2.0 JTS engine - Should I avoid?
Discussion
I'm on the lookout for a new car and I came across the Alfa Romeo GT which had previously slipped under the radar.
I drive approximately 16,000 miles a year (30 mile commute) so a diesel isn't completely ruled out but I much prefer the rev-tastic N/A driving experience rather than a torque punch over a limited rev range. I also think it's a crime to have a car that looks so good with a tractor sounding engine.
In my research I've discovered that belts must be changed every 36,000 miles and engine oil must always be kept topped up. I've also read that it likes to use quite a bit of oil so this could be an expensive added running cost.
I've seen a few forum posts slating the 2.0 JTS engine so other than belts and oil what are the common faults? I read about sensor issues but nothing that went into any detail.
I know my heart is totally ruling my head over this decision as everything tells me that it'll be expensive to run and maintain, it'll be difficult to sell and it's hardly the best drivers car. Should I turn away now before I go for a test drive and fall in love?
I'm currently in the middle of buying my first house so money is tight, hence wanting an easy to run car and not opting to look at V6's.
I drive approximately 16,000 miles a year (30 mile commute) so a diesel isn't completely ruled out but I much prefer the rev-tastic N/A driving experience rather than a torque punch over a limited rev range. I also think it's a crime to have a car that looks so good with a tractor sounding engine.
In my research I've discovered that belts must be changed every 36,000 miles and engine oil must always be kept topped up. I've also read that it likes to use quite a bit of oil so this could be an expensive added running cost.
I've seen a few forum posts slating the 2.0 JTS engine so other than belts and oil what are the common faults? I read about sensor issues but nothing that went into any detail.
I know my heart is totally ruling my head over this decision as everything tells me that it'll be expensive to run and maintain, it'll be difficult to sell and it's hardly the best drivers car. Should I turn away now before I go for a test drive and fall in love?
I'm currently in the middle of buying my first house so money is tight, hence wanting an easy to run car and not opting to look at V6's.
That 1.9 diesel is a very strong performer and can be made to go as quick as the big V6. Although it will never feel or sound as special. My problem with the JTS is that the performance is not that great and the fuel economy is not much better than the V6, plus it has its issue's as well.
It's a shame the GT never came with the 2.4 diesel. If you do get one, a few suspension mods make the GT a very capable car plus they look great and are very practical.
It's a shame the GT never came with the 2.4 diesel. If you do get one, a few suspension mods make the GT a very capable car plus they look great and are very practical.
Thanks for the replies. I think on this occassion I'm going to walk away from the GT after some more research. I'm normally happy to ignore the usual Alfa reliability wives tales but with so much evidence online about the engine issues it's difficult to ignore.
I had orginally got interested in the GT because there are crap all decent cars under £4000 and 100,000 miles in NI at the moment and it stood out as a possibility. I've decided I'm happy to travel to England for the right car (we always have to do this) so it opens up way more possibilities.
I had orginally got interested in the GT because there are crap all decent cars under £4000 and 100,000 miles in NI at the moment and it stood out as a possibility. I've decided I'm happy to travel to England for the right car (we always have to do this) so it opens up way more possibilities.
With these it generally always comes down to maintenance, and the very early 52-04 156's had most of the issues, the GT's inherited the weaker injectors but not nearly as sensitive (imo)
I have had 3 JTS's, a V6, a 1.9 and 2.4 JTD and a more recent 2.2 JTS in the Brera !
The first JTS was a low mileage 2005 156, this was faultless
The second was a 52 plate "early" JTS, this had about 55k on the clock and it looked like (from the receipts) it had undergone some surgery in the past to make it behave, again faultless in my hands however.
The third is my current GT which is now on 82k (I have done 20k in it) and again...faultless ! Although every year I do put in Wurth Injection Cleaner as a preventative step.
The JTS isn't as characterful as the TS, but it has more torque, is spritely enough and does about 35mpg on the motorway and probably about mid 20's around town. Peoples complaints generally stemmed from the early teething issues with sensors (52-late 03), the units in the GT were to my knowledge the better of the bunch. More recently some have been opened and found to be quite coked up and down on power, with some concern around injector life. However as you can see from mine (touch wood), all OK but I do change oil on the button, put some preventative Wurth injection fluid through each year e.t.c.
I really didn't get on with a 1.9 JTD GT I had, it is a noisy unit, low revving and zero fun, the JTS can rev and makes a reasonably nice noise. The V6 Alfa's aren't a million miles off in terms of MPG as they only really drink the juice when pushed. The 2.4 JTD (I had a 10v) was a peach of a unit, felt quick, sounded like an angry bear and was generally just a pleasure! (Apart from the variable vanes in the turbo!)
Personally I think the 2.0 JTS is a perfectly decent engine and I like the noise/torque. Buy a nice one and buy a £10 bottle of Wurth each year.
I have had 3 JTS's, a V6, a 1.9 and 2.4 JTD and a more recent 2.2 JTS in the Brera !
The first JTS was a low mileage 2005 156, this was faultless
The second was a 52 plate "early" JTS, this had about 55k on the clock and it looked like (from the receipts) it had undergone some surgery in the past to make it behave, again faultless in my hands however.
The third is my current GT which is now on 82k (I have done 20k in it) and again...faultless ! Although every year I do put in Wurth Injection Cleaner as a preventative step.
The JTS isn't as characterful as the TS, but it has more torque, is spritely enough and does about 35mpg on the motorway and probably about mid 20's around town. Peoples complaints generally stemmed from the early teething issues with sensors (52-late 03), the units in the GT were to my knowledge the better of the bunch. More recently some have been opened and found to be quite coked up and down on power, with some concern around injector life. However as you can see from mine (touch wood), all OK but I do change oil on the button, put some preventative Wurth injection fluid through each year e.t.c.
I really didn't get on with a 1.9 JTD GT I had, it is a noisy unit, low revving and zero fun, the JTS can rev and makes a reasonably nice noise. The V6 Alfa's aren't a million miles off in terms of MPG as they only really drink the juice when pushed. The 2.4 JTD (I had a 10v) was a peach of a unit, felt quick, sounded like an angry bear and was generally just a pleasure! (Apart from the variable vanes in the turbo!)
Personally I think the 2.0 JTS is a perfectly decent engine and I like the noise/torque. Buy a nice one and buy a £10 bottle of Wurth each year.
Thanks for all the feedback.
In the end I decided that while the Alfa could have been a good car it seemed like it would be too high maintenance (both for me and to ensure all previous owners looked after the car properly) and potentially very difficult to sell again. I knew it was a heart decision because I loved the styling but in the end my head ruled out.
Last weekend I picked up an '03 BMW 530i sport with 62k for almost half my initial budget. The car is immaculate and everything is tight so I know the BMW will be a long term solution rather than a couple of years like the Alfa would have been. I absolutely love the 530 and I know I made the right decision. In the future I'll look into fitting an lsd which will complete the car.
In the end I decided that while the Alfa could have been a good car it seemed like it would be too high maintenance (both for me and to ensure all previous owners looked after the car properly) and potentially very difficult to sell again. I knew it was a heart decision because I loved the styling but in the end my head ruled out.
Last weekend I picked up an '03 BMW 530i sport with 62k for almost half my initial budget. The car is immaculate and everything is tight so I know the BMW will be a long term solution rather than a couple of years like the Alfa would have been. I absolutely love the 530 and I know I made the right decision. In the future I'll look into fitting an lsd which will complete the car.
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