Alfa Romeo 156 GTA SportWagon Review - The "Sensible" Modern Classic Italian Daily?
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- Опубліковано 7 жов 2020
- Today I'm looking at a great modern classic, the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA. One of the last uses of the much loved Busso V6, the 156 GTA combines practicality and exclusivity into a reasonably priced package - with a glorious sountrack.
I get to drive this one in terrible weather up in Scotland, but even still, can the Alfa lure me in?
#AlfaRomeo #156 #GTA
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Bought mine new in 2003 and still driving it now, on unsalted roads, here in Japan.
Very cool. I love GTA Alfas since I was a kid. I have own 2.5V6 156, its a good car. I have RSV Mille just like You. Forza Italia!
Why Alfas are so big in Japan? I've seen them on track days numerous times.
@@patyellowbear9928 the old Mille is a great bike, can’t want for anything more tbh. I have the regular on the street and an R for circuit fun. Absolutely no maintenance problems with either. That Rotax developed engine is bulletproof!
@@Mike-yy4ll I think that many Japanese are very passionate about cars, not only JDM ones. And if you love cars you love Alfa Romeo:)
@@Mike-yy4ll The news ones aren’t selling so well. The older ones did. J car enthusiasts like affordable car maker brands with good pedigrees, especially sporty ones like Alfa and Lotus. Your average J person would not be likely to buy one for an everyday runabout but as a second, fun car for the weekend, yes.
Some years ago, I owned a 6speed 2.5 24v silver limo with red interior. When the 10W60 liquid gold was already warmed up, you couldn't stop smiling. The wooden steeringwheel in your hand and that sound in your ear....Busso was screaming " more, more.." breaks are shouting " enough, enough..." so much fun
I still have the same car & probably I will continue owning it. Bulletproof engine. Great km killer, ideal for fast trips
It was my 147 that James had on a while ago, I used to have a 156 GTA Saloon and it is still to this day My favourite car I have owned. By some way too. The prices picked up once the Gulia came out and the brand was back in the spotlight. They are not something that you can justify against a number of other cars in the 10 - 15k bracket when you look at it objectively but when you want one it’s hard to switch off the feeling!
Another great review, James. Glad it’s going well for you.
My Alfa 156 carried me over 165.000km without any issues.
One the few cars that make me smile when i think back.
Was a 156 Sportwagon 1.8 manual in midnight-blue.
I had my first Alfa about 5 years ago (including a GT with this same 3.2 V6 engine) and now nothing else is good enough.
For the money you pay for used Alfa Romeos in the UK there isn't anything that comes close. For example; the base engine in an Audi is boring. ANY engine in an Alfa Romeo is a firecracker, even the diesels. They're beautifully designed, they're actually very reliable if cared for correctly (ignore all the unreliable Alfa bollocks) and they're mostly brilliant fun to drive.
You could say it's heart over head but if I wanted a BMW coupé similar to my current Alfa GT I would have spent three times as much, and likely more on maintenance.
Fully agree, Alfas arent any more unreliable than any other car really, and the looks and feel sure as hell make up for any problems that may be
That is a only one car with drives so comfortable , so beutyfull , so fast and You feel like driving 1 milion $ car :) , I had driven a lot of car before and now ...they just don`t have any soul ...
@@BlueRTheOnlyoNe, one time Alfa, than every time Alfa 😎
Can't agree with you more - I have a late 159 ti sw with the later 2.0 diesel - my son loves it when I wind the engine up, as he loves the noise it makes.
