Alfa 156 GTA nearly a great car?
15 July 2002, 12:58 PM
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I so want to like this car it hurts! I had a chance to sit in one at the Alfa stand at Goodwood yesterday. Great looks, fabby engine, nice black leather interior with Bose sound system - all great.
However....
I'll forgive the spongy clutch and gear shift that feels like you are stiring porridge, but the one thing that really disappointed me was the foot rest next to clutch. I'm hardly 'Coco the Clown' when it comes to shoe size (taking a size 10), but there was so little space that my foot was actually jammed between the clutch pedal and the footrest (and I was only wearing a normal size trainer) - how can they get something so basic wrong?
Still booked in for a test drive, just to see what it is like, but I suspect it will be slightly frustrating.
Chris
However....
I'll forgive the spongy clutch and gear shift that feels like you are stiring porridge, but the one thing that really disappointed me was the foot rest next to clutch. I'm hardly 'Coco the Clown' when it comes to shoe size (taking a size 10), but there was so little space that my foot was actually jammed between the clutch pedal and the footrest (and I was only wearing a normal size trainer) - how can they get something so basic wrong?
Still booked in for a test drive, just to see what it is like, but I suspect it will be slightly frustrating.
Chris
15 July 2002, 01:23 PM
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250bhp = 4WD or RWD in my book, gorgeous, flexible engine or not.
They have to make compromises to get the power down and steer through the front wheels only. Shame they don't do a 4wd version
When you are on the test drive make sure you try parking it at a supermarket or somewhere (3.5 mile turning circle)
They have to make compromises to get the power down and steer through the front wheels only. Shame they don't do a 4wd version
When you are on the test drive make sure you try parking it at a supermarket or somewhere (3.5 mile turning circle)
16 July 2002, 12:46 PM
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Just drove a LHD car, quite a twitchy handler on the limit but a very characterful car indeed.
The foot rest was big enough to have a picnic on with the wheel on the other side
but heel and toeing was "interesting" due to the accelerator's proximity to the tunnel 
Lovely looker though...
But that rear seat (not much room with a coupla 6 footers in front), FWD, cheapo switch gear and price simply could not compete for my attention when I had my B4 waiting for me
The foot rest was big enough to have a picnic on with the wheel on the other side
but heel and toeing was "interesting" due to the accelerator's proximity to the tunnel Lovely looker though...
But that rear seat (not much room with a coupla 6 footers in front), FWD, cheapo switch gear and price simply could not compete for my attention when I had my B4 waiting for me
16 July 2002, 12:48 PM
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Car in general is being slated for all the comments above and especially a slightly dodgy chassis... as you said "nearly a great car".
To sum it up, wonderful looks and engine and er... bin the rest.
Cheers
To sum it up, wonderful looks and engine and er... bin the rest.
Cheers
16 July 2002, 03:20 PM
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You could always try the 6 speed selespeed, there isn't a clutch and the foot rest is massive. 
Opinion very devided on the GTA with some mags rating it in their top 10 cars of all time and beating the STi and BMW330, other mags calling it pants on UK roads.
I think I'll take the test drive and find out for myself.
Lee
Opinion very devided on the GTA with some mags rating it in their top 10 cars of all time and beating the STi and BMW330, other mags calling it pants on UK roads.
I think I'll take the test drive and find out for myself.
Lee
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