916 Spider Twin spark

[CarlosSainz100]

That silver GTV looks very nice.

I've also had a Boxster S 986. Mine was a 2001. It had been owned by an enthusiast and had lots spending on it. It was mint. But for some reason I didn't quite gel with it. All the power (and there was lots) was available very high in the rev range which meant you had to be going dental records speeds to have any fun with it. It was supremely well built; especially compared to the gtv spider which was like a WW1 biplane in comparison, but ultimately it was a bit too small for me to use how I wanted and didn't quite have the steering feel I was expecting. I'm 6ft 4 and for some reason the GTV spider had a bit more room.

The boxster cost me a little over 7k to buy and I spent around 2k on a few bits and pieces over 12 months and sold it on for 8k. They can get very expensive very quickly, and those costs are on another planet compared to the Alfa. I'm not saying a Boxster S is better than the Spider but I enjoyed my Spider a whole lot more. It had character and charm in abundance. It was very Italian and the Porsche was very....German.

[jamesbilluk]

CarlosSainz100 said:

That silver GTV looks very nice.

I've also had a Boxster S 986. Mine was a 2001. It had been owned by an enthusiast and had lots spending on it. It was mint. But for some reason I didn't quite gel with it. All the power (and there was lots) was available very high in the rev range which meant you had to be going dental records speeds to have any fun with it. It was supremely well built; especially compared to the gtv spider which was like a WW1 biplane in comparison, but ultimately it was a bit too small for me to use how I wanted and didn't quite have the steering feel I was expecting. I'm 6ft 4 and for some reason the GTV spider had a bit more room.

The boxster cost me a little over 7k to buy and I spent around 2k on a few bits and pieces over 12 months and sold it on for 8k. They can get very expensive very quickly, and those costs are on another planet compared to the Alfa. I'm not saying a Boxster S is better than the Spider but I enjoyed my Spider a whole lot more. It had character and charm in abundance. It was very Italian and the Porsche was very....German.

I can definetly understand that, there's something about the Alfas.

I've been also looking the idea of a GTV possibly, mainly for the fact it may be used more if I can get someone in the back, at a push.

But having to stretch my budget a bit...

I have been tempted by this, for the colour combination alone. It came from Japan so no sign or rust at all. But it has been completely treated with rust protection when it arrived. And has a specialist service history since then

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304166...

It looks like it was a forum members car at some point
https://www.alfaowner.com/threads/japanese-import-...

With something like this, would this hold it's value? Or would being an import change the price. Hoping the lack of any rust makes up for that.

[wal 45]

There are a few detail differences on the import cars, it'll be silly stuff but easily changed if not already done. I'd still check for rust though as I think this car has been here for a while.

Can't really comment on the rest, driven quite a few TS and V6 GTV's (including a mates Cup) and despite being a 916 owner if I wanted a roof I'd go back to a Fiat Coupe 20 valve rather than a GTV. Much more useable especially if you want 4 seats, the GTV is still more or less a 2 seater.

Edited by wal 45 on Monday 17th April 14:57

[jamesbilluk]

wal 45 said:

There are a few detail differences on the import cars, it'll be silly stuff but easily changed if not already done. I'd still check for rust though as I think this car has been here for a while.

Can't really comment on the rest, driven quite a few TS and V6 GTV's (including a mates Cup) and despite being a 916 owner if I wanted a roof I'd go back to a Fiat Coupe 20 valve rather than a GTV. Much more useable especially if you want 4 seats, the GTV is still more or less a 2 seater.

Edited by wal 45 on Monday 17th April 14:57

I'll have a good look on the underside/when it was treated as well.

The radio I'll change too, I think it's still reading in KMH as well.

Ah yes, I do like the Fiat coupe, another one to have a research from.

Edit, just had a look at those, didn't realise they had gone up to that price!

Rear seat wise, the other half will be in the front, and the 4 year old, and 9 month old (that's if a rear facing will fit!!) not sure when she will be moving to front facing.