My toes literally curl, when you floor the busso. Wonderful car. Really wonderful.
i had a 1.9 JTD 156 sedan, still one of my fav cars and surprisingly reliable aside from a few minor electronic glitches
I'm driving my cousin's 156 1.9 JTD with 105 hp, the engine is absolutely bulletproof however my cousin crashed the car twice and it isn't in the best condition unfortunately (bad gear shifter, squeaking clutch, noisy suspension and few other minor electrical issues). Still a good car to drive (aside from the annoying gearbox), and this particular car even has a leather interior and a Zender spoiler, which makes it look way better than a normal 156.
rear passenger side electic window switch not working? 🤔
I had a 2.4JTD sportwagon in beautiful maple green, tan hide, loved it 💖💖😷👌
The 3.2 v6 in the gta is a marvel. The stock torque curve is almost flat from 2000rpm, so it pulls hard in any gear, and the fuel economy is far better than any of its german competitors of the same era ( vw vr6 3,2 or audi tt 3,2). I also found, after experimenting with various exhaust brands, that the stock exhaust sounds best. The steering and stock 305mm brakes ( with the right pads) are outstanding even by todays standards. I had a two 156 gtas, and they were pefectly reliable, with regular maintenance. The first 156 gta had upgraded 330mm brakes, lsd, coilovers, decat and a modified ecu. The second one is bone stock and I much preffer it to this day.
I've always liked the look of the 156, but never knew of the sportwagon. Welll, after having 2 E39, having kept the 525i m sport for my sister to use as her first car, I now have a 05 156 JTS 2.0 Manual in red with the tan interior. Might be the most beautiful station wagon ever build in my opinion. Love it
totally agree i have one with the 2.5 v6 and I love it too! specially the inside
The rear-end of the Sportwagon is a beauty to behold, I agree. Combined with the triangular front grille, of my early model, it makes for a very attractive female-like body all round. Not a straight line in sight, either inside or out, is there? ♡
@@Keroppikun Yeah. A beautiful female ready to bounce. Or like a British shorthair laying down. I got an 03 530i high tech m sport individual recently to take on normal duties until I do the timing and balance belt on the 156.
I have a 156. My first car and the best THING I ever had!
I had a 156 2,5, then a Giulietta Qv, now a Giulia Veloce. The giulia is by far the best car but i miss the busso V6 engine in the 156.
It's the only thing putting me off a Giulia Veloce. 4 cylinder turbos are so boring these days. Even if they are fast, they just don't sound good. I also wish is was manual. I have a Lexus ISF and it's very hard for me to make a case for getting a Giulia unless it's the QV.
About time you came round to love for the Busso equipped 156. I'm on my second, its 21yo and still my daily driver.
Hey! I live in Sweden, these work great in the snow. Great heating, good headlamps. You just need wintertires, which of course you have.
Same here. Looking for a good condition GTA for many years. Sweden have only few in such good care.
LSD makes it a great all rounder, and in snow it goes virtually anywhere without hassle, which is more than I can say for a RWD. On the track it has nimble and precise handling (if you upgrade the shocks).
What an utter thing of beauty! I am biased, I’ve owned a 156 Sportwagon, albeit not a GTA, and I still regret selling it!
Man I miss my old 156, it was a 2.4jtd and there never was a week where everything worked properly. Still loved it though and always lusted after one of these GTAs
Haha my dad had a 2.4jtd one too. I can confirm that there was rarely a month without issues but the car was amazing in my opinion. He had it for 5 years and I absolutely love the 2.4jtd sound above 3k RPM.
I have a 2005 2.0 JTS Sportwagon. Had it 4 years and it hasn't missed a beat.
'Possible ice on road' i guess it is more than possible when the temperature is -45°C outside. Hahaha.
Mine did it once, hasnt come back since haha. Good old gremlins
Legendary Alfa reliability there 😅
lol . that's Alfa electrics for you
Ambient temperature sensor failure is to be expected on any 17 year old car so stop that ' poor electrics ' nonsense.
It happened to my 13 year old golf.
I've owned both a 156 and 159 Ti sportwagon long term, not too sure where the lack of space line comes from!? 🤔
Both have plenty of cabin space, certainly not cave like but you'd be pressed to call it cramped. there's certainly more in the 159 then the 156. Plus you get a single cup holder and mirrors you can actually use in the 159! 😆
If you drive an italian car you don't care about the Negative things
I was. I wasn't very impressed with my low mileage 147 twinspark. MY exes GTV was OK but to be honest the lights were so poor it was impossible to drive at night and all the switches were in strange places.
of which there are many.
