144k miles Alfa GTV v6
Discussion
After 8 years and nearly 80 thousand miles I've got around to writing up a readers thread.
I think the recent purchase of a Guilietta 170 MA has got me using the Gtv for more enjoyable journeys rather than a daily commuter hence felt like sharing.
Rewind 8 years.....
Bought the car standard from an owner who had it from new and seeing the folder of documents seemed to love it.
During the test drive he encouraged me to go through the rev range which showed no flat spots, he had just replaced the air flow sensor so was confident and knew how to secure a sale.
First time I had driven such a powerful car so wasn't brave enough to hit the rev limiter. The feeling and noise was enough, Exclaimed I'd take it.
Took a more car experienced (Italian) relative as my sister advised I should have a less excited person of reason. Haha. He loved it and said I have to buy it and he wants to drive it.
The drive south from Cambridge, I was like a kid who just got given Optimus Prime, massive grin. My young nephew looked more composed than me as I let the v6 roar whenever I thought it was safe.
Getting home i kept looking out the window, couldn't believe it was mine. My Sports car owning dream.
First photo was of the beautiful Busso 3.0. Which made it to a poster print and screen saver a year or two later.
Took it for a service not long after as getting a gentle knocking from the suspension.
Found out the radiator had some quite bad corrosion so switched it out for a new one. Along with some new front tyres that was it.
Plan to update with more of what I did with the gtv and less emotion
It ventured off the public roads a fair few times...
I think the recent purchase of a Guilietta 170 MA has got me using the Gtv for more enjoyable journeys rather than a daily commuter hence felt like sharing.
Rewind 8 years.....
Bought the car standard from an owner who had it from new and seeing the folder of documents seemed to love it.
During the test drive he encouraged me to go through the rev range which showed no flat spots, he had just replaced the air flow sensor so was confident and knew how to secure a sale.
First time I had driven such a powerful car so wasn't brave enough to hit the rev limiter. The feeling and noise was enough, Exclaimed I'd take it.
Took a more car experienced (Italian) relative as my sister advised I should have a less excited person of reason. Haha. He loved it and said I have to buy it and he wants to drive it.
The drive south from Cambridge, I was like a kid who just got given Optimus Prime, massive grin. My young nephew looked more composed than me as I let the v6 roar whenever I thought it was safe.
Getting home i kept looking out the window, couldn't believe it was mine. My Sports car owning dream.
First photo was of the beautiful Busso 3.0. Which made it to a poster print and screen saver a year or two later.
Took it for a service not long after as getting a gentle knocking from the suspension.
Found out the radiator had some quite bad corrosion so switched it out for a new one. Along with some new front tyres that was it.
Plan to update with more of what I did with the gtv and less emotion
It ventured off the public roads a fair few times...
Edited by V6todayEVmanana on Monday 29th August 18:31
Awesome car! massively jealous of you for pulling through and getting it back then!
I was on the verge of getting a GTV about 8 years back as well, i backed out because the one i saw had a sunroof, which meant i was about 1 inch to tall to fit properly.... and i then just bottled it and never dared go back for another...
Definitely a "if i have the money for a big boy toy" car for me, with two kids to move about and some amount of DIYing in the future, it just isnt practical enough to do as a daily for me
I was on the verge of getting a GTV about 8 years back as well, i backed out because the one i saw had a sunroof, which meant i was about 1 inch to tall to fit properly.... and i then just bottled it and never dared go back for another...
Definitely a "if i have the money for a big boy toy" car for me, with two kids to move about and some amount of DIYing in the future, it just isnt practical enough to do as a daily for me
Was lusting over a few cars back then, all of which become very popular and upped in price. S2000 and Elise being 2 I remember.
I know many wouldn't call it practical but I thought the Gtv was more so over those as the back seats did come in useful even if no foot space behind the 5'10 driver.
Rewind 7 years....
Alfa's first MOT with me, actually first time i I had to MOT a car. Checked the fluids and gave it a wash (been doing that often on sunny Sundays). Tense time at council mot station
....FAIL
Oh no, what could be wrong!
Washer jets weren't spraying any water, tested the day before and bottle was full.
Popped the bonnet and whilst the tester sprayed I saw water being ejected into the engine area.
Took the car home to investigate. The little plastic valve that split the water between the two washer jets had perished.
Trip to halfords and less than £1 later the Alfa was ready for a retest the next day and received permission to be driven another year.
Celebration time. Didn't like the Pirelli P6000's as didn't grip well. Got 2 new Falken 452's on the front and booked a track day at Brands hatch.
