OK folks, am I crazy or clever? I went to the annual Italian car day here in Perth this morning, just for a look, I swear...
First thing I see is a 2002 GTA 6sp for sale for A$10k. That's about half as much as I would expect to see one selling for here, when you can even find one. So talked to the owner for a bit, had a good look over her, and really couldn't fault it. It has even been serviced and checked over by the same mechanic I take my Alfas to.
So after a couple of hours of rumination, decided to make a conditional offer to buy it - subject to talking to the mechanic about it. Full service history, Q2 diff, 330mm brakes, upgraded exhaust, coilovers, and adjustable sway bars. Timing belt/water pump changed 5,000km and 18 months ago. Clutch feels ok, so hopefully plenty of life in it still.
Negatives - its still on QLD plates (though owner has had it ten years, but kept it on Qld rego), so I'll need to re-register it in WA (ie put it over the pits), it's done over 200,000km (but that's only 10,000k more than my current 156 V6), and the owner admitted he's taken it on a couple of track days - so its no trailer queen and has been driven like it should be. Couple of minor scuff marks on front bumper, and drivers seat, and the centre information pod on the dash is apparently a bit iffy and the LED display only works when its cold.
Also means I'll have to sell my classy and reliable white 156 V6 (don't have room for 3 Alfas at home, and the 116 GTV is my weekend tinker), which is a shame.
So am I crazy or what? Am I walking into a world of pain?
I figured if I didn't jump on it, I would probably forever regret it - like when I didn't move quick enough on a manual 3.0L 75 for $9k five years ago and missed it by a couple of hours. And it should notionally be worth more - especially over time, as there can't have been many GTAs imported to Australia.
Comes with the factory exhaust and suspension if they need to go back on to pass inspection here (not sure why they'd need to - will investigate further though any non factory items could potentially be a problem I suppose). Also any tips on why the info pod might be on the fritz, and suggestions on how to fix (Bazz - any expert opinions?).
Info pod issue is usually caused by loose connector to the unit, down the left side next to the glovebox.
I think you will find it's the other way round, won't work when it's cold (winter) weather but works in warm (summer) conditions.
Cheers Bazz, will have to check it. Just going on what the owner said.
Am slightly nervous at the moment, pending seeing the mechanic about the car tomorrow. I've also never bought a car that is registered interstate before so not 100% sure of the process - probably have to keep it parked up til I can transfer to WA rego. So bit to work through over next couple of days.
Quotenot too many of these come up for sale so waiting on the "perfect" example at the "perfect" price doesn't seem like a great strategy.
Yep, exactly what I figured, given my lesson with the missed 75.
That's quite good price for 156GTA. The cheapest I saw a few months ago was $25000.
Changing rego is simple, really. It's got all the goodies like Q2 and 330 brakes.
I recently bought a 147 GTA for $4000 from Syndey (with towing to QLD). The car had quite a list of things required, including, as it appears to be, adjusting the timing on the rear bank, as it seems off by 1-2 teeth. That being said, I'm happy with the purchase as it was the only affordable way for me to get into 3.2.
cheers folks.
I have since discovered a few more details that may help explain why its so cheap, and rather than air them publicly now, will discuss them with the seller and will then let you know what happens, and whether I proceed.
Update - we've agreed terms, and hopefully it won't prove too hard to get registered in WA. Seller is a really nice bloke.
Basically worked out that it will need a few dollars spent upfront to get it up to muster, so we've negotiated a new price that we are both comfortable with. But the car drives superbly, and despite a "vigourous" history over its 19 yrs of life, it is really straight and feels tight as a button (apart from the droopy headliner...). The pickup (and sound) compared to my original manual V6 and current auto V6 is astonishing.
Will provide further updates once I've handed over some coins and actually take possession.
From what I can gather it is one of only 3 in Perth, of less than 150 GTAs in total imported to Oz from new. Worldwide I think less than 2000 sedans were built, the vast majority of which were LHD. So I really think I would have regretted passing up the opportunity.
Congrats on the car. I didn't make it to the Italian Car Day last weekend - I am sure it was a good one.