But you do have the time to contemplate all the negative things while you are waiting for the recovery services or wondering how you are going to pay the mortgage and the latest in a never-ending cycle of repairs.
@@williamegler8771 I have a 156 since 1998, I didn't have to repair it that much. The only things that I had problems with was the spark plugs. If you use the car well, it doesn't break that easily.
@@williamegler8771 I have a 156 Since 4 years a 2.5 v6 the only thing that broke was a BOSCH (GERMAN) generator! otherwise it is a super car drove it now 50.000km and I am very very happy with it
I owened in 2016 a 156 2.4MJET 20V SW, and i am very lucky with my Bella!
IT hast the 5-cylinder turbodiesel with normally 175hp/385Nm and 1450kg...and i am Happy every day, when i must drive a longer distance to work or to an shopping center! Because since 6 month i have a better software in the control-unit and have a lot of fun, the 220hp/440Nm make it to a very fast car. My Bella was build in 2004, has the xenon-headlights and inside everything, what you could order in 2004 for this wonderful car and i have for real no big problem with my Bella!
Last week i arrieved the 330tkm and will drive this distance again together with this beautiful car and will have a lot of fun ;-)
Great video, I've never owned a GTA however I have owned a 156 2.5 V6 and found a 156 with a V6 from a 166 dropped in it, 232bhp 3.0 which is pretty close to a GTA in outright power. Obviously mine won't have the huge brakes or the body kit but it is a mk 1.5 with the original exterior but facelifted interior like the GTA in fact. £10k is possibly a little too much for a GTA as you could have most of the experience by getting a 3.0 GTV, there are more GTV around and they don't command as high a price. All Alfa with the Busso V6 will have rust issues with the sills or floor pan so either check they are solid or budget for it, that's just the age of the car more than anything else. All Busso V6 will cost similar to run in terms of mpg, servicing and parts however the GTA uses a unique ECU that is getting extremely rare these days. People tell me that non Q2/Quaife differential equipped cars can let go randomly but the LSD upgrade is solid, I'll get one at some point. Anyway that's the boring stuff, I've been in Alfa V6 ownership for somewhere over 7 years now and there is nothing like that V6 engine, it's an occasion driving it at any speed anywhere which very few other cars I've driven can deliver that. It sleeps in the garage as a fair weather enjoyment car now and long may it continue to do so.
I have owned a 147 GTA for 6 years as a daily, i thrash it everytime i drive it, the busso engine is bulletproof. The most enjoyable car ive ever driven, never gets boring.
I'm a weirdo, so I've *always* preferred this over the M Beemers.
So Im too "_"
I own a 2002 Alfa 156 sportwagon with the 5 cylinder 2.4 jtd engine. Same black color with a gray leather interior. This is the best sounding engine I have ever heard and it pulls like a train when you step on it... In terms of reliability, I've had it for 2 years and have invested around 300 EUR for the 15 000 kms I've put on it. Nothing scary, after all it is a 18 year old car! I have absolutely no regrets buying it...
I put 300k km on my 2.4 Jtd wagon. Still miss it
Absolutely loving this content. Love all retro and interesting cars in this price range. Every car has a story and its absolutely fascinating.
I've never seen a 156 Wagon let alone a GTA. I think the only ever wagon we got was the 159 and they are all 4 cyl or Diesel.
The 156 GTA sedan version still commands good money here.
Nailed the review 👍 I loved my 156 V6, up to 70% they are fabulous - venture over that and they don’t shine. The E36 325i beats them in this respect.
The bigger 330mm disks came as standard later in, the early cars having the smaller disks.
My main complain of the 156 was its poor brakes and how it became unsettled over rough sweeping corners. Both easily solved these days though.
I bought I bit of a lemon, I knew nothing about Alfa’s and the previous owner had just let faults build before getting out.