Had been a fan of racing games and karting but never been on track before. Been tempted by an experience day but felt I wanted more than 20minutes.
So with a new radiator and tyres I took the standard set up v6 for its first track day. Not knowing I'd be addicted...
No video footage this time just excitement and nerves.
It was a novice day, got chatting to a couple of guys with a track prepared Pug 306 with standard power.
They came across me on track and whizzed by. I was very cautious but pushed a bit harder each lap.
It must have been 20 laps and I was loving it, had realised I had nothing to fear from the car it could grip and handle much more than I could currently push it.
At lunch the guys in the 306 said I was going well and they couldn't catch up anymore.
Made sure i let the car have its cool down laps and didn't stay out for more than 15mins in a go.
So no issues and nothing more to report this time except how much fun it was.
I though the gtv was a great car already but after this I was loving it. The addiction started...
I know many wouldn't call it practical but I thought the Gtv was more so over those as the back seats did come in useful even if no foot space behind the 5'10 driver.
Rewind 7 years....
Alfa's first MOT with me, actually first time i I had to MOT a car. Checked the fluids and gave it a wash (been doing that often on sunny Sundays). Tense time at council mot station
....FAIL
Oh no, what could be wrong!
Washer jets weren't spraying any water, tested the day before and bottle was full.
Popped the bonnet and whilst the tester sprayed I saw water being ejected into the engine area.
Took the car home to investigate. The little plastic valve that split the water between the two washer jets had perished.
Trip to halfords and less than £1 later the Alfa was ready for a retest the next day and received permission to be driven another year.
Celebration time. Didn't like the Pirelli P6000's as didn't grip well. Got 2 new Falken 452's on the front and booked a track day at Brands hatch.
Had been a fan of racing games and karting but never been on track before. Been tempted by an experience day but felt I wanted more than 20minutes.
So with a new radiator and tyres I took the standard set up v6 for its first track day. Not knowing I'd be addicted...
No video footage this time just excitement and nerves.
It was a novice day, got chatting to a couple of guys with a track prepared Pug 306 with standard power.
They came across me on track and whizzed by. I was very cautious but pushed a bit harder each lap.
It must have been 20 laps and I was loving it, had realised I had nothing to fear from the car it could grip and handle much more than I could currently push it.
At lunch the guys in the 306 said I was going well and they couldn't catch up anymore.
Made sure i let the car have its cool down laps and didn't stay out for more than 15mins in a go.
So no issues and nothing more to report this time except how much fun it was.
I though the gtv was a great car already but after this I was loving it. The addiction started...
These sound great with one of these exhausts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5wpxHDIaOg
Chap who works/worked at Autolusso creates these 'Wizard' exhausts - they sound fantastic!
Chap who works/worked at Autolusso creates these 'Wizard' exhausts - they sound fantastic!
Still have the Gtv, enjoying the drives but haven't been so good at contributing to my Readers car thread.
So rewinding back to
The Gtv was my everyday car, commuted to work, trackdays and social trips.
Been over a year in my possession, I had done due diligence when buying and ensured the cambelt had been done.
Unfortunately on parking at work I noticed a slight tapping sound, called a local Alfa specialist and was told I could bring it in that evening for them to look at it.
Glad I did and didn't drive home as it was diagnosed as being out of sync and the valves were starting to tap the pistons. Seemed the previous cambelt changed was done but a pulley being put in the wrong way around, to the naked eye the part looks the same on both sides but one side caused undesired friction.
So a new cambelt service required but fortunately the valves and heads were okay.
74520 miles
Whilst I was spending money I decided on getting the rear suspension polybushed with the Powerflex kit. The rose bushes that provide a bit of rear steering are nice but would require regular spending so thought the initial cost of the Powerflex kit and labour would be worth it.
The car felt tight and I think made allowed the back to slide a bit more. Overall I was pleased and they are still on the car 11 years later.
So rewinding back to
2009
The Gtv was my everyday car, commuted to work, trackdays and social trips.
Been over a year in my possession, I had done due diligence when buying and ensured the cambelt had been done.
Unfortunately on parking at work I noticed a slight tapping sound, called a local Alfa specialist and was told I could bring it in that evening for them to look at it.
Glad I did and didn't drive home as it was diagnosed as being out of sync and the valves were starting to tap the pistons. Seemed the previous cambelt changed was done but a pulley being put in the wrong way around, to the naked eye the part looks the same on both sides but one side caused undesired friction.
So a new cambelt service required but fortunately the valves and heads were okay.