Edited by jamesbilluk on Monday 17th April 15:13

[jamesbilluk]

Just got off the video chat with the seller, really does look brilliant. Even with the camera underneath the car, it looks very very clean. I'm due to see it next Sunday

[CarlosSainz100]

I swear I'm not making all this up....but I've owned a GTV 3.2 as well. Back in 2011. I even posted stuff about it on the Alfa owner website at the time under GTV3.2OWNER I think.

I'd come from a lovely 55 plate GT coupe diesel. And well.... basically I quickly realised I'd made the wrong move. The GTV was unbelievably thirsty around town, we're talking single figures mpg around city centre Birmingham. And the seats were bloody awful. The colour was wrong as well, silver. I think I spent 3k getting the belts done and a few other things and then sold it at a massive loss. Strangely either because I'm a sucker for Alfa Romeos or an idiot it didn't put me off buying a TS spider in 2014 which I enjoyed hugely.

Maybe as a second weekend car a GTV 3.0 would make more sense? But for me the fuel costs didn't really add up vs the driving experience.

Now if you post up that you want to buy a st@y old 1988 VW Polo 'breadvan' style or a MK3 Golf GTi 16v I really will think something strange is going on.....

[jamesbilluk]

CarlosSainz100 said:

I swear I'm not making all this up....but I've owned a GTV 3.2 as well. Back in 2011. I even posted stuff about it on the Alfa owner website at the time under GTV3.2OWNER I think.

I'd come from a lovely 55 plate GT coupe diesel. And well.... basically I quickly realised I'd made the wrong move. The GTV was unbelievably thirsty around town, we're talking single figures mpg around city centre Birmingham. And the seats were bloody awful. The colour was wrong as well, silver. I think I spent 3k getting the belts done and a few other things and then sold it at a massive loss. Strangely either because I'm a sucker for Alfa Romeos or an idiot it didn't put me off buying a TS spider in 2014 which I enjoyed hugely.

Maybe as a second weekend car a GTV 3.0 would make more sense? But for me the fuel costs didn't really add up vs the driving experience.

Now if you post up that you want to buy a st@y old 1988 VW Polo 'breadvan' style or a MK3 Golf GTi 16v I really will think something strange is going on.....

Ah, nice. I shall have a look, was that one of the PH3 cars with the 3.2?

I had read that they can be on the thirsty side! This will be a second car used for occasions/nice weekends I think, And hopefully one that I shouldn't loose much money on, which I usually manage to!

I do like the Mk3 gti, and that gen of Polo!

[paulmakin]

for those who cant decide between a 916 coupe and a fiat coupe there is a solution......one of each !

The fiat is much more practical with proper useable rear seats and a real boot. Both of mine now have the status of "special day" cars (as opposed to used every day in all weather and all traffic conditions) whilst a Giulietta Tbi has taken over the role of daily.

those skirts on the Zoe look like the (no longer available, thankfully) Magma Tuning offering. Romanian iirc

Edited by paulmakin on Monday 17th April 21:22

[CarlosSainz100]

jamesbilluk said:

Ah, nice. I shall have a look, was that one of the PH3 cars with the 3.2?

I had read that they can be on the thirsty side! This will be a second car used for occasions/nice weekends I think, And hopefully one that I shouldn't loose much money on, which I usually manage to!

I do like the Mk3 gti, and that gen of Polo!

Yes it was the last of the line ph3. The one that's not very good looking and has 'f40 alike' alloy wheels on it.

It would be interesting to see if I liked it now I live outside the city and can access some good roads. But for inner city Birmingham it was atrocious. I remember part of the 3k bill was fitting a Q2 diff on it. I have to say I didn't notice a single difference. I'd read that it pulled you round the corners but I think you had to be going so fast for that work that you far more likely to go off because of things other than the q2.

For absolute bullet proof depreciation I think a 3.0 spider would be a good shout although everyone I know whose driven both a busso and a TS spider say the spider drives much better. That or a Cup gtv which is exactly the same as a normal 3.0 but was red and had a bodykit on it and a small plaque and different seats.

[jamesbilluk]

paulmakin said:

for those who cant decide between a 916 coupe and a fiat coupe there is a solution......one of each !

