them. if selling is the only option i truly hope you will be able to have a replacment sometime soon.

 

[Captain Slow]

Some great comments here. Nice to see everyone appreciates what the car does for them. The gta is the car I have owned the longest, a year longer currently, and I have never really wanted to sell it, it just does something for me. Sure there are other cars, but I can't imagine being without it. A couple of times the **** has hit the fan, and I have put the car up for sale, but only half heartedly when I couldn't see a way out, such as the gearbox issue, only this time it seems terminal. I really hope its not, I need that car in my life!

 

[Captain Slow]

Tell you what tho, I think this forum is part of it too. Used plenty in the past, but there is something about this one.

 

[Guest]

Some great comments here. Nice to see everyone appreciates what the car does for them. The gta is the car I have owned the longest, a year longer currently, and I have never really wanted to sell it, it just does something for me. Sure there ate other cats, but I can't imagine being without it. A couple of times the **** has hit the fan, and I have put the car up for sale, but only half heartedly when I couldn't see a way out, such as the gearbox issue, only this time it seems terminal. I really hope its not, I need that car in my life!

Likewise the GTA is the longest I have owned a car now (6 years!) I had an integrale in 2001 and that too was special, not just because it was an integrale, but I had imported it myself from the Netherlands. Trouble was I could only just afford it back then it would cost atleast £1500 every service to keep it in good nick, I traded for a new punto which was the biggest mistake I made before getting the GTA.

It is due a massive service this year, belts, clutch and some gearbox investigation needed. I have money saved, but saw the 0% and 5 year servicing deals on the Giulietta and was tempted to the point of nearly going for a test drive today. I didn't in the end, though still tempted I will most likely keep the GTA and stomach the service. The GTA has certainly got under the skin.

Oh and as to say don't sell me, today on a drive to the coast (OK I was driving extremely sensibly) But I saw an indicated 39 mpg for the trip.

 

[swanny]

Feel your pain Sean, still regret selling mine 12 months on - I could buy another one but it just wouldn't be the same

 

[silvervalver]

Tell you what tho, I think this forum is part of it too. Used plenty in the past, but there is something about this one.

I think it is the general lack of [email protected] which most other forums have!

 

[happybiker]

This is the exact reason I haven't got too far with selling mine, I half heartedly put an ad in the classified section and enquired about a part ex for a 159, which made me see the light. I know all the (current) imperfections with the car, and compared to a new unknown car, I am safer with a GTA. It is very hard to part with these cars once under your skin, now I'm looking at spending a bit more (rad and hoses) and keeping it for another year or so...

 

[Autolusso]

Feel your pain Sean, still regret selling mine 12 months on - I could buy another one but it just wouldn't be the same

Or as good, Richard mate your car was a stonker

We look after loads of GTA's and you have to have favourites, to many to list or who's car is the best is impossible

I have been thinking about doing a GTA wall of fame on our web site

Ned

 

[73GTVJim]

It's nice that Suzy understood. You have a keeper there.

 

[GhostyDog]

I have been thinking about doing a GTA wall of fame on our web site

Ned

thats a really good idea

It's nice that Suzy understood. You have a keeper there.

I know

 

[Alfa Vincent]

Or as good, Richard mate your car was a stonker

We look after loads of GTA's and you have to have favourites, to many to list or who's car is the best is impossible

I have been thinking about doing a GTA wall of fame on our web site

Ned

:tut: I couldn't handle coming in and seeing a pic of mine on the wall every time