2003 156 GTA - what to look for and ask?

[Polyal]

Guys I am probably thinking with my heart a bit much here but I am after a new daily for the family and stumbled across what seems to be a nice 156 GTA.

Is there any reference on what the major things are to look at? I note belts need to be done every 60-70,000k's...is that about right?

Any other common issues I should know about or get checked with an inspection?

Thanks in advance.

[colcol]

Must have a Q-2 diff, the standard ones break and take the gearbox casing with it, make sure its done [with receipts], other wise allow for such things, the water pump must have a metal impeller, the plastic ones crack, and the impeller spins on the shaft and won't cool properly, you are right about the belts they have to be done on time and distance as the V-6 is an interference motor that has the pistons and valves collide if a cam belt breaks, the airconditioners are so so in the series 2, [2002-2005],  better than the series 1, [1998-2002], go for a drive on a hot day and see what you think, the V-6 engine is heavier than the 4 and wears the suspension out more than the standard model due to lowered and stiffer springs, look to do the top control arms every 70,000 or so, then a bit later the bottom control arms, also the anti roll bar bushes wear out and rattle, the bushes cannot be replaced, so its a new complete anti roll bar assembly, and the chassis has to be removed to replace it, its not a half hour job, on the other hand the car is awesome, with its ALFA ROMEO V-6 that they actually made and not the later V-6 that they purchased off another company, have the car checked over by a Alfa Romeo specialist, look up service providers on this website or in the Alfa Club Magazine, Colin.

[TFJ100]

Hi Polyal,

What was the outcome - did you buy the car?

[flipch]

I bought a 156 GTA a couple of years ago.  Best car I have owned or driven.  Not cheap to maintain, but probably no worse than most sports versions of European makes.  If you have test driven one you will notice they have very firm suspension and very direct steering.   The engine is beautiful as has been noted.   Never any problems.  All the maintenance on mine (now 180k) has been Bosch stuff, sensors, alternator etc.   I did have the suspension replaced with an Eibach Pro system which is great, and also added Eibach ARB front and back.   In retrospect I don't think I'd have done the ARB as it is very stiff laterally now, and the other parts of the car don't seem to match it and there are creaks and groans etc.   My understanding is that you can replace the bushes on the original ARB rather than replace them.  I understood that even before I got the heavier ARB's.   But the Eibach shocks or similar are a worthwhile upgrade.  My originals lasted 160k+ though which is impressive, but the new ones really smooth out the bumps on rough roads.

They are quite good on petrol consumption.   I get from 8.5 to a bit over 10 out of mine.   

I have long legs and that doesn't leave much room in the back for passengers.  Also the front seats are very firm, and hard to set up to be really comfortable.

The brakes are great, though choosing the type of pads when the time comes (which usually means rotors as well) can make them even better.

The Quaife dif is now the way to go rather than the Q2 from all accounts due to pricing changes.    I don't have either, and probably won't.   The thought is that those that have high km and have survived will probably continue to do so.   My Alfa mechanic says it is all a bit over the top, but who knows.  If it is a low km model it may pay to take the advice to be better safe than sorry.

So I'd recommend one with the caveats, that you have a good test drive first, and then go and think about it for a few days, and second, that you really think through whether it will suit your family re: rear passenger room and moderate boot space.    It probably depends on what you are coming from as well, as I stepped down in size from full size Holdens and Fords.

Let us know how you go, and feel free to ask any further questions!

Good luck