The fiat is much more practical with proper useable rear seats and a real boot. Both of mine now have the status of "special day" cars (as opposed to used every day in all weather and all traffic conditions) whilst a Giulietta Tbi has taken over the role of daily.

those skirts on the Zoe look like the (no longer available, thankfully) Magma Tuning offering. Romanian iirc

Edited by paulmakin on Monday 17th April 21:22

Both would be ideal!!

I do like the Fiat's, and sound fantastic with the 5 cylinder.

[jamesbilluk]

CarlosSainz100 said:

Yes it was the last of the line ph3. The one that's not very good looking and has 'f40 alike' alloy wheels on it.

It would be interesting to see if I liked it now I live outside the city and can access some good roads. But for inner city Birmingham it was atrocious. I remember part of the 3k bill was fitting a Q2 diff on it. I have to say I didn't notice a single difference. I'd read that it pulled you round the corners but I think you had to be going so fast for that work that you far more likely to go off because of things other than the q2.

For absolute bullet proof depreciation I think a 3.0 spider would be a good shout although everyone I know whose driven both a busso and a TS spider say the spider drives much better. That or a Cup gtv which is exactly the same as a normal 3.0 but was red and had a bodykit on it and a small plaque and different seats.

I quite like the look of the PH3s, the V6s seem quite hard to come buy now.

I can imagine it was annoying not being able to enjoy the car properly in Birmingham.

Ah yes, I've seen the Cup, they seem to be quite pricy now. There doesn't seem to be many 3.0.Spiders for sale at all. Lots of the Brera generation one though.

[CarlosSainz100]

I test drove a brera from that Love Alfa place although it was called Second City Motors then. I really really wanted to like it. I loved the looks and the interior is still one of my favourites of any car, it felt solid. But they only had a JTS version and it was rubbish. I still wonder what one with the TBI engine would be like.

[jamesbilluk]

CarlosSainz100 said:

I test drove a brera from that Love Alfa place although it was called Second City Motors then. I really really wanted to like it. I loved the looks and the interior is still one of my favourites of any car, it felt solid. But they only had a JTS version and it was rubbish. I still wonder what one with the TBI engine would be like.

That Generation did look great! The 159 with the same interior felt really well put together

It us a shame they didn't fit it with the tbi. Even though the 4c had a similar engine.

[CarlosSainz100]

I think they did fit the brera with the tbi engine? But they are like hens teeth and still go for ridiculous money

[jamesbilluk]

CarlosSainz100 said:

I think they did fit the brera with the tbi engine? But they are like hens teeth and still go for ridiculous money

Ah yes, I forgot about that. I did see a Brera with the tbi, in white with tan leather for Sale in London a while ago, it did look lovely. The tbi 159s seem to rare too.

[arguti]

Just re-enforcing comments from earlier, Neil at NJS is the place to go - not cheap, but work done once and properly.

James - i am also in Worcestershire and there are quite a few alfa nuts locally !

I am also partial to a few Lancias and the odd Fiat.

[jamesbilluk]

arguti said:

Just re-enforcing comments from earlier, Neil at NJS is the place to go - not cheap, but work done once and properly.

James - i am also in Worcestershire and there are quite a few alfa nuts locally !

I am also partial to a few Lancias and the odd Fiat.

I would definitely agree with that. I took my 159 to NJS, and was impressed with Neil and the teams work. If I go for the GTV, It will certainly be going there to be looked after.

Ah, nice, I'm Malvern based, I will certainly keep my eye out, i did have a nice wave from a Guilia when I had the 159.

[jamesbilluk]

Went for the GTV with the V6 in the end, fantastic condition.

[CarlosSainz100]

That looks fantastic. The right colour combo as well. You could eat your dinner off the underside by the looks of things.

[jamesbilluk]

CarlosSainz100 said:

That looks fantastic. The right colour combo as well. You could eat your dinner off the underside by the looks of things.

Absolutely thrilled with it, and the spec. The underside is impressive, the seller has recently had it re waxoyled as well.

Will be staying way from salt though!

Just some llttle things to do, a new head unit at some point, as the Japanese one only picks up radio 2.

Also, I found the rear indicators flash red instead of amber, hopefully this could be sorted by a new light bar.