£2k later (MAF, radiator, Cambelt, clutch, down pipes £££) and it gave me 2 years of solid dependability. Red lined everyday, just made sure the oil temp was up before any fun.
Had the misfortune of driving a 2.0 Probe for a couple of weeks whilst the Alfa was off the road - getting back into the 156 was bloody amazing. I’ll never forget that feeling 👍
I had a 156 for 13 yrs, a Selespeed no less. I still miss her to this day. Great car that felt solid as the day l bought her.
In all seriousness l would kill for a GTA Sportswagon now.
You probably will bite your ass because these are going pricely to the moon.
@@SuperGT3.2V6 I'm from Australia so these are essentially unobtainable, thou some are here. Putting that aside, the prices are getting crazy for decent cars.
Greetings from NZ Jay
I bought the 2.5 V6 Monza version of the Sportwagon a month before your upload and I love it!
Keep up the good work!
JM, this Alfa is a terrific car. Great review and I enjoyed this video very much. This brand makes wonderful cars, but often they are underrated. I own the new Giulia, wonderful car.
Cool video jay....amazing car...and busso engine growl....intoxicating
Glad to see you have ventured north to my village of Lennoxtown. Hope you enjoyed the campsie hills, as well as the usual rain. Great video as always.
You are reading my mind. I was looking for a 156 wagon winter beater. Nice, thank you.
That's our family car and still is, 18 years straight. Still it attracts attention when driven. Other than a broken engine, covered by the guarantee, its thirst for oil and some broken electric windows switches, its road performance is still sexy, and its steering is probably the best around
Just had mine (switches) sorted by A for Alfa in Aylesbury. Superb. Computer screen refurbished too...so now I can see what the weather isn't doing haha.
@@dominicwright7051 hahaha a true road eater, in Rosso Alfa colour 🙏
As an owner of a 2004 156 Sportwagon, though the more common 2.5l busso rather than the 3.2l in the GTA, with lowered and stiffer suspension living in Sweden, it runs just fine in snow and in -25C but of course it's at it's best on a dry summer track.
Definately want one one day......
2:11 -45C....yup, seems legit
There is more to Alfa’s than just the numbers. They are much more than the sum of their parts. Design over practicality even in wagon form. Love those alloys. Pity that Friday afternoon cars were built from Tuesday morning onwards. Horrendous customer service at the dealers as well, not that it matters much now.
Another great Busso video for the beloved Alfa V6 cars. Really appreciate you doing these, as there's so little content around, and your videos are great. Had one of these, in black with black and tan leather. Had a fair few issues, but it was 125k miles plus and it was more the lack of availability of some of the parts, like the critical ECU. Great to drive and own though, even in London!
Had a 156 24V V6 saloon in Nuvola Blue. Lots of annoying little issues and quirks but when the engine was singing and I was chasing the redline through the gears I didn't give a hoot. So much character and a really special car to own I also had E36/46 325i/330i BMW's which were all round more competent cars but the Alfa just had something about it that trumped them. Love to have another.
Driving through north Italian mountain roads with my 156 2.0 TS selespeed is one of the finest car memory’s I have. This car left a huge impression on me when I was a child - it was such a distinct car.
I paid 1.6k and since spend 4K in maintenance (welding, suspension, ac) worth every penny. I think the 2.0 engine is sufficiently quick and sounds gorgeous, too.
I also have a Alfa Romeo 156 2.0TS Selespeed, just got it but it has some issues, so ill be taking it on as a project car. I haven't started yet but i'm super excited
Congrats! I hope you have a blast in it. Which spec do you have?
It took me some time to figure out, that the up-shifts are about 30-40% quicker under full throttle (maybe that interesting to you, too :-))
@@christophchristoph9909 yeah, i read that somewhere, super cool. What do you mean with specs? Are you talking about my distinctive pack? If so that's my specs i guees. It's a 1999 156 2.0 TS Selespeed and theres only 6 left in my entire country, mine being one of them.
