Alfa GT 3.2. Why shouldn't I buy this?!

Alfa GT 3.2. Why shouldn't I buy this?!

Author
Discussion

MattHall91

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

124 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Thanks for the advice.

As with most Alfas, this would definitely be a heart-over-head purchase.

Realistically it would be over £4k with a single train fair to Glasgow (I live in Cheshire) and some decent rubber after purchase.

vx220

2,689 posts

234 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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kapiteinlangzaam said:
If you do get one, save up another 5000 pennies and go begging at the door of Wizard exhausts.

They are epic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdVvQp7PLYU
£50 for an exhaust?

johnnyBv8

2,417 posts

191 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
quotequote all
MattHall91 said:
Thanks for the advice.

As with most Alfas, this would definitely be a heart-over-head purchase.

Realistically it would be over £4k with a single train fair to Glasgow (I live in Cheshire) and some decent rubber after purchase.
Depends - you might negotiate £200 off. It still could be back at your door for under £3500, and with new tyres for about £3800....

vx220

2,689 posts

234 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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kapiteinlangzaam said:
hehe

OK, OK. 50,000 pennies!
Sorry! It does sound amazing, but unsure of how my neightbours will feel if I get a 3am call-out!

Tony Starks

2,104 posts

212 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Slightly off topic, but what V6 is in the 159 as you have me worried now lol

Andy665

3,622 posts

228 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Tony Starks said:
Slightly off topic, but what V6 is in the 159 as you have me worried now lol
159 has the Holden GM based engine

Oilchange

8,462 posts

260 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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It uses the GM 'JTS' unit, not the Busso beauty as far as I know

fezst

234 posts

124 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Been looking at this for a while, that price seems almost too good to be true?

Make sure if you are buying to thoroughly check the car over.

Saying that, I wish I could buy it! Insurance is too much for me at the moment though frown

Martin_Hx

3,955 posts

198 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Great cars but im sure that's too cheap

Chris Type R

8,027 posts

249 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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kapiteinlangzaam said:
159 & Brera use the GM sourced 3.2

GTV uses the 3.0 and then 3.2 Busso

GT uses the 3.2 Busso
There's some busso history in wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_V6_engine - the stock-pile of engines went to "Lancia Thesis, Alfa 166 and Alfa GT models".

Agoogy

7,274 posts

248 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Pretty exterior, GREAT engine, and only getting rarer...
Interior leaves something to be desired IMO...
Will this'un be £500 tax p.a. aswell?

Chris Type R

8,027 posts

249 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
quotequote all
Agoogy said:
Pretty exterior, GREAT engine, and only getting rarer...
Interior leaves something to be desired IMO...
Will this'un be £500 tax p.a. aswell?
I think it's a 285pa car - mines a early 2005 one & I'm in the "cheap" band.

EDIT: Looks like the PDI was done 4/8/05 and the Band K is still active until 23 Mar 2006 - so £285pa.

Edited by Chris Type R on Tuesday 31st March 09:10

TA14

12,722 posts

258 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Andy665 said:
Tony Starks said:
Slightly off topic, but what V6 is in the 159 as you have me worried now lol
159 has the Holden GM based engine
Yes, don't get that GM based, heavily re-worked by Alfa, engine because it's better on emissions, better on mpg, better on bhp...

Chris Type R

8,027 posts

249 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Also, the handbook seems to be missing a stamp for "timing belt replaced March 2013". Maybe there's an invoice to validate this.

Pat H

8,056 posts

256 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Well, it's a crap colour and the interior is as dull as ditchwater.

And the front splitter is hanging off.

And the naff tyres don't inspire confidence that it has been loved.

But if that mileage is correct and it isn't bent, then it is a lot of car for the money.

Everyone ought to own an Alfa V6 at some time. The nicest engine of any car that I have ever owned or driven.

And whilst the 3.2 V6 motor is a peach, the 2.5 V6 in the 156 revs better and sounds even nicer. And you can buy an absolutely mint 156 2.5 for a lot less.

I've had this 2.5 Veloce under a sheet in my Mum's garage for the last two years. 60,000 miles, split mint and book price of less than a grand. It just isn't worth selling.














Chris Type R

8,027 posts

249 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Also, if you do go for the GT - I'd recommend a new differential. http://www.autolusso.co.uk/quaife.html

Warnie

1,135 posts

199 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Brought one of these 6 weeks ago, same mileage but for 4k. I've already owned the 2.5v6 156, but the 3.2 is on a different level completely. It feels far quicker than the figures suggest, and they really get going above 5000rpm but by then your at licence losing speeds so it's rare you get to use it. Low down torque is slightly better than the gta Alfa's but you lose around 7bhp from the top end.

It's basically a 156gta underneath with the 147 interior but with a few nice touches and with better materials used.The seats are amazing, easily the best I have sat in and it feels and looks far better in real life than in pictures. In fact the interior was putting me off slightly until I'd sat in it, now I love it.

Cost wise it can be epic, in a bad way. But because they get under your skin so much you will constantly make excuses for it and keep paying out. Mine cost me £650 straight away for an oil and coolant leak. Then the thermostat - easy diy job. Next is the clutch which is heavy, a job which on other cars I would leave, but with alfas you want them to be perfect.

Make sure it has a q2 diff as well, if not budget £550 and get one. Not only will it save you money but it's the best mod you'll ever make.

Tony Starks

2,104 posts

212 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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TA14 said:
Andy665 said:
Tony Starks said:
Slightly off topic, but what V6 is in the 159 as you have me worried now lol
159 has the Holden GM based engine
Yes, don't get that GM based, heavily re-worked by Alfa, engine because it's better on emissions, better on mpg, better on bhp...
So still a good V6 to go for and capable of a decent noise?

My V6 Audi Coupe used to sound nice, then we got a V6 Commodore and it needed several $K to get a half decent noise from it and now I have my mind set on a 159 I'm hoping for a decent exhaust noise again and to say I've owned an Alfa.

MattHall91

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

124 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
quotequote all
Warnie said:
Brought one of these 6 weeks ago, same mileage but for 4k. I've already owned the 2.5v6 156, but the 3.2 is on a different level completely. It feels far quicker than the figures suggest, and they really get going above 5000rpm but by then your at licence losing speeds so it's rare you get to use it. Low down torque is slightly better than the gta Alfa's but you lose around 7bhp from the top end.

It's basically a 156gta underneath with the 147 interior but with a few nice touches and with better materials used.The seats are amazing, easily the best I have sat in and it feels and looks far better in real life than in pictures. In fact the interior was putting me off slightly until I'd sat in it, now I love it.

Cost wise it can be epic, in a bad way. But because they get under your skin so much you will constantly make excuses for it and keep paying out. Mine cost me £650 straight away for an oil and coolant leak. Then the thermostat - easy diy job. Next is the clutch which is heavy, a job which on other cars I would leave, but with alfas you want them to be perfect.

Make sure it has a q2 diff as well, if not budget £550 and get one. Not only will it save you money but it's the best mod you'll ever make.
Great to hear from an owner and also a previous owner of the 2.5. Thanks!

As I first said it is resting on a job change next month, but if it happens then I'll be going Alfa V6 without a doubt. Look out for a new thread in Readers Cars soon (I hope!)

C.A.R.

3,967 posts

188 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
Get a GTV, far prettier.
Agree with this bloke, whilst the GT looks lovely it also seems a bit bloated and slab-sided. The GTV was a handsome little car (although not to all tastes).

But for that money...I can't imagine you'll find anything nicer.