Buying a gtv spider 3.0
Discussion
MrBrightSi said:
Am i a fool? I love the looks of these cars and the sound of the engine is devine. If it was upto me i'd of bought one by now, however having 5000 to spend and wanting a decently reliable convertible, im letting the whole alfa horror stories get to me.
What should i be looking for?
HI - you should find eveything you need on alfaowner (link below), there's a sticky on the GTV/Spider section with a very detailed buyers guide.What should i be looking for?
http://www.alfaowner.com/aohome.php
MrBrightSi said:
Thank you, was hoping an owner of one would pop along as i still respect the opinions of people on here.
Hi. I've got a GTV V6 so a lot of the same things to look out for, my 2p worth would beMust have a full history with a dealer or well known indie. Regular Cambelt change, oil changes are 2 key things.
Only buy one that has been well looked after - someone on here or alfaowner. They tend to be the crazy ones who've spent too much money on them!
If you buy from a dealer, buy from Veloces, Day and Whites or any other specialist. Can be more expensive but worth it for piece of mind.
Budget to spend £1000 immediately after buying.....there's bound to be a few things need doing!
Can't comment on the ride of the spider but as mentioned already scuttle shake is an issue I believe but an owner could advise you better on this. As said alfaowner is you site!
As above ^^^^
I used the alfaowner buyers' guide for my twinnie and got myself a good one.
The rear suspension on a V6 is a bit more robust than a twinspark, but still worth checking for clunking.
Check electrics - windscreen wipers should work on intermittant (they sometimes seize), radio aeriel should be electric (a lot aren't, including mine!) The hood motors are fragile, along with some of the various rods and belts and the chances are that bits will have been repaired or replaced along the way, but a good service history will allow you to look for evidence of this.
Cambelts aren't as fragile as a twinspark - buyers' guide gives best advice.
Uneven tyre wear is common due to the nature of the gucci suspension. It does need to be set up properly.
Best of luck - there are some great cars out there!
I used the alfaowner buyers' guide for my twinnie and got myself a good one.
The rear suspension on a V6 is a bit more robust than a twinspark, but still worth checking for clunking.
Check electrics - windscreen wipers should work on intermittant (they sometimes seize), radio aeriel should be electric (a lot aren't, including mine!) The hood motors are fragile, along with some of the various rods and belts and the chances are that bits will have been repaired or replaced along the way, but a good service history will allow you to look for evidence of this.
Cambelts aren't as fragile as a twinspark - buyers' guide gives best advice.
Uneven tyre wear is common due to the nature of the gucci suspension. It does need to be set up properly.
Best of luck - there are some great cars out there!
Very underrated car in my opinion. Yes they do wobble a bit but what an engine, personally I prefer the styling of the last 3 litres to the beaky 3.2s. Dark Blue with Tan Leather or Dark Grey with Red Leather for me! Also I think they drive better on 16s than 17s which many have been retro fitted with, they are a cruiser not a sports car so shame the boot is so small.
They're only really wobbly in comparison to new, stiffer convertibles. At the time they weren't that bad and considerably better than anything that had its roof chopped off rather than being designed as a soft top in the first place. Admittedly, the heavier V6 lump does make a bit of difference here over the lighter twinspark. As you've said, 16" wheels are better for the car than 17"s, although the gaps in the wheel arches do look quite large in comparison to modern design and taste.
Boot space is more than acceptable when you take the spare wheel out and replace it with a can of tyre weld. Bigger than a saab 9-3 convertible, about the same as an MX5 although a different layout, similar to a Z3, miles and miles bigger than an MR2. More than big enough for you and a bint to disappear off for a dirty weekend with her shoe and make up collection, which is what such cars are all about (imho!) There's also a sizeable locker behind the seats. The secret with convertibles is to use squashy bags and not suitcases.
Colour wise, I prefer them in bolder colours and despise silver cars. The red interior does look very luxurious, but my own preference is rosso red exterior and tan leather interior. Sadly quite rare, which is why I have zoe yellow paint and a black interior.
Boot space is more than acceptable when you take the spare wheel out and replace it with a can of tyre weld. Bigger than a saab 9-3 convertible, about the same as an MX5 although a different layout, similar to a Z3, miles and miles bigger than an MR2. More than big enough for you and a bint to disappear off for a dirty weekend with her shoe and make up collection, which is what such cars are all about (imho!) There's also a sizeable locker behind the seats. The secret with convertibles is to use squashy bags and not suitcases.
