Alfa Romeo 147 and 156 GTA - Blood Brothers!
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Chris The Alfa Nut spends a day with two of Alfa Romeo's finest - the 147 GTA and it's bigger sibling, the 156 GTA Sportswagon. Owned by Father and son Mike and Dave Zollo - these "Italian Stallions" were the ultimate performance versions of the Alfa Romeo saloon and hatchback range during the early 2000's. Will we ever see new production cars with naturally-aspirated petrol powered V6 engines like these again? Probably not, so get them while you still can!
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Another masterpiece! Well done Chris and a big thanks to Mike and Dave for giving us a glimpse at their cars.
Thanks for watching Steve - glad you enjoyed it. Mike and Dave are generous with their time. I owe them.
It was great fun and a pleasure to work with Chris!
@@mikezollo6620 You have a stunning collection of Alfas There Mike,
My Familly are also Alfa Fans, I have three, A Busso Gtv, Twin spark Spider and a Diesel Ti Sport Wagon, My oldest has a Jts GTV, his Youger Brother has a 147 Diesel TI Special edition, the youger Brother has a JTS GTV and a 2.4 lusso 159 and the baby of the family my Daughter has a 1.6 Veloce Mito. It's only the Wife lets us down she has a Merc, still we don't hold that against her Lol!
@@steverichmond3903 Well done Steve - that's quite a garage you have there!
@@steverichmond3903 At home we have our Phase 3 916 Spider JTS, owned for over 6 years and with 3 long European trips under its belt, as well as my Phase 3 916 Spider V6 (3.2 Busso) and of course my GTA SW andDave's 147 GTA. Our other son has a 3.2 V6 GT, a 3-2 Spider like mine, and a 147. One of our sons-in-law has a V6 916 GTV My wife is an Alfa nut too now, and she is very possessive of her beloved Fiat Panda 4x4, owned by her since new in 2005. We also have a Fiat Ulysse which is the family workhorse.
The 3.2 V6 Alfa was probably the best V6 on the market. With a magic sound.
I still remember my drive of the 147 GTA 15 years ago. My biggest mistake as a driver: I haven't bought this car!
Hi Stanislas - thanks for watching. Get one now, before the go up in value too much!
You cannot get bored of the sound of a busso engine. It’s a masterpiece. One of my biggest dreams is owning a 156 GTA!
Hi mate, thanks for watching - the Busso is my favourite engine and there is some magic in the design, the way it looks and the way it sounds. It is also super reliable if it is looked after properly. I will never get tired of listening to it!
I fully understand the obsession with any Alfa with the mighty Busso... I’m on my third! Forza Alfa!
Yes indeed - it's so addictive!
Those cars still look as fresh now as they did new, sex on wheels - always loved the 156 and 147.
Great video thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching mate - yep they are bone fide modern classics now.
No turbo, no problems!
No EV's, just man driving!
Bring the noise!
Thanks for watching Nea!
Wow, the GTA Sportwagon is a rare thing indeed - both 147 and 156 were the last Alfa Romeo bearing the badge "GTA" which might never happen again. Certainly something to cherish and given the current valuations, a heck of a bargain (for now).
True enough - like many Alfas they are currently on the upward curve and in another 2 or 3 years will be North of £15k for a average example and £20k plus for a good one.
Having owned it since (almost) new in April 2004, I intend to keep it that way. Unfortunately that means driving it far less than I'd like! Which is shy I have 2 other Alfas: bothe Phase 3 916 Spiders, a V6 and a JTS.
Never driven a 147 GTA but have driven a 156 GTA .
I was one of the first to drive a production 156 GTA Saloon at Portbury Docks Near Bristol that had just arrived in .
I was on agency work for Walon.
My boss there was so pleased how I treated the car and all others I drove I got invited as a VIP to a Alfa press day at Aztec Hotel North Bristol and I could drive as many Alfa’s as I wanted in a pre set public road test route .
Along with Myself was press and business customers etc etc ..
We were given free food and drink and treated top notch ..
I made sure I got my name down on a Blue GTA Saloon to test drive .
Wow what a car .
Lucky man Chris - sounds like a great day out!
The Alfa Nut Oh very much so ..