I have the same: 1999. I think there were a couple of hundred registered in this spec in Germany five years ago. I wonder how many are left. Mine is metallic red with black leather interior and sports pack 3 with the billstein suspension. I’ve had it now for 45k km and went through half of Europe in it. It’s the b-roads where this thing really comes to live.
What’s wrong with yours?
@@christophchristoph9909 Mine is a dark red metallic colour with the distinctive pack, I have the stock seats (non leather), aftermarket muffler.
Well it got quite a lot of issues. First of all after about 30 minutes of drivning the engine stalls, this is due to The crank shaft sensor getting to hot and giving up. I've ordered a new one and i'm waiting for it to arrive. Then I have an issue with my gearbox, everytime i downshit to high rpm I can hear a grinding noise, I guees it's from the clutch but I have no idea, that's not all, when i'm 1st or reverse the car acts rather strange jumping out of gear to Neutral whenever I release The gaspedal after having pressed down on it. Somtimes it acts very strange, this has only happend to me once where it skips gears, what I mean with that is that if I were to downshift from 2 to 1 instead of doing so it jumps from 2 to N and from N to 2, totally skipping the 1st gear. Well theres a lot of issues with it but I think fixing it up will be worth it plus I'm a seventeen year old boy with a lot of free time so this is a perfect project for me.
156 GTA Saloon owned for 12 years and its great. 3 point turns do become 5 point turns which does catch you out if you have been driving another car for a while and then take it for a drive haha.
I would just like to add, our 156 GTA is the best car we have ever owned for driving in snow, very capable if driven properly.
Now have much newer cars, but our GTA is the most sharp and responsive car we own, its a pleasure to drive and wind down the windows :)
I have owned an E46 M3 and now own a 156 GTA Sportwagon. I’ve had the BMW for about 9 months, the Alfa for nearly 6 years now. I could bore you with how it makes you feel etc., but I think that says it all.
I have the reverse experience , the e46 M3 for me was 5 times the car
So you went 100hp down and to FWD 😨🤷
@@alexluke84 that’s kind of the point: there’s more to it than the spec sheet
@@kasimirdenhertog3516 interesting...I drove the diesel version...good grand tourer but no sportiness
Its nice to see the car is optimistic when its -45c :D "possible ice on road"
Hey James, been a sub for a while now and just wanna say that you do a great job. You're super relatable and you obviously work hard for this channel and it is paying off, you deserve it! Keep hustling, looking forward to future vids
As a 166 busso owner (yes the bug eyed)i'm telling you good job on the video!
Loved my 156 1.8!
250 horses puts it right at the limit for not paying "Supertax" in Italy. For reference, a 300 horsepower car costs around 3000 euros a year to tax in Italy.
No dai non così tanto! Certo il concetto rimane
Seriously? In the UK we think our road tax system is crazy. There are ways round it here though
@@chappy2121 in Serbia for instance, if you have car with 2.0l engine you pay about 250euros, if you have 2.5 its 500e, 3.0 its 1000, 4.0+ its 2000e.
So if you buy Alfa 156 3.2 you pay 2000e in tax every year, if you buy giulia qv you pay 1000e a year. Year of production is not important...
But if you buy new Audi a7 2020y with 3.0 with hybrid system tax is 250e... MAD!!!
@@chappy2121 the only official way around Supertax is to get an old car. After I think 20 years the car no longer pays Supertax. 20 year old cars are the most interesting so it kinda works out. But all the supercars released in recent years? We're talking paying 5 grand or more to tax a Ferrari, for instance. It's a deeply schizophrenic law that virtually killed the performance car market overnight when it was enacted in 2012. Let's be fair here; 250 horsepower is *not* a lot, at all. Even a Golf GTD pays something like 700 Euros a year tax.
The bitter irony is that in southern Italy at least, we have what could easily be described as the worst roads in Europe, and probably the developed world. It really is that bad. The road behind our house was asphalted last year; the last time was in 1983.
