Alfa Romeo 156 GTA | Wolf in sheep's clothing | Future Classics with Becky Evans S2 E6

Alfa Romeo will always be the petrolhead's brand. There's just something about the manufacturer that focuses on heart over practicality. A car that wasn't from its golden era but certainly belongs in it is the 156 GTA.

Pairing those looks with the work of art that is the 3.2-litre V6 Busso engine was always going to be special. Now 22 years old, we take a look at why it is a nailed on future classic.

Have you ever been tempted to purchase a performance Alfa?

#AlfaRomeo #156GTA #Busso #V6 #gwontheroad #futureclassic

[dmy]

After 20 years, I finally own a 156 GTA ❤

[dromedda]

My dad and his friends have always had an alfa or two over the years ever since i was practically born, and i've always been around alfas. When my dad bought his first 156 and came and picked me up from kindergarten, seeing that sleek beautiful red alfa waiting for me litterly broke my brain, sure i had seen and been in the old 1600 gtj, and the gtv6 but the feeling of sitting in the back, in my boosterseat and hearing that busso just sing and the feeling of refined and contained, pure aggresion in that engine was something else. now that im older
i've had a few alfas. the "new" gtv, a gt and a 164 and all of them has that wierd lovely quirkyness, unlike with other cars, where it feels like you're commanding the car to do what you want. Alfas force you to have a conversation, a conversation between man and a machine with a heart

[ca]

I had a 147 GTA in South Africa in 2003...THE most bonkers, suicidal, yet exciting car to drive...around town it was dangerous if you didn`t pay complete and utter attention to what you were doing but on long highway drives between Johannesburg and the Natal South Coast and Johannesburg and the Eastern Cape coast it was one of the most capable cars i`ve ever owned...a true GT car in a hatchback shell...that V6 engine was something else when you opened it up on a very long, straight and quiet stretch of highway...
I actually named the car Mr Hyde...with Mr Jekyll hiding not too far away ready to make an appearance...

[johnphaceas]

My '02 GTA has just gone past 254, 000km, it's my daily driver and I've done 30, 000km in the two years since bought it (ultra ultra cheap, due to mileage and being on interstate plates). Best car I've owned in 35 years of driving. It's also my third V6 156 and 4th Alfa overall (also still have a '81 GTV).

[tomherbert]

Laurence has looked after my Alfa for 5 years, absolutely top man.

[benzinapaul]

Great review Becky, I remember a video when you went to the Alfa Museum and you were a bit underwhelmed, nice to see you are starting to appreciate the brand. I'm a big Alfa fan and a BMW fan, heresy to many people, love my 156 GTA and E34 M5 plus my daily M140i

[CumminsVoortman]

156 one of the best Saloon cars of all time and the GTA is at the top of that tree. Also very reliable once serviced at the correct intervals. Great sound too

[DegreesNorth]

Autolusso Bournmouth - i recognize that shop right away. Its the very best place to take you're alfa. ive traveled 2500 miles to visit them twice now for servicing my GTV 916. Its always worth it, every singel time i go. Laurence and the guys make it worth it. The best in the business by miles - its like being in the shop without being in it. Service is always on point, daily updates and phone calls. The passion that those guys have is second to non.

[Tunnel_Rat]

Alfa Romeo is hands down the best car manufacturer out there!

[jamesmartinwyatt]

Nice review! I bought a 156GTA SW new just as the 159 came out - for a 33% discount! It was badly criticised in the press then, good to see them appreciated now. It grounded out everywhere on the standard shocks, but felt better made than the early 2.5V6 I had previously owned. It did the family car / fun car thing extremely well, and while I missed RWD after a few years racing Caterhams, traction was actually pretty good, much better when I added a Q2 diff, strut brace and upgraded shocks. The lower limits of these cars made enjoying them on the road much more accessible, it was a very fun if dynamically flawed thing. It did shock other (mostly German) marques at times - I think some owners read too much into the poor press reports. Very much like the 987 Boxster S I have as a second car now, it was faster than it felt when revved out, and just like the Boxster the hugely flexible engine meant you could smoothly leave it in any gear pootling about. A great car! My last 3 daily drivers (currently an Alfa - once bitten eh) have all had >500bhp and RWD and been acclaimed in the press, but their limits are so high, on a typical B road I think the GTA put more of a smile on my face. Maybe my expectations are just higher now 🙂

[DanielFrost]

I still remember when my fathers cousin had bought a new car.
I love cars, so i asked if i could se the car.. and he said: "of course you can Daniel".
And added: "But it's only an Alfa"
I thought it was strange, but anyway...
I fell in love with Alfa Romeo that day, i liked them before, now i really loved them. And the paddleshifters were a really cool and neat feature. I loved it.

He sadly passed away in dec 2018.
He bought it in 2016. Sad thing is that the car got sold by his greedy wife just weeks after he passed.
And i don't even have a clue where it went. The only car i enjoyed this much and didnt even drive. (While he owned one)


Ps. I believe it was a Giulia Veloci or something similar.

[aggie]

Another great video Becky..I have a 147 GTA n absolutely love it it’s been the most reliable car I’ve owned I’ve had it 5 years n this is coming from a previous 964, 996 4S and cayman S owner will always stick to Italian now. Keep up the brilliant content ♥️

[TheSeeka]

Currently running my third Alfa, a 3.2 V6 GT. There is nothing quite like the mighty Busso is a automotive legend. 🍀

[eclypsed]

I wish we had more of these in the states, we missed out on alot of great cars.

[henryhol]

Well chosen Becky! Ive had my Alfa Romeo GT (based on a similar platform) for the past 9 years, and am still loving it. What was that? How much have I spent on it? Er next question

[fletchpurewal]

Had the 156 T Spark in silver with red leathers. Even that was an amazing drive.

[TheManmoths]

These videos are brilliant, the whole series with owner features 👌🏻

[FrancoisProjects]

My father bought me Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 TS IN 2004 was in grade 11. Let's just say everyone loved my Alfa. In 2017 Saturday morning timing belt snapped. Due in storage and didn't service it.
Busy with VW 18 t 20v swap. Hoping to get it back on the road by end of 2024.

[seanwilson]

I have owned Alfa since 2009 and a customer of Lawrence's since the early 2010s. Great guy, great garage.

[derMenix]

Thanks for the Video 😀👍Ein 156 GTA war schon immer ein schöner und rassiger Traumwagen für mich❤️‍🔥 Allein der Motor ist eine Skulptur mit famoser Leistung und herrlichem Klang❣️ Aber mir genügt trotzdem seit vielen Jahren mein geliebter "little" 156 1.6 TS ❤️‍🔥 von 1999! Auch wenn dieser vielleicht eher ein Schaf im Wolfspelz ist 😅, geniese ich dennoch mit dem 1.6 kurvenreiche und bergige Touren...😊 Viele Grüße aus Deutschland 👋😃