Alfa GTV6 - think I need one!

[Chris71]

Was wondering about getting an old (80s RWD) Alfa GTV6 a while back and decided they weren't practical enough really.



Then, this morning I was going along the M25 and saw a black GTV6 towing what looked like a sail plane, with a load of kit in the back. I was paralell with him in the traffic jam for quite a while and couldn't get over how good it looked, sounded and the fact it was happily accomodating more than my mountain biking gear.



Damn it! Managed to put them to the back of my mind and now I want one again.



Lots.



Logic tells me if I wanted something like that I should go for a more practical, faster, more reliable Porsche 944, but theres something about the look and sound of the GTV that's impossible to shake.

[jamieboy]

Chris71 said:

Then, this morning I was going along the M25 and saw a black GTV6 towing what looked like a sail plane, with a load of kit in the back. I was paralell with him in the traffic jam for quite a while and couldn't get over how good it looked, sounded and the fact it was happily accomodating more than my mountain biking gear.

Nice cars, I really liked mine.



But bear in mind that the rear seats don't fold (as far as I remember) so although you can get lots of small things in the back, you probably can't fit a single big thing like a mountain bike.

[Chris71]

That's a hell of a garage you've got there Jamie

I could probably get over the lack of folding seats (I used to transport my bike in a Quantum 2 seat kit car - the look on peoples faces as a full size freeride bike was extract from a car not much bigger than it was commical) however, it would have to spend a reasonable ammount of time living outside, it would have to get me to work pretty much everyday and I'd have to be able to get hold of spares to enable that.

Hmmm.

[touching cloth]

I had a 2 litre version and loved it - sadly it lived outside and as I was working in London it sat more than it should have. It soon turned from a lovely example into a bit of a rust bucket, something that I still ashamed I let happen now. They are great cars but the living outside bit is the bit that would worry me.

Edited by touching cloth on Thursday 24th May 10:21

[Chris71]

I know, I know.... shame the new GTV is rather tight on space and crucially drives the wrong set of wheels

Probably leaves me with the usual suspects of M3, impreza, scimitar, 944 - all subjectively better, but none quite have the character of an Alfa.

(my parents red Alfetta GTV sat on the drive is one of my earliest memories and the first car I can remember going in, so maybe it's a psychological thing!)

[Alfanatic]

I used to fit my racing bicycle in the boot of my steel bumper Alfetta GTV without a problem (the quick release wheels helped of course). The GTV6, though, has a smaller boot, because the petrol tank grew and moved to behind the seats. There's plenty of room behind the front seats though.

I used my GTV every day for 5 years. Got rid of it nearly ten years ago and have missed it ever since. I'd have another in a flash if I was allowed one... Not sure if the mechanical bits will be too hard to source, as I am sure that a lot of bits could be sourced from a 75. Propshaft doughnuts are apparently hard to come by though, and they don't like being abused either.

The 4 cylinder cars, esp. early chrome bumper ones, are beautifully balanced, very adjustable on the throttle and have the best steering feel I have ever experienced. The V6 ruined the balance a little bit with its extra weight in the nose. The cars understeer more and the steering is heavier, but on the plus side you get an absolute gem of an engine that feels as good as it sounds, and the steering is still better than most. The later 4 cylinder cars seemed to have more understeer as well.

I have heard that the 924 (dunno about 944) has better balance than the GTV6, but the steering feel isn't as good.

I can do nothing but recommend the Alfetta GTV or GTV6. If you want one because it looks so good, all I can say is that, once behind the wheel, it just gets even better. They needed a lot of maintenance even ten years ago, aren't the last word in reliability or durability, and the interior will fall to bits if you look at it funny, but, in my case at least, the car was so enjoyable to drive, and looked so good, that I'd forgive it anything.

[Chris71]

To be honest, it's mostly about the noise

God that makes me sound shallow, but the old alfa V6 is

The 924 (atleast in Porsche engined 'S' guise) is indeed superbly balanced (beats my current car - an MX5 by miles), although steering feel on mine really wasn't that good at all.

With my head I know I'd have trouble justifying one over the porker, let alone a more modern sports saloon or coupe, but theres just something very evocative about them. Had managed to put them out of my head (as too impractical) until I saw one loaded up with kit and towing a huge trailer!

That noise.....

[touching cloth]

I probably shouldn't do this on the Alfa forum, but as an alternative to the 944 have you considered a 928 - bigger better and badder with a lovely V8 - for me the 928 has a got a quirkyness that the 944 doesn't and appeals as the more unusual choice, that may go some way to counteracting the character deficit and the V8 should help with the noise.

[Alfanatic]

.... playing devil's advocate now: Alfetta GTV prices are climbing. Now's a good time to buy....

That Alfa V6 is a wonderful engine, it never sounded better than it did as a 2.5, and the GTV is the best shell in which to enjoy the engine.