From when I lived in the uk one of my good friends just across the bridge owned a saloon GTA and have ridden co passenger in the car as well ..
I have always respected and liked the GTA’s & other Busso V6’s but I would never own one as fuel coats would be eeeekkkk .
Haha yes, fuel costs are quite EEEk! My 156 2.5 V6 only manages about 20mpg, or 15mpg if I'm having fun! Where do you live now?
The Alfa Nut I live on the Isle Of Man now .
When I lived near Bristol provided I was not working I used to attend a few Events each year .
That was from 2006 - 2011 ..
I always did the Auto Italia events starting at Brooklands for the season & Gaydon to finish ..
Never was able to get in the Bristol show as a car display as it was limited but have attended on foot many times ..
Trips to Swindon Steam Railway museum car parking , Gloucester Docks , Biggleswade , Donnington Park race circuit are all highlights from my years exhibiting as well.
Myself & 7 maybe 8 always as well including during the winter have a catch up & meet at the motorway services on the M4 after crossing the bridge across into wales ..
We would then drive to a local welsh pub for a bit more of a catch up and soft drinks for the drivers with a bite to eat as well before we said our farewell for that trip and headed back to our homes etc.
It would be nice to see a big Alfa meet here on the Isle Of Man but I appreciate ferry costs & accommodation can be pricey ..
As for Alfa Romeo ownerships on the island it is growing ..
I remember say about 10 years ago you could count the amount if cars on the island it was around 10 vehicles ..
Now since the Mito & Guiletta then now Gulia & Stelvio I would say there are say 30 /40 cars ..
Some 156’s & 147’s have met their maker circle of life eh
On a non Alfa theme ..
My dad owns the only running road legal Vauxhall Cavalier on the Isle of Man 😀
Alfa Romeo 4ever 🏁❤️🇮🇹
Thanks for watching! 🇮🇹💪🏼🍀
Hi friends, it is nice to hear the greatest number of Alfisti who call "the Busso V6" that fantastic 3,000, but I also find the nickname "the violin of Arese" very apt.
Please take note that mr Busso was not an engineer but an industrial expert dedicated to engeneering
Also limiting his achievements to just an engine would be a shame too...
I agree - he was a very influential figure and helped to create several iconic Alfas and also the 4 cylinder twin cam (Bialbero or "Nord") Alfa engine of course.
@@databaseserver1 for sure!
He arrived to Alfa from Ferrari and bought a unique, uncompromising sporting character to an already sporty firm dedicated to the bourgeois motorist
Beautiful and Legendary Cars.
Thanks for watching - glad you enjoyed it!
Love the GTA, will keep mines forever. Busso music
Thanks for watching! Which GTA do you own?
@@TheAlfaNut 156, had it for 10years. I love it, got 130k on clock and loads of mods like KW v3, eibach arbs, quaife atb and 330 brembo.
Lovely cars. I have a 1998 2.5 V6 156 with many similar mods. Koni yellows, uprated arb’s, 305 Brembo conversion off a Mito and some (subtle) engine upgrades. Such fun to drive and handles great for FWD.
@@TheAlfaNut totally agree, the handle very well. Our GTA easily outruns our modified Mini Cooper S even on the back roads
Thank you for your video...bellissima.... 147 /156 Gta top...
Thanks for watching Marco!
Fantastic cars. Was desperate for these to come to the states. At least we have the Giulia now.
Hey MW - thanks for watching! Sorry - it seems that the States missed out on a lot of interesting European cars. I think it's short sighted of manufacturers - the USA is a nation of car lovers, so why not offer them ALL the cars available??
Come to munich and we will shoot a video with my Giulietta QV ;)
Glad to see a lot of Alfa Nuts are still out there
Hi Paul, thanks for watching and for the invitation - I have never been to Munich, perhaps I should time it for October?? 🍺🍺🍺
@@TheAlfaNut ya that would be great.
check your insta inbox, mate ;)
Video quality is up there with the Best.