Funny thing, i have seen many stock 156/147 GTA’s on the dyno, and almost all of them make quite a bit more than 250 HP. The 156 2.5’s generally all make closer to 200. Quite a bit more than the modestly advertised 190. In fact, the Alfa 159 3.2 (GM V6 lump) was advertised to make 260hp, yet at almost every Alfa dyno day there is a stock Busso 3.2 engined 156/147GTA that maked more than a 3.2 159, as those 159/Brera 3.2’s rarely ever make close to 260.. Poop engines those GM things..
Fantastic cars! I've had mine since 2008 and it has never let me down and always puts a smile on my face. Upgrade the suspension, anti-roll bars, brakes to 330's, add the Q2 LSD, and you have a great handling FWD car. Safe, fun and plenty fast enough on todays roads. Some parts are very difficult to get hold of now though (ECU's, front wings, inner arch liners, bumpers). FInd a good specialist to look after her, and don't scrimp on the maintenance.
Got to love older Alfa turning circles. Other half still rues the day we had to three point turn every single ramp in the Gatwick Airport short-stay carpark in my old 2008 GT Cloverleaf Q2. Absolutely amazing car though, and an old Alfisti still wishes they had one!
Good review and the GTA itself is an amazingly rewarding and satisfying when you have it and drive it for longer. On my 147 GTA I upgraded suspension and installed LSD, nothing else needed. BMW M is good but it wasn't an option for me.
This is a trip down memory lane for me - I bought one of these new in 2005 (after the 159 had come out!) when planning a family meant I stopped racing Caterhams and pretended to grow up. I defended it to the hilt at the time (three people I knew went on to buy some form of 156GTA - at least partly due to my preaching!), and I loved owning it. However it was seriously flawed in many ways - partly solved mid way through my ownership by retro fitting the Alfa Q2 diff (which was never an option on these, but fitted) and changing the shocks to Koni FSD's, which were still supple but didn't see the car endlessly ground out. It - and my previous 156 2.5 V6 (also owned from new to 4 years) - never broke down, but cost a lot to run. Alfa specialists I used were as humerous as main dealers with regards to prices, and it required expensive pre-emptive servicing to sleep easily at night. The GTA was also less economical on fuel to run than either of the XFR's that followed, or the Giulia Quadrifoglio I have now, all three of which have double the horsepower and weigh much more. The Busso V6 sounds lovely but is not like a modern engine on steady-speed MPG... Purchase-costs wise I got a massive discount on mine (it cost less than a new 316i at the time at £23k) but when I came to sell it 4 years later, even decent late ones were selling for £5-8k. For many years they were around £5k even for good ones, those days are long gone! I'd love to drive one now and see how it stacks up to modern cars - at the time it was the last in a line of cars I owned that the press hated, but I loved. Since then, coincidentally, I have had 5 cars the press fall over themselves to love, the only common demoninators being 6 or more cylinders, and RWD. I suspect it would feel like a characterful disappointment now, though there is a lot of benefit in lower limits than the insanely high ones of all my cars since. Regardless, the 156GTA - especially in SW form - will forever in my eyes be one of the best looking practical cars ever made. Viva Italia!
The Busso V6 was developed in the 70s so although by modern standards it might not be that powerful it was a fantastic engine in it hay day . The extra displacement to bring it from 3.0 to 3.2 was achieved by a new crank with a longer stroke for the GTAs . Alfistis love the Busso V6 and it’s demise was even more noticed with its GM replacement that just didn’t get the same love. Giuseppe Busso is not only known for making this fabulous engine though , he also developed the Bialbero or ‘Nord’ twin cam engine and was also involved in the production of the very first Ferrari the 125 . So that’s why the Busso V6 is held in such high esteem . It has a superb legacy
Yes! Needed this! P.s. still love my 156 1.8 wagon
Good, fun review in keeping with Alfas…
Nice sports wagon
We only got the GTA Sedans here in New Zealand, our Wagons are the 2.0 twin sparks. This is really cool.