Go on, you know it makes sense

Edited by Alfanatic on Friday 25th May 18:23

[Chris71]

Alfanatic said:

.... playing devil's advocate now: Alfetta GTV prices are climbing. Now's a good time to buy....

That Alfa V6 is a wonderful engine, it never sounded better than it did as a 2.5, and the GTV is the best shell in which to enjoy the engine.

Go on, you know it makes sense

Edited by Alfanatic on Friday 25th May 18:23

Damn you

That sort of talk might just see me renewing my AA membership

As for Porkers - I'd love a 928 if I could afford a mint GTS, but I suspect dogs in my price bracket, yet it'd get a very nice example of a GTV6 (or a 944!)

There is always a thrid way of course....... Alfa 75!

[Chris71]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/173915.htm

Thank god I don't have the money right now! Would have been at severre risk of an impulse buy. Rather doubt he fancies swapping it for an MG ZS.....

[twinspark]

Personally, I'd look at a 75 V6.

More power, more toys, less rust.

But I would say that, 'cos I own a 75.

[Chris71]

Dunno, I prefer the looks of the GTV and let's face I'm not gonna buy a 25 year old Alfa based on any sensible criteria!

The one in the link I posted has a tweaked 3 litre V6 in it (presumably sourced from a 75?) as well as a few other nice bits. Fortunately, I'm waiting to sell two cars, so I don't have the funds to make any impulse buys right now!

[Alfanatic]

....also don't forget that while the GTV also looks good outside, it feels sporty inside too. It's not just about driving in it. The driving position is REALLY laid back. The roof is inches from your head. The bonnet is invisible apart from the huge bulge (looks bigger from inside the car). The windscreen seems to start somewhere above your feet and ends an inch and a half in front of your forehead. The steering wheel, which is height adjustable (any setting you like between low and ridiculously low) sits in your lap. The rear view mirror is oddly shaped and matches the perceived shape of the back window.. and the driving position is classic Italian short legs and long arms. Before you even turn the key, you feel like you're in a proper Italian sports car. Then you start the engine and uncork a sound that would make Pavarotti applaud. Then you start driving and experience sublime chassis feel and balance.

There's a new Golf advert here which asks when was the last time you just went for a drive... for me it was about 10 years ago, in a GTV with no radio. I left, went nowhere in particular, and returned two hours later as happy as I've ever been (even though it broke down half a mile from home )

I hear Porsches are nice too though.

Edited by Alfanatic on Tuesday 29th May 10:35

Edited by Alfanatic on Tuesday 29th May 10:37

[Chris71]

Alfanatic said:

you even turn the key, you feel like you're in a proper Italian sports car. Then you start the engine and uncork a sound that would make Pavarotti applaud. Then you start driving and experience sublime chassis feel and balance.

So, on balance, you liked it?

[Alfanatic]

Chris71 said:

Alfanatic said:

you even turn the key, you feel like you're in a proper Italian sports car. Then you start the engine and uncork a sound that would make Pavarotti applaud. Then you start driving and experience sublime chassis feel and balance.

So, on balance, you liked it?

• cough* uh, yeah, just a bit hehe. Seriously, a 944 is probably the better buy. But if what you really want is a GTV6, Porsche don't make one.

[Chris71]

My thoughts exactly. Don't think you'd ever buy a 20 year old Alfa with your head, but for the heart, it might be more satisfying waiting for the AA with a GTV, than stuck in traffic with a Porsche/BMW. Was always amazed how clinicle my 924S felt when you were in it, but there again it was good to drive and very practical for a proper sports/GT car.

And here comes a new idea - Lotus Excel. Part Chapman masterpiece, part Toyota Celica. Probably has the upper hand compared to the Alfa on reliability and parts availability (not often that can be said of a Lotus) Still nothing like as sensible as the Porsche, but probably rather more fun

Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 30th May 13:03

[Alfanatic]

Chris71 said:

My thoughts exactly. Don't think you'd ever buy a 20 year old Alfa with your head, but for the heart, it might be more satisfying waiting for the AA with a GTV, than stuck in traffic with a Porsche/BMW. Was always amazed how clinicle my 924S felt when you were in it, but there again it was good to drive and very practical for a proper sports/GT car.

And here comes a new idea - Lotus Excel. Part Chapman masterpiece, part Toyota Celica. Probably has the upper hand compared to the Alfa on reliability and parts availability (not often that can be said of a Lotus) Still nothing like as sensible as the Porsche, but probably rather more fun

Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 30th May 13:03

Ugh. can't help you with that one. The Excel has such a good rep for its handling that it would have to make it onto my shopping list too. If you get either the Lotus or the Alfa, I'll be jealous.

I know exactly what you mean about waiting for the AA.... even when mine was broken, I wouldn't have swapped it for anything except a running GTV.