Thanks a lot mate, this one took ages to edit - over a week on and off! Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
I'm the proud owner of a 156 sportwagon, and I love her. She's a 2002 1.8 tspark, and although not the top of the range, she is so comfortable to drive that 5 or 6 hour jouneys are relished, not feared, and she is fast enough for me. The plan is to take her round the nurburgring nordschleife with my nephew who has learning disability, and of course we will film it for him to keep. Great video mate, and I'm glad I found your channel. All the best, Quo
Thanks for watching Quo - take care around the Nordschleife! 😁
Quo - if you want to understand the nurburgring nordschleife - there's a guy in a 105 that's produced a great vid on here - taught me a lot (I used a 25 yo Porsche 944 on my trip) JUST DO IT BEFORE THEY STOP IT!!
Great Video Chris!
It's pleasing to see videos like this being made - certainly adds to the 'mystique' of the GTA which are already very appealing if quite underrated cars. They are a great all round package imo - look good, sound great and go quite well when provoked. Almost impossible to find a better sounding car for the money and can still embarrass plenty of modern cars. Always enjoyable humbling the boy racer's in their Toyota 86's and Golf GTI's who have no idea what a GTA even is :)
I've owned my 147 GTA for around 6 years now and have enjoyed every minute of it. It's been sympathetically modified to help remove some of the 'flaws' like torque and understeer. All the common mods like Bilstein B14 cois, Eibach ARB's and a Q2 along with a couple of induction and exhaust improvements to help it breathe. It's mechanically perfect as well much to my partners dismay ($$$$ :( ). She doesn't know that there may be some parts being shipped to my place in Australia from Alfaholics in the near future heheh.
But I love her dearly (sometimes more than the wife, but don't tell her ;) ). I intend to drive it until I no longer can - and with only 80K Kms on the clock she should still have plenty of life left in her. I hope to see it become a family heirloom and live on for at least another generation.
There's plenty of faster, better handling cars out there but I personally feel very few other cars match the driver engagement, excitement and enjoyment of a GTA. Every time I drive my father's Cayman S I'm excited to climb back in to the GTA as the Porsche feels quite numb by comparison.
Long Live Interesting Alfa Romeo's!
Hi Nick, thanks for watching & taking the time to comment. The difference is character and the Porsche’s I’ve driven were very efficient and fast but by comparison had zero personality!
I’m hoping to feature Dave’s GTA in a solo video before too long & test drive it myself. Should be fun 😁
Another great video Chris.Clarkson spent a wnole feature onTG basically slagging off the 147 GTA,but when asked to make a choice all 3 of them went for it....says enough and thats why we love em (Alfas, I mean,not the other 3 idiots.....well, maybe just a bit!😂😂
Yep, that's exactly the problem with Alfas - love 'em / hate 'em but you keep on buying 'em! :0)
Oh my god these cars are just pure ❤️
Hi Paul, yes indeed - there is nothing else quite like them: an estate car and a hatchback with a fiery 3.0L Italian V6 ? I can’t think of any others!
Thumbs up for the the hearse quip!
Haha thanks for watching mate! 👍🏻
One little tip- while the cars are doing fly-bys , turn the music down and let us hear them.
The video itself is very good indeed! :)
I've got a few videos of the 147 doing flybys unedited ;) , one linked here: czcams.com/video/AKUgH7fVKls/video.html
Thanks for watching Miguel - that's exactly what I did for most of the video! Other people have asked me the same question in the past, so I was quite careful to do it this time. Obviously still not enough though! ;0)
Cheers!
Cheers Nick!
They understand the power behind these V6 busso engines, thats why they have so many of them. The 3.0L is by far the most balanced one of them all, it's just simply amazing!
Hi Daniel - yes I agree, I have 3 Busso cars and two of them are 3.0L. I love them.
If I had to choose between one of the two, I will never answer anything, thanks for my eyes and my ears !
Thanks for watching Christopher! I want both of them too!
Beautiful duo 💙♥️
Thanks for watching Aggie! 👍🏻
156 perfect
Hi Yusuf, thanks for watching! 👍🏻
Great video thank you
Thanks for watching Tony !
I would love to have a 156gta fully kitted with the auto delta face lift 👌 no other car could beat it all round !
Good taste Marcus!
Yes, and now what smart thing to say...
Thank you Chris for this video.