Lol...recognising so many of the roads you’re driving down man as used to live in Glasgow. And it’s raining...go figure lol....I miss scotland my home none the less! Great vids as ever Jay! And driven those exact roads in a few coupes with quaif diffs and what a difference...but the turning circle is even worse lol 🙄
I once test drove a 156 JTDm, which by all purposes was a fantastic to drive.
Full of Torque, and fun in the bends, but had niggles, like knocking this & knocking that. So sadly didn’t purchase. But what a drive experience it provided.
Still, an interesting video to watch 👍
Love the gta my brother in law had the saloon in red and it went up in flames in Tesco's car park when we where inside getting beers it took 2 outher cars with it too. but in its day it was great, and its Italian it has caricature things work in there own way 👍 😀
Winter tyres, lsd...it does go very well in the snow.
Good point well made. The Busso has always been overrated, even in my 164 QV they only make 233hp.
I’ve had all the Bussos and still have a 75 3.0 V6. But, they are low power for their displacement. The sound is lovely, mind.
The best version was probably the 2.5 in my 156. Even the 3.0 in the GTV 916 didn’t do much for me.
Lovely racket
Very nice car. Would love to see you you try a focus estate!
I recently owned an Alfa 156 and a Volvo S60 and loved them both but could only keep one. That was one hell of a tricky decision.
The 16GTA's as they came from the factory had a problem with the front brakes, I was getting a new set of disks and pads every 6 months in 2004 with them warping for fun- all under Alfa warranty. They ended up issuing a fit on fail brake replacement of what I understand were 330mm disks/calipers lifted from the back of the F360. After this the brakes were monstrous, and didnt cause a further issue. You may have an aftermarket upgrade but more than 1 GTA got fixed in this way.
If I’ll ever buy a sports wagon… that will be it ❤🇮🇹
Even if my Alfa was only a 156 2.0 TS Sportwagon. It is the only car that I've spend time, at the window, spectating, with a chilled glass of white wine. Just enjoying the sexyness of the curves.
Still very pretty - but I'm not sure about black and the model without the side skirts in a nice zingy light metallic blue looks really special. Like you I think both saloon and estate look gorgeous and can't choose between them.
Tip: you need to use a polariser filter on your cameras to see through the glass.
Reviewing an alfa, easy likes :D
This would be the car I'd go for, if I had to choose a car ideal for taking the kids to school in, but would also be good on a track day. I'd also be happy to slap a few mods on this.
Can we have a polarising filter on your bonnet camera please? Will help see through the screen. Cheers Jay
It is much relevant to compare this 3.2 liter 250 hp to the 3.0 liter 231 hp from a bmw 330 i than an 3.2 liter M3 engine which was much more optimized, in accordance with a very higher price.
Lovely Jubbly video scenery etc. Alfa Romeo from Manchester might be ok like this one, but an Alfa Romeo from Scotland, that's another thing, rust etc.
Instant like 🤤
Thats a pretty car
I have a mk3 Focus that sometimes changes the time it shows if you open a door with the key in the ignition.
Such a shame the GTA Sportwagon never made it to Australia. I own a lovely 159 ti Sportwagon with the 2.4 JTDm engine and absolutely love it. I don’t worry too much about the lack of space, it’s the lack of cabin storage and cup holders that’s my biggest beef with it. But the comfort levels are through the roof.
I saw one of those on the Gold Coast the other day, in the distance in red. I thought it was one of my cars almost (05 156 sportwagon), with that distinctive Alfa front end.
Nick, 1 GTA Sportswagon is now in South Australia.
It has been brought in a few months ago from HK as a personal import.
Black on black.
I own 1 of 2 in Aus, 159 Sportswagon with the 1750 TBI. Great car with nimble handling.
I think the V6s in the 159 became too heavy.
