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R33 Gtr Vs Alfa 147 Gta

azaram

By azaram,
in General Automotive Discussion

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azaram Apprentice

azaram

Posted
Posted

Ok.. not trying to start a fire here.. I've had a R33 GTR for about 4 years now and I'm ready for a new car.

The GTR has been a fun car, but has been a major hassle in recent years living in inner city sydney.. I've had a lot of unwanted attention (eg ppl following), it's a hassle to park (both security-wise and just being a big car in the city with lots of tight spaces), and also my GF won't drive it because it scares her ;-P and it's just a pain to handle over driveways etc being so low (lowered further on Nismo springs).

So I've been looking around at hatches, but I think I still need a fast car.. I've been seriously considering a Peugeot 206 Gti 180, but I'm starting to get greedy again and I'm now thinking about maybe an AlfaRomeo 147 GTA. I drove the 180, threw it around a few corners and it handles OK, but it's definitely not a muscle car. The engine sound is just weak. The GTA is v6 and much more powerful (184kw), so I'm hoping for something a little more exhilerating.

Has anyone here driven both?

I know it's kind of comparing apples and oranges.. it's not a 4wd for one, and it's a hatch. But just looking for opinions on general performance and fun value of the GTA vs the GTR.

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Haysey Grand Master

Haysey

Posted
Posted

nothing will beat a GTR so dont compare ;)

As far as hot hatches go... driven a cooper s? they handle and go like nothing else...

the little renno cleo sports? aparently they are awesome cars

my mate drive the GTA before buying the cooper S and said the gta just couldnt get the power down and wasnt as nice as the mini...

another mate has a SP23... these handle the road like nothing else have a really nice interior (leather pack) but kinda lack some go... still a nice car....

astra turbo... atleast its still blown ;)

sproosy Grand Master

sproosy

Posted
Posted

How about the R32 Golf? I got owned by one a few weeks ago. :D Quick litle car: http://carsguide.news.com.au/news/story_pa...5E27286,00.html

And also here is the ULTIMATE R32 Golf: http://www.streetracersonline.com/articles/hpar32/

At least you can still say you have an R## and people will think its a skyline :D

Kaido_RR Grand Master

Kaido_RR

Posted
Posted

im not a fan of Alfa, for one reason only, my friend works at an Alfa dealer (as a mech) and the amount of Alfa they get in which are f**ked isnt funny, they had to replace a timing belt on one which had only done 5,000km, seems like they have alot of problems

scathing Grand Master

scathing

Posted
Posted

Yeah, the problem with any Alfa is that they've got Italian build quality. As nice as Alfa V6s sound, I don't know how long the car will hang together.

Channeling 184kW through the front wheels isn't my idea of a good time, since corners are my thing and power-down isn't the GTA's.

I'd opt for the Golf GTi, myself. Much better build quality and its still a very nice car. The Renault and Peugeot are both French cars, and those things don't tend to stay together very well either.

merlin6014 Enthusiast

merlin6014

Posted
Posted

Going from a GTR to any sort of small hatchback you are going to be dissapointed with the power.

I would never buy the Alfa as it is FWD and has too much power for this set up.

I think the Renault Clio Sport is the pick of the small cars at the moment, but I do here there is a new version coming to Aus shortly that has a mid-mounted V6 (200kw) AWD, this would be worth it IMO. There is also a new Astra Turbo coming soon.

I don't consider the Skyline a big car having owned a falcon - I was going to say a WRX but remembered you dont want attention so what about a Liberty GT - styling, performance, reliablity, mid sized, should be perfect.

Fly_With_Sky Rising Star

Fly_With_Sky

Posted
Posted

i agree with others on here who suggest the VW Golf Gti DSG. Seems to be a fantastic little car.

If you want something a bit more medium sized, like spooks said a new liberty, or, my personal chioce if i were looking for a new car, an accord euro (i just love em)...

azaram Apprentice

azaram

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Heaps of ppl are recommending the new Golf Gti.. The problem is tho.. If you want one of those you are in a minimum 9 month queue.. that's how long it will take to get one of those.

I would definitely be seriously considering the gti if I didn't have to wait so long for it.. there's been some really good reviews.

Also, the Mini Cooper S - has pretty much zero luggage capacity, so I can rule that one out.. Apart from that I really like the mini..

I've done a bit more research on the Alfa GTA. I downloaded a Top Gear episode where they tested it and absolutely hammered it for having so much power in a FWD and very little technology to control the power... But at the end of the review they all said they'd buy one over the Golf R32 and Ford Focus SRI because it's such a crazy fun car.

Also vs the Gold R32 which a couple of ppl recommended, I think the Alfa has it hands down on styling and just being an interesting and unique car.. The Gti R32 looks a bit boring.. Almost japanese hatch boring. Other than that though it is a fair bit better performance-wise.

I haven't looked into the Series 1 BMW though... might have a look.

So far, I think I'm still erring towards Alfa GTA. It's a bit silly having all that power with little technology, but it would def be fun at the lights and still be a really nice ride.

ph1 Rising Star

ph1

Posted
Posted

having recently gone (6 months) from a 340rwkw r33 gt-r, to a renault sport clio 182 cup, i can understand what you are getting at. i was sick of the hassles of owning a big heavy gt-r and a little hatchback does get appealing. however, i am starting to look at getting back into a gt-r, just trying to decide if a r32 or an r34 is the best option... i just need to decide if the extra costs (insurance, rego, fuel) associated with a gt-r, along with the urge to pour money into it, is something i can justify at the moment

Personally, I'd take the rsc 182 over the gti 180, if possible, drive both on the same day on the same roads and you will see why... they are a much better car. cant comment on the alfa sorry, i found them overpriced for what they are

azaram Apprentice

azaram

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah I know I'll miss the GTR, but it's time for something different.. I wouldn't be surprised if I came back for an r34 gtr in a few years..

Re the Peugeot 180 vs Renault, I know the Renault has been getting better reviews, but I still find that the Pug is heaps nicer, eg interior and styling to still come out on top in my books..

I'm pretty set on the Alfa 147 GTA now though. It's an insane amount of power that the car isn't really equipped to handle well on the track (no awd etc), but in reality that's not where I'm taking it. It'll still beat most cars off the line, has a great sounding v6, still handles better than most, and is a massively stylish italian car.. I haven't really owned a luxury sportscar with all leather etc, so I'm keen to try it on for size for a while. It's been all Nissan for me so far.

Thanks everyone for the tips..

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