I believe in lot of strange and silly things, one of them is that Alfa Romeo once again will make cars like 33, 75 and this two.
Hi Willy - thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I too hope that Alfa will make sports cars for the people again and not just for the rich!
My Alfa ownership has not featured a Busso engined car so far. It is one of the truly great engines and yes I would polish the intake manifold. I own a BMW M3 e92 V8 so normally aspirated big capacity is the way to go! Might still find time for another Alfa though.
Thats a great version of the M3 Mike - probably the best in fact, (in my opinion.)
Currently own a GT V6 - considering an E92 (one of the 500 run-out ones) as its
replacement.
@@chrisroyle4813 Great car , the later in the production run the better as earlier cars are more prone to faults particularly with the engine. I went DCG but manuals might hold their value better. I wish mine had the stereo upgrade as the standard one is crap!
If you can afford to, I'd suggest keeping the GT Chris, as they are going up in value now! Until I get a Quadrifoglio, I have a Beemer as a daily and if I was buying one with my own money, it would only be the e92 M3.
@@TheAlfaNut very good advice about keeping the Alfa!
What a great video Chris👍 I am mesmerised!
Thanks a lot - I love to see Fathers and Sons sharing things that are important to them. These things are timeless.
I can't agree more Chris! It's great to see the Alfa "passione" running in the family♥️
Great video !!
I am Mike from Taiwan and I have 156 GTA, too.
Busso V6 is best but twin spark is also good I think
anyway thank for your video about alfa we are very enjoy.
Hi Mike - thanks very much for watching. I guess that V6 Alfas are probably quite rare in Taiwan??
@@TheAlfaNut Actually, there are a lot of GTA(maybe 20~30) in Taiwan, and most of the GTAs are from Japan. We also have alfa day every year.
Oh I see - yes, Japan have some very good Alfas with low KM and in great condition. In the UK we have salt on the roads in the Winter and that is not good for Alfas!!
Hi fellow Alfa nuts! I want to give a shout out to Giorgetto Giugiaro the legend! I got the rare facelift 156 2.5 auto in nero with the two tone cream interior. I park this car next to any German car and it holds it own and probably blows them off the road in reliability. In three years all I had was a false alarm on a oxy sensor, my indie mechanic said to change from shell to bp and it's been great. A German car? Book it in once a month and fork out.
Sounds classy - I'll be featuring my 156 V6 in an update vid soon!
I'm not sure which I miss the most. My 156 24v V6 or my 147 JTDM 16v. Not sure why the 156 seemed much better made than the 147, but the Alfa diesel is something I never thought I would enjoy so much. Until some dingbat drove into it last Christmas while it was parked outside my work. I will have to hang onto my 116 GTV6 3.0l as my situation demands I drive an MPV so I need something interesting to drive on the weekends.
Quite right too- don't let the GTV go whatever you do!
Thank you for great video, i have an Alfa 156 2.5l V6 engine, greetings from Guatemala😊
Hi Robertio - thanks for watching, the 156 V6 is a great car - I have one too!
@@TheAlfaNut you inspire me to continue giving love to my alfa,
Just the soundtrack of these wonderful Alfa’s is fine for me,I guess on tv it’s done that way now,that’s why I don’t watch the tv anymore.
I understand Nick - I don't watch tv any more either - it's dreadful! In fact, I toned down the music for this video but as I'm a lifelong musician too, it's hard for me to not use ANY music at all! Maybe I should ask the viewers for their vote. Hope you'll keep on watching anyway. :0)
I honestly wish that the MiTo GTA was actually in production. The MiTo means alot to me, especially mine
Alfa have missed some good opportunities by not developing their small affordable cars like the Mito - it's a shame.
Lot of young people on Mitos. Nice small sport car
Yes - hopefully I will feature one in the near future.
I ask myself if it gained a good success in GB or not.
For sure very far from Mini, 500 and so on.
In Italy it initially took a good general success, then it became a model for Young guys and females
@@studiocalder818 but its performance is better than most minis and pretty much all 500s, plus it's an alfa
That there 156 gta looks the bees knees ☺
Hi Malcolm - the knees did indeed belong to the bees! ;0)
Thanks! Wish I could drive it more often!
