Talk to me about GTV 3.0 v6

Author
Discussion

Chris Type R

8,026 posts

249 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
Warnie said:
I wanted a GTV, but then I needed rear seats and a boot. Both of which the GTV doesn't really have. So I went for a GT which looks far better to me up close then they do in photographs. I didn't appreciate the curves and how special the interior feels, as in the photographs they just look like a 147 inside. Problem is though, is that your talking nearer £5k for a decent one, where as GTV's can be had from £1.5k.
The styling is more subtle than a GTV, but also more "modern". Lowering improves the appearance and a diff the handling. They are very practical with the seats down - and the seats are significantly more comfortable.

Mine's only done 500 miles in the last 11 months, so I might look to sell later in the year once we've moved house.

Gratuitous photo posting opportunity anyway:






cirian75

Original Poster:

4,260 posts

233 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
been looking at the GT


JTD seems good, but its a diesel = DMF, swirl flaps, EGR's and DPF are all things to go wrong

JTS seems to be a very heavy drinker vs the older TS motors

and the V6 seems past budget

frown

Chris Type R

8,026 posts

249 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
I haven't been keeping track, what are GT 3.2s fetching now ?

cirian75

Original Poster:

4,260 posts

233 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
cheapest local to me is 5.5k

a few in the UK at 4.5k


most are at 6.5 to 9k

and non are red frown

Pat H

8,056 posts

256 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
If we are allowed to post gratuitous photos, then here are my two 3.2 GTVs.












I bought the red GTV to replace this 2.5 156, but apart from the gorgeous looks, I found that I preferred everything about the 156. So I ended up selling the GTV and kept the 156.

I still have the 156, stored away in my Mum's garage. It is probably not even worth a grand, so I can't bring myself to sell it, even though I don't currently have a use for it. It has only done 60,000 miles and is just a lovely old thing. I have enjoyed the 156 more than any other car I have owned.






cirian75

Original Poster:

4,260 posts

233 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
what do you like better about the 156?


Chris Type R

8,026 posts

249 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
I was given a 156 GTA once as a courtesy car, very nice it was indeed.

Chris Type R

8,026 posts

249 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
Pat H said:
If we are allowed to post gratuitous photos, then here are my two 3.2 GTVs.
Here's my old GTV, Phase II 3.0 iirc - it had a rare accessory which you can't see in the pic, a sun roof.





Chris Type R

8,026 posts

249 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
cirian75 said:
cheapest local to me is 5.5k

a few in the UK at 4.5k


most are at 6.5 to 9k

and non are red frown
If you're still looking in May/June get in touch.

Pat H

8,056 posts

256 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
cirian75 said:
what do you like better about the 156?
Interior miles nicer. Not claustrophobic, far better seats, nicer styled dash, more modern switchgear.

2.5 V6 revs harder, sounds better, is smoother and sweeter than the 3.2.

Bodywork nothing like as vulnerable to parking dings.

Nose not as vulnerable to stone chips.

Steering lock not quite as crap on the 156.

The doors on the 156 have proper frames. On the GTV the frameless glass fails to seal properly if you open and close the windows at speed, causing lots of wind noise and water leaks.

The 156 rides more quietly. GTVs suffer from terrible tyre noise if you have the wrong tyres fitted.

The 156 is better built and feels more durable than the GTV.

Silly things like airbag warning lamps and key fobs are less problematic on the 156.

The 156 gives away absolutely nothing to the GTV in terms of driving pleasure, but has a nicer cabin, proper rear seats and a useful boot.


Don't get me wrong, I really like the GTVs.

Apart from the rarity and the looks, a 156 (either 2.5 or a GTA) or a 3.2 GT is more pleasurable to live with. But as a future classic, the GTV beats the 156 or the GT hands down.

smile

cirian75

Original Poster:

4,260 posts

233 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
maybe a 147 ?


but not at his price

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

about £500 needs to come off that one.

cirian75

Original Poster:

4,260 posts

233 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
Pat H said:
cirian75 said:
what do you like better about the 156?
Interior miles nicer. Not claustrophobic, far better seats, nicer styled dash, more modern switchgear.

2.5 V6 revs harder, sounds better, is smoother and sweeter than the 3.2.

Bodywork nothing like as vulnerable to parking dings.

Nose not as vulnerable to stone chips.

Steering lock not quite as crap on the 156.

The doors on the 156 have proper frames. On the GTV the frameless glass fails to seal properly if you open and close the windows at speed, causing lots of wind noise and water leaks.

The 156 rides more quietly. GTVs suffer from terrible tyre noise if you have the wrong tyres fitted.

The 156 is better built and feels more durable than the GTV.

Silly things like airbag warning lamps and key fobs are less problematic on the 156.

The 156 gives away absolutely nothing to the GTV in terms of driving pleasure, but has a nicer cabin, proper rear seats and a useful boot.


