Settle An Argument.

[MrG 3]

I feel that I have to say something about the Alfa. I had a 147 GTA, I had it for just over 3 years and loved every minute of it.

 

Sure things failed, it needed looking after, parts were a pain and the dealer network was utter rubbish (although they meant well) but the interior was lovely, the seats were comfortable. and the look of the dash I found absolutely spot on, the noise of that Arese 32 valve V6 coming on cam at 4k was so intoxicating that I forgave its instant drop to below 20mpg when booting it. It was a car that I found myself looking at out of the window (very sad I know) but it had something. Can't say what, soul maybe? God knows but it got right under my skin to the point that I'd have another one any day. I'd come from a 5 year ownership stint in an M3, and it was nowhere near as capable as the M3. It had a crap turning circle for a start, but where the BMW was very reliable, sensibly laid out, everything to hand and had perfect road manners the GTA had a spark of the personal touch. It felt like it hand been created by some of italy's finest enthusiastic engineers. I'd go for a good blast on a Sunday morning and upon my return I felt like I'd had a workout!

 

But the GTA (in 156 & 147 guises) is a car that needs fettling to get the best from it. Std 285mm brakes need upgrading to the 330mm disc size, it needs a freeflowing inlet to avoid restrictions above 5k and it needs coilovers, and a decent exhaust, but so what, how many guild their cars beyond what many feel they should do.

 

I think its true that you need to own a performance version of an Alfa, not just any Alfa, some time in your life but its like any make, some can't see the appeal at all. Same can be said for the BMW's. I like both marques. But for a weekend blast I'd have the GTA, for daily reliable duties I'd have the BMW (well I have one!)

[GLPoomobile 958]

drop to below 20mpg

 

I feel lucky when mine actually goes ABOVE 20mpg But that's the problem with having the Chris Moyles of the Alfa line, and using it in town.

[MrG 3]

have to add that I'm not a fan of the latter cars, the 159 maybe but that's it. The Brera I don't like at all in any of its guises. Although I may opt for a latter Guillia if I had to.

 

Years ago I had a few Mini's including a few cooper S Mini's (proper ones!) but some of our mates could not see why, the engine was rough as anything, interior was spartan, seats were very uncomfortable and flat, the ride was appalling & you drove it like you were driving an old London bus, but get it in its perfect scenario (twisty roads) and bingo it came alive, few cars that my mates had could keep with it in this situation, it was a mega blast and something that sticks with me today (although now I can't afford a decent Mk3 Cooper S).

 

Many say that A series was the perfect engine choice, sang its praises and would not have a word said against it, but those driving VW's finest or Dagenhams RS Escorts would say otherwise. Its horses for courses.

[MrG 3]

LOL GLP. I used to do a commute of 90miles per day in mine and would average around 26 commuting, but when giving it some stick I'd regularly see just over 12?? It was the only car that I have had where when you watched the rev counter sore you could see the fuel gauge go the opposite way!

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

After running the Alfa155.co.uk & alfa155.com (before it was bought by Alfaowner.com) sites and owning 155's for over 7 years, the stick I got when selling up and buying a BMW E39 535i Sport was massive as you can well imagine. I loved my 155 2.0 16v with a few mods to it and it was well known in Alfa circles and is still around today as people keep telling me they have seen it.

 

When I got my 1997 155 at 7k miles / 18 month old, I looked to the Alfa Owners club and there were a lot in there who turned their noses up at the 155, branding it as a Fiat and not a true Alfa engine etc, so it put me off slightly. This was one of the reasons Ian Bowles started alfaowner.com, to cater for the newer models like the 145 and the 156 and over time it has included the 147 and the GTA versions. With a lot of clubs / forums there will be snobbery and new and old school factions. This forum is a classic for anyone wanting to buy a 4 door car to say "Don't buy a Peugeot, buy a Ford". But you will also see that clubs/forums changeover time; scroll through old archived posts and watch the "heavy" GTI6 engine get flamed. The clubs are only as good as the people involved.

 

Back on to Alfas, it was nice to see at spring Alfa meets, the 155 as the most popular car at some of the ones I went to in the early 2000's. It also ranked in the top 50 influential motorsport cars in a recent Motoring News feature.

 

I didn't want a 156 as they were not as exclusive as the 155 and a bit of a rep mobile in my eyes (that is my Alfa snobbery!!) but I did go to a local Alfa dealer and ask if they had any 156 GTAs in second hand as I would have considered one of those. They promptly told me the 156 never came in GTA form, just the 147...... ooooooookay....

 

The nice thing that Alfa have over a lot of other marques if a proper history going back decades, much further than Ferrari, and despite poor metal issues in the 80's which killed off Lancia in the UK and dented Alfas reputation badly, they still appeal due to the characteristic noise they made and the sheer feeling of buying one with your heart, not your head. If we did the latter, we would all drive Golfs and have Marks and Spencer jeans.

 

Alfas represent affordable soul with a free pair of rose tinted glasses. I'm proud to say I have had one and loved it.

[MrG 3]

I liked the 155, I was an avid fan when it was hitting the BTCC circuits and a regular visitor to your web pages then!

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

I liked the 155, I was an avid fan when it was hitting the BTCC circuits and a regular visitor to your web pages then!

Since posting this topic, I have spent 2 hours going down memory lane on the alfa155.org forum!! My old 155 is still about on there It was the BTCC and DTM that made me buy mine, so naturally I had to have the Silverstone rear spoiler and front splitter that slid out