I wish I could drive it more often too! 😉
The Alfa Nut car like that shouldn't be locked up. Its a crime 😊
in inghilterra esistono esemplari di 156 crosswagon q4..complimenti per i tuoi video!
Grazie Alessandro, forse Mike potrebbe comprare il tuo Crosswagon? 😉
@@TheAlfaNut ci tengo troppo, vivo in montagna e il q4 è una"bestia"insostituibile(anno 2005) ho avuto anche una bora wv 4motion ma non c'è paragone!...ti chiedevo se in inghilterra ne sono state vendute,a leeds, dove vive mio figlio,non ne ho mai viste(scusa se scrivo in italiano,ma purtroppo non conosco l'inglese!)
@@alessandrocolombera9251 Nessun problema Alessandro - Sto appoggiando l'italiano (lentamente) ma per ora "Mr Google Translate" è mio amico! Non ho mai visto una Bora 4WD nel Regno Unito, ma ovviamente non sto guardando molto alla VW!
@@TheAlfaNut no!no! volevo sapere se si vede qualche crosswagon dove vivi tu(la bora era la mia vecchia auto che ho sostituito con la splendida alfa)
@@alessandrocolombera9251 Va bene, ti sto solo prendendo in giro! No, in realtà non ho visto nemmeno una 156 Crosswagon nel Regno Unito. Devono essere molto rari.
147 almost the same spec as mine same chairs colorwise , mine has the infotainment system beaytiful cars guys
Thanks for watching Vincent - enjoy your GTA!
Thanks i will
don't think i have ever seen cars move so slow whilst making so much noise
Haha, yes well most of the road was a 40mph speed limit sadly!
... and we found out that there was a plain-clothes policeman around!
Indeed, the GTA’s are cars that would be impossible to produce nowadays. Because of emissions, but also because of noise (too loud), the bonnet (does not comply with pedestrian safety rules) and even the wing mirrors (don’t meet size and dimension rules). So enjoy and treasure them!
Yes, I worry that we are headed towards a world filled with electric, self driving cars made of rubber! 😕
@@TheAlfaNut agreed, we will never have great cars like these again, my alfa experience started modern, i had a Giulietta Cloverleaf, but after buying a 12v busso 164 as a project car and driving that, i realized that whilst the Giulietta was a brilliant and beautiful car, it had no real soul in comparison, 18 months down the line, i traded the G in for a trackday spec 147 GTA and have not looked back, its just better in every way, sometimes even on fuel!! but even that as good as it is (and it is really......really good, like an affordable supercar with its noise, power and roadholding!!!!) cannot compete with the charm of my old 164 ❤❤
Yes, there is something strangely human about the older models and its not just because they have faults like we do, its more about the way they endear themselves to you like an old pet dog! Hard to quantify but very real.
Nice video!!!! I love that Sportswagon in red. Can picture myself driving a GTA Sportswagon down the B roads for a summer's weekend in Cornwall. Can't get a GTA here in the US so I stuffed a modified 3.2 in my Alfa Milano (75 for you UK folks). Chuffed to bits.
Haha - well done, that sounds like a recipe for some real fun - RWD Alfa saloon with a 3.2 Busso! Now I'm jealous!
For info: my 156 GTA SW is Miro red, so very rare as well as gorgeous!
@@mikezollo6620 yeah it's a nice color! My mom has a Miro red 156 GTA saloon with sunroof but only 305mm brakes (early model) . The color is quite unique.
I'm still driving a 147. I never gonna sell this car!
A man of good taste - keep up the good work! 👍🏻
I think the 147 GTA and mk2 Ford Focus RS are similar: both feature absolute monsters of an engine with an awesome soundtrack, great power and full of character, very bespoke bodywork and just a general feel of specialness. And the 156 is just the greatest looking sedan ever, not a bad angle on that car.
Hi mate, thanksa for watching! Yes agreed on the Focus and 147. Both hatchbacks with real hooners under the bonnet! I have to agree with you on the 156 too as I own one of those! ;0)
Really good video quality any tips on getting good audio when following the car from behind ?