Glad to see another 156 GTA in Perth. Mine is black and I do enjoy driving it. Normal issues are one of the ECUs can get fried, as it is in the engine bay. Infotainment unit screen normally goes. You can buy replacement screens and handy if you can solder. Body parts and headlamps are very difficult to obtain now.
Let us know how you go.
Cheers :)
Cheers mate, appreciate the advice. Must be 4 GTAs in perth then.
Got her home tonight, what a machine. I know its dark but had to post a pic nonetheless. Now the real work starts - getting her registered locally.
Sweeeeet!!!
Morning has broken... Car booked for inspection Monday. Will see how we go, but at least things are in motion.
Have to say thanks to the seller - fantastic bloke. Piled the boot up with spares - including the factory exhaust, original springs and sway bars, spare front rotors, and various other bits and bobs.
Will spend the weekend giving it a good clean, and tidy up what I can. But even dirty she's a beast.
Looks like Darth Vadar. Sounds like a Ferrari. Goes like stink.
Hmmm, recon we're gonna need to get the headlights polished up and get a little bling in the engine bay too. 8)
Luckily, both things I can do - hopefully without igniting anything...
I noted too that being an '02 car, the fuel hose connector to the fuel rail is one of the plastic ones (as on my ill fated '01 car) and not the much more robust looking metal connector that is on my '99. Still don't get why Alfa would do that - the metal ones look so much more hardy (and nicer).
Quote from: poohbah on November 18, 2021, 06:41:09 PM
Luckily, both things I can do - hopefully without igniting anything...
Oh for the love of . . . . . (http://orig11.deviantart.net/4a11/f/2010/156/3/0/facepalm_by_rolzor.gif)
If I remember correctly you can't even drive in straight line without bursting into flames! ::)
I have 000 dialed in, ready to send. ;)
;D ;D ;D ;D
That's probably the original Qld owner chose his number plate.
update on progress
Car has been over pits, and as expected it requires a few things to be fixed/corrected before I can get it registered. It is now at the workshop I usually go to.
Things I expected:
- Airbag Light On: I haven't been able to clear the airbag light despite my multiple attempts at cleaning and reconnecting the various connectors etc. Expect I need to replace the airbag control unit.
- Check Engine Light On: I was able to clear it with my OBDII scanner but inevitably, it came back on after about 50km. My generic reader says 02 sensor issue. May not be the exact issue, will see what comes
back from mechanic after proper alfa diagnostics.
- Tyres. I replaced all 4 before I took to inspection as they were as bald as Peter Dutton (I did mention the car hasn't been a garage queen ...)
- Broken rear engine mount - which was an item listed on last service report.
Things I didn't expect:
- Height Load Sensor (for headlights) broken on front LHS and needs to be replaced.
- Brake lines - sometime in the past a prior owner upgraded the bake lines to flexible braided hoses (Goodridge). I need proof they are ADR compliant or will have to replace. Unfortunately I can't find a receipt
and there are no visible markings other than just a brand name (no part number or anything else). Lines also need to be correctly secured and clamped. May just go back to factory brake lines - which would
also address another requirement (see below).
- Clean up stains from old oil leaks and from when PO replaced fuel pump.
- Replace side repeater lenses with standard items (PO fitted slightly smoked clear lenses - another fail here in WA). Already sorted by swapping over the originals from my daily 156 for now. Will get OEM
replacements in due course.
- Correct headlight alignment/direction and clean cloudy lenses - I suspect that may be related to the busted load sensor. Already since cleaned the lenses, now like new (used bugspray, miraculous instant
result, and no subsequent oxidising after three days)
- Modification permit needed for coilovers, brake lines and strut brace. This should not be a problem, you can get 10 modifications on a permit by submitting a form and paying $75. And if I go back to factory
brake lines, won't need to cover brakes.
Pleasant surprises:
- Upgraded sports exhaust passed the volume test, by a whisker... (it did seem even louder when I heard them checking it, so I was nervous).
- Coilovers are not a problem in themselves, subject to completing the modification permit referred to above.
Things to do down the track:
- Fix the headliner
- Get AC fixed.
- Detailing and touch up stone chips on bonnet and skirts.
- Get rims refurbished. No kerb rash, but need repainting and refinishing.
