Ownership Verified: My 2003 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA

I don't see a problem either, at least not when an owner drives the car. I think that's easy to memorize pretty fast. For someone who just loans the car for a short time, that might cause some thinking, but it's not rocket science.
 
It may be the combination of my slight colour deficiency, but I found I'm looking down for just a moment longer to check my speed than in my previous cars.

About to drive into work instead of taking the train (because I'm late) and will see how it goes wearing my glasses. I usually only wear them to reduce eye strain after sitting at a computer all day.
 
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Excelent buy! Have fun with it:)
 
I've owned the GTA for 10 days now and it's been sitting in the garage for the last 3. Not because something's gone wrong, but because I noticed how massively overdue for a service it is.

It's just under 82,000k right now and the last logged service was done at 64,976k. I've noted when it was last serviced before, but unsure why it took until Saturday to actually register that it needs to be serviced.

Alfa Romeo recommend 20,000k service interviews, but my mechanic says that it's too long and it's one reason why Alfas have a reputation for exploding.

First tank of petrol returned 15.5 l/100 km. The second returned 12.03 l/100km. With a fresh oil change, I think it's possible that I could see lower. On the other, with that engine note, it's unlikely.

One thing that I've had to readjust to in this car is the shorter ratios in the gearbox. 2,000 rpm in top gear is only 80 kph. The 159 will be doing 100 kph at the same rpm. I also tend to leave it in a lower gear than I should for some reason. I've found that I'll be cruising in 5th or even 4th for some reason when I could be using 6th.

On the topic of the shifter itself, I think I've been spoiled by my ownership of brand new Hondas. The shift action in the GTA is far outclassed. There's a bit of slack in the action that I don't like and it doesn't sit home quite as precisely. I think I could remedy some of that with some new gearbox bushings, which I'm investigating.

I have also been playing with my new GoPro, which some people on #gear will know about. I haven't produced any footage that I think is of good enough quality to publish, but I'm still experimenting with camera settings and mounting locations. I have a really long drive out to Buchan this weekend (check out the distance on Google), so I might have some good footage by Sunday.

I'll sign off this update with a gratuitous faux-artsy engine photo.

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Arese engine porn always welcome. As for the shifter, peruse eBay for shortshift kits. I know it sounds chavvy, but it will improve the experience greatly.
 
Arese engine porn always welcome. As for the shifter, peruse eBay for shortshift kits. I know it sounds chavvy, but it will improve the experience greatly.

I agree. They are a massive improvement in shift feel, and are often very easy to install.
 
And after a few minutes of research I concluded that Japan will be your best bet. They seem to be mad for Alfas. eBay is actually very crappy for these items.
 
And after a few minutes of research I concluded that Japan will be your best bet. They seem to be mad for Alfas. eBay is actually very crappy for these items.

Do you have a link?

(I'm in the office and don't want to trawl through sites looking.)
 
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Not really, because the jiggly writing made me panic-close all the tabs and disconnect from the internet. As far as I know 'straya, you do a lot of this trade with Japan, so maybe a car buddy can help or something.
 
Gonna put some Autodelta parts in? :evil::twisted:
 
I would keep modifications to a minimum. Unmolested GTAs (147 and 156) are getting rare and will definitely be collectible in a few years.
 
I would keep modifications to a minimum. Unmolested GTAs (147 and 156) are getting rare and will definitely be collectible in a few years.

What he said. The clutch and diff upgrades are just fine since it needs them to be the car it should've been straight from the fatory, but starting to modify this future classic too much is just bad. Not saying that those are your intentions but just saying. Some cars are great just the way they are and should not be upgraded too much.
But yeah, great car you have there, have fun with it and take good care of it :)
 
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I really don't think the car needs any more power. I may consider an exhaust system change so that the engine is a little more rorty, but I'll pass on any forced induction / intake / displacement modifications.

I've mentioned that the brakes are a weak point and possibly might see an upgrade, but that'll be at least 6 months away. For the cost, it's better to just save for the next car.
 
Long drive accomplished over the weekend. 600+ kms there and back over two days. First point: the 159 is a much nicer cruiser than the GTA. Result of the transmission, cabin noise and gearing ratios. The GTA, however, wasn't at all bad. I never felt I needed to take a break and on the way back, I did close to four hours straight without feeling exhausted.

Fuel economy is better than the 159. Though the instruments indicate 9.0 l/100 kms, it was actually 9.7. This was cruise control pegged to 110 kph in top gear. The engine speed is just shy of 3,000 rpm, though.

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It has bags of torque. In the Honda, I used to drop to third or even second before contemplating overtaking with any hurry. The GTA accomplished the same thing just by matting the throttle in top gear. Yes, it's not quite as fast as the mad Honda I4 wailing at 7,000 rpm but at 3,000 rpm the Busso V6 has a lovely growl and subtle roar.

The fires are pretty bad. And I passed through on a good day. On one section of the road smoke was completely obscuring vision. Visibility was cut down to 50m, maximum. Completely obliterated any vision. And it's not like a thick fog, either where details and outlines filter through. It's a wall of solid grey.

I didn't stop to take images of the bad visibility due to smoke because I passed some CFA engines going bush. I assumed I was somewhat near the front and made expedient use of the horsepower available, once I had cleared the smoke.

This photo is a little way upwind, when I stopped to let the car cool down. That haze coating the horizon is smoke from the fires. The entire region is blanketed in it and the smell is pretty strong. Think roaring log fire, but no matter where you go.

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I don't think I was ever in any real danger, the CFA are pretty good about no-shit warnings and barring access to danger. So, given I was allowed on my merry way, I'll make that assumption.

Even so, I'm awarding the little GTA the ability to make expedient escapes from life-threatening situations.

One more thing, I've been informed that the GTA is an extremely antisocial car. I stayed overnight in a little motel with a courtyard. I was told in the morning that I woke a few people up when I arrived quite late.

I was related the story the following morning. One of my colleagues had brought along his wife who, after being woken, questioned, "What the hell is that?"

My colleague responded, "That's an Alfa Romeo."

That made me smile, a bit.
 
That haze coating the horizon is smoke from the fires.

It's always fun to be a little dyslexic: on the first two tries I thought that said tires :cool:

One more thing, I've been informed that the GTA is an extremely antisocial car. I stayed overnight in a little motel with a courtyard. I was told in the morning that I woke a few people up when I arrived quite late.

I was related the story the following morning. One of my colleagues had brought along his wife who, after being woken, questioned, "What the hell is that?"

My colleague responded, "That's an Alfa Romeo."

That made me smile, a bit.

Ha, love that story! It's like a motorcycle :lol:
 
130i does that as well, apparently, with the performance exhaust. Always good to let people you visit know that you've arrived. :cool:
 
Once I was going to some place where I had to meet with a guy. Called him on the phone to let him know I was ~2km away from the designated meeting point. The guy was already there. The answer I got was "I know you're coming. I can hear you from here".
 
:lol:
 
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