Hi Marcus, thanks for watching. It's pretty impossible to get good audio with an on-board camera when following another car, unless you mount a Gopro to the back bumper and sync the audio and video later. That's what I tend to do.
Since l'm in the US we don't have the privelege of being tortured by the relatively newer Alfas that you have in the UK draining your bank accounts. My only current one is my Guilia SS. The are no new models that interest me but l am still trying to find the right Montreal. You featured one that had some upgrades done by Alfaholics that looked very tasty. Have you had any first hand dealings with them? I am not one of these guys who puts miles on his car going to shows l drive mine and seeing The Smoking Tire clip of Matt Farra driving one pushed me over the edge. I must have one.
Hi Michael, no I haven't had any first hand dealings with Alfaholics, apart from when I asked them if I could feature them on my channel and they refused as they were "too busy". They have a slight reputation for being difficult to deal with sometimes..... They do a fantastic job however, of that there is no doubt!
The Alfa Nut l have made a few inquiries to them but they must still be very busy. The is a wonderful white Montreal in Dubai. Though not my favorite color for that car it's black leather and low miles make it worth consideration. Now, not being uppity if l owned a business in the UK and a customer was buying a car in the middle east then have it shipped to your shop for mods wouldn't that be an inquiry you might follow up on? I'm sure there is someone over here capable of the same work.
Well I have been in business for 20 years Mike, so yes I would follow up an enquiry like yours but I’ve heard on the grapevine that they are fully committed for the next 18 months. That might explain their attitude! There will certainly be a company in the US who could work on a Monty for you. Have you asked the Petrolicious guy?
Awesome Video Chris. Can't blame them for having 6 Bussos in the family, I feel after owning my first Busso in my GTV, I'm always going to have to own at least one Busso engined car to keep myself sane. Such a lovely sounding, looking and performing masterpiece of engineering that brings so much joy when being driven. Keep up the Videos!
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment Cameron - I couldn't agree more!
Hi Chris. Recently subscribed. Enjoying your video content and humour. I owned a 147. I thought it was the best ergonomically designed car I ve ever driven. Sweet motor. That was years ago. I ve had two Volvos since then. The only two manufacturers I am interested in. Considering the Guiletta. I ve never driven one. Are they good to drive ? Which spec is good to look out for. Probably a three year old car. Cheers and thanks for the entertainment 😀.
Thanks for watching Steve - I had an old Volvo 340 GL once and it was ancient and scabby but super reliable and had the most comfortable (heated) seats of any car I've ever driven! If I was buying a Giulietta, I'd get the petrol cloverleaf model (1750) or if that's too pricey, the JTDM. Good cars.
The Alfa Nut . Hi Cloverleaf would be nice, your right though, too expensive. Guiliia is biz. That’s a lottery win job lol. Cheers
Haha yes, or a very careful personal lease! Good luck with finding a Giulietta 👍🏻
And to think, that somewhere in the old Arese plant, the tooling and machinery to make Busso units is probably still there.They wouldn’t sell the equipment, probably because of the emissions, red tape etc.Shame, we could produce them on the quiet.
Hi Ryan, I don’t think anything automotive remains in the old Arese buildings - most of the huge former plant site has been converted into the largest shopping mall in Italy! The Alfa museum uses some of the old structure but the actual machinery is long gone I believe. Who knows where?
I bet they sell some nice shoes in that place.
You know it! 😉
I think I remember reading that the 147 gta was actually quicker to 100 than the 156. Alfa just said it was the same as the 156 was their flagship. Almost certain I read the 147 did 0-100 in 5.5 when it was tested
Hi Phil, you might be right - the 147 is smaller and must be lighter than the 156 SW?
I would guess it's faster too but depends on a lot of factors.
I recorded a sub 6 second 0-60 with my previous 147 GTA using Torque OBD app and this one is faster.
Of these two cars now (in the video) the 147 is quicker to accelerate as we found on the way home from recording but then mine has more mods...
Great video 😎👍
Cheers for watching mate!
who's the boss? you da boss
Yeah baby!
Awesome car, still one of the best sounding V6's and designed interior seats... Just let down by the Fiat era FWD mandate... Too much power for the front. Tip- Add a LSD to the front in the 147 GTA.