74520 miles
Whilst I was spending money I decided on getting the rear suspension polybushed with the Powerflex kit. The rose bushes that provide a bit of rear steering are nice but would require regular spending so thought the initial cost of the Powerflex kit and labour would be worth it.
The car felt tight and I think made allowed the back to slide a bit more. Overall I was pleased and they are still on the car 11 years later.
Edited by V6todayEVmanana on Thursday 5th November 16:22
Didn't have any photos of the earlier work done but got a couple of the next trip to the garage, unfortunately the lead up to it was quite stressful.
Rewind to ...
Added just less that 20k miles and not quite 2 years of ownership. Was loving the Gtv, especially the engine.
My knowledge of cars had been growing and had some interesting conversations with people, made acquaintances that I probably wouldn't have previously with this common ground (of cars).
Recall a couple of chats at the petrol station where drivers comment on our nice the car sounded. I was a regular at the petrol station
Back then I did enjoy the power more and were opportunities on the way to work to have some fun. One time a gentleman in his Jaguar XK who looked like he and his wife were 70+ surprised me as he also gunned it between traffic lights, at the second set he had such joy on his face and gave me the thumbs up whilst his wife looked straight ahead expressionless.
Another time a guy pulled up next to me, exclaiming I should wind down my window, only to tell me he's looking to buy at Gtv too
There was another story that involved an Audi estate with a car seat in the back that later the driver told me it was an RS6, I thought I'd but my car in the wrong gear. When I got to work I looked it up and all was clear.
(interesting what I can remember about driving 10 years ago)
The car enthusiasts at work were always keen to hear about the Alfa and talk about their cars. Most of them were BMW owners and had to put up with some jokes on Alfa reliability. Although so far they had more war stories than I did.
Until.... One morning the car went into limp mode, I wasn't far from home, after turning it off and on again (works with computers) I was able to drive home and got the train to work.
Booking it in with a local specialist the diagnosis was headgasket failure!
The coolant was flushed and I drove it home...what followed was a long period of deliberation and talking about my problem with whoever wanted to listen.
I had to decide to spend a few £k to get it fixed or count my loses and move on.
My friends, colleagues (even the BMW owners) saw my pain over a "car" and offered advice and surprisingly few Alfa jokes. I recall my girlfriend of the time being quite sympathetic. It was clear I had bonded with the Gtv and it was no easy to let it go.
I booked a test drive at a local garage that was doing a scrappage scheme, as the car drove it was eligible. I left early in the morning so could test drive whilst it was quiet.
Although this meant the roads were enjoyable and on arriving their with the Gtv I had already decided I couldn't give up on it. Didn't test drive anything and went home to call a well known Alfa specialist in Bedford.
A trailer came to pick up the Gtv and off it went.
The garage owner sent me a couple of photos whilst the work went on.
Open heart surgery
83000miles
It was mentioned the clutch might not have much life in it so that was going to be done at the same time.
I thought I'd try to make best of the situation and went with the GTA fly wheel clutch kit.
I was then offered a Q2 for just the cost of the part seeing as everything was out anyway. How could I refuse.
£2587 but it was worth it and the Q2 differ proved later to be immense for tight corners.
Rewind to ...
2010
Added just less that 20k miles and not quite 2 years of ownership. Was loving the Gtv, especially the engine.
My knowledge of cars had been growing and had some interesting conversations with people, made acquaintances that I probably wouldn't have previously with this common ground (of cars).
Recall a couple of chats at the petrol station where drivers comment on our nice the car sounded. I was a regular at the petrol station
Back then I did enjoy the power more and were opportunities on the way to work to have some fun. One time a gentleman in his Jaguar XK who looked like he and his wife were 70+ surprised me as he also gunned it between traffic lights, at the second set he had such joy on his face and gave me the thumbs up whilst his wife looked straight ahead expressionless.
Another time a guy pulled up next to me, exclaiming I should wind down my window, only to tell me he's looking to buy at Gtv too
There was another story that involved an Audi estate with a car seat in the back that later the driver told me it was an RS6, I thought I'd but my car in the wrong gear. When I got to work I looked it up and all was clear.
(interesting what I can remember about driving 10 years ago)
The car enthusiasts at work were always keen to hear about the Alfa and talk about their cars. Most of them were BMW owners and had to put up with some jokes on Alfa reliability. Although so far they had more war stories than I did.
Until.... One morning the car went into limp mode, I wasn't far from home, after turning it off and on again (works with computers) I was able to drive home and got the train to work.
Booking it in with a local specialist the diagnosis was headgasket failure!
