Buying a car from a friend sounds easy, until you remember everything you know about it. One British car fan just bought his mate’s Alfa Romeo 156 GTA after it spent two years locked in storage, and he knew it would need work.
The man behind @taylormadecarsofficial gave himself 48 hours to fix its problems and get it back on the road. First, though, he wanted an expert to tell him what he had bought.
An Alfa Romeo 156 GTA With A Long Story
He already knew the car well. Before the sale, he and his friend Alex had fixed it up together, adding a new ECU, new suspension arms and coilovers, new brakes and new intake pipes.
Even so, the sedan had a list of faults. The seats were worn, the stereo didn’t work, and both the engine and airbag warning lights were on. In addition, the old tires rubbed the wheel arches.
So, before driving it home, he fitted a new set of tires and a new battery. He also shows off the car’s 3.2-liter V6, which he calls the reason these cars are so special.
A Specialist Puts A Price On The Problems
Next, he drove the GTA to an Italian car specialist for a full inspection. On the lift, they found a small oil leak, some rusty chassis braces and a loose towing eye at the back. The specialist also warned that missing heat shields on these cars can lead to fires.
However, the car was solid for its age. A scan showed bad connections at both airbag plugs under the seats, while the engine computer would not connect at all.
Then the specialist added up the worst case. “Total, you’re probably looking at 2,800,” he says, in British pounds. He also says the 72,000-mile UK car is in good shape, and he tells the new owner, “You’ve got a bargain.”
Forty-Eight Hours Of Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Work
Back at the unit, he gave the car a deep clean and pulled out the seats. Then he wire-brushed and treated the underside, painted the chassis braces and changed the oil, which ended up all over his shoes.
He also painted parts of the engine bay. Meanwhile, a leather specialist re-dyed the worn seats and the steering wheel instead of replacing them, which saved money.
Finally, he fitted a new Bluetooth stereo, a private plate and a cheap cup holder. Then he took it for a drive in the rain.
“So there we have it. 48 hours and this car has had a nice little transformation,” he says.
What To Check Before Buying A Car That Sat For Years
His weekend offers some simple advice for anyone buying a car that has been parked for a long time:
- Replace old tires before driving it far, even if they still hold air.
- Get a specialist to inspect it on a lift. They know where that model hides its problems.
- Ask for a worst-case price list, then decide what must be fixed now and what can wait.
- Treat light rust early. Cleaning and sealing the underside now can save bigger repairs later.
Where Things Stand
The Alfa now drives well and looks far better inside. Still, the job is not finished. He has booked the loose towing eye in for welding, and the engine light still needs more diagnosis.
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