Colour wise, I prefer them in bolder colours and despise silver cars. The red interior does look very luxurious, but my own preference is rosso red exterior and tan leather interior. Sadly quite rare, which is why I have zoe yellow paint and a black interior.
crostonian said:
Very underrated car in my opinion. Yes they do wobble a bit but what an engine, personally I prefer the styling of the last 3 litres to the beaky 3.2s. Dark Blue with Tan Leather or Dark Grey with Red Leather for me! Also I think they drive better on 16s than 17s which many have been retro fitted with, they are a cruiser not a sports car so shame the boot is so small.
You'd like mine then 
MrBrightSi, I think you'd have to give one a test drive, I love mine, the engine howls like nothing else, every roundabout is a joy
S10 GTA said:
They suffer from major scuttle shake, and ain't really that good to drive. I still want one tho.
Agree with all the above except the still want one bit! Bought a 3.0 V6 brand new back in 2001 and sold it 2 months later, a truly dreadful car to drive. Saying that though, have always fancied owning a GTV Cup.
Edited by ADParker on Thursday 1st March 10:13
MrBrightSi said:
I'd love a cup as well, however some of the reviews of members on here have scared me. I want a back road blaster, looks like it isnt the one. Unless more is available on this car to sway me.
Try one, you might like it 
How much are you actually really going to be able to enjoy the apparently sublime on the limit poise of a mid engined Boxster?
Just try a GTV V6. Give it a bit of a prod. In my opinion the noise and feel of the thing makes it more than enough of an experience to be really good fun to drive. I've only driven one on 16s with the correct tyre pressures (around 40psi...!) so I can't comment on how larger wheels affect it.
Fine if you're another one of Senna's wealth of PH resident descendants you may want something that is a bit more manly on the limit (read RWD), but just take one for a test drive and see if you find it fun.
Ideally one with an exhaust, the stock one is a 4 muffled middle finger at the human auditory system...
SturdyJ said:
Try one, you might like it
How much are you actually really going to be able to enjoy the apparently sublime on the limit poise of a mid engined Boxster?
Just try a GTV V6. Give it a bit of a prod. In my opinion the noise and feel of the thing makes it more than enough of an experience to be really good fun to drive. I've only driven one on 16s with the correct tyre pressures (around 40psi...!) so I can't comment on how larger wheels affect it.
Fine if you're another one of Senna's wealth of PH resident descendants you may want something that is a bit more manly on the limit (read RWD), but just take one for a test drive and see if you find it fun.
Ideally one with an exhaust, the stock one is a 4 muffled middle finger at the human auditory system...
I agree...for the money there's not alot else out there that comes close. Like any older specialist car just do the research and buy the best you can with eyes open. The GTV V6 I bought isn't mint but interior is spotless , bodywork is OK (nothing a repsray of a couple of bits and good detail can't make 90% better) plus it has adjustable konis and eibach springs that make a difference to the handling (definitely not a Senna descendant...more like one of Noddy's) plus a decent exhaust. Not bad for £3K plus the £1k or so I new I'd have to spend on bits and bobs (TBH more bits and bobs than I thought..)How much are you actually really going to be able to enjoy the apparently sublime on the limit poise of a mid engined Boxster?
Just try a GTV V6. Give it a bit of a prod. In my opinion the noise and feel of the thing makes it more than enough of an experience to be really good fun to drive. I've only driven one on 16s with the correct tyre pressures (around 40psi...!) so I can't comment on how larger wheels affect it.
Fine if you're another one of Senna's wealth of PH resident descendants you may want something that is a bit more manly on the limit (read RWD), but just take one for a test drive and see if you find it fun.
Ideally one with an exhaust, the stock one is a 4 muffled middle finger at the human auditory system...
I looked at this one and its mint, had a complete respray recently and lovely guy selling it who's a real enthusiast. Just a pity it was red! Personally not a fan of the Cup, all that stuff stuck on it ruisn the beautiful lines .
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3637574.htm
Edited by george123 on Friday 2nd March 09:20
I would go for the 2litre spider,it is a well balanced little car.Yes they do odd things, the electrics are a minefield.My spider is my third alfa and the best by far,its an enjoyable drive.Yes they scuttle shake,but they make a lovely noise.Mine makes me grin every time I drive her.Buy on condition and make sure history is full.3.0 is a thirsty beastie too.
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