The coolant was flushed and I drove it home...what followed was a long period of deliberation and talking about my problem with whoever wanted to listen.
I had to decide to spend a few £k to get it fixed or count my loses and move on.
My friends, colleagues (even the BMW owners) saw my pain over a "car" and offered advice and surprisingly few Alfa jokes. I recall my girlfriend of the time being quite sympathetic. It was clear I had bonded with the Gtv and it was no easy to let it go.
I booked a test drive at a local garage that was doing a scrappage scheme, as the car drove it was eligible. I left early in the morning so could test drive whilst it was quiet.
Although this meant the roads were enjoyable and on arriving their with the Gtv I had already decided I couldn't give up on it. Didn't test drive anything and went home to call a well known Alfa specialist in Bedford.
A trailer came to pick up the Gtv and off it went.
The garage owner sent me a couple of photos whilst the work went on.
Open heart surgery
83000miles
It was mentioned the clutch might not have much life in it so that was going to be done at the same time.
I thought I'd try to make best of the situation and went with the GTA fly wheel clutch kit.
I was then offered a Q2 for just the cost of the part seeing as everything was out anyway. How could I refuse.
£2587 but it was worth it and the Q2 differ proved later to be immense for tight corners.
Edited by V6todayEVmanana on Thursday 5th November 17:40
With the new engine in and a bargain offer from the Alfa Cloverleaf club to visit Goodwood '11 and drive around the track it was time to have some fun again.
It was a fun day Alfa put on, time trials with Mito's around a made up circuit, competing against fellow Alfisti, an open pitlane track day around the Goodwood circuit which was scary due to the speeds that can be achieved, new found respect for the Goodwood race drivers of old.
We were driven to the main festival and had VIP access to the Alfa tent, Cloverleaf coffees, Alfa branded wine bottles!! and lot's of pretty "staff".
Was a great day seeing all the cars and watching the hill climbs and car convoys.
It was a fun day Alfa put on, time trials with Mito's around a made up circuit, competing against fellow Alfisti, an open pitlane track day around the Goodwood circuit which was scary due to the speeds that can be achieved, new found respect for the Goodwood race drivers of old.
We were driven to the main festival and had VIP access to the Alfa tent, Cloverleaf coffees, Alfa branded wine bottles!! and lot's of pretty "staff".
Was a great day seeing all the cars and watching the hill climbs and car convoys.
With 107320 miles under it's belt and having fun at track days I thought it time to refresh (replace) the suspension.
The back had already been Polybushed at 74520 miles (2 years earlier) so it's was time for the front. Although I did get the new springs all round.
Went with Koni-SRT which were closer to (new) stock then the stiff more track orientated versions. This was still be daily commute and everything car so couldn't afford to go track focused.
New suspension was great for the roads, dealing better with poor tarmac and speed bumps (no bounce), on track I'm not sure, the Alfa has always been a roller but only felt like I lost out on tight chicanes.
The back had already been Polybushed at 74520 miles (2 years earlier) so it's was time for the front. Although I did get the new springs all round.
Went with Koni-SRT which were closer to (new) stock then the stiff more track orientated versions. This was still be daily commute and everything car so couldn't afford to go track focused.
New suspension was great for the roads, dealing better with poor tarmac and speed bumps (no bounce), on track I'm not sure, the Alfa has always been a roller but only felt like I lost out on tight chicanes.
Lotusgone said:
Looks good - though how does the 144k line up with the 107k quoted? (unless the 107k is what you've put on it)
Mine. 104k miles in total, just not using it enough.
144,000miles was what it had when I started the Readers Thread but with the intention of going back in time and starting the story from when I got the car in 2008 at 66k miles.Mine. 104k miles in total, just not using it enough.
I've not done many miles in my Gtv especially after redundancy in Feb 2020 put an end to my 98mile daily commute which the Gtv was fun to take sometimes. Spoiler alert, it's at 160k miles now.
I really appreciate and enjoy the drive now as don't think of fuel and it's experience going to the super market
Haven't updated in a while so to summarise the last year
Playing cat and mouse around Brands Hatch with a Cooper S resulted in gravel rash taking out fog lights and one of the head lights after the mouse spun off into the gravel, I moved aside to give him space incase he could make it back on track but couldn't avoid the hail of gravel. I probably ended worse off than the car in the gravel.
Managed to get a used replacement headlight and roughly repair the fog lights until I can source replacements.
Track day was good fun although just an evening and some red flags reduced the time on track, near the end the car stuttered and the engine warning light came on but got home safe.