Thanks for watching Spag!
Completely agree re the LSD, comfortably puts the power down with one and a good driver it'll struggle to lose grip.
I'd love to have a go with the bored out 3.7/3.8 and supercharged one, 400+ bhp through those same wheels would be insane!
Αn Englishman speaks for Italian spaghetti...nice cars for the Napoli and the Italian mechanics to service them.
So, I'm guessing that you are not an Alfa fan then George??
@@TheAlfaNut i am,but i have no garage to keep an alfa safe.The Greek mechanics are of medium knowledge,i doubt for their skills.
Hi George - that's a shame. Finding good Alfa mechanics is not easy in the UK either! Most are a long way from me.
Cool
Cheers for watching
Something about an Alfa! Being an Audi owner I guess it's a rare hearing saying so. Do they really break much?
Hi Dwaine - no thats an old myth! Alfas are like any car, if you maintain them properly they are very reliable. The unreliable stories come from people who buy them cheaply, dont maintain them and then break down! 🙄
@@TheAlfaNut yeah that's same with anything, something about them. A lot of cars look simular these days but I will say none like an Alfa. Lovely cars!
Dwaine specifically about the 147 in the vid: it doesn't really break! I've had the odd issues but nothing major, in the last year I've replaced the aircon compressor as the clutch died and that's it really. In the same time I've had to replace probably a dozen bits on my BMW (same age) just to get it to run right, plus removing rust!
Like Chris says it's all about how they are looked after but they are no worse than any other brand
@@MarkofZollo that's pretty good. I'd consider one just I love my diesels lol! Can't fault that! I've had a a3 for near 5 yrs and only now am I starting too service it at 200k but nothing other than the brakes gone wrong either. I will be honest I am looking at bmw 335d with the arrival of twins I need a bigger car
Fair enough, and I like a diesel too, for fuel economy. So the 147 was my daily drive until I moved further away from work, then my mate had bought a cheap E46 320d Touring and I saw how practical, economical and cheap it was so I bought one too. If it hadn't started breaking down in 5.5 months it saved me what it cost + road tax and insurance for the year!
It's been pretty good otherwise TBF, and I spent a month touring Europe in it, 4787 miles, wouldn't want to see the fuel bill for that in the GTA! Was a shame not to have the Alfa at the Nurburgring though, and I longed for driving it when I got home! :D
I got a GT 3.2 and I can clearly say that it's closest sound on CZcams. Please dont ask im an alfisti and I listened all bussos on internet..
Thanks for watching mate, I record the sound of the cars carefully, because for me its one of the biggest attractions!
Belissimo
Cheers for watching Steve!
I love my 156 ts but Selespeed is broken every year.
Selespeed is not so reliable unfortunately 😕
Nice cars ,but please stop the background “Music” if you want my subscription..
Hi Nick, sorry you don't like the music - I find that videos are pretty dull without any - what music would you prefer?
The Alfa Nut put music but not when the engine needs to be heard
mamma miiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Ciao Daniele
I've just been offered a cheap 1998 156 twin spark. It looks fine, but has filling around the bottom of all the wheel arches.
Should I be concerned?
Yes! If it’s cheap enough and has 12 months mot then fine but if not, the floor pan and inner arches are bound to be rusty
@@TheAlfaNut thanks so much.
Can you do the gtv 2.0 from the 80s
I’d love to but have to wait until this lockup is relaxed! 😄
I don’t know if the castings were done in house, do you know Chris?
Hi Ryan - which castings do you mean? The engine?
I can't make up my mind between the 156 gta sedan and 147 gta ,just like the looks of both of tham .Does anyone has any advice ?
Hi Janko - for me the 147 is more fun to drive as it is smaller and cuter! The 156 has 4 doors and is more practical for a family.
I love music too,perhaps I am getting too grumpy,sorry I will still watch.I used to have an Alfasud quadrofilio 1984 model,broke the engine twice,the only good thing today are electronic rev limiter s
A Gold Cloverleaf Alfasud was my first Alfa back in 1990 - lovely car. Also, don't forget that it's a mans right to be grumpy once past a certain age! I exercise mine regularly. ;0)
Don’t overlook the GT 3.2, it’s the same car underneath...