Hopefully you will get it all sorted soon and registered in WA. Cheers :)
WA rules seem draconian to me, from our QLD tuner's heaven (well, comparatively). Coilovers and brake lines are fine, as long as they are factory manufactured for a particular model.
That being said, I'd be interested to buy braided lines, pending the price.
All in all, seems like a good buy if it was under 10 grand. Anything 3.2 V6 seems to have skyrocketed and all the sellers are now asking 20+ thousand, even more for a 156 GTA.
Cheers Warsch. The inspector reckoned a modification permit for the coilovers shouldn't be a problem. The brake lines are a right pain though.
The flipside to WA's rules is that once a car is licensed you don't need to get regular RWCs or when you sell it, as long as the car remains registered. Probably not great from a general road safety perspective, but it does make it easier to keep older vehicles like my GTV alive. Even if it wasn't running, I could keep it licensed indefinitely, which obviously makes it less likely to be abandoned in the back of someone's shed.
Good news is that the car passed the second inspection this arvo, so pending receipt of the confirmatory paperwork from DoT, I should be able to register it early next week. What a huge relief.
Cost to repair the defects identified in the first inspection was just over $2k (half parts, half labour), plus another $1k for tyres, bits and pieces, permits and inspection fees that I've incurred since I got the car.
Luckily neither the ECU nor the airbag control module needed fixing/replacement. A faulty Lambda sensor was behind the engine light (interestingly, that is also what was identified by the $50 Protech code reader I got last week- a positive for anyone looking for an affordable reader that is not totally rubbish), and multiple airbag fault codes were down to a dud connector for the curtain airbag (which I had tried cleaning and reconnecting myself with no luck). Main parts were new engine mount, the lambda sensor, new factory brake lines, HP fuel line, assorted clamps/fixings, and brake fluid.
So all things being equal, after paying rego, transfer and new plates next week, my upfront spend will be around $12.5K to get into a fairly straight (though far from pristine) GTA.
I will then be able to take my time to sort out remaining things like the headliner, AC, detailing, wheel refurb.
I've also got to go back in and check the stereo and ASC button wires - both were working til I pulled the side panel out to get a look at the airbag control module last week. I'm sure its nothing major, though it is a bit annoying.
Hmm, my intention is to drive it daily so it will be an interesting experiment.
My current V6 auto 156 averages about 10L/100km, which involves a daily round trip of about 65km in freeway peak hour traffic.
I pretty much have to sell that one to make room (and satisfy the war office about netting back some cash) - much as I love it, because my alfetta is a keeper.
Of course it may take a while, and having working AC on hand over summer might be handy...
thanks mate, I really do love the white one. Fantastic gentlemen's cruiser. And if I'm honest, a bit kinder to my backside and left leg than the GTA.
Yep me too. No offence to 147 owners I'm not really a hot hatch type of guy. Sedan is more age appropriate too ...probably.
I wish to get a cheap 156 GTA, but alas, I only was able to snatch a 147 GTA. The up side is that it is cheap and run down (cosmetic mostly) enough for me so I don't mind turning it to a race car.
That being said, I find stock 147GTA suspension too soft.
I'm sure it will be a firecracker of a track beast Warsch. Both are emerging classics!
To close things out, I have now successfully transferred the car onto WA registration, so she's good to go. Shame to lose the GTA private plates, but still able to get slimline silver-on-black. And they are less likely to be pinched by a teenage gamer...
Sadly, I'll now be under starters orders to sell my white Series 1 2.5V6 Q-auto.(Pic below)
Having fixed the LHS rear window on the weekend, everything on it is now operating properly. Seems a shame to move it on now...
But for anyone who's interested, I'm starting at $6500ono. Just done 190,000km, religiously serviced at Cileberti Motors in the 5 years I have owned her (and comes with extensive service history from me and her prior owner). She is just a really sweet, reliable, agile, comfortable, stylish daily driver with that lovely Busso heartbeat.
Folks, for those interested, my white 156 is listed for sale at:
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kinross/cars-vans-utes/1999-alfa-romeo-156-v6-24v-4-sp-auto-q-system-4d-sedan/1286363227 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kinross/cars-vans-utes/1999-alfa-romeo-156-v6-24v-4-sp-auto-q-system-4d-sedan/1286363227)
Congrats on the GTA mate. You'll have a ball in it.