The following weekend the little lady was keen to visit a Nation trust garden I suggested we take the Gtv as I wanted to see if driving for a bit would clear the fault code/engine light.
Silly me, drove about a mile and I lost power, on saying "somethings wrong" my passenger pressed the hazard lights button in a flash (still makes me smile) and I pulled over as close to the verge as possible.
Phoned AutoAid who sent someone to check it out, whilst waiting a couple pulled over to ask if I needed any help, along with an older couple in a van, finally even the police stopped behind me and one chatted to me about his car and the mods he made.
Recovery guy arrived and checked the fuel supply to the end, it was a dribble, had to wait a bit longer for a recovery truck and the Alfa was taken to my local specialist for a replacement fuel pump. Not bad for 160k miles and numerous track days.
First time I needed recovery and embarrassingly close to home in a quite noticeable car
Playing cat and mouse around Brands Hatch with a Cooper S resulted in gravel rash taking out fog lights and one of the head lights after the mouse spun off into the gravel, I moved aside to give him space incase he could make it back on track but couldn't avoid the hail of gravel. I probably ended worse off than the car in the gravel.
Managed to get a used replacement headlight and roughly repair the fog lights until I can source replacements.
Track day was good fun although just an evening and some red flags reduced the time on track, near the end the car stuttered and the engine warning light came on but got home safe.
The following weekend the little lady was keen to visit a Nation trust garden I suggested we take the Gtv as I wanted to see if driving for a bit would clear the fault code/engine light.
Silly me, drove about a mile and I lost power, on saying "somethings wrong" my passenger pressed the hazard lights button in a flash (still makes me smile) and I pulled over as close to the verge as possible.
Phoned AutoAid who sent someone to check it out, whilst waiting a couple pulled over to ask if I needed any help, along with an older couple in a van, finally even the police stopped behind me and one chatted to me about his car and the mods he made.
Recovery guy arrived and checked the fuel supply to the end, it was a dribble, had to wait a bit longer for a recovery truck and the Alfa was taken to my local specialist for a replacement fuel pump. Not bad for 160k miles and numerous track days.
First time I needed recovery and embarrassingly close to home in a quite noticeable car
Not too much has happened with the gtv the last year, not clocking up many miles these days but still a blast for a drive in local(ish) areas.
This weekend it got a clean and maybe some more bhp from quick release batter terminals
Only got the positive on as the negative had a solid crimp I still need to get off.
Inspiration for the change, crack in the 25 year old connector
This weekend it got a clean and maybe some more bhp
from quick release batter terminalsOnly got the positive on as the negative had a solid crimp I still need to get off.
Inspiration for the change, crack in the 25 year old connector
thomasrs50 said:
Some great stories and nice to see a car being in owned by the same person for quite some time.
I'm 'restoring' a GTV Cup (twinspark - LHD). Slowly, but getting there.
A Cup with a TwinSpark, now that’s rare, although in the rest of Europe some special setups were done to get around taxes, like a 2.0 v6 with a turbo (I think!! Probably due to taxing on displacement)I'm 'restoring' a GTV Cup (twinspark - LHD). Slowly, but getting there.
JohnBRG said:
Do like the telidials, had a set but did a deal with my Alfa specialist, became quite valuable/rare after that so sometimes think a set in gold could compliment my Proteo red.Nice to hear of fellow Gtv owners, I know there’s a couple of newish reader rides on them that I like to follow
Mr Tidy said:
Wow that is serious long term ownership - well done OP. 
The longest I've had a car is 6 and a half years in 47 years of car ownership - probably because it was a pre-reg and only 3 months old when I got it.
Hope you keep enjoying it.
There were a few times I thought I’d let it go.The longest I've had a car is 6 and a half years in 47 years of car ownership - probably because it was a pre-reg and only 3 months old when I got it.
Hope you keep enjoying it.
When the gasket blew and got an estimate I did book a test drive for something to part ex it for but they suggested I came early to avoid traffic which resulted in my enjoying the drive in my Gtv so much I changed my mind on route.
About 8 years into ownership I got an Alfa Giulietta with a view to sell on the Gtv, the Giulietta is gone and the gtv still here
The 3.0 v6 is so smooth and addictive too rev plus the sense of occasion I get from driving it means it’s hard to part with
V6Nelo said:
Do like the telidials, had a set but did a deal with my Alfa specialist, became quite valuable/rare after that so sometimes think a set in gold could compliment my Proteo red.
They're expensive but my car was dold with awful aftermarket 18s which ruined the ride so I had to change them, really. New PS4s and orange Koni all round transformed ride and handling.Red with gold would be a winner.
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