Hi Matt, thanks for watching - I’m hoping to get a drive in a GT 3.2 at some point soon. 👍🏻
Different engine mapping. But essentially the same.
I didn’t see the wives, are their cars Alfa Romeo too?
I think so yes!
My wife loves the Fiat Panda 4x4 she has owned since new in 2005, but she also loves driving our Alfas!
What are the options for Quick Steering rack for 147/156 GTAs?
Sorry - I think the options were only available when the car was ordered. You might find a quick rack from a specialist such as autolusso in the UK?
hi im dave
Hi Dave, hows it going?
What would be the better option?
The 147 is more fun to drive but the 156 is very practical too. Take your pick
Is it possible to buy a ALFA Romeo Spider with a V6 Busso Engine?
Yes, if you mean the 916 Spider. I have one with the 3.2 Busso, seen briefly at the beginning of the video, and so does my other son! Mine was featured in the October edition of Auto Italia.
Hi David - yes it is, there were 2 versions, a 3.0 V6 and a 3.2 V6. Here is my own V6 Spider: czcams.com/video/b477df14Yjo/video.html
@@mikezollo6620 could you show me a picture?
@@legionsk1208 and if you want the older giulia spider (the duetto) you can get them restomodded with the busso fitted but it costs a pretty penny
@@legionsk1208 it's this one :) www.alfaromeopress.co.uk/press/article/restyled-alfa-gtv-and-spider-in-uk
Hey I can't decide between the 156 1.8 or the 2.0 ts can you give me your opinion?
Hi Hugo, thanks for watching. Both are good engines and quite reliable as long as you keep a close eye on the oil levels as Twinnies can use it quickly. I’d always go for the bigger engine as its less stressed and faster of course! 😉
Don't forget Alfa GT 3200cc
One day soon I’ll do a video on the 3.2 Marco don’t worry 👍🏻
BUSSO forever!!! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹💨💨💨
Hi Marcin - yes indeed, mine will be buried with me when I die!
Ciao Alfisti! Chris, this is an awesome channel. So much passion! I’m thinking about buying a 156 2.0 TwinSpark with the Selespeed system in a gorgeous Azzurro Nuvola color. Anyone with experience with the Selespeed? Is it worth it? Saluti!!!
Ciao Nicola! That was my Great Grandfathers name too! He was from a small village near Cassino in southern Italy. Thanks for watching and for your kind words. Good luck with the 156 - the Selespeed works well but of course it has more moving parts and electrics, so make sure it is working properly before you buy the car. It makes a great sound when you change down a gear too! Azzuro Nuvola is a lovely colour - there are not many of those left now. Are you in the UK or Italy? Cheers! 👍🏻
The Alfa Nut I’m in North Italy, in the Padova province! But my parents are from South Italy (Naples and Caserta). I’m glad to have a name that matters to you :) I wish I could visit UK someday, so much passion and superb craftsmanship. Thank you for your advices Chris!
@@nicoladerricomusic Hi Nicola, if you do visit the UK, make sure you come in the Summer! Otherwise, bring an umbrella!
I've always loved the 147, until the vagina-facelift.
The V6 is just as Alfa Romeo as i gets 😀. Love it !!!
Havent had one.
(but have the Busso 😊)
Yeah - why do they keep doing facelifts that ruin the original design??
@@TheAlfaNut when I wrote "havent had one, I meant a 147.
I did have a 156 2.5 Busso.
I still miss that car !!!
To each his own. I had the 147 facelift and thought it was much nicer looking than the original. The highbeams on the Series 1 look a bit odd from an angle. And the grill is a bit non-descript. But that's just my opinion.
Yep - I remember you saying before! ;0)
Greygtv6 - I think the original looks a bit cross-eyed and the facelift looks a bit "squinty" but I still like both of them!
It's la famiglia
Cheers Graziano - I should have known that! I have changed it now, Scusa!
@@TheAlfaNut You are welcome.
@@grazianolaudisio3644 Grazie
Un poeta ... ma la carta èra pregiata ..
Thanks for watching Nikola!
Wow proper cars blinds the boring German stuff
Cheers for watching Andy!