Alfa GTV V6 Aero
Discussion
Well, seeing as she passed her MOT today, I thought I'd add a thread about my GTV as there doesn't seem to be many in readers' cars.
Personal circumstances changed somewhat after my Boxster was written off in the summer, so when I came about replacing it I had a budget of 4k-ish and wanted something interesting. All roads eventually led to the GTV, and after further research I decided I had to have a V6 with Teledials and Aerokit.
Being a bit fussy with my cars I viewed quite a few before settling on this one in the autumn. It was a two owner car with 51k on the clock when I bought it, and came with every invoice and MOT from new. I bought it from a nice old chap down in Cornwall - it was his 9th Alfa and he also had an old Monte Carlo and 147 in his current stable. He had averaged about 3k a year in the GTV in his 6 years of ownership.
The bodywork is in excellent shape with just stonechipping to the front bonnet. When funds allow I'll be rectifying this with paint, but for now I've given her a spring makeover with a wash/clay/wash/scratch-x/nxt treatment. I'm no detailer but I'm pleased with how it's looking now. I am considering having it professionally detailed to bring further improvements but this will be after paint. It was not my first choice colour combo as I would have preferred a contrasting interior - however this is relatively easily changed in the future.
My first job was to swap out the awful standard stereo, so I now have a Kenwood in there with a very good iPod interface, plus I swapped out all the speakers for Hertz (components in the front with crossovers) so sound is much improved. Prior to the MOT there was excessive play in one of the front wishbones and a rear wheel bearing was starting to hum, so I sorted these through a local Alfa specialist.
I do have future plans for the car as I think I'm going to keep it for a few years. I know it's an Alfa cliche but the engine is truly intoxicating - so I want to gradually improve this car to be the best it can be, it's going to be a long journey which I will keep updated on here
Anyway I've waffled on enough, time for some pics!
Personal circumstances changed somewhat after my Boxster was written off in the summer, so when I came about replacing it I had a budget of 4k-ish and wanted something interesting. All roads eventually led to the GTV, and after further research I decided I had to have a V6 with Teledials and Aerokit.
Being a bit fussy with my cars I viewed quite a few before settling on this one in the autumn. It was a two owner car with 51k on the clock when I bought it, and came with every invoice and MOT from new. I bought it from a nice old chap down in Cornwall - it was his 9th Alfa and he also had an old Monte Carlo and 147 in his current stable. He had averaged about 3k a year in the GTV in his 6 years of ownership.
The bodywork is in excellent shape with just stonechipping to the front bonnet. When funds allow I'll be rectifying this with paint, but for now I've given her a spring makeover with a wash/clay/wash/scratch-x/nxt treatment. I'm no detailer but I'm pleased with how it's looking now. I am considering having it professionally detailed to bring further improvements but this will be after paint. It was not my first choice colour combo as I would have preferred a contrasting interior - however this is relatively easily changed in the future.
My first job was to swap out the awful standard stereo, so I now have a Kenwood in there with a very good iPod interface, plus I swapped out all the speakers for Hertz (components in the front with crossovers) so sound is much improved. Prior to the MOT there was excessive play in one of the front wishbones and a rear wheel bearing was starting to hum, so I sorted these through a local Alfa specialist.
I do have future plans for the car as I think I'm going to keep it for a few years. I know it's an Alfa cliche but the engine is truly intoxicating - so I want to gradually improve this car to be the best it can be, it's going to be a long journey which I will keep updated on here
Anyway I've waffled on enough, time for some pics!
Lovely... I had one that colour, makes a change from the usual red or silver. Mine had a tan interior which worked well. My ideal combo would have been black with red leather, but not sure a red interior would work with the blue exterior...
Anyway enjoy it, great cars!
Anyway enjoy it, great cars!
Edited by PhilipAlfa on Thursday 11th March 16:43
dougc said:
Yeah it's on the list and will be done, you can see there is a small amount of surface rust on my rear section. Not too shouty though.dougc said:
Good gracious what a fantastic noise!! 
Beautiful GTV, I really love these cars! Pity I would be laughed at if I tried insuring one!
Thanks for comments The secretary at the garage I MOT'd it at today asked me if it was really a T reg or whether it was a private plate. She said it was a gorgeous car!
As long as it's serviced regularly and looked after the engines are bulletproof (V6). I specifically looked for a cherished low mileage example, but there's plenty around with 150k plus on them now.
The suspension is complex and bushes go - but it's not exactly expensive to sort out. My OSF wishbone was 85 fitted. The rear arms also go (or rather the bushes do) but you can replace both sides with powdercoated powerflexed arms for 400 or so.
Belts are expensive at 500 odd quid from a specialist, but the interval for the V6 is 5 years / 60k so not too bad. It's 3 years / 36k on the 2 litre car though.
I think they are the major issues. There's no problems with rust at all.
I've had loads of comments from friends and waves from randoms in other Alfas since getting it. It's a nice car to have, to listen to, and to sit in. Could do with more lateral support from the good looking Momo leather.
As far as performance goes there's no traction control, and it lights up the front with judicious use of the loud pedal. The car is still on its standard shocks and struggles a bit at 10/10 cross country, that said I had a marvellous hoon from Oxford to Cirencester through Bibury at the weekend at 9/10 and it was a joy. It's no Boxster but an enjoyable drive nonetheless. Suspension upgrades will follow in due course to improve it.
It's also pretty quick. Top speed is said to be 155. I couldn't possibly comment. On the autobahn recently it cruised very comfortably at 120 indicated, which equates to about 4.5k rpm or so.
The secretary at the garage I MOT'd it at today asked me if it was really a T reg or whether it was a private plate. She said it was a gorgeous car!dannytherev said:
Looking good Kris
give me a pm if you want it detailed
Cheers Danny. I may be up for that run out you mailed me about, but it's the day after a rugby Saturday isn't it? May be a problem give me a pm if you want it detailedrb5230 said:
i do love the looks of these cars, how reliable are they really though?
Well, surprisingly ok as I've found out.As long as it's serviced regularly and looked after the engines are bulletproof (V6). I specifically looked for a cherished low mileage example, but there's plenty around with 150k plus on them now.
The suspension is complex and bushes go - but it's not exactly expensive to sort out. My OSF wishbone was 85 fitted. The rear arms also go (or rather the bushes do) but you can replace both sides with powdercoated powerflexed arms for 400 or so.
Belts are expensive at 500 odd quid from a specialist, but the interval for the V6 is 5 years / 60k so not too bad. It's 3 years / 36k on the 2 litre car though.
I think they are the major issues. There's no problems with rust at all.
I've had loads of comments from friends and waves from randoms in other Alfas since getting it. It's a nice car to have, to listen to, and to sit in. Could do with more lateral support from the good looking Momo leather.
As far as performance goes there's no traction control, and it lights up the front with judicious use of the loud pedal. The car is still on its standard shocks and struggles a bit at 10/10 cross country, that said I had a marvellous hoon from Oxford to Cirencester through Bibury at the weekend at 9/10 and it was a joy. It's no Boxster but an enjoyable drive nonetheless. Suspension upgrades will follow in due course to improve it.
It's also pretty quick. Top speed is said to be 155. I couldn't possibly comment. On the autobahn recently it cruised very comfortably at 120 indicated, which equates to about 4.5k rpm or so.
I Consider the GTV to be one of the finest looking cars on the road and in the darker colours they look stunning .
It's a shame that when I test drove one I just couldn't get on with the driving position/pedal layout.
I seem to be alone on this point but I had to flex my ankle at a weird angle to get the clutch to operate
.
It really was a deal breaker for me, I have since owned and loved a 156 V6 so have experienced the pleasure of owning an Alfa V6.
Lovely car.
Duncan
.It's a shame that when I test drove one I just couldn't get on with the driving position/pedal layout.
I seem to be alone on this point but I had to flex my ankle at a weird angle to get the clutch to operate
.It really was a deal breaker for me, I have since owned and loved a 156 V6 so have experienced the pleasure of owning an Alfa V6
.Lovely car
.Duncan
I loved my GTV V6 but I couldn't get comfortable in it. Awesome car for the money though and I'd have another. The experience of that V6 howling at 7k is worth a bad back
Oh and don't wait 5 years/60k miles before doing the belts, they've been known to go before then. I'd suggest sticking to every 3 years/36k.
I assume you already know about - http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gtv-and-916-sp...
Oh and don't wait 5 years/60k miles before doing the belts, they've been known to go before then. I'd suggest sticking to every 3 years/36k.
I assume you already know about - http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gtv-and-916-sp...
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