Don't get me wrong, I really like the GTVs.

Apart from the rarity and the looks, a 156 (either 2.5 or a GTA) or a 3.2 GT is more pleasurable to live with. But as a future classic, the GTV beats the 156 or the GT hands down.

smile
mmm, 156 sounds nice.

Warnie

1,135 posts

199 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
Chris Type R said:
The styling is more subtle than a GTV, but also more "modern". Lowering improves the appearance and a diff the handling. They are very practical with the seats down - and the seats are significantly more comfortable.

Mine's only done 500 miles in the last 11 months, so I might look to sell later in the year once we've moved house.

Gratuitous photo posting opportunity anyway:





Now that's a tidy GT.

Mine in nuvola blue, which because it's metallic it hides paintwork blemishes very well. So much so that I had a couple of nasty shocks when I clay bared it as I found 2 areas of rough paintwork that had been obviously badly resprayed.

So now front bumper and part of the front wing need redoing.

TA14

12,722 posts

258 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
Warnie said:
Mine in nuvola blue, which because it's metallic
My GTV was Nuvola blue; it's not metallic it's iridescent and very difficult to match in patches - good luck.

TA14

12,722 posts

258 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
cirian75 said:
Pat H said:
cirian75 said:
what do you like better about the 156?
Interior miles nicer. Not claustrophobic, far better seats, nicer styled dash, more modern switchgear.

2.5 V6 revs harder, sounds better, is smoother and sweeter than the 3.2.

Bodywork nothing like as vulnerable to parking dings.

Nose not as vulnerable to stone chips.

Steering lock not quite as crap on the 156.

The doors on the 156 have proper frames. On the GTV the frameless glass fails to seal properly if you open and close the windows at speed, causing lots of wind noise and water leaks.

The 156 rides more quietly. GTVs suffer from terrible tyre noise if you have the wrong tyres fitted.

The 156 is better built and feels more durable than the GTV.

Silly things like airbag warning lamps and key fobs are less problematic on the 156.

The 156 gives away absolutely nothing to the GTV in terms of driving pleasure, but has a nicer cabin, proper rear seats and a useful boot.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the GTVs.

Apart from the rarity and the looks, a 156 (either 2.5 or a GTA) or a 3.2 GT is more pleasurable to live with. But as a future classic, the GTV beats the 156 or the GT hands down.
smile
mmm, 156 sounds nice.
On the other hand I prefer the interior of the GTV (although the roof line could be higher/seat rails lower so don't buy one with a sunroof if this bothers you) I don't have an issue with the seats, even on a trip through the Alps and Italy, similar with the boot - it's small and the battery, spare wheel and CD changer make it even smaller but you've got the rear seats for storage. Stone chips do not generally mean rust as most of the front end is fibreglass and finally I found the GTV to be the best built Alfa I've had - did the quality go downhill when the production was taken away from Pininfarina?

(steering lock, tyre noise and wear, parking dings, key fobs (I just used the key) are a fair cop though.)

TA14

12,722 posts

258 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
cirian75 said:
maybe a 147?
That's quite some change from a GTV busso. The 147 is a nice car, I drove one today, but it's not special in the way that the GTV V6 is an occasion that has you turning round as you walk away.

cirian75

Original Poster:

4,260 posts

233 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
if I don't mind the 2.0 JTS I could have a nice 156 or GT quite easy

what is the opinion of the 2.0 JTS engine?

Google search does not say nice things about it frown

Chris Type R

8,026 posts

249 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
cirian75 said:
if I don't mind the 2.0 JTS I could have a nice 156 or GT quite easy

what is the opinion of the 2.0 JTS engine?

Google search does not say nice things about it frown
Others might differ in opinion, but if you're buying as a future classic, or to scratch the Alfa itch, then I'd be going for the Busso.

Pat H

8,056 posts

256 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
Chris Type R said:
Others might differ in opinion, but if you're buying as a future classic, or to scratch the Alfa itch, then I'd be going for the Busso.
My opinion is as follows:

If you don't do an astronomical mileage, then if it is a GTV, GT or 156, then get a V6.

If it is a 147, then buy a cheap Twin Spark. They are good fun to hammer around in.

I am presently doing over 30,000 miles per year and find that a 156 2.4 JTD is a reasonable compromise. It doesn't handle and the engine has none of the character of the V6, but it thrums away pretty well for a diesel, does 43mpg and is reasonably fast in a straight line.

It has also been completely reliable, though has a healthy appetite for tyres and suspension arms.

smile


cirian75

Original Poster:

4,260 posts

233 months

Thursday 5th February 2015
quotequote all
[quote=Pat H]If we are allowed to post gratuitous photos, then here are my two 3.2 GTVs.





Now that is gorgeous tongue out !!!!!!!!!