I want to see a demo of the boot closure pressure requirement
330 rotors were introduced because it was found out that 305 had the tendecy to ovalize, judging by your uplifted series 2 interior (the facelift 156 was in fact series 3) it could be factory standard, gta came with 305 till 12/03
Oh god, so much want.
I have had several 156s with various engines and have just bought a V6. I would love a GTA but as a daily driver they are a bit too thirsty and are getting ridiculously expensive to buy now. I also have an idiot magnet that I seem to put in my boot every time I drive. I do not want to be responsible for sending one to the scrap yard. I have found that they have pretty well balanced weight distribution. I seldom need to take them in for repairs that are beyond my abilities or tooling. I have had one breakdown in 10years of 156 ownership and that was a blocked fuel filter on my last 2.4 jtd. I should have changed it sooner so can't blame Alfa for that one. This was the best quality and most prolific car that Alfa have ever built. If it had not been for the 156, it is unlikely that the awesome Giulia and Stelvio would have been made. Forza Alfa Romeo.
I've been wanting to import one to the USA
still good
Almost looks local to me in the villages around Renfrewshire / Inverclyde
Actually, I see you are not that far away.
Don't knock the ALFA "BUSSO" V6... The original 2.0 V6 produced more power than a BMW 320 and a 3.5Lstroked + twin turbo charged version produced over 700 horsepower in an Ultima GTR.
Yeah, it's not fair to compare an M car engine to a Busso. The Busso was a mass produced engine in everything from the Alfetta to the GTV. It was never a high performance race oriented engine in a car that cost as much as any M car.
@@MD-uu5nt Yes and no doubt ALFA could probably have tuned it for more power with higher compression like the S54 but at that time 250BHP was pretty much the limit for front wheel drive cars.
I had no idea that was in an ultima gtr thanks for the knowledge
Oh yeah forgot to mention the ALFA 155 V6 World Touring cars..... 2.5L V6 - 420bhp AT 11.500 rpm.
@@MD-uu5nt It's completely fair in the second hand market. In the video he said at the time he looked at these, you could buy an E46 m3 for £10k. You can't any more but if they were the same price then its a fair comparison. This isn't a launch review this is a used car review.
2:12 -45°C. Didn't know Britain gets so cold.
Review a 335i please
There are probably about 10 of these left in the UK.....156s have lot aged well
ok
Alfa Romeo 156 GTA is realy super car.
Back in Scotland again I see
I loved my black 2.0 156, back in 1999, it did suffer from a few “Italian quirks” but was a brilliant driver, during a couple of its visits back to the Alfa dealer I was given a 156 GTA courtesy car (or more like, take this and stop moaning, car) but it was a mistake taking that for a day or two, every time I got back into my 2.0, as nice as it was, it wasn’t a GTA, a car way out of my budget at the time, they are on the accent now and I still can,’t afford one 😬
Temperature sensor is bad because lose connector on blower motor resistor. :)
I like 156s. I used to drive a mate to Heathrow in his 156 and have use of it over the weekend on a regular fortnightly basis in the late 1990s - his gf lived in Dublin. It was a 2.0 litre and almost new ex fleet. The leather stood out as outstanding. He kept it a couple of years and despite the increasing creaking noises I vowed I would have one one day. Sadly, it has emerged that the floor pans weren't properly rust-proofed from the factory so it has now permanently disappeared from my list of desirables.
It went from 17.5 degrees with possible ice on the road, to -45 degrees... in April...apparently. Well done Alfa!
I love a good estate/wagon I have had Passat b5 for an ember of years and it never fails to perform. Rather it’s getting a desk or just hooning around
I have a 166 with the same engine. It's got some more weight so obviously it handles differently but the noise is very much the same. Its intoxicating
I have a 166 with the 2.5 and the rear suspension is much more sophisticated than on the156.
@@nsz2302 Yes, the 166 was developer earlier than the 156 but released later due to cost issues. The 166 has a very nice rear suspension that would still be up to the task on a modern car
Not really sure about the 159 comparisons. My 159 had substantially more room than my 156, particularly in the boot.