From TVR to Alfa?

[K3EFH]

First time I have strayed away from the TVR Tuscan enclosure, but seeing as I'm selling my Tuscan I thought I would start looking for a replacement.

I think I want a GTV 3.0 but don't really know about how much servicing costs,(although probably less than the TVR), major probalmes to look out for etc and what I should be paying for an early GTV (in red). TVR is going to make way for a wedding plus since the Russian muppet made a rocks up of the company there is no certainty in the brand anymore.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Pooh]

Use a good specialist rather than a dealer and servicing is quite cheap. The main issues I am aware of are, worn rear suspension bushes (I have polybushed mine), dodgy air flow meters, and minor electrical gremlins e.g. the airbag warning light on mine has come on after I moved the passenger seat forwards. A very different car from a tuscan but still quite quick and good fun.

[K3EFH]

Thanks Pooh, the Tiv is a different beast but I have always loved the GTV and I think its a good fill in for the next few years!

[sb-1]

I have owned a couple of Tiv's a few years ago.

I am now on my second Alfa a 156 V6.

They are great cars,and are a lot cheaper to run than TVR's.

I use a specalist for service etc...thats the best way to go IMO

[tvr5000]

Make sure its a good one. My first bill in the GTV was 3 grand. There ended up being alot wrong in the engine department. I understand the 2 ltr is more fragile than the speed six and the 3 litre is a great engine but I've come across the same issues you get with TVR's and one of them is that when test driving them they all feel different with different engine characteristics. Just take ya tiime cos there's a lot out there to choose from.
Good luck.

[Kentish]

I went from a TVR S series to an Alfa Spider.

The Spider doesn't have as much power at low revs and has less torque but it is 1 litre smaller!

Handling is pretty much as good, it's easier to live with, less thirsty & looks nicer IMHO.

The Alfa has a better prodcution quality, the Tiv was a bit 'kitcar like' in comparison.

I'm happy

[exgtt]

Get a good one and you will be cuffed to bits! Good strong engine and the 6 speed box i find very good, it's the best Alfa gearbox i have used. Check the car has a full S/H (Specialist prefered over Alfa in my experirence!) Check the Cambelt/tentioners/Waterpump have been done in the last 20k and that it stays around 90 degrees in normal driving. The rads tend to last 6 years/70k and will look fine when sat in the engine bay (mine fell to bits when i took it out!) There was an issue with the rear bushes on twin spark models but i think the v6's were unaffected. Check for rear end knocking anyway. Not too expensive @ around £150 to sort with uprated bushes. Also the clutch is expensive to sort so make sure it bites as per. Check electrics!

[neejah]

K3EFH said:

First time I have strayed away from the TVR Tuscan enclosure, but seeing as I'm selling my Tuscan I thought I would start looking for a replacement.

I think I want a GTV 3.0 but don't really know about how much servicing costs,(although probably less than the TVR), major probalmes to look out for etc and what I should be paying for an early GTV (in red). TVR is going to make way for a wedding plus since the Russian muppet made a rocks up of the company there is no certainty in the brand anymore.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I went the other way (GTV V6 to Chimaera) and TBH the GTV was a very nice car which I bought as an ex-demo. The quality of components I would have said was lower than the TVR, and the problems I had with the car (to name a few)- bottom arms, discs warping, paint lifting/marking, un-even tyre wear, corrosion on the wheels were far more than the TVR which dare I say it has been remarkably reliable!
The problems weren't what you expect of a £28,000 car, nor were the dealers that were exceptionally poor, and generally didn't have a clue. Not to mention Alfa UK (or the manufacturing plant) or the warranty guy for the north east......wouldn't buy a "new one" again (depreciation - I may as well have thrown my money on the floor ). This was my 3rd Alfa after two 75's.

If you're going to buy a cheap one (the only way I'd do it now) check the bottom arms, brakes, rear bushes and cambelt's been done. Also check that you like